8 Best WordPress Newsletter Plugins (Free and Pro Versions)

Do you want to make it easy for visitors to join your email list so that you can send email newsletters? 

Newsletters help you build relationships with your audience, drive traffic back to your site, and increase sales via one-on-one direct communication with people who’ve said, “yes, I want your emails”. 

That’s where WordPress newsletter plugins come in. These plugins let you create signup forms, manage subscribers, and sometimes even send newsletters directly from your WordPress dashboard.

Below, you’ll learn about some of the best WordPress newsletter plugins and which ones are worth your time.

What to Look for in a WordPress Newsletter Plugin?

WordPress newsletter plugins range from simple form builders to complete email marketing platforms. Some run entirely within WordPress, while others connect to external services. Understanding what you need before choosing helps avoid switching plugins later.

Here’s what matters when choosing a newsletter plugin:

• How emails get sent. Plugins that send through WordPress often end up in spam folders. External email service providers typically get better delivery rates. Some plugins offer both options.
• Ease of use. You shouldn’t need a manual to figure out how to create a signup form. The best plugins make common tasks easy to do.
• What it connects with. Check if it works with your existing email service or includes its own sending system. Also consider other WordPress plugins you use.
• Form options. You’ll want multiple options like popups, sidebar widgets, inline forms, exit popups, and more. Different situations need different tools. More options can mean better conversion opportunities.
• Automation. There are all kinds of email automations that plugins support, like welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, post notifications, and more. You should be able to set up the basics without complex configuration.
• List management. Can you segment subscribers? Send different emails to different groups? This becomes important as your list grows.
• Tracking results. Does the tool track open rates, click rates, unsubs, and subscriber growth? You need data to know what’s working and what needs improvement.
• GDPR compliance. Things like double opt-in, easy unsubscribe, data management tools, and more. These aren’t just nice to have anymore, they’re legally required in many regions.

Understanding the Different Types of WordPress Newsletter Plugins

Before diving into specific plugins, let’s look at the three main categories of WordPress newsletter plugins:

Email Service Provider Plugins 

These connect WordPress to external email platforms like MailerLite or Brevo. Your subscriber data lives on their servers, and they handle email delivery. These typically offer the best deliverability and most features, but require monthly subscriptions and a third-party or code integration with WordPress.

Self-Hosted WordPress Newsletter Plugins 

This style of plugin runs entirely within WordPress. Plugins like Newsletter and MailPoet (in self-hosted mode) store everything in your WordPress database. You control all the data, but you’re responsible for delivery and security.

WordPress Lead Generation Plugins 

The final type focuses on collecting email addresses rather than sending newsletters. OptinMonster and similar tools create signup forms that integrate with your chosen email service. These help you convert visitors into subscribers, but don’t handle the actual email sending.

Each type has its place. Many sites use a combination of tools, like OptinMonster for collecting email addresses and MailerLite for sending them.

8 Best WordPress Newsletter Plugins

Now, let’s get into some of the best WordPress newsletter plugins available today. The list below is a combination of third-party email newsletter tools, self-hosted WordPress newsletter plugins, and email lead generation plugins. 

Note: Pricing and features change frequently. Always check each plugin’s official page for current information before making a decision.

Native WordPress Newsletter Plugins (Self-Hosted)

The following plugins add email functionality directly to WordPress, although a few offer the direct sending and list management while also integrating with third-party tools to enhance sending.

1. MailPoet

MailPoet is a WordPress newsletter plugin that runs entirely inside WordPress. Everything happens in your dashboard without external services, though you can add them for better delivery.

You can use MailPoet’s sending service or connect your own SMTP provider. Their service is easy to set up, but it has sending limits based on your plan. Using your own SMTP gives more control but requires technical setup.

The WordPress integration is deep. You can automatically send blog posts as newsletters, customize WooCommerce emails, and segment customers by purchase history. It feels like a native WordPress feature rather than a plugin.

The email builder includes responsive templates you can customize with drag-and-drop. The interface matches WordPress’s block editor, which helps if you’re already comfortable with the platform. You can even use some WordPress blocks in emails.

For online store owners, the WooCommerce integration goes beyond basic abandoned cart emails. You can create product recommendation emails based on purchase history, send birthday discounts, or trigger campaigns based on customer lifetime value. All without leaving WordPress.

