20+ Self Hosted Email Marketing Tools List (Choose the Right One)

Self-hosted email marketing tools provide complete ownership and control of your privacy data. It keeps you free of dependency on the vendors. It not only provides enough flexibility & customization facility but also helps you bypass the subscription payment per month or year. There are self-hosted email marketing tools that are open source and won’t cost you money, while there are some tools you need to purchase initially with a payment to use or recode. We discuss the top self hosted email marketing tools here and would help you choose the best one.

Table of Content

• Types of Self Hosted Email Marketing Tools
• List of Email Marketing Tools
• Mailpai
• Mailcoach
• Mailwizz
• ListMonk
• BillionMail
• evoMailer
• Sendy
• Mautic
• NuevoMailer
• Keila
• PhpList
• SendPortal
• MailPoet
• FluentCRM
• MailTrain
• Acelle Mail
• Mailster
• What is the Difference between WP Mail and PHP Mail?
• Difference between Open Source and Paid Tools
• FAQs

Self Hosted Email Marketing Tools (Types & Categories)

There are various types of these tools based on working principle, for instance: WordPress-Native Plugins, Standalone PHP Applications, and Alternative Open-Source Software (Non-PHP).

WordPress-Native Plugins

These sorts of tools dispel the requirement for a separate platform sync. Your existing web database stores the writing. Example: MailPai, MailPoet, Mail Mint, FluentCRM, Groundhogg, The Newsletter Plugin etc.

Standalone PHP Script

The PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) apps are independent of WordPress on your server and don’t rely on those WP Plug-ins to write. PHP script systems are able to handle an enormous amount of emails. This type is suitable for users who aim to protect website performance by keeping email workloads separated from the main WordPress database. Example: Sendy, Mautic, MailCoach, phpList, MailWizz, etc.

Non-PHP Softwares

Some users also go for these alternative non-PHP open-source software options, considering that their system is not fully locked into PHP. Example: Listmonk.

17 Best Self Hosted Email Marketing Tools

Take a look at the features, facilities, pros, cons, and pricing of various top self-hosted email marketing tools. We’ll assess the following tools: MaiPai, Mailcoach, Mailwizz, ListMonk, BillionMail, evoMailer, Sendy, Mautic, NuevoMailer, Keila, PhpList, SendPortal, MailPoet, FluentCRM, Mailtrain, Postal, Sendportal, Acelle Mail, Mailster, etc.

MailPai

This one is a WordPress Plugin-based tool, which is also an open-source type. This is our very own platform, and we can suggest you to use this platform due to the following reasons:

• No payment or fee required for the free version.
• A paid version is also available with advanced features.
• WordPress Plug-in.
• Drag & Drop template builder.
• Campaign report and analytics.
• Complete data safety & privacy.
• WordPress email template customizer.
• Necessary updates available at the correct time.
• Faster & easier installation in just a click.
• Sending limit manager.
• Scheduler.
• Unsubscribe page and After Subscription landing page customization.
• Wp Cron, Server Cron.
• Helpful even for beginners.
• Full access to the source code.
• One doesn’t need much technical knowledge to use this platform.
• Enough customization facility.

Mailcoach

This flexible PHP script tool charges by email volume instead of your contact list size. Its key features & facilities include:

• Enables users to gather millions of subscribers, but doesn’t affect the subscription fee.
• One can design marketing campaigns much faster due to Drag-and-drop tools.
• Full API access available to the developers.
• Much secured data privacy as it complies with GDPR and offers EU-based servers.
• Predictable costing with no increase in fee due to massive contact list storage.
• Offers complete control over data.
• Users can purchase a one-time license for their own servers.
• Flexible sending facility.
• However, it requires high IT expertise and has ecosystem limits.
• Users need to use 3rd-party email providers (like Amazon SES or Mailgun) for delivering emails.

Price:

• Cloud plans begin at at $9.99/month for up to 2k emails. $0.002 for every additional mail sending, but it can get down to $0.001 if you send the additional mail via your own sending service.
• Yearly subscription fee for self-hosting via MailCoach is $249 per user, or a flat one-time license fee is also available.

Mailwizz

• PHP self-hosted email marketing tools (paid).
• Unlimited subscribers and send campaigns without impacting volume caps.
• Automated drip campaigns comply with user behaviors.
• Number of SMTP servers that support sending loads and protection of deliverability.
• Customized group contact or segmentation.
• Higher deliverability alongside complete ownership of data.

Pricing:

• Regular license comes at a one-time fee of $69 to $86.
• An extended license is valued at a 1-time fee of up to $275.

ListMonk

The ListMonk is a mailing list manager that is categorized as a free, self-hosted, open-source newsletter.

• Utilizing multi-threaded engines enables sending millions of emails via customized SMTPs (eg, Amazon SES or Mailgun).
• Offers multiple facilities like drag-and-drop/HTML templates, campaign scheduling, basic analytics, and subscriber management.
• Dispels expensive, subscriber-based pricing tiers and is hence a cost-effective option.
• Full ownership of data and security, alongside no commercial restrictions.
• Server administration knowledge is a must for installation and maintenance.

