MakeSuccessOnline.

Independently tested ranking

Best Marketing Automation Software for Ecommerce in 2026

We compared the best marketing automation software for ecommerce on store data sync, abandoned cart and post-purchase flows, email and SMS, and real cost as your list grows.

Reviewed by ·

Updated November 11, 202610 tools rankedPrices as of November 2026
Tools compared
10
With a free plan
5 of 10
Median entry price
$18/mo
Average rating
4.4
On this page
  1. Quick answer
  2. Our top picks
  3. Key takeaways
  4. What is marketing automation software?
  5. Comparison table
  6. The 10 best marketing automation software
  7. Best marketing automation software by need
  8. What to look for
  9. How much marketing automation software cost
  10. How we ranked them
  11. How to choose marketing automation software
  12. FAQ
  13. About the reviewer
  14. Related rankings

What is the best marketing automation software for ecommerce?

The best marketing automation software for ecommerce in 2026 is Klaviyo for data-driven flows and predictive analytics, Omnisend for email, SMS and push on a budget, Drip for detailed email workflows, Attentive for SMS-led retail brands and Shopify Messaging for new Shopify stores. Klaviyo, Omnisend and Mailchimp have free plans for 250 contacts, and Shopify Messaging includes 10,000 free emails a month with a paid Shopify plan.

Our top picks

Best overall

Klaviyo

★ 4.7 our rating

Uses the most store data, with predictive next order dates and revenue reporting for every flow and message.

Paid plans from $20/mo

See why we picked it

Best value

Omnisend

★ 4.5 our rating

Ready-made ecommerce workflows with email, SMS and web push for far less than Klaviyo, plus a free plan.

Paid plans from $11.20/mo

See why we picked it

Best for new Shopify stores

Shopify Messaging

Built into the Shopify admin with 10,000 free emails a month and pre-built abandoned cart and welcome automations.

Paid plans from $1 per 1,000 extra emails

See why we picked it

Key takeaways

  • Klaviyo is the strongest all-round choice for stores with steady sales, thanks to store data sync, predictive analytics and per-flow revenue reporting.
  • Omnisend covers the core ecommerce workflows plus SMS and web push from $11.20/mo, and its free plan includes pre-built workflows.
  • Switch on four flows first: welcome, abandoned cart, browse abandonment and post-purchase. They do most of the work in ecommerce email automation.
  • Most tools price by contacts, so costs rise as your list grows. Sendlane bills by sends with unlimited contacts, and Brevo prices mainly by email volume.
  • Check where SMS lives before you buy: it is a paid add-on on Klaviyo, Pro-only on Omnisend, and credit-based on Brevo, Sendlane and Privy.

What is marketing automation software?

Marketing automation software for ecommerce is a tool that connects to your online store and sends emails, texts and other messages automatically based on what shoppers do, such as signing up, browsing a product, abandoning a cart or placing an order. Unlike general marketing automation built for B2B lead nurturing, ecommerce marketing automation runs on orders, products and browsing data.

Marketing automation for online stores needs to do four jobs well: sync store data in real time, offer ready-made revenue flows such as abandoned cart and post-purchase, pull products and discount codes into messages automatically, and show how much revenue each flow earns. Most stores also want SMS in the same tool, and popups or forms to grow the list that feeds those flows.

Best marketing automation software compared

#ToolBest forFree planPaid plans fromOur rating
1 Klaviyo Data-driven store automation Yes (250 profiles) $20/mo ★4.7
2 Omnisend Budget email, SMS and push Yes (250 contacts) $11.20/mo ★4.5
3 Drip Flexible email workflows No (14-day trial) $39/mo ★4.3
4 Attentive Enterprise SMS and email No Custom ★4.5
5 Mailchimp Easy start for new stores Yes (250 contacts) $8.89/mo ★4.1
6 Brevo Volume-based email and SMS Yes (300 emails/day) $9/mo ★4.4
7 Sendlane Big lists, hands-on support No (60-day trial) $100/mo Not yet reviewed
8 ActiveCampaign Long buying cycles No (14-day trial) $15/mo annual ★4.5
9 Shopify Messaging Free for new Shopify stores Yes (10,000 emails/mo) $1 per 1,000 extra emails Not yet reviewed
10 Privy Popups and list growth No (15-day trial) $24/mo Not yet reviewed

Ratings are MakeSuccessOnline's. Prices are the cheapest paid plan, billed monthly unless marked annual, checked November 2026. Most tools charge more as your contact or profile count grows; Sendlane and Shopify Messaging price by sends.

The 10 best marketing automation software in 2026

Ecommerce marketing automation lives or dies on store data and ready-made revenue flows. These ten ecommerce marketing automation tools cover every stage, from a free first flow on Shopify to enterprise SMS programs.

