If you’re running email automation, you need a tool that simplifies your workflow—not one that slows you down. Segmentation, behavior-based emails, and automation should feel effortless. Userlist does a decent job, but it’s not the right fit for everyone.
If you’re here, then it hasn’t been the right fit for you either…
Maybe you need deeper integrations, better automation, or a more flexible way to engage users. Whatever the case, there are better alternatives that might fit your needs.
I’ve tested the 8 best Userlist alternatives—in this guide, you’ll learn about them, what they do well, where they fall short, and which one might be the right move for you.
Let’s get into it…
Userlist Alternatives: TL;DR
| Alternative | Best For | Top Feature | Free Trial? | Starting Price (USD/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encharge | Scaling automation & segmentation | Visual Flow Builder | ✅ Yes | $79 |
| Sender | Budget-friendly email marketing | Email automation templates | ✅ Yes | $0 |
| Drip | E-commerce brands | Advanced customer segmentation | ✅ Yes | $39 |
| Customer.io | Product-led companies | Real-time data-based automation | ✅ Yes | $100 |
| Kit (ConvertKit) | Creators & bloggers | Simple email automation | ✅ Yes | $0 |
| Brevo | Small businesses & startups | Affordable all-in-one marketing | ✅ Yes | $0 |
| ActiveCampaign | Businesses needing CRM features | Sales & marketing automation | ✅ Yes | $15 |
| Ortto | Data-driven businesses | Unified customer journey tracking | ✅ Yes | $509 |
🏆 The Winner: Encharge is by far the best Userlist alternative. It offers a drag-and-drop Flow Builder, deep integrations, and behavior-based emails to drive real engagement.
Not sure yet? Still need to dig deeper? No worries—I’ll break everything down in this guide. Short on time? Feel free to jump to any section using the table of contents below!
What is Userlist?
Userlist is a customer messaging platform designed for SaaS businesses.
It helps companies automate emails, onboard users, and engage customers based on their behavior.
Unlike traditional email marketing tools, Userlist focuses on product-led communication, making it great for lifecycle messaging. But if you’re looking for deep marketing automation and multi-channel workflows, it might not be the best fit.
What Userlist Offers
Answer: Userlist is an email marketing platform specializing in behavior-based email automation for SaaS.
It helps businesses send personalized messages based on user activity, automate onboarding, and manage customer engagement. While it’s simple and effective for SaaS retention, it lacks broader marketing automation features like advanced lead nurturing and multi-channel campaigns.
Top 3 Features of Userlist
- Behavior-based Emails – Automate emails triggered by user actions inside your app.
- Customer Segmentation – Group users based on behavior, lifecycle stage, or custom properties.
- User Lifecycle Tracking – Monitor how users interact with your product over time.
Even though Userlist has all these strengths, it comes with limitations that drive many marketers to look for better alternatives.
Let’s discover why:
Why Look for a Userlist Alternative?
Userlist works well for SaaS companies that need behavior-driven email automation, but it has its limits.
If you’re looking for more flexibility, deeper automation, or better pricing, here’s why you might need an alternative:
1. Limited Marketing Automation
Userlist is great for customer retention, but it lacks advanced marketing automation features like complex workflows, lead scoring, and multi-channel campaigns. If you need a tool that nurtures leads before they become customers, you might need something more powerful.
2. No Multi-Channel Support
Userlist is email-only, which means no SMS, push notifications, or in-app messages. If your marketing strategy involves more than just emails, you’ll have to integrate extra tools.
3. Pricing Can Be Expensive for Growing Teams
Userlist’s pricing is based on the number of users, and it can get pricey as your customer base grows. If you’re a startup or a company scaling quickly, you might find better value elsewhere.
4. Lacks Built-in Lead Capture Forms
Unlike some alternatives, Userlist doesn’t have native forms to capture leads. You’ll need third-party tools or custom integrations to bring new subscribers into your email list.
These limitations push many marketers to seek a more powerful solution. If that sounds like you, here are the top alternatives worth considering…
List: The 8 Top Userlist Alternatives for Email Automation
If you’re looking for Userlist alternatives, the top choices are Encharge, Sender, and Drip.
Other great options include Customer.io, Kit (formerly ConvertKit), Brevo, ActiveCampaign, and Ortto.
Let’s break down what each one brings to the table…
1. Encharge – The #1 Userlist Alternative
G2: 4.7/5 ⭐ (300+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.9/5 ⭐ (250+ reviews)
Based on reviews, Encharge is the best alternative to Userlist for email automation and customer engagement.
If you’re looking for a smarter, more flexible alternative to Userlist, Encharge is the best choice. It gives you advanced automation, seamless integrations, and better value—without the limitations of Userlist’s pricing model.
Encharge is designed for businesses that want to automate emails based on real user behavior. You can build workflows with a simple drag-and-drop interface, segment users dynamically, and connect with the tools you already use.
With Encharge, you can launch automated email sequences in minutes, not hours. Unlike Userlist, you’re not limited by pricing restrictions or lack of integrations. Plus, fast and responsive support is included on every plan.