Pricing: 

• Self-Hosted (DIY) hosting charges $5 to $15+ per month, while the software is free with an AGPL license.
• The software system is also free for the Fully Managed (Cloud), while hosting will cost $11 to $20+ per month.
• Email providers will charge on a Pay-as-you-go basis.

BillionMail

Another free, open-source, and self-hosted mail server with the ability to manage unlimited campaigns.

• 100% control over your subscriber data.
• Neither any vendor lock-in nor any monthly service charge.
• Able to integrate wonderfully with SMTPs like Amazon SES, Mailgun, and SendGrid.
• Users can install it within 8 minutes via aaPanel.
• No monthly pass required as the software is fully free.
• However, there is deliverability risks as the users themselves have to handle the system.
• Charge required only for Virtual Private Server (VPS) and outgoing SMTP/relay traffic.

evoMailer

• Users enjoy features like drag-and-drop editors, autoresponders, subscriber tracking, etc,
• evoMailer also offers detailed click and open reports.
• One can set their own sending limit, and no volume-based limits.
• Complete authority & security of data.
• However, an external mail provider (like Amazon SES) is needed for mail sending.
• High tech skill required to use.
• Comes at a one-time purchase price.
• No monthly subscription.
• Free updates & support for 6 months.
• Core price for the base software is $69.00. 30% discount for future license renewals.

Sendy

Another renowned self-hosted email newsletter app with a direct connection to Amazon SES to deliver numerous emails.

• Features include sending newsletters, creating autoresponders, segmenting lists, and viewing campaign reports.
• High & professional level deliverability.
• A cost-effective option and proper data ownership.
• One may find a lack of advanced visual workflow builders & also high IT expertise needed to run.
• Minimal official customer support available.
• $1 per 10k emails sent via Amazon SES.

Price: $69 one time fee

Mautic

• Core features provided by Mautic are visual campaign building, lead scoring, A/B testing, segmentation, and multi-channel marketing.
• You own all contact and data, and hence full security.
• The software is free to download & install.
• Unlimited contact list size.
• PHP and server administration knowledge needed.
• Cloud hosting payment and email sending prices needed. For eg, pricing for the cloud hosting begins at €247.50/month (roughly $260) for up to 50k contacts.

NuevoMailer

• This self-hosted server offers event-triggered automations, A/B testing, advanced drip campaigns, detailed geolocation analytics, and built-in drag-and-drop newsletter editors.
• Seamless connection with SMTPs like Amazon SES, SendGrid, Mailgun, and Microsoft Office 365.
• No per-email sending limits, unlimited subscriber management, & full data ownership.
• For usage, higher technical knowledge is needed.
• Available with a one-time lifetime license required, which is available starting at $359 for 20 active user accounts, up to $699 for 1k active users.
• Free updates and support for a 12-month period.

Keila

• This Open-Source & Self-Hostable platform ensures Flexible Senders & Editing (Visual block editor and Markdown support), Custom Segmentation (easy filtering), and Data Privacy.
• Lets you disable open and click tracking that eventually guarantees subscriber privacy.
• Engages reusable email sequences for campaigns.
• Complies with strict EU standards.
• No facility for advanced automation or a drag-and-drop HTML editor.
• The software is free, but the Keila Cloud price starts at €16/month.

PhpList

Another renowned open-source email marketing and newsletter platform that belongs to Hypertext Preprocessor.

• Features include tracking email opens, link clicks, bounces, and providing continuous delivery monitoring.
• Users enjoy autoresponders, drip campaigns, and custom RSS-to-email functionality.
• Large subscriber lists require maintenance ability and proper segmentation.
• Full data ownership & security.
• Completely free to download software available via phpList.org.
• Hosting plan starts from $1/month with larger plans available for more subscriber count or massive message volume.

SendPortal

• Limitless subscribers, campaigns, and user IDs.
• Full control over data.
• Proper audience segmentation.
• Customized HTML template builder and A/B testing.
• Autoresponders and Automated drip campaigns.
• Integration with trustworthy APIs like Amazon SES, Postmark, and SendGrid.
• No drag-and-drop editor.
• Basic HTML knowledge and high technical skills required.
• Email Sending Service charge is 0.1 to 0.8 dollars per 1000 emails.

MailPoet

• This WordPress email marketing plugin offers built-in sending infrastructure, detailed campaign tracking, subscriber segmentation, and automated welcome emails.
• Ensures drag-and-drop editor, high deliverability, excellent e-commerce tracking, etc.
• Limited advanced automation.
• The platform offers a free service up to 1k subscribers and 5k mails per month.
• With a starting $10/month paid plan, users can enjoy unlimited monthly sends, priority support, advanced tracking, and more than 500 subscribers per month. Meanwhile, the Agency Plan is worth $30 per month.