#1Best overall marketing automation for ecommerce

Klaviyo

An email, SMS and customer data platform built for online stores, using order and browsing data to power flows, segments and revenue reports.

★4.7
Our rating
Paid plans from
$20/mo
Free plan
Yes (250 profiles)
Best for
Ecommerce and DTC brands, especially on Shopify
Works on
Web, iOS, Android, API

Klaviyo is a marketing automation platform built specifically for ecommerce brands. It connects to Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Adobe Commerce, Wix and Salesforce Commerce Cloud, then pulls in orders, refunds, products and browsing events so every flow and segment reacts to what customers actually do in your store.

Where it pulls ahead is the data layer. Predictive analytics estimate each shopper's lifetime value, churn risk and next order date, which makes replenishment and win-back flows far better timed. Revenue reporting shows what each flow and message earns, and email, SMS and reviews share one customer profile. The trade-off is price: costs climb as your list grows.

Key features

  • Store data syncOrders, refunds, products, catalog and browsing events flow in automatically, so segments and flow triggers update as customers shop.
  • Pre-built revenue flowsWelcome, abandoned cart, browse abandonment, abandoned checkout, post-purchase and win-back flows you can switch on in minutes and refine later.
  • Predictive analyticsPredicted lifetime value, churn risk and expected next order date for each profile, so you can send replenishment and win-back emails at the right moment.
  • Product blocks and recommendationsDynamic blocks show items a shopper viewed, left in the cart or is likely to buy next, pulled straight from your catalog.
  • Revenue reportingAttributes orders and revenue to each campaign, flow and message, so you know which automations pay for themselves.

Pricing

PlanPriceWhat you get
Free$0Up to 250 active profiles, 500 emails a month, limited reviews and customer hub
Email$20/mo500 active profiles, 5,000 emails a month, full flows, segmentation and reporting; price rises with list size
Marketing$25/moEmail plan features plus unlimited review orders, with AI and helpdesk tools as add-ons
CustomCustomOver 150,000 active profiles, priced through sales

List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Prices rise with active profiles. SMS is a paid add-on.

Pros and cons

Pros
  • Deepest use of store data of any tool here
  • Predicted next order date and lifetime value per customer
  • Clear revenue attribution for every flow and message
  • Email, SMS and reviews on one customer profile
Cons
  • Costs climb quickly as active profiles grow
  • Depth takes time to learn for a first-time store owner
  • SMS and some products are add-ons on top of the email price

Is it right for you?

Choose Klaviyo ifYou run a Shopify or other ecommerce store with steady sales and want automation driven by real purchase and browsing data.

Look elsewhere ifYou are a brand-new store with a tiny budget, where Shopify Messaging or Omnisend's free plan will do for now.

#2Best value for email, SMS and push

Omnisend

An ecommerce marketing platform that combines email, SMS and web push with ready-made store workflows.

★4.5
Our rating
Paid plans from
$11.20/mo
Free plan
Yes (250 contacts)
Best for
Small and mid-sized ecommerce stores, especially on Shopify
Works on
Web; store apps for Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce and Wix

Omnisend is built for online stores that want proven ecommerce automation without Klaviyo's price. Connect Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce or Wix and the cart abandonment, browse abandonment, welcome, order confirmation and win-back workflows are ready to switch on, even on the free plan. Product pickers and unique discount codes drop straight into emails.

Its strength is putting several channels in one workflow. You can add web push on Standard and SMS steps on Pro, so a shopper who ignores the cart email can get a text or a browser notification. Popups and signup forms are on every plan, and support runs around the clock even for free users. Segmentation and reports are simpler than Klaviyo's.

Key features

  • Pre-built ecommerce workflowsCart abandonment, browse abandonment, welcome, order confirmation and win-back workflows that work as soon as your store is connected.
  • SMS and web push in workflowsAdd web push and SMS steps (Pro plan) to the same workflow as your emails, which helps recover carts from shoppers who ignore email.
  • Product picker and discount blocksSearch your catalog inside the editor, drop products into emails with images and prices filled in, and add unique discount codes created in your store.
  • Popups and signup formsPopups, embedded forms and landing pages on every plan, so list growth and follow-up messages live in one place.
  • Sales reportingShows orders and revenue from each campaign and workflow, with more detailed reports on Pro.

Pricing

PlanPriceWhat you get
Free$0250 contacts, 500 emails a month, pre-built workflows, popups and segmentation
Standard$11.20/mo500 contacts, 6,000 emails a month, custom workflows, unlimited web push, no Omnisend branding
Pro$41.30/mo2,500 contacts, unlimited emails, SMS billed per message, product recommender options and advanced reporting
CustomCustomOver 150,000 active profiles

List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Prices rise with contacts, and SMS is billed per message on Pro.

