Customer.io vs MailerLite
Pricing
Customer.io: From $100/mo
MailerLite: Free up to 1k subs, paid from $9/mo
Description
Customer.io: Behavior-based email and push for SaaS
MailerLite: Simple email marketing at great prices
Pros
- Powerful segmentation
- Multi-channel (email, SMS, push)
- Great for product-led growth
- 5x cheaper than Mailchimp for comparable features
- Free tier covers 1,000 subscribers with full email builder
- Drag-and-drop editor that actually produces good-looking emails
Cons
- Expensive for small lists
- Steep learning curve
- Automation is simpler than Kit (formerly ConvertKit) or Customer.io
- Fewer native integrations: may need Zapier for your stack
Details
Customer.io sends messages based on what users actually do in your product. Founded by Colin Nederkoorn, “fundstrapped” (took some money but runs like bootstrapped). Took 18 months to hit $10k MRR, now at $100M ARR. Great for SaaS doing product-led growth.
MailerLite is email marketing without the bloat or the price tag. Founded in Lithuania by Ignas Rubezius, bootstrapped until acquired for $90M in 2022. 5x cheaper than competitors because remote team + Lithuanian base. Great for creators who want simple and affordable.
Verified