Why Choose Encharge Over Userlist?
- More advanced automation – An intuitive email editor & a drag-and-drop builder with flexible workflows.
- More integrations – Connects with Stripe, HubSpot, Salesforce, and more.
- Better value for money – Lower starting price with higher feature availability.
- Reliable support – Get expert help on every plan, not just enterprise tiers.
Key Features of Encharge (vs. Userlist)
- Behavior-based email automation – Send emails triggered by user actions.
- Visual automation builder – Design workflows with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
- Dynamic segmentation – Automatically group users based on in-app activity.
- Deep integrations – Connect with 100+ apps, including Stripe and CRMs.
- A/B testing for emails and workflows – Test and optimize campaigns to improve conversions.
Userlist covers the basics, but Encharge takes automation further.
It gives you the tools to build smarter, more dynamic email sequences—without the pricing constraints of Userlist.
Here’s how emails (or Broadcasts) are created inside Encharge:
📌 There’s more to explore! Check out all Encharge’s features here!
Pros and Cons of Encharge
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Easy-to-use automation builder | ❌ No free plan |
| ✅ Lower starting price ($79 vs. $149) | ❌ Learning curve for complex workflows |
| ✅ More integrations than Userlist | |
| ✅ Faster, more responsive support | |
| ✅ Advanced segmentation |
Encharge Pricing
- Growth – $79/month (billed yearly) for up to 2,000 subscribers. Includes automation workflows, API integrations, and behavior-based emails.
- Premium – $129/month (billed yearly) with advanced segmentation, HubSpot/Salesforce integrations, and transactional emails.
- Enterprise – Custom pricing for businesses with over 50,000 subscribers.
With Encharge, you get robust automation features without the high price tag. Try Encharge free for 14 days.
Userlist Pricing vs. Encharge
Encharge is the more budget-friendly choice, with nearly half the entry price and fewer scaling penalties.
Userlist starts at $149/month for 500 users and scales up with additional charges per 1,000 users.
| Plan | Encharge | Userlist |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $79/month (2,000 subs) | $149/month (500 subs) |
| Mid-Tier | $129/month (advanced features) | $349/month (A/B testing, conversion tracking) |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Custom pricing |
If budget matters, Encharge gives you more flexibility at every level, while Userlist’s pricing structure can become restrictive as you grow.
Why Switch from Userlist to Encharge?
Userlist works well for simple automation, but Encharge offers more flexibility, deeper integrations, and better long-term pricing.
- No hidden costs – Userlist charges extra for additional users, while Encharge keeps pricing transparent.
- More automation options – Encharge’s workflow builder allows for more customization.
- Stronger integrations – Connect to CRMs, analytics tools, and payment systems seamlessly.
- Easier scaling – Grow your subscriber base without massive cost jumps.
If you need a scalable, automation-first alternative, Encharge is the better upgrade.
2. Sender
- G2: 4.4/5 ⭐
- Capterra: 4.75 ⭐
Sender is an email and SMS marketing platform designed for businesses looking for affordability without sacrificing automation. It helps users create, send, and automate email and SMS campaigns with an easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor.
It offers detailed analytics, personalization, and automation features at a lower cost than many competitors, making it a strong choice for small businesses and startups.
Key Features of Sender
- Email and SMS automation for cross-channel marketing.
- Drag-and-drop email builder with pre-made templates.
- Advanced analytics and reporting tools.
Pros and Cons of Sender
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Free plan with generous limits | ❌ Limited integrations compared to competitors |
| ✅ Affordable paid plans | ❌ Branding included in the free plan |
| ✅ SMS marketing included | ❌ Automation features are basic |
| ✅ Easy-to-use interface | ❌ Not ideal for advanced segmentation |
Sender Pricing
- Free – Up to 2,500 subscribers, 15,000 emails/month (Sender branding included).
- Standard – $7/month for 12,000 emails/month, includes SMS messaging and removes branding.
- Professional – $14/month for 24,000 emails/month, adds advanced automation and free SMS.
- Enterprise – Custom pricing for unlimited emails and premium support.
Sender Pricing vs. Userlist
Sender offers one of the most affordable pricing plans in the market, making it great for startups and small businesses. Userlist, on the other hand, is more focused on SaaS customer messaging with behavior-based automation.
| Plan | Sender | Userlist |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | Up to 2,500 subscribers | No free plan |
| Entry-Level | $7/month (12,000 emails) | $149/month (1,000 users) |
| Advanced Plan | $14/month (24,000 emails) | $349/month (advanced automation) |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Custom pricing |
Why switch from Userlist to Sender?
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly email marketing tool that includes SMS messaging, Sender is a great alternative to Userlist. It’s ideal for small businesses that need simple automation without high costs.
3. Drip
- G2: 4.4/5 ⭐
- Capterra: 4.4/5 ⭐
Drip is an email marketing and automation platform designed for eCommerce businesses. It helps online stores increase sales through personalized email campaigns, advanced segmentation, and automated workflows.