Pros and cons

Pros
  • Core revenue workflows ready on day one
  • Low entry price for ecommerce automation
  • Popups, email, SMS and push in one account
  • 24/7 support on every plan, including free
Cons
  • Segmentation and reporting are less detailed than Klaviyo
  • SMS needs the Pro plan and costs extra per message
  • Fewer store platforms than Klaviyo or Mailchimp

Is it right for you?

Choose Omnisend ifYou run a small or mid-sized Shopify or WooCommerce store and want email, SMS and push automation at a lower price than Klaviyo.

Look elsewhere ifYou need Klaviyo-level predictive data and detailed revenue reporting, or you only want SMS.

#3Best for detailed branching email workflows

Drip

An email marketing and automation platform built for online stores, with store data sync, branching workflows and onsite popups.

★4.3
Our rating
Paid plans from
$39/mo
Free plan
No (14-day trial)
Best for
Small and mid-sized Shopify and WooCommerce stores
Works on
Web

Drip is an email automation platform made for growing DTC brands that want more control over their flows. It syncs orders, products, carts and browsing from Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce and Adobe Commerce, so a workflow can react to the exact product a shopper viewed or left behind.

The visual builder is the main reason to pick it. Triggers, delays, decision splits and goals sit on one canvas, which makes it easy to treat a first order differently from a fifth. Revenue attribution goes down to the individual email, and onsite popups feed new subscribers straight into welcome series. Pricing is simple: all features on every tier, priced by contacts.

Key features

  • Visual workflow builderTriggers, delays, decision splits and goals on one canvas, so different customer types can follow different paths through the same automation.
  • Store event trackingSyncs orders, products, carts and browsing from your store, so workflows react to what a shopper viewed or abandoned.
  • Pre-built ecommerce workflowsStarting templates for abandoned cart, browse abandonment, welcome and post-purchase series.
  • Onsite popups and formsPopups, flyouts and embedded forms with targeting rules that drop new subscribers into welcome workflows.
  • Revenue attributionReports revenue per campaign, workflow and individual email, so you can see which steps earn money and which to cut.

Pricing

PlanPriceWhat you get
Drip$39/moUp to 2,500 contacts, unlimited email sends and every feature
Larger listsHigherSame features, priced by number of contacts

List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. 14-day free trial.

Pros and cons

Pros
  • Flexible workflow builder with detailed branching
  • Revenue reporting per workflow and per email
  • All features on every plan
  • Built-in popups and forms
Cons
  • No free plan
  • Smaller template library than Klaviyo or Mailchimp
  • Email-focused, so brands that want SMS in the same tool should look elsewhere

Is it right for you?

Choose Drip ifYou want detailed, branching email automation for a growing store without per-feature upsells.

Look elsewhere ifYou need a free plan or want email and SMS run from one platform.

#4Best for SMS-led retail brands

Attentive

An AI-powered SMS and email marketing platform for ecommerce and retail brands, known for high-converting sign-up units and personalized texts.

★4.5
Our rating
Paid plans from
Custom
Free plan
No
Best for
Mid-market and enterprise ecommerce and retail brands
Works on
Web, API

Attentive is built for larger retail and ecommerce brands where SMS drives a big share of revenue. It connects to Shopify, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Adobe Commerce and BigCommerce, plus tools such as Yotpo, Recharge, Gorgias and Zendesk, and runs SMS and email journeys, campaigns and segments from the same subscriber data.

List growth is its standout. Mobile-optimized sign-up units, including two-tap SMS opt-in, turn site visitors into text subscribers quickly. Journeys cover welcome, browse abandonment, cart abandonment and post-purchase, while AI features personalize content, timing and targeting. Two-way conversations and compliance tools for consent, quiet hours and TCPA are part of the platform. Expect a sales process and an annual contract.

Key features

  • Sign-up unitsMobile-optimized pop-ups, including two-tap SMS sign-up, built to grow SMS and email lists quickly.
  • JourneysAutomated welcome, browse abandonment, cart abandonment and post-purchase flows across SMS and email.
  • Attentive AIPersonalizes message content, send timing and targeting for each subscriber.
  • Two-way conversationsSubscribers can reply to texts, with AI or human-assisted responses, which helps answer product questions before a sale.
  • Compliance toolsBuilt-in handling for SMS consent, quiet hours and regulations such as TCPA, which matters at high text volumes.

Pricing

PlanPriceWhat you get
Attentive platformCustomAnnual contract, quoted on volume and products; SMS and email marketing, sign-up units, journeys, segmentation and AI features

Attentive does not publish prices. Expect a sales-quoted annual contract based on your message volume and the products you choose.