FluentCRM

• This is a self-hosted WordPress plugin with Native WP Integration and functionality directly inside the users’ WordPress dashboard.
• Gathers unlimited contacts without an additional monthly subscription fee.
• Builds up automated email sequences thanks to its visual automation builder.
• Integrates with e-commerce & e-learning platforms like WooCommerce, LearnDash, and MemberPress.
• Also provides AI content generation.
• Comes with the ability of multi-channel messaging.
• Advanced & proper segmentation.
• Data security & cost effectiveness.
• Demands a technical setup for sending email (SMTP).
• Mail delivery speed relies upon server speed.
• Core features come for free. FluentCRM Pro Single Site Pricing begins at $129 per year. 5-Site License and 50-Site License models are also available with prices starting from $249 per year and $499 per year, respectively.

Mailtrain

• This is a free, open-source, self-hosted newsletter supporting limitless subscribers, advanced list segmentation, RSS campaigns, and automated sequences.
• Users will find Built-in template editors (including MJML) and detailed click/bounce tracking.
• Full privacy and ownership of data.
• Neither has a subscriber limit nor charges a monthly subscription fee.
• However, cons include no simple drag-and-drop visual email editor as well as very limited integrations with 3rd-party platforms.
• The software actually costs you absolutely $0, with just payment needed for the user’s own server and SMTP relay.

Postal

• This is a B2B sales and marketing platform.
• Postal offers its subscribers an automated direct mail, curated vendor marketplaces, event logistics, and real-time ROI tracking.
• Facilities include offline engagement and corporate gifting.
• Seamless integration with the tech stack, alongside simplifying inventory management.
• It will save valuable time for your sales team.
• Limited function for marketers and unable to match demand for bulk warehousing.
• The basic subscription payment plan begins at $19 per user per month. There are larger-scale options if your business needs them.

Acelle Mail

• This one is a very powerful, self-hosted email marketing app that can connect to any SMTP service to deliver emails.
• Acelle Mail’s core features or facilities are drag-and-drop templates, list segmentation, autoresponders, and real-time tracking of opens and clicks, etc.
• Another interesting fact is that it approves developers to resell email services to customers under their own branding.
• Users are free to choose or switch their email delivery service.
• Complete data safety ensured.
• Neither monthly nor per email subscription fees.
• Basic technical knowledge is a must for installing and maintaining.
• Available at a one-time software purchase for lifetime use, and the starting fee is approximately 80 USD. Email delivery cost might be around $0.10 per 1k mails.

Mailster

• Another self-hosted WordPress plugin with a drag-and-drop builder, autoresponders, real-time analytics, and more than 400 customizable email templates.
• Endless subscribers, campaigns, and mailing lists, and that too without any additional tier-dependent fees.
• It offers a pro tier, which guarantees premium integrations, advanced delivery tools, and priority support.
• If you have a large email list, then it can be a seriously cost-effective option.
• Just like most other self-hosted tools, it also offers complete data safety.
• An external SMTP or email-sending service connection is required.
• Occasional slow customer support, and for own usage, higher technical expertise is needed.
• Mailster Direct comes with a subscription fee of $99 per year with a 12-month update & support. The one-time license fee is $199, offering a 6-month update and support.

What is the Difference between WP Mail and PHP Mail?

Difference between Open Source and Paid self-hosted email marketing tools

Both types run on your own servers, and you have complete ownership of data. However, the former is free to download and modify, while the latter demands a license or a one-time fee.

FAQs

Is there a WordPress plugin for email marketing?

Yes, there are multiple top-quality WordPress plugins for email marketing. Some plugins come with the system, where everything is managed entirely inside your WordPress dashboard. Other plugins work by bridging a linkage between your web and external mail marketing services. Examples include MailPoet, FluentCRM, Mail Mint, etc.

Are WordPress Plugins PHP?

Yeah! WordPress plugins are primarily written in Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP). Its core server and extension both require the use of PHP.

What are the PHP plugin requirements for WordPress?

Technical requirements include file structure rules, environment configurations, and coding standards.

Is Mailchimp a WordPress plugin?

No, Mailchimp is not a WP plugin. Indeed, it is an email and SMS marketing platform that works independently and on a cloud-based system.

Can ChatGPT create WordPress plugins?

With human touches involved in assembling, testing, and installing the final files, ChatGPT can eventually create WordPress plugins.

Does WordPress allow PHP?

WordPress not only allows PHP but also relies upon it.

What is the best self-hosted email server?

Mailcow, Mail-in-a-Box, Stalwart, etc., are considered the best self-hosted mail servers.

Which email marketing tool is best?

There is no specific best, as different tools take pole spot for different purposes.

Is there a better option than Mailchimp?

There might be a better option than Mailchimp, depending on the purpose. MailerLite offers the best all-around alternative, while Klaviyo is the best for E-commerce. Brevo ensures the ultimate Value & B2B with creators preferring Kit. Meanwhile, for advanced automation purposes, ActiveCampaign is superior.