The statistics dashboard shows opens, clicks, and revenue directly in WordPress. You can see which products generate the most email revenue and which campaigns drive sales. 

Here are the core features of the plugin:

• 50+ email templates designed for engagement
• Visual editor matching WordPress style
• Automatic post notifications with excerpts
• WooCommerce email customization
• Advanced subscriber segmentation
• Multiple subscription forms and locations
• Email scheduling with timezone support
• List cleaning to remove inactive subscribers
• GDPR compliance tools built in

Pricing: Free for up to 500 subscribers with 5,000 emails/month. Paid plans start at $10/month for unlimited emails and more features.

2. Newsletter

Newsletter is one of the most widely used WordPress newsletter plugins. It works entirely within WordPress without requiring external services, though you can add SMTP for better delivery.

The plugin lets you create templates for different email types like announcements, invitations, and blog updates. Each has a specific layout for its purpose. This approach makes sense if you send similar types of emails regularly.

The free version doesn’t limit subscribers or emails. You’ll need to handle email delivery yourself, but if you’re comfortable with the technical side, it’s a cost-effective option. Many users pair it with Amazon SES for cheap, reliable delivery.

The composer uses a block-based system similar to page builders. Add text blocks, images, buttons, and other elements. While not as polished as some alternatives, it gets the job done without unnecessary complexity.

One unique feature is content locking. You can hide parts of blog posts from non-subscribers, creating an incentive to join your list. This works well for premium content sites or membership businesses.

Remember that storing subscriber data means that WordPress security is your responsibility. Keep everything updated and backed up. Consider WordPress security plugins and regular maintenance.

Here are some useful features of the plugin:

• Unlimited subscribers and emails on the free plan
• Purpose-specific email templates
• WordPress-based subscriber management
• Basic automation for welcome emails
• Multiple newsletter lists
• GDPR compliance tools
• Subscriber-only content locking
• Custom fields for subscriber data
• Import/export subscriber lists

Pricing: Free version available with all basic features. Premium starts at $79 for advanced features on three sites.

3. FluentCRM

FluentCRM is a self-hosted email marketing and CRM plugin that runs entirely within WordPress. With over 70,000 active installations and a 4.8/5 star rating, this plugin combines email marketing with customer relationship management in one tool.

The visual automation builder lets you create marketing funnels based on user actions. Trigger email sequences when someone fills out a form, makes a purchase, or enrolls in a course. The drag-and-drop interface makes complex automations manageable without coding.

Email creation uses the familiar Gutenberg editor. Write campaigns, save templates, and schedule broadcasts just like creating WordPress posts. You can segment contacts with lists and tags, then send targeted campaigns to specific groups.

What makes FluentCRM different is the built-in CRM features. Track every interaction with contacts, add notes about conversations, and see their complete history. For WooCommerce stores, you can view purchase history, lifetime value, and shopping behavior all in one place.

The free version includes basic email and CRM features. You’ll need the pro version for advanced automation, A/B testing, and detailed analytics. Since it doesn’t include email delivery, you’ll need to connect an SMTP service like Amazon SES or SendGrid. They do offer another plugin FluentSMTP, which will help with SMTP setup.

Here’s an overview of the core features:

• Visual automation builder for funnels
• Gutenberg-based email editor
• Built-in CRM with contact profiles
• Lists, tags, and segmentation
• WooCommerce purchase tracking
• LMS and membership integrations
• Campaign analytics and reporting
• Requires a separate SMTP for sending

Pricing: Free version available. Pro starts at $129/year for a single site. SMTP costs extra (typically $0.10 per 1,000 emails).

4. Newsletter Glue

Newsletter Glue lets you write and publish newsletters directly in the WordPress editor, then send them through your connected email service provider. It’s designed for publishers and media companies who want to streamline their newsletter workflow. Think of it like Substack or Beehiv, but for WordPress.

The plugin doesn’t handle email sending itself. Instead, it connects to email services like MailerLite, Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, Constant Contact, and others. You write your newsletter as a WordPress post, then send it to your email list with one click.

What sets Newsletter Glue apart is its focus on the publishing workflow. Use the familiar Gutenberg editor to create newsletters, then publish them as both blog posts and emails simultaneously. This dual-publishing approach means your newsletters become searchable, SEO-friendly content on your site.

