Sendy is a budget-friendly email marketing tool that uses Amazon SES for sending emails at just $1 per 10,000 emails. However, its self-hosted setup, technical complexity, and reliability issues with Amazon SES make it challenging for many users. If you’re looking for simpler, fully hosted platforms with modern design tools and reliable support, here are five Sendy alternatives worth considering in 2025:
- Groupmail: Fully hosted, drag-and-drop builder, flexible SMTP options, starts free.
- Mailchimp: User-friendly, extensive features, free plan available, pricing based on contacts.
- Brevo (Sendinblue): Multi-channel marketing, free plan for 300 emails/day, paid plans from $9/month.
- EmailOctopus: Affordable, AWS-based, free plan for 2,500 subscribers, Pro plan from $9/month.
- phpList: Open-source, no drag-and-drop builder, better suited for advanced users.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Hosting Type | Pricing (Starting) | Drag-and-Drop Builder | SMTP Options | Free Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groupmail | Fully Hosted | $10/month | Yes | Flexible (SendGrid, etc.) | Up to 1,000 contacts |
| Mailchimp | Fully Hosted | Free/$13/month | Yes | Limited | Free up to 500 contacts |
| Brevo | Fully Hosted | $9/month | Yes | Brevo SMTP | 300 emails/day |
| EmailOctopus | Fully Hosted | $9/month | Yes | AWS SES | 2,500 subscribers |
| phpList | Self-Hosted | Free | No | Customizable | N/A |
These platforms remove the technical hurdles of Sendy while offering better design tools, reliable hosting, and flexible pricing options.
Why I Decided To Get Rid Of Get Sendy.co & What I Use Now
What to Look for in a Sendy Alternative
When searching for a replacement for Sendy, it’s important to focus on solutions that address its challenges while still being cost-effective. The ideal platform should make email marketing easier, more efficient, and enjoyable.
One of the biggest issues with Sendy is its self-hosting requirement. To avoid this, prioritize Hosted Solutions with Zero Server Setup. Unlike Sendy, a fully hosted platform takes care of all the technical infrastructure for you. No more dealing with web hosting configurations, server maintenance, or troubleshooting. This allows you to focus entirely on creating impactful email campaigns instead of worrying about backend issues.
Another key feature to look for is Intuitive Design Tools. Modern email marketing requires user-friendly drag-and-drop editors and mobile-responsive templates. These tools make it simple to design professional emails without needing coding expertise, ensuring your campaigns look great on any device.
SMTP Flexibility is another crucial factor. Platforms that integrate with multiple SMTP providers – such as SendGrid, SMTP2GO, or Mailgun – offer the flexibility to switch providers if one experiences issues, ensuring reliable email delivery.
For effective campaigns, Real-Time Analytics and Reporting are indispensable. Look for platforms that go beyond basic metrics, offering detailed insights into open rates, click-through rates, bounce rates, and subscriber engagement. These analytics can help you fine-tune your strategy and understand your audience better.
Running email campaigns often involves tight deadlines, so Reliable Customer Support is a must. Whether it’s live chat, phone support, or detailed documentation, having access to timely assistance can save you from campaign delays or technical hiccups.
To ensure your emails land in inboxes and not spam folders, look for platforms with strong Authentication and Deliverability Features. Support for protocols like DKIM, DMARC, and SPF is critical for maintaining your sender reputation and avoiding spam filters.
Pricing is another area where clarity matters. Sendy’s pay-per-send model is appealing, but you should seek Transparent Pricing Models that offer predictable costs without hidden fees. Some alternatives even provide unlimited sends within subscriber limits, making budgeting more straightforward.
Finally, consider platforms with Automation Capabilities. Automating tasks like handling bounces, managing unsubscribes, or setting up email sequences (e.g., welcome series or re-engagement campaigns) can save you significant time and improve your marketing efficiency.
1. Groupmail
Groupmail is a hosted platform designed to make email marketing simple and affordable. With no complicated setup required, this cloud-based solution takes care of the technical side, so you can focus on creating impactful campaigns.
Hosted Service (No Server Setup)
With Groupmail, all hosting, maintenance, and scaling are handled for you. This means you can start sending emails just minutes after signing up. The platform takes care of infrastructure, security updates, and performance management, so you don’t have to worry about late-night troubleshooting or dealing with hosting issues.
This streamlined service ensures a smooth experience and supports seamless SMTP integration for better email delivery.
SMTP Integration Options
Groupmail offers flexible SMTP integration, allowing you to choose from multiple email service providers instead of relying solely on Amazon SES like Sendy does. The platform can automatically detect your SMTP credentials, but you also have the option to manually configure your settings with providers like SendGrid or SMTP2GO.
For added security and reliability, Groupmail uses authenticated SMTP via secure APIs. This ensures that all messages are sent using verified credentials. You can also use a dedicated IP address, which can help improve your sender reputation and deliverability—especially if you send a large volume of emails.