Pros and cons

Pros
  • One of the leading SMS platforms for ecommerce
  • Strong list-growth sign-up units
  • SMS and email journeys in one platform
  • Good compliance tooling for high-volume texting
Cons
  • No public pricing; annual contracts only
  • No free plan or self-serve trial
  • Email side is newer than its SMS product

Is it right for you?

Choose Attentive ifYou are a mid-market or enterprise retailer where SMS is a major revenue channel and you want hands-on support.

Look elsewhere ifYou are a small or new store, or you want to sign up and start sending today.

#5Best easy option for new stores

Mailchimp

An email marketing platform with automation flows, forms, landing pages and reporting, priced by contact count.

★4.1
Our rating
Paid plans from
$8.89/mo
Free plan
Yes (250 contacts)
Best for
Small stores and beginners who want an easy all-in-one email tool
Works on
Web, iOS, Android

Mailchimp is the friendliest starting point for a store owner who has never set up an email flow. It connects to Shopify, WooCommerce, Square, Wix, Squarespace and Stripe to sync customer and purchase data, and its drag-and-drop editor and templates make a first welcome series or abandoned cart flow quick to build.

For ecommerce automation, the plan matters. Essentials caps flows at 4 steps, while Standard allows up to 200 flows with branching, plus predictive segmentation, purchase likelihood, customer lifetime value and send time optimization. Forms, landing pages and social posting sit in the same account. Watch the bill as your list grows, because every contact counts toward your tier.

Key features

  • Automation flowsWelcome series and abandoned cart flows; up to 4 steps on Essentials, and up to 200 branching flows with multiple starting points on Standard and Premium.
  • Store integrationsConnects to Shopify, WooCommerce, Square, Wix, Squarespace and Stripe to sync customers and purchases for segments and flows.
  • Predictive segmentsStandard and Premium add predictive segmentation, purchase likelihood and customer lifetime value, so you can target likely buyers.
  • Send time optimizationOn Standard and Premium, sends each campaign when contacts are most likely to engage.
  • Forms and landing pagesPop-up and embedded sign-up forms, landing pages and surveys on every plan to grow your list.

Pricing

PlanPriceWhat you get
Free$0250 contacts, 500 sends a month, 1 seat; automation flows as a preview only
Essentials$8.89/mo500 contacts, 3 seats, scheduling, A/B testing, flows up to 4 steps
Standard$13.31/mo500 contacts, up to 200 branching flows, generative AI, predictive segmentation, send time optimization
Premium$266.30/moUnlimited seats and audiences, multivariate testing, phone and priority support

List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Prices shown are for 500 contacts and rise with list size; Mailchimp has been offering 50% off for the first 12 months.

Pros and cons

Pros
  • Very easy editor for first-time store owners
  • Large integration directory, including major store platforms
  • Free plan for small lists
  • Forms, landing pages and social posting alongside email
Cons
  • Real ecommerce automation needs the Standard plan
  • Price climbs quickly as contacts grow, even inactive ones
  • Headline prices are 12-month promotional rates

Is it right for you?

Choose Mailchimp ifYou are launching a store and want a familiar, easy tool that handles welcome and abandoned cart flows without a learning curve.

Look elsewhere ifYou want deep revenue-based automation and product recommendations, where Klaviyo or Omnisend do more for stores.

#6Best for stores that email a large list on a budget

Brevo

A marketing platform for email, SMS, WhatsApp and transactional messages, with plans priced mainly by monthly email volume.

★4.4
Our rating
Paid plans from
$9/mo
Free plan
Yes (300 emails/day)
Best for
Small and mid-sized stores that want email, SMS and transactional email together
Works on
Web; API and SMTP relay

Brevo, formerly Sendinblue, suits stores that want email, SMS and order emails in one account at a low price. It connects to Shopify and WooCommerce, and every plan, including Free, can send order confirmations and receipts through the API or SMTP relay, so you do not need a separate transactional email service.

For automation, start at Standard ($18/mo at 5,000 emails). It adds unlimited multi-step workflows triggered by behavior and events, web and event tracking, A/B testing and send time optimization. Pricing is driven by email volume, which helps stores with big lists that send less often, though tiers now carry contact limits too. WhatsApp, popups and push need Professional.

Key features

  • Marketing automationUnlimited multi-step workflows triggered by behavior and events, on Standard and higher.
  • Transactional emailEvery plan can send order confirmations and receipts via API or SMTP relay, with webhooks and logs.
  • SMS marketingSMS campaigns and transactional texts from the same account, paid with credits bought separately.
  • Web and event trackingOn Standard and higher, track site activity and custom events and use them to trigger workflows and segments.
  • Advanced segmentationFilter contacts by demographics, website activity, engagement and custom events, with unlimited saved segments.