The plugin includes newsletter-specific blocks like post embeds that automatically pull featured images and excerpts, author bylines, and social media icons. You can show/hide content between email and web versions, creating exclusive value for subscribers.

For editorial teams, Newsletter Glue speeds up production significantly. Auto-generate link lists, reuse newsletter templates (called patterns), and manage everything from WordPress.

Note: This is only a premium plugin. But for users who are newsletter-first, this can be a great option.

Common features:

• Email template builder with patterns
• Simultaneous blog and email publishing
• Post embed block for curated content
• Show/hide content for email vs web
• Newsletter archive on your site
• Custom newsletter blocks
• Merge tags for personalization
• 14+ ESP integrations

Pricing: Basic plan starts at $79/month (billed annually). Pro plan at $120/month adds conditional content and ad integrations. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Third-Party Email Service Plugins

Below you’ll find third-party email newsletter services. These are third-party tools that handle sending and list management. You’ll need to integrate these into your WordPress website via a WordPress plugin or by adding an HTML form that’s connected to the service to your site.

5. MailerLite

MailerLite is one of the most widely used email newsletter platforms. It connects to your WordPress site to their email platform through a plugin or a simple HTML form. Your emails go through their servers, not WordPress, which helps with delivery. Subscribers sync automatically to MailerLite, where you manage campaigns.

The free plan includes support for up to 500 subscribers and 12,000 monthly emails. You get automation, landing pages, and a drag-and-drop newsletter builder even on the free plan. This has a lot more features than most competitors.

The drag-and-drop newsletter editor uses a block-based approach similar to WordPress’s own editor. You can save sections as reusable blocks, which speeds up creating similar newsletters. The template library covers most common email types, from product launches to blog updates.

With this plugin, you might want a separate plugin to collect email subscribers. You can create form embeds and popups, but for higher converting forms, you might want another solution. But, for managing your list and sending emails, it’s one of the best. 

These are the main features of this tool:

• Signup forms and popups with multiple styles
• Drag-and-drop email builder with 90+ templates
• Automation workflows with visual builder
• RSS-to-email for automatic blog posts
• WooCommerce integration with revenue tracking
• AI writing tools for content generation
• 24/7 customer support on all plans
• Landing page builder included
• A/B testing for subject lines and content

Pricing: Free for up to 500 subscribers with 12,000 emails/month. Paid plans start at $10/month with unlimited emails.

6. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)

Brevo combines email, SMS, and marketing automation. There’s a free WordPress plugin available with over 100,000 installs and a 4.2/5 star rating that’ll connect Brevo to your site. 

There’s an automation builder that lets you create workflows based on what subscribers do on your site. You can trigger emails when someone visits specific pages, clicks certain links, or hasn’t opened emails in a while. It also includes a drag-and-drop email newsletter builder.

Your subscriber data lives on Brevo’s servers, not in WordPress. One less thing to worry about securing and backing up. They handle GDPR compliance, data security, and redundancy.

Pricing is based on email volume, not subscribers. If you have a big list but don’t email often, this could save money. For example, you can have 100,000 contacts but only pay for the emails you actually send.

The transactional email feature is particularly useful. You can send order confirmations, password resets, and other system emails through Brevo’s infrastructure. This improves delivery for all your site’s emails, not just newsletters.

It also includes popups to add signup forms to your site and integrates with the most popular WordPress form builders. 

Here are some of the core features:

• Email automation with behavior triggers
• SMS marketing on same platform
• Built-in CRM for contact management
• Transactional email API
• Real-time reporting dashboard
• A/B testing for optimization
• GDPR compliance tools
• WhatsApp campaigns (select regions)
• Advanced segmentation options

Pricing: The free plan allows 300 emails/day to unlimited contacts. Paid plans start at $9/month for 5,000 emails.

Lead Generation & Form Builder Plugins

The following plugins are primarily form builders that’ll help you build high-converting sign-up forms to grow your email list. They integrate with the most popular email tools available today.

7. OptinMonster

OptinMonster is a lead generation and opt-in plugin for WordPress. It’s purely focused on helping you grow your email list. 