Drag-and-Drop Email Builder
Groupmail makes creating email campaigns a breeze with its drag-and-drop editor. This user-friendly tool allows you to design polished, mobile-ready emails without needing technical skills.
The editor includes features like mobile-optimized templates, customizable video and HTML blocks, and an integrated image editor with storage. You can also personalize emails for different audience segments and preview how your campaigns will look across various devices and email clients before hitting send.
Pricing Transparency
Groupmail keeps its pricing simple and upfront, with no hidden charges or confusing calculations. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Free Plan: Up to 1,000 contacts and 2,000 sends per month.
- Individual Plan: $10/month for up to 10,000 contacts with unlimited sends.
- Business Plan: $29/month for up to 50,000 contacts with unlimited sends.
Unlike Sendy’s pay-per-send structure, which can be hard to predict as your list grows, Groupmail’s pricing is easy to understand. Both paid plans include full access to all features, such as real-time analytics, automation tools for managing bounces and unsubscribes, and no branding restrictions on your emails.
2. Mailchimp
Mailchimp, much like Groupmail, offers a straightforward, fully hosted email marketing solution. With over 17,400 reviews and a 4.5/5 rating, it has earned a reputation for being both user-friendly and dependable.
Fully Hosted Service (No Server Setup Required)
Mailchimp takes care of all the behind-the-scenes technical work, including hosting, security updates, and performance optimization. This hands-off approach makes it an attractive choice for businesses that prefer to focus on crafting marketing campaigns instead of dealing with server configurations. It’s a setup designed to help users get their campaigns up and running quickly, without the hassle of managing backend systems.
Easy-to-Use Drag-and-Drop Email Builder
Mailchimp simplifies email creation with its drag-and-drop builder, offering both a new and classic interface. The platform comes packed with features like a library of templates, integrations with third-party apps, and a Content Optimizer that provides suggestions to enhance your campaigns. You can also tailor your emails separately for desktop and mobile, ensuring they look polished on any device. Plus, Mailchimp’s smart suggestion system helps catch potential issues, like broken links, before you hit send.
Clear Pricing Model
Mailchimp uses a contact-based pricing structure. While it’s pricier than options like Sendy paired with Amazon SES, the cost covers extensive support and ease of use. For smaller lists, there’s even a free tier available, with pricing increasing as your contact list grows. For those who value convenience and a smooth user experience over the complexities of self-hosted platforms, Mailchimp’s pricing and features might be worth the investment.
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3. Brevo (Sendinblue)
Brevo, previously known as Sendinblue, is a cloud-based email marketing platform that eliminates the need for self-hosting. With its range of features, it’s a solid choice for businesses managing large-scale email campaigns.
Brevo streamlines email marketing by handling the technical complexities for you, making it an excellent alternative to tools like Sendy. It’s also designed to scale effortlessly as your business grows.
Hosted Service (No Server Setup)
As a fully hosted service, Brevo takes care of server management, allowing you to focus solely on creating and running your campaigns. Its SMTP servers are optimized for high-volume email sending, ensuring reliable delivery performance.
SMTP Integration Options
Brevo offers a user-friendly SMTP relay service, making transactional email delivery straightforward. Whether you’re integrating it with your website, email client, or automation tools, Brevo’s SMTP setup is designed for ease of use.
To configure SMTP, simply use smtp-relay.brevo.com as the server, your email address as the user, and your unique SMTP key. This setup enables seamless transactional email sending while providing detailed analytics to track performance.
"We’ve been using Brevo (Sendinblue) as an SMTP for our transactional Woo emails since 2021 and intend to continue even longer… Hats off to the Brevo team, we’ve received it quickly. The support team found a spam bot activity and helped us resolve this issue by advising us on our steps." – Tatiana Lebedeva, Brevo user
Pricing Transparency
Brevo offers a free plan that allows up to 300 emails per day. For businesses requiring higher volumes, paid plans start at $9 per month for 5,000 emails. This straightforward pricing structure makes it easy to estimate costs as your email needs grow.
4. EmailOctopus
EmailOctopus is a hosted email marketing service that stands out for its affordability and straightforward features. Built on Amazon Web Services (AWS), it ensures smooth and reliable email delivery, with its servers located in the EU region. This setup allows users to focus on crafting campaigns without worrying about server management or deliverability concerns. Let’s dive into what makes EmailOctopus a compelling choice.
Hosted Service (No Server Setup)
One of the biggest advantages of EmailOctopus is that it takes the hassle out of email marketing. Unlike platforms like Sendy, which require you to set up and maintain your own server, EmailOctopus handles everything for you. All you need to do is sign up, and you’re ready to start building campaigns right away.
SMTP Integration Options
While the main dashboard doesn’t support direct SMTP connections, EmailOctopus Connect allows you to integrate your own SMTP via AWS for transactional emails. This feature adds flexibility for users who need custom email solutions. Additionally, EmailOctopus works seamlessly with automation tools like Zapier and Integrately, enabling workflows where actions in other apps can trigger SMTP emails or automatically add contacts to your EmailOctopus lists.
