Hootsuite vs Mailerlite — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
Hootsuite starts at $99/mo. Mailerlite starts at $12/mo. Mailerlite is $87/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Hootsuite.
See price history: Hootsuite · Mailerlite
How pricing works
These two tools don't price the same way, so the headline numbers below aren't directly comparable until you plug in your own volume.
- Hootsuite (Unknown model) — Hootsuite bills on a fixed plan from $99/mo, so the listed price is what you pay regardless of volume.
- Mailerlite (Per Usage) — Mailerlite bills on usage — Subscribers on top of a paid plan starting at $12/mo. The plan includes an allowance; anything beyond it is metered.
Per-minute, per-credit and per-token rates exclude any downstream model, speech or telephony costs unless the vendor states otherwise.
The category-defining social media management platform, founded 2008 in Vancouver. Positioned as the enterprise-grade alternative to Sprout Social with deeper analytics + governance for regulated industries (banks, government, healthcare). Restructured 2026 into 'Hootsuite Social OS' with 5 modular products (Perch/Nest/Lumen/Wisdom/Parliament) and 4-tier subscription (Standard/Professional/Advanced/Enterprise). Wisdom AI included in every plan. Priced $99-$399/user/mo published, Enterprise custom. Under private equity ownership since 2019 (Vector Capital majority stake since 2024).
European (Lithuanian) email platform positioned as the value alternative to Mailchimp for SMBs. Distinctive for its transparent pricing (public tiers, no per-contact games) and formerly generous free tier. Restructured June 16, 2026: Growing Business renamed 'Comfort', paid tiers up 10-30% on effective per-subscriber basis (headline held, coverage shrank), free plan cut to 250 subs / 2,500 emails effective July 1, 2026. Priced $9-$12/mo Comfort tier (annual/monthly). Owned by Vista Equity Partners since 2021. Popular with creators and small businesses in Europe.
All plans compared
| Tier role | Plan | Hootsuite monthly | Hootsuite annual | Mailerlite monthly | Mailerlite annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free / starter | — / Free | — | — | Free | Free |
| Entry paid | Standard / Comfort | $99 | $99 | $12 | $10.8 |
| Mid tier | Professional / — | $199 | $199 | — | — |
| Pro / power | Advanced / Power | $399 | $399 | $25 | $22.5 |
| Enterprise | Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Custom | Custom |
Tier names differ across vendors. Rows are aligned by tier role, not name. Full tier structures on each tool's page.
What each is best for
Hootsuite is worth it if… marketing teams (3-100 people) managing 10+ social accounts across multiple brands or regions — particularly if you need approval workflows, compliance controls, or deep listening. Standard covers solo social managers (10 accounts); Professional unlocks unlimited accounts + trend forecasting; Advanced adds team collaboration + approvals; Enterprise adds SSO + compliance.
Mailerlite is worth it if… creators and SMBs (post-restructure: under 500 subscribers) who want polished email marketing at lower price than Mailchimp — particularly if you value modern templates and drag-and-drop simplicity. Free covers newsletters with under 250 subs (post-July 2026 cut); Comfort adds landing pages, automations, and covers up to 500 subs.
Bottom line: Similar positioning, closer to a preference call than a strategic one.
Choose Hootsuite over Mailerlite if…
Choose Hootsuite if…
- You're comfortable with Hootsuite's from $99/mo entry point.
- You match the profile Hootsuite is built for: marketing teams (3-100 people) managing 10+ social accounts across multiple brands or regions — particularly if you need approval workflows, compliance controls, or deep listening.
- You're building for healthcare.
Choose Mailerlite if…
- You want to pay only for actual usage (per usage, from $12/mo).
- You match the profile Mailerlite is built for: creators and SMBs (post-restructure: under 500 subscribers) who want polished email marketing at lower price than Mailchimp — particularly if you value modern templates and drag-and-drop simplicity.
- You need a general-purpose marketing & email option rather than a vertical-specific one.
At a glance
| Hootsuite | Mailerlite | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Entry price | $99/mo | $12/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | — | Per Usage |
| Verification | Verified August 12, 2026 | Verified September 4, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified September 25, 2026. Tracked daily.
Frequently asked questions
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Common questions about Hootsuite and Mailerlite
- How much does Hootsuite cost in 2026?
- Does Hootsuite have a free plan?
- How often does Hootsuite change prices?
- What are the best Hootsuite alternatives in 2026?
- How much does Mailerlite cost in 2026?
- Does Mailerlite have a free plan?
- How often does Mailerlite change prices?
- What are the best Mailerlite alternatives in 2026?