Pricing

PlanPriceWhat you get
Free$0300 emails a day, campaigns, transactional email, forms, Brevo branding
Starter$9/mo5,000 emails a month (500 contacts), editor, AI content, segmentation; no automation
Standard$18/moStarter plus marketing automation, A/B testing, send time optimization, web and event tracking, no Brevo logo
Professional$499/moFrom 150,000 emails a month, 10 seats, WhatsApp, popups, web and mobile push, advanced ecommerce features
EnterpriseCustomMulti-account management, loyalty, dedicated IP, SSO

List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Annual billing saves 10%. SMS credits are sold separately.

Pros and cons

Pros
  • Low entry price and a free plan
  • Marketing and transactional email in one account
  • Pricing driven mainly by email volume
  • SMS in the same platform
Cons
  • Marketing automation needs Standard or higher
  • WhatsApp, popups and push need the $499/mo Professional plan
  • Revenue reporting is lighter than Klaviyo's

Is it right for you?

Choose Brevo ifYou want affordable email automation plus order emails and SMS in one account, and you send to a large list less often.

Look elsewhere ifYou want Klaviyo-level revenue reporting or WhatsApp and popups without paying for Professional.

#7Best for Shopify brands with large lists

Sendlane

An email and SMS marketing platform for ecommerce brands, priced by sends rather than contacts.

Not yet reviewed
Paid plans from
$100/mo
Free plan
No (60-day trial)
Best for
Shopify and WooCommerce brands, from growing stores to Shopify Plus
Works on
Web

Sendlane is an email and SMS automation platform for Shopify and WooCommerce brands that have outgrown contact-based pricing. Because it bills by sends and keeps contacts unlimited, old subscribers and one-time buyers do not push you into a higher tier, which changes the math for stores with big but quiet lists.

Store data from Shopify, Shopify Plus and WooCommerce, plus its Beacon website tracking, powers cart, browse and post-purchase automations. Email and SMS run from one account, and multivariate testing with ROI tracking shows what each automation earns. Every account gets 24/7 support, a dedicated success manager and white glove migration help, which makes switching from another tool less painful.

Key features

  • Unlimited contactsPricing is based on sends, so past customers and old subscribers do not raise the bill just by being on your list.
  • Deep store data syncShopify, Shopify Plus and WooCommerce integrations bring in orders, products and customer behavior for segments and triggers.
  • Behavior-based automationsFlows triggered by store and site events, tracked with Sendlane's Beacon, for cart, browse and post-purchase journeys.
  • SMS marketingText campaigns and automated texts alongside email in the same account, paid with credits.
  • Hands-on support24/7 support, a dedicated customer success manager and white glove migration help.

Pricing

PlanPriceWhat you get
Base$100/moUnlimited contacts, priced by monthly sends; email campaigns and automations, popups, segmentation and a success manager
Higher send volumesHigherSame features with more sends
SMSFrom $0.009 per creditUsage-based text messaging, carrier fees included

List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. 60-day free trial for up to 100 contacts and 500 sends.

Pros and cons

Pros
  • Unlimited contacts keeps costs flat for big lists
  • Dedicated success manager and migration help
  • Email and SMS with deep Shopify data
  • 24/7 support
Cons
  • High entry price for small stores
  • Only Shopify and WooCommerce store integrations
  • SMS costs extra on top of the plan

Is it right for you?

Choose Sendlane ifYou run a Shopify brand with a large list and want email and SMS automation with hands-on onboarding.

Look elsewhere ifYou are a new or small store, or you sell on a platform other than Shopify or WooCommerce.

#8Best for high-consideration and high-ticket products

ActiveCampaign

An email marketing and automation platform known for flexible branching automations, with CRM, lead scoring and ecommerce integrations.

★4.5
Our rating
Paid plans from
$15/mo annual
Free plan
No (14-day trial)
Best for
Stores selling high-consideration products, plus B2B and SaaS marketers
Works on
Web, iOS, Android, API

ActiveCampaign is the pick for stores whose customers do not buy on impulse. If you sell high-ticket or high-consideration products, a two-hour abandoned cart email is only part of the job. You need to nurture people over weeks based on which pages they visit, which emails they open and what they have bought before, and ActiveCampaign's branching automations handle that well.

Shopify, WooCommerce and Square sync customers and orders on every plan, and abandoned cart automations are included from Starter. Lead scoring and a CRM let you pass hot prospects to a salesperson for big orders or trade accounts. BigCommerce, Magento and Shopify Plus need the Pro plan, and its ecommerce reporting is lighter than dedicated store tools.