Pricing Transparency
EmailOctopus keeps its pricing simple and competitive. The free plan supports up to 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails per month. For those with larger lists, the Pro plan starts at just $9 per month and adjusts predictably based on subscriber count.
A standout feature is the EmailOctopus Connect option, which uses Amazon SES to offer even lower costs. For example, while the standard plan for 10,000 subscribers costs $36 per month, the Connect option reduces this to $26 per month. The platform also offers automatic upgrades or downgrades based on your subscriber count, and nonprofits can enjoy a 20% lifetime discount.
Users frequently highlight the platform’s affordability and value. Sumeet C., a founder in the retail industry, remarked:
"I have been very satisfied with their product and haven’t found any other service which gives me such good features at this price point." – Sumeet C., Founder, Retail
EmailOctopus also boasts impressive user ratings, with 4.8/5 stars on both Capterra and GetApp. It’s often chosen over pricier options like Mailchimp and Constant Contact for its affordability and essential features.
5. phpList
phpList is an open-source, budget-friendly option, but it comes with some noticeable drawbacks in terms of usability. Unlike Sendy, phpList lacks a drag-and-drop builder and only offers a basic template editor. Its interface feels outdated, which can be a challenge for beginners or anyone looking for sleek, modern design tools.
That said, phpList does allow for tailored messaging. You can work with templates, personalization tags, and reusable layouts to keep your branding consistent. However, for users who prioritize ease of use and dependable customer support, modern hosted platforms might be a better fit. It’s worth noting that phpList has a user rating of 3.95 out of 5.
Conclusion
Sendy’s technical challenges highlight the demand for a more user-friendly email marketing solution. While its low cost is appealing, the hurdles of self-hosting and limited design options can outweigh the benefits. Choosing the right alternative comes down to prioritizing ease of use, flexibility, and the level of support you need.
Each alternative to Sendy offers unique advantages. Mailchimp stands out for its comprehensive marketing automation tools and large user community, making it a strong choice for businesses looking for an all-in-one platform. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) shines with its multi-channel capabilities, seamlessly combining email campaigns with SMS marketing. For those familiar with Amazon SES, EmailOctopus provides an affordable yet functional option. Meanwhile, phpList remains a reliable open-source choice for users comfortable with a more basic setup.
But if simplicity and flexibility are your top priorities, Groupmail is hard to beat. It offers a fully hosted service with an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, flexible SMTP integration options (like SMTP2GO and SendGrid), and real-time support – all starting at just $10/month for unlimited sends and up to 10,000 contacts. Unlike Sendy, Groupmail’s flexibility with SMTP providers eliminates the technical constraints of relying solely on Amazon SES, giving you more control over your email delivery.
Ready to simplify your email marketing? Experience the ease of Groupmail today. Check out our SMTP2GO setup guide or SendGrid integration guide to get started.
FAQs
What are the key benefits of using a fully hosted email marketing platform compared to a self-hosted solution like Sendy?
Using a fully hosted email marketing platform can make your life a lot easier compared to self-hosted options like Sendy. For starters, hosted platforms take care of all the technical setup and server maintenance for you. This means you won’t have to deal with tricky configurations or depend on external services like Amazon SES to get your emails out.
Another big advantage is the support you get. Most hosted platforms offer real-time help, so if something goes wrong, you can sort it out quickly. Plus, they come loaded with modern tools like drag-and-drop email builders and built-in analytics. These features make creating and managing campaigns much simpler. And with seamless SMTP integration, sending emails becomes a breeze, saving you both time and effort.
In short, a fully hosted email platform is a straightforward, stress-free way to handle your email marketing.
Why is SMTP flexibility important for email deliverability when choosing an email marketing platform?
SMTP’s adaptability is a critical factor in making sure your emails land where they’re supposed to – your recipients’ inboxes. By letting you fine-tune how emails are routed and authenticated, it enhances deliverability and minimizes the risk of messages being flagged as spam or outright rejected by recipient servers.
This level of control is especially important when choosing an email marketing platform. It enables you to manage email authentication, protect your sender reputation, and boost the overall success of your email delivery. With well-configured SMTP settings, your campaigns can achieve greater reach and impact.
What key features should I look for in an email marketing tool to make managing campaigns easier and more effective?
When managing campaigns, tools that offer a drag-and-drop email builder can make designing emails a breeze, even if you’re not tech-savvy. Having access to built-in analytics is also essential – it allows you to monitor performance in real time and fine-tune your campaigns based on solid data. Plus, support for SMTP integration, with services like SMTP2GO or SendGrid, ensures your emails are delivered reliably and gives you more flexibility. Together, these features simplify your workflow, improve deliverability, and help you achieve better outcomes with less hassle.