Benchmark Email Review 2025: Budget Email Marketing

Looking for an affordable email marketing solution to grow your affiliate marketing list and engage your audience? I tested Benchmark Email to boost my affiliate marketing campaigns with trusted platforms like Cloudways (a top cloud hosting provider) and Wholesale2b (a leading dropshipping supplier), and connect with my TikTok and YouTube followers.

Benchmark Email offers a free plan (500 contacts, 3500 emails/month) and an affordable Pro plan starting at just $15/month for 500 contacts, making it one of the best budget-friendly email marketing tools in 2025. With features such as a drag-and-drop editor, email automation, and mobile-responsive email templates, it's ideal for beginners, content creators, and small businesses seeking to expand their online presence without incurring significant costs.

In fact, I earned $130 in Cloudways commissions from a single email campaign, proof that Benchmark Email can deliver results!

In this hands-on Benchmark Email 2025 review, I’ll cover everything you need to know: pros, cons, pricing, comparisons with other email marketing tools, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Why Benchmark Email for Side Hustlers?

Benchmark Email is built for ease of use + affordability:

• Affiliate marketers: Send quick campaigns (e.g., Wholesale2b, Cloudways) without paying $50+/month.

• Content creators: Use mobile-friendly templates for TikTok/Instagram/YouTube audiences.

• SMEs: Automate eCommerce promos with forms, segmentation, and integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce, Zapier).

👉 My experience: I sent a Wholesale2b affiliate newsletter, captured 25 TikTok leads, saved 4 hours, and earned $30 in one week.

My 30-Day Benchmark Email Experience

I tested Benchmark Email’s free plan and Pro plan ($15/month, 500 contacts) as a side hustler. Results:

• Campaigns: Built a Wholesale2b affiliate newsletter in 10 minutes, reaching 200 subscribers with 38% open rates.

• Automation: Set up a 4-email welcome sequence for Cloudways, boosting clicks by 12% (60 extra clicks, $100 earned).

• Forms: Added a pop-up form to my site, capturing 25 TikTok leads.

Key Features of Benchmark Email in 2025

1. Drag-and-Drop Email Editor

Benchmark Email’s editor is intuitive, with 200+ mobile-responsive templates. I created a Wholesale2b newsletter in 10 minutes.

• Pros: Beginner-friendly; mobile-optimized for TikTok/Instagram campaigns.

• Cons: Limited design flexibility; no countdown timers.

• Side Hustle Use: Send affiliate newsletters quickly.

• SME Use: Craft eCommerce promos.

💡 Pro Tip: Use A/B testing (Pro plan) for subject lines, boosted my open rates by 7%.

2. Automation Workflows

Benchmark Email offers visual automation for drip campaigns (e.g., welcome emails, cart abandonment). I set up a Cloudways sequence in 15 minutes, but it lacks behavioral triggers like those in ActiveCampaign.

• Pros: Easy setup; saves 3–4 hours weekly.

• Cons: Limited triggers; the AI personalization is not that powerful.

• Side Hustle Use: Automate affiliate follow-ups.

• SME Use: Send cart recovery emails.

3. Forms & Landing Pages

Benchmark Email provides customizable signup forms (popups, inline) and landing pages. I added a pop-up to capture TikTok leads, but the builder lacks gamified elements or advanced analytics.

• Pros: Simple to embed; integrates with WordPress/Shopify.

• Cons: Basic designs; no SEO tools for landing pages.

• Side Hustle Use: Grow affiliate lists.

• SME Use: Capture eCommerce leads.

Benchmark Email Pricing (Verified 2025)

👉My take: Start with Free, upgrade to Pro ($15/month) for automation.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Free plan with 500 contacts and 3500 emails/month.

• Affordable Pro plan ($15/month for 500 contacts).

• User-friendly editor; campaigns built in 10–15 minutes.

• 200+ mobile-responsive templates, ideal for TikTok/YouTube.

• Integrations with Shopify, Zapier, and WordPress (800+ apps).

Cons

• Free plan includes branding; limited to 3500 emails.

• Automation lacks advanced triggers or AI (unlike ActiveCampaign).

• Smaller template library than competitors (e.g., Moosend).

• Customer support can be slow for free users.

• No built-in CRM for lead tracking.

Benchmark Email vs Competitors (2025)

👉 My take: Benchmark = best free starter. EmailOctopus = more free sends. Moosend = better templates. ActiveCampaign = advanced power. Want to Take Your Email Game to the Next Level? Check Out Our In-Depth Email Marketing Comparison for 2025!

Who Should Use Benchmark Email?

• Side Hustlers: Free plan and affordable Pro plan for affiliate campaigns; saves time and money.

• Small Businesses: Budget-friendly email marketing for eCommerce promos or lead capture.

• Content Creators: Engage TikTok/YouTube audiences with mobile-optimized newsletters.

Who Should Skip It?

• Advanced marketers who need complex automation or CRM (try ActiveCampaign).

• Those wanting dynamic templates or AMP emails (use SendPulse).

Final Verdict: 8.2/10

Benchmark Email is one of the best free & budget email marketing tools in 2025. With a free plan, $15 Pro plan, 200+ templates, and automation, it’s perfect for broke side hustlers, creators, and SMEs.

I earned $130 in commissions with minimal effort, proving it works.

👉 Ready to start? Get Benchmark Email Free Today.

FAQs: Benchmark Email for Side Hustlers (2025)

Q: Is Benchmark Email free for affiliate marketing?
Yes, the free plan supports 500 contacts & 3500 emails per month. I earned $130 with Cloudways on the free plan.

Q: Is Benchmark Email good for beginners?
Absolutely, campaigns take 10–15 mins with the drag-and-drop editor.

Q: Can SMEs use Benchmark Email for Instagram/TikTok leads?
Yes, pop-up forms work well. I captured 25 TikTok leads in 2 weeks.

Note: Based on Benchmark Email, August 2025; check their site for updates.

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Transparency Note: This review includes affiliate links, but I tested Benchmark email as a paying user for unbiased results. Share your experience by joining us!