Key features

  • Advanced automation builderCombine store events, email engagement, site visits and tags in branching automations, useful when a purchase decision takes weeks.
  • Store integrationsShopify, WooCommerce and Square sync customers and orders on every plan; BigCommerce, Magento and Shopify Plus on Pro and higher.
  • Abandoned cart automationsRecover lost carts with automated emails on every plan, using cart contents synced from your store.
  • Lead scoring and CRMScore contacts by behavior and pass hot leads into a sales pipeline, which helps with big orders and wholesale inquiries.
  • Site trackingTrack which pages known contacts visit and use those visits to trigger automations or build segments.

Pricing

PlanPriceWhat you get
Starter$15/mo annual1,000 contacts; email, automations, abandoned cart and Shopify, WooCommerce and Square integrations
PlusHigherMore automation, landing pages and reporting
ProHigherPremium store integrations, predictive sending and more reporting
EnterpriseCustomPremium CRM integrations and dedicated support

List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Prices rise with contacts. 14-day free trial, no card required.

Pros and cons

Pros
  • Very flexible automation logic
  • Lead scoring and CRM for high-ticket sales
  • Abandoned cart on every plan
  • Strong site tracking
Cons
  • No free plan
  • BigCommerce, Magento and Shopify Plus need the Pro plan
  • Product blocks and store reporting are lighter than Klaviyo

Is it right for you?

Choose ActiveCampaign ifYou sell high-ticket or considered products and need to nurture shoppers over weeks, sometimes with a sales follow-up.

Look elsewhere ifYou sell low-priced, impulse products where store-focused tools like Klaviyo or Omnisend do more out of the box.

#9Best free option for new Shopify stores

Shopify Messaging

Shopify's built-in email marketing tool, formerly Shopify Email, run from the Shopify admin and priced by emails sent.

Not yet reviewed
Paid plans from
$1 per 1,000 extra emails
Free plan
Yes (10,000 emails/mo)
Best for
New and small Shopify stores
Works on
Shopify admin (web, Shopify mobile app)

Shopify Messaging, formerly Shopify Email, is the simplest way for a new Shopify store to start marketing automation. It lives inside the Shopify admin, so customers, products, discounts and branding are already there. There is no app to install, no data to sync and no separate bill to manage.

It covers the basics well. Pre-built welcome, abandoned cart, win-back and upsell automations can be switched on quickly, and custom workflows add triggers, conditions and wait steps. Up to 10,000 emails a month are free with a paid Shopify plan, then it costs $1 per 1,000. SMS is available in select countries. You will outgrow it when you need predictive data or advanced segmentation.

Key features

  • Built into ShopifyRuns in the Shopify admin with customers, products and discounts connected, so there is nothing to install or sync.
  • Marketing automationsPre-built welcome, abandoned cart, win-back and upsell automations, plus custom workflows with triggers, conditions and wait steps.
  • Product blocksTemplates fill in products and prices from your catalog, with dynamic sections for best sellers and new arrivals.
  • Customer segmentsTarget emails using Shopify customer segments built from order and customer data.
  • Sales reportingOpens, delivery rate, sales and a conversion funnel for each email inside Shopify analytics.

Pricing

PlanPriceWhat you get
Free allowance$0Up to 10,000 emails a month, campaigns and automations; requires a paid Shopify plan
Extra emails$1 per 1,000 emailsPay as you go above the allowance, with lower rates at high volume, billed on your Shopify invoice
SMSBilled separatelyPer message, in select countries

List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Requires a paid Shopify plan.

Pros and cons

Pros
  • Free for most small stores
  • Products and branding added automatically
  • No extra app or data sync to manage
  • Pay-as-you-go pricing is easy to predict
Cons
  • Only works for Shopify stores
  • Segmentation and reporting are basic
  • No predictive analytics or advanced flow logic

Is it right for you?

Choose Shopify Messaging ifYou are a new Shopify store and want welcome and abandoned cart automations running today at little or no cost.

Look elsewhere ifYou sell on another platform or need predictive data and advanced segmentation.

#10Best for list growth on small Shopify stores

Privy

An ecommerce marketing tool focused on popups, spin wheels and cart savers, with email and SMS for small online stores.

Not yet reviewed
Paid plans from
$24/mo
Free plan
No (15-day trial)
Best for
Small and growing stores, mainly on Shopify
Works on
Web; works with Shopify, BigCommerce and Wix

Privy is a list-growth tool first and an automation tool second, which is exactly what many small Shopify stores need early on. Spin-to-win wheels, flyouts, bars and exit-intent popups, with A/B testing, help you collect more email and SMS subscribers from the traffic you already have, and cart savers catch shoppers about to leave.

Once someone signs up, the Email plan sends welcome, abandoned cart and follow-up emails automatically, with unlimited sends. SMS for US and Canadian subscribers comes as an add-on with credits that roll over. If you already send email with Klaviyo, you can buy only the popups and sync new contacts across. Advanced flows and segmentation are not its strength.

