Quick Verdict
Choose AWeber if you want a bigger free plan, round-the-clock support from your first paid plan and a straightforward tool built around sequences, newsletters and simple selling.
Choose MailerLite if keeping costs to a minimum is your top priority, you like a modern visual editor and you're comfortable relying on help articles and email support until you reach its higher plan.
For someone starting out, AWeber's free plan holds twice as many subscribers and its paid plans include 24/7 support. If every dollar counts and you're self-sufficient, MailerLite is a capable lower-cost option.
The Core Difference
Both tools target small businesses and creators, and both cover the essentials: editor, forms, landing pages, automation and newsletters. The difference is emphasis.
MailerLite competes on price and a clean, modern interface, with support levels that rise as you move up its plans. AWeber competes on simplicity and support, with 24/7 help from its first paid plan and free migration assistance.
AWeber vs MailerLite at a Glance
| Feature | AWeber | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan subscribers | 500 | 250 |
| Free plan emails | 3,000/month | 2,500/month |
| Free plan automations | 1 | 3 active |
| Free plan landing pages | 1 | 1 |
| Free plan support | Knowledge base and resources | Knowledge base |
| Entry paid plan | Lite from $15/month ($12.50 annual) | Comfort from $12/month |
| Unlimited automations | Plus from $30/month ($20 annual) | Power from $25/month |
| Paid support | 24/7 on Lite; priority including phone on Plus | Email on Comfort; 24/7 live chat on Power |
| Annual billing saving | About 17%, or 33% on Plus at 500 subscribers | 10% |
Prices are starting prices from each vendor's pricing page. MailerLite's page doesn't show the subscriber tier its starting prices apply to, so compare quotes at your own list size.
Free Plans Compared
AWeber's free plan covers 500 subscribers and 3,000 emails a month with one automation. MailerLite's free plan covers 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month, with three active automations, two seats and a landing page.
So AWeber holds twice as many subscribers free, while MailerLite allows more automations. For a brand-new list that will grow past 250 subscribers within a few months, AWeber's extra headroom usually matters more. For someone with a small, stable list who wants several automations, MailerLite's free plan has an edge.
Pricing on Paid Plans
MailerLite's paid plans start lower: Comfort from $12 a month and Power, with unlimited automations and emails, from $25 a month. AWeber Lite starts at $15 a month and Plus at $30 a month on monthly billing.
On annual billing, the picture changes. AWeber's annual discount is larger: Plus at 500 subscribers drops to $20 a month, a third off, while MailerLite's yearly billing saves 10%. For small lists committed for a year, the gap narrows considerably.
Our advice is to price both at the list size you expect in 12 months, with the automations you'll actually use. Our AWeber pricing guide lists every AWeber tier.
Automation
Both tools have visual automation builders that handle welcome sequences, lead magnet delivery and tag-based follow-ups.
MailerLite allows three active automations free and 50 on Comfort, with unlimited on Power. AWeber allows one free, three on Lite and unlimited on Plus. For people who want many automations on a low budget, MailerLite's Comfort plan is generous. For people who want unlimited automations plus priority support, AWeber Plus fits. See AWeber automation.
Ease of Use and Design
MailerLite is widely praised for its clean interface and modern editor. AWeber's editor is simple and supported by AI tools: a writing assistant, a Newsletter Assistant that drafts weekly emails and Smart Designer, which builds branded templates from your website. Canva is built into AWeber's editor too.
Both are beginner-friendly. If writing is your bottleneck, AWeber's AI drafting tools are a practical advantage. If design flexibility matters most, try both editors on their free plans. See AWeber AI writing assistant.
Support
This is the clearest difference. MailerLite's free plan relies on its knowledge base, Comfort adds email support and 24/7 live chat arrives on Power.
AWeber includes 24/7 support on Lite, adds priority support including phone on Plus and offers free migration help. If you're new and expect questions, that difference can save hours. See AWeber customer support.
Selling and Websites
MailerLite includes websites and lets you sell digital products on paid plans, with limits by plan. AWeber focuses on landing pages and sales pages with a Stripe-powered ecommerce element for one-time payments, subscriptions and split payments.
If you want a full multi-page website from your email tool, MailerLite offers more. If you need a sales page and a follow-up sequence, AWeber covers it simply. See AWeber sales pages.
Integrations
Both platforms connect with the tools small businesses use most, including WordPress and popular store platforms, and both work with Zapier for everything else. AWeber lists more than 750 integrations, including Facebook, PayPal, Shopify and an official WordPress plugin.
Before switching either way, list the two or three tools your email platform must talk to, usually your website and your checkout, and confirm each one connects. See AWeber integrations.
Deliverability
Both companies invest in deliverability, and neither publishes an independent score you can rely on. Your inbox placement depends mostly on your own setup: authenticating your domain, emailing only people who opted in and removing inactive subscribers.
If you switch platforms, re-authenticate your domain and send to your most engaged subscribers first. Our email deliverability guide explains the habits that matter more than the tool.
Three Real-World Scenarios
A new blogger expecting 400 subscribers in six months. AWeber's free plan covers the whole period with a welcome automation. MailerLite's free plan would need upgrading once the list passes 250.
A consultant with 300 subscribers wanting four automations. MailerLite's free plan allows three active automations, so this setup would need a paid plan on either tool. AWeber Plus at $20 a month on annual billing gives unlimited automations and priority support.
A shop owner who wants the lowest monthly bill and needs no help. MailerLite's Comfort plan, from $12 a month, is the lower starting price. Check its tier for your exact list size.
Which Should You Choose?
You want 500 free subscribers, 24/7 support from your first paid plan, AI drafting tools and a larger annual discount.
The lowest monthly price matters most, you want several automations on a small free list and you're comfortable with self-serve help.
You're undecided. Both have free plans, so build your signup form and welcome email in each and see which feels better.
Switching From MailerLite to AWeber
MailerLite groups become AWeber tags, and automations are rebuilt as AWeber workflows. AWeber publishes guidance for switching from MailerLite and offers free migration help for your lists, templates and automations. Keep your MailerLite account until your forms and sequences are live on AWeber. See AWeber migration.
AWeber's free plan holds 500 subscribers with a welcome automation, and paid plans include 24/7 help.
AWeber vs MailerLite FAQs
Is MailerLite cheaper than AWeber?
MailerLite's starting prices are lower on monthly billing. AWeber's larger annual discount narrows the gap, especially on Plus at 500 subscribers.
Which has the better free plan?
AWeber's free plan holds 500 subscribers and 3,000 emails a month; MailerLite's holds 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails but allows three automations.
Does MailerLite have 24/7 support?
24/7 live chat is included on MailerLite's Power plan. AWeber includes 24/7 support from its Lite plan.
Can I move from MailerLite to AWeber?
Yes. AWeber offers free migration help and publishes guidance for switching from MailerLite.