The plugin offers nearly every type of opt-in form you can think of. Popups, slide-ins, floating bars, fullscreen overlays, inline forms, gamified wheels. Each can target specific pages or user behaviors on your site. 

Exit-Intent technology is their signature feature. It detects when someone’s about to leave and shows a popup at that exact moment.

You can show different forms based on location, traffic source, pages visited, time on site, scroll depth, cart value, and dozens of other factors. A visitor from Facebook might see different offers than someone from Google.

The A/B testing features let you test everything from headlines to colors, offers, timing, and more. The system automatically shows the winning version more often. This continuous optimization improves conversion rates over time.

OptinMonster connects to your existing email service. When someone subscribes, their info goes straight to your email platform. It supports virtually every major email service and many CRMs.

Here’s an overview of the key features:

• Exit-Intent technology for abandoning visitors
• Drag-and-drop campaign builder
• 100+ pre-designed templates
• Advanced page-level targeting
• Geolocation targeting
• A/B testing with auto-optimization
• Mobile-specific campaigns
• Countdown timers for urgency
• Yes/no forms for engagement
• MonsterLinks for two-step optins

Pricing: Plans start at $9/month (billed annually). All plans include unlimited campaigns. There is a free version that will give you 500 pageview credits, however you have to enter a credit card to claim this.

8. WPForms

WPForms is a WordPress form plugin that is excellent for newsletter signups. It’s one of the most-used form plugins on WordPress with millions of active installations.

The drag-and-drop builder makes form creation straightforward. Add subscription checkboxes to contact forms, create dedicated signup forms, or build multi-step forms for more information. There are even form templates for specific email marketing tools

Direct integration with email services means subscribers automatically sync to your email platform. Conditional logic lets you add people to different lists based on their answers. 

You can put forms anywhere on your site, like posts, pages, sidebars, footers, or as popups. The placement options mean you can test different locations to find what converts best for your audience.

Here are the core features: 

• Drag-and-drop form builder
• Email service provider integrations
• Newsletter signup templates
• Smart conditional logic
• GDPR compliance features
• Multiple spam protection methods
• Form conversion analytics
• User journey tracking
• Partial entries collection
• Custom confirmation messages

Pricing: Free version includes basic features and Constant Contact integration. Plus plans start at $99.50/year for all integrations.

Best WordPress Newsletter Plugins Compared

Plugin	Type	Free Plan	Subscriber Limit (Free)	Best For	Starting Price
MailPoet	Self-hosted/ESP		500 subs	WordPress-native email	$10/mo
Newsletter	Self-hosted		Unlimited	Affordable option	$79/year
FluentCRM	Self-hosted		Unlimited	CRM and email	$129/year
Newsletter Glue	Self-hosted/ESP-integration		No	Newsletter-first companies	$79/mo
MailerLite	External ESP		500 subs	Complete email platform	$10/mo
Brevo	External ESP		Unlimited	Multi-channel marketing	$9/mo
OptinMonster	Lead generation		N/A	Growing email list	$9/mo
WPForms	Form builder/Lead generation		N/A	Simple integrated sign-up forms	$99.50/year

Best WordPress Newsletter Plugins FAQs

Closing Thoughts: What’s the Best WordPress Newsletter Plugin for You?

The right WordPress newsletter plugin depends on what you need.

If you want a complete email platform with a solid free plan, MailerLite works well. Good interface, reliable delivery, and the free tier includes real features. All you need to do is create a simple HTML form and add it to your site to start collecting emails.

If you want a WordPress-native tool, then MailPoet is a solid platform. Plus, it lets you do everything from within WordPress, and there’s a free plan available.

WooCommerce stores should look at FluentCRM. Built-in CRM features let you track customer lifetime value while running email automation. Everything stays in WordPress.

For publishers and editorial teams, Newsletter Glue streamlines the whole workflow. Write once, publish to both your site and email list. This cuts production time from hours to minutes.

If you just need better signup forms, OptinMonster’s exit-intent popups and targeting can significantly increase your conversion rate. Plus, it works with whatever email service you already use.

Pick carefully the first time. Moving between WordPress newsletter plugins means rebuilding everything from scratch. Automations break, imports fail, subscribers get lost.

Now over to you. Which WordPress newsletter plugins match your needs? Have you tried any of these plugins or platforms? Share your experience in the comments below.