Key features

  • Popups and displaysSpin-to-win wheels, flyouts, bars, embedded forms and exit-intent popups, with A/B testing to find the offer that collects the most signups.
  • Cart savers and cross-sellsOn-site displays that appear when a shopper is about to leave with items in the cart, or suggest related products before checkout.
  • Email automationsWelcome, abandoned cart and follow-up emails that send automatically after a signup or an abandoned visit.
  • SMSText campaigns and automations for US and Canadian subscribers, with 250 free credits and paid packs that roll over.
  • Store syncNew contacts sync to Shopify, BigCommerce and Wix, and can pass to Klaviyo if you send email there.

Pricing

PlanPriceWhat you get
Pop-ups & Displays$24/moUp to 10,000 page views a month; popups, spin wheels, bars, flyouts and landing pages
Email$30/moUp to 1,500 mailable contacts, email campaigns, automations, popups and unlimited sends
SMS add-onFrom $20/mo1,250 credits on top of 250 free credits, rolling over; US and Canada

List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. 15-day free trial, no card required.

Pros and cons

Pros
  • Some of the best popup and spin-wheel options for small stores
  • Popups can be bought without the email product
  • SMS credits roll over
  • Quick to set up on Shopify
Cons
  • Email automation is basic next to Klaviyo or Omnisend
  • SMS is limited to the US and Canada
  • No free plan

Is it right for you?

Choose Privy ifYou run a small Shopify store and your biggest need right now is growing your list, with simple automated follow-ups.

Look elsewhere ifYou need advanced flows, detailed segmentation or SMS outside the US and Canada.

Best marketing automation software by need

What to look for in marketing automation software

  • Native store integrationA direct integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce or your platform that syncs orders, products, carts and browsing. Without it, abandoned cart and browse flows cannot work.
  • Pre-built ecommerce flowsReady-made welcome, abandoned cart, browse abandonment, post-purchase and win-back flows. These ecommerce automation workflows get you earning in days instead of weeks.
  • Product blocks and discount codesBlocks that fill in products a shopper viewed or left behind, plus unique discount codes from your store, so messages feel personal without manual work.
  • Revenue attributionReports that show orders and revenue per flow, campaign and message. This is how you prove which automations pay for the software.
  • Email and SMS in one placeEmail and SMS automation for ecommerce works best with SMS steps inside the same flows as email and one customer profile. Check whether SMS is included, an add-on or billed per message.
  • Pricing that fits your listContact-based pricing gets expensive with big, quiet lists. Compare cost at your current list size and at double it, and look at send-based options.

How much does marketing automation software for ecommerce cost in 2026?

Ecommerce marketing automation runs from free for small lists to custom annual contracts. Most tools price by contacts or profiles, so your list size sets the bill.

TierTypical priceTools at this levelWho it suits
Free $0Klaviyo, Omnisend, Mailchimp (250 contacts), Brevo (300 emails/day), Shopify Messaging (10,000 emails/mo)New stores testing their first flows
Starter $8.89 to $30/moMailchimp, Brevo, Omnisend Standard, ActiveCampaign, Klaviyo Email and Marketing, PrivySmall stores with a few hundred to a few thousand contacts
Growth $39 to $100+/moDrip, Omnisend Pro, Sendlane, Klaviyo at larger listsGrowing DTC brands running email and SMS flows
Enterprise CustomAttentive, Klaviyo Custom, Brevo EnterpriseMid-market and enterprise retailers with high volume

Entry prices from each vendor's pricing page, November 2026. Most rise with list size, and SMS is usually billed on top.

Price your shortlist at your current list size and at twice that, because ecommerce lists grow fast and most tools charge for every contact. Klaviyo pricing, for example, starts at $20/mo for 500 active profiles and rises with list size. Add SMS costs separately, since Klaviyo sells it as an add-on and Omnisend, Brevo, Sendlane and Privy bill per message or credit. If you have a large list of one-time buyers, a send-based tool like Sendlane can cost less than a contact-based one, and cleaning out inactive contacts saves money on any plan.

How we chose the best marketing automation software

We started with the email, SMS and marketing automation tools in the MakeSuccessOnline directory and added well-known ecommerce tools we have not yet reviewed, such as Sendlane, Shopify Messaging and Privy. Each was judged on how it handles a store's core flows: welcome, abandoned cart, browse abandonment, post-purchase and win-back. We combined hands-on reviews with vendor documentation and current pricing, checked in November 2026, and scored each tool on the criteria below.

