The Best Email Marketing Software for Affiliates (2026): 6 Tools Compared
Your email list is the asset you own. Here's where to build it.
On This Page
- Why Affiliates Need Email Marketing
- What to Look For
- Quick Comparison
- 1. AWeber: Best Overall for Affiliates
- 2. Systeme.io: Best Free All-in-One
- 3. MailerLite: Best for Simple Newsletters
- 4. GoHighLevel: Best for Agencies
- 5. ClickFunnels: Best for Funnel-Led Businesses
- 6. Moosend: Best Budget Automation
- Email Rules for Affiliates
- How to Choose
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Affiliates Need Email Marketing
Search rankings and social reach can change overnight; an email list is an audience you own. Affiliates use email to follow up with visitors, build trust over time and recommend products when they're relevant. The right tool makes it easy to capture subscribers, send automated sequences and track results.
What to Look For
- A free plan or trial to start without risk.
- Automations for welcome and follow-up sequences.
- Landing pages and forms to capture subscribers.
- Affiliate-friendly terms: check each provider's rules on affiliate links.
- Support and deliverability so emails reach inboxes.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Free Option | Paid From | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWeber (our #1) | 500 subscribers, 3,000 emails/mo | $15/mo ($12.49 annual) | Email-first affiliates who want support |
| Systeme.io | 2,000 contacts, unlimited emails | $17/mo | Email plus funnels and courses |
| MailerLite | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/mo | $12/mo | Simple newsletters on a budget |
| GoHighLevel | 14-day trial | $97/mo | Agencies and lead-gen businesses |
| ClickFunnels | 14-day trial | $97/mo | Funnel-led businesses |
| Moosend | 30-day trial, no card | $9/mo (500 contacts) | Budget automation |
1. AWeber: Best Overall for Affiliates
AWeber combines easy email building, ready-made automations, landing pages and 24/7 phone, chat and email support, with a free plan for up to 500 subscribers and paid plans from $15 a month. It has long been popular with affiliate marketers. See our AWeber review and AWeber pricing.
2. Systeme.io: Best Free All-in-One
Systeme.io's free plan includes 2,000 contacts, unlimited emails, funnels and a course, with paid plans from $17 a month. It's ideal if you also want funnels and checkout in one account. Compare: AWeber vs Systeme.io.
3. MailerLite: Best for Simple Newsletters
MailerLite's free plan covers 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month, with paid plans from $12 a month. It's clean and affordable, but its free plan is smaller than AWeber's or Systeme.io's.
4. GoHighLevel: Best for Agencies
GoHighLevel bundles email with a CRM, texting, calls and funnels, from $97 a month with a 14-day trial. It's more than most affiliates need, but strong for lead generation businesses. See our GoHighLevel review.
5. ClickFunnels: Best for Funnel-Led Businesses
ClickFunnels includes email alongside funnels, checkout and courses, from $97 a month with a 14-day trial. It suits affiliates who also sell their own products. See our ClickFunnels review.
6. Moosend: Best Budget Automation
Moosend offers email campaigns, a visual automation workflow builder, landing pages, sign-up forms and segmentation. It has a 30-day free trial with no credit card, then the Pro plan starts at $9 a month for up to 500 contacts, rising to $16 for 1,000 and $24 for 2,000, with unlimited emails. Paying every six months saves 15%, and paying yearly saves 20%. It's a good fit if you want automation on a tight budget, though it has fewer integrations and less hands-on support than AWeber.
Email Rules for Affiliates
When you email subscribers, follow the FTC's CAN-SPAM guide: honest subject lines, your physical address and an easy unsubscribe. Disclose affiliate relationships, and only email people who opted in.
How to Choose
| If You Want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Email marketing with great support | AWeber |
| Email, funnels and courses free | Systeme.io |
| The cheapest simple newsletter | MailerLite |
| A CRM with texting and calls | GoHighLevel |
| Funnels with advanced checkout | ClickFunnels |
| Automation on the smallest budget | Moosend |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Email Software for Affiliate Marketing?
We recommend AWeber for most affiliates, thanks to its free plan, automations and support.
Can I Send Affiliate Links by Email?
Generally yes, but check your provider's terms and disclose the relationship.
Which Has the Best Free Plan?
Systeme.io offers the most contacts free; AWeber offers 500 subscribers with strong email tools.
Which Is Cheapest With Automation?
Moosend starts at $9 a month for 500 contacts, after a 30-day free trial.
Do I Need a Landing Page?
It helps. AWeber, Systeme.io and the others include landing page tools.
Start With Our #1 Pick
AWeber's free plan covers your first 500 subscribers, with no credit card.