  1. Ecommerce data and integrationsDepth of store sync for orders, products, carts and browsing, and the platforms supported.
    25%
  2. Automation flowsPre-built revenue flows, branching logic and multichannel steps.
    20%
  3. Revenue reportingHow clearly the tool attributes orders and revenue to flows and messages.
    15%
  4. Pricing and valueFree plans, entry price and how cost scales with list size and SMS.
    20%
  5. Ease of useHow quickly a store owner can launch the first flows.
    10%
  6. Channels and list growthSMS, push, popups and forms in the same account.
    10%

How to choose marketing automation software

  1. Match the tool to your store platformConfirm a native integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce or whatever you sell on. Shopify Messaging, Privy and Sendlane have narrower platform support. For WooCommerce marketing automation, Klaviyo, Omnisend, Drip, Mailchimp, Brevo, Sendlane and ActiveCampaign all connect natively.
  2. List the flows you need firstWelcome, abandoned cart, browse abandonment and post-purchase are the core. Check each tool has them pre-built on the plan you can afford.
  3. Decide whether you need SMS nowIf SMS marketing automation for ecommerce matters to you, check where SMS sits: an add-on, a higher plan or per-message credits. Attentive suits brands where SMS leads.
  4. Price it at your list size, then double itEcommerce automation software pricing climbs with contacts. Compare contact-based and send-based pricing at today's list and next year's.
  5. Check revenue reportingYou should see revenue per flow and per message. That is how you prove the tool pays for itself and decide what to fix.
  6. Start free or on a trialUse a free plan or trial to connect your store and launch one real abandoned cart flow before you commit to a paid plan or contract.

Check during the free trial

  • Does your store data sync orders, products, carts and browsing in real time?
  • Can you launch abandoned cart and browse abandonment flows in under an hour?
  • Do product blocks and unique discount codes fill in automatically?
  • Does reporting show revenue per flow and per message?
  • What will you pay at double your current list, including SMS?

Red flags

  • No native integration with your store platform
  • Abandoned cart flows locked behind an expensive plan
  • SMS costs that are not clear until after signup
  • No revenue attribution per flow or message
  • Annual contracts required before you can test with your store

Ecommerce marketing automation FAQ

What is the best marketing automation software for ecommerce?

Klaviyo is the best marketing automation software for ecommerce for most stores with steady sales, because it uses the most store data and reports revenue per flow. Omnisend is the best value pick with email, SMS and push from $11.20/mo, and Shopify Messaging is the best free start for new Shopify stores.

Is there free ecommerce marketing automation software?

Yes. Klaviyo and Omnisend have free plans for 250 contacts and 500 emails a month, and Omnisend's free plan includes pre-built workflows. Shopify Messaging includes 10,000 free emails a month with a paid Shopify plan. Mailchimp's free plan only previews automation flows, and Brevo's automation starts on its Standard plan.

How much does ecommerce marketing automation cost?

Most stores pay about $9 to $40 a month to start, rising with list size. Mailchimp starts at $8.89/mo, Brevo at $9/mo, Omnisend at $11.20/mo, Klaviyo at $20/mo and Drip at $39/mo. Sendlane starts at $100/mo with unlimited contacts, and Attentive is quoted on annual contracts. SMS usually costs extra.

Klaviyo vs Omnisend: which is better for ecommerce?

Klaviyo is better for stores that want the deepest data, with predictive lifetime value, next order dates and detailed revenue reporting. Omnisend is better value for small and mid-sized stores, with pre-built workflows, popups, web push and SMS on Pro at a lower price. Against Mailchimp, Omnisend offers more ready-made ecommerce workflows on its free plan, since Mailchimp's free plan only previews automation.

What are the best Klaviyo alternatives for ecommerce?

Omnisend is the closest Klaviyo alternative for small stores, with similar pre-built workflows at a lower price. Drip suits brands that want detailed email workflows on a flat feature set, Sendlane suits large lists because contacts are unlimited, and Attentive suits retailers where SMS leads.

Which marketing automation tool is best for Shopify?

Klaviyo is the best marketing automation for Shopify stores that are growing. Shopify Messaging is best for new stores because it is built into the admin and free for 10,000 emails a month. Omnisend, Sendlane and Privy are also built around Shopify, and Attentive suits larger Shopify brands.

What automations should an ecommerce store set up first?

Start with a welcome series, abandoned cart, browse abandonment and post-purchase flow. These catch shoppers at the moments they are most likely to buy. Add win-back and replenishment flows next, which work best in tools with predictive data like Klaviyo.

How to choose ecommerce marketing automation software?

Choose by store platform, flows and cost. Confirm a native integration with your store, check that abandoned cart and post-purchase flows are on a plan you can afford, decide whether you need SMS, and price the tool at double your current list. Then test one real flow on a free plan or trial.

About the reviewer

Editor & Reviewer, MakeSuccessOnline

William Harrison is an editor and reviewer at MakeSuccessOnline. He reviews each tools ranking before it goes live, checking plans, prices, free tiers and features against the tool's own documentation, and keeps rankings current as tools change.

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