Unlike traditional email marketing tools, Drip focuses heavily on customer behavior tracking and deep integrations with eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce.
Key Features of Drip
- Behavior-driven email automation for eCommerce.
- Deep integration with Shopify and WooCommerce.
- Advanced segmentation based on purchase history and engagement.
Pros and Cons of Drip
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Designed specifically for eCommerce | ❌ More expensive than general email tools |
| ✅ Powerful segmentation and automation | ❌ Not ideal for SaaS businesses |
| ✅ Integrates well with Shopify & WooCommerce | ❌ Can be complex for beginners |
| ✅ Visual email builder with templates | ❌No SMS marketing included |
Drip Pricing
- $39/month for 2,500 contacts.
- $99/month for 6,000 contacts.
- $699/month for 50,000 contacts.
Drip Pricing vs. Userlist
Drip is generally more affordable than Userlist, especially at lower contact tiers. However, Userlist includes more advanced features in its base plans.
| Plan | Drip | Userlist |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $39/month (2,500 contacts) | $149/month (1,000 users) |
| Mid-Tier | $99/month (6,000 contacts) | $349/month (advanced automation) |
| High-Tier | $699/month (50,000 contacts) | Custom pricing |
Why switch from Userlist to Drip?
If you run an eCommerce store and need advanced customer segmentation and automation, Drip is a better fit than Userlist.
4. Customer.io
- G2: 4.4/5 ⭐
- Capterra: 4.7/5 ⭐
Customer.io is a customer engagement platform that enables businesses to send targeted emails, push notifications, and in-app messages based on real-time user behavior. It’s designed for companies that need granular control over customer messaging.
Unlike traditional email marketing tools, Customer.io allows businesses to create event-triggered campaigns and leverage detailed customer data for personalized communication.
Key Features of Customer.io
- Event-based automation for personalized messaging.
- Supports email, push notifications, and in-app messages.
- Advanced workflow builder with custom triggers.
Pros and Cons of Customer.io
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Powerful automation and segmentation | ❌ Higher starting price than competitors |
| ✅ Multi-channel messaging (email, push, in-app) | ❌ Steep learning curve |
| ✅ API-first approach for flexible integrations | ❌ No free plan |
| ✅ Advanced workflow builder | ❌ Extra costs for higher email volumes |
Customer.io Pricing
- Essentials – $100/month for 5,000 profiles, includes 1M emails/month.
- Premium – Starts at $1,000/month, includes custom profiles, email volume, and premium support.
- Enterprise – Custom pricing with dedicated support and infrastructure.
Customer.io Pricing vs. Userlist
Customer.io is pricier than Userlist at the entry level, but it offers more flexibility for high-volume senders with its premium and enterprise plans.
| Plan | Customer.io | Userlist |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $100/month (5,000 profiles) | $149/month (1,000 users) |
| Advanced | $1,000/month (custom profiles) | $349/month (advanced automation) |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Custom pricing |
Why switch from Userlist to Customer.io?
If you need multi-channel messaging (email, push, in-app) with powerful automation, Customer.io offers more flexibility than Userlist.
5. Kit (formerly ConvertKit)
- G2: 4.4/5 ⭐
- Capterra: 4.6/5 ⭐
Kit, formerly known as ConvertKit, is a creator-focused email marketing platform designed for bloggers, content creators, and online businesses. It helps users grow their audience and automate email sequences without technical complexity.
Unlike traditional email tools, Kit is built with simplicity in mind, offering an intuitive automation builder and easy-to-use subscriber management.
Key Features of Kit
- Visual automation builder for easy email sequences.
- Creator-friendly features like paid newsletters.
- Seamless audience tagging and segmentation.
Pros and Cons of Kit
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Simple and intuitive interface | ❌ Limited advanced automation |
| ✅ Great for bloggers and content creators | ❌ Not ideal for SaaS companies |
| ✅ Free plan for up to 10,000 subscribers | ❌ No SMS or push notifications |
| ✅ Strong community and support | ❌ Lacks deep API integrations |
Kit Pricing
- Newsletter – Free for up to 10,000 subscribers (basic features).
- Creator – $25/month for 1,000 subscribers, includes automation.
- Creator Pro – $50/month for 1,000 subscribers, adds advanced tools.
Kit Pricing vs. Userlist
Kit is built for creators and content marketers, while Userlist is designed for SaaS businesses. Kit is generally more affordable than Userlist, especially for smaller lists.
| Plan | Kit | Userlist |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | Up to 10,000 subscribers | No free plan |
| Entry-Level | $25/month (1,000 subs) | $149/month (1,000 users) |
| Pro | $50/month (advanced features) | $349/month (advanced automation) |
Why switch from Userlist to Kit?
If you’re a creator looking for simple email automation, Kit is a better choice than Userlist.
6. Brevo
- G2: 4.5/5 ⭐
- Capterra: 4.6/5 ⭐
Brevo is an all-in-one marketing platform offering email marketing, SMS campaigns, and automation. It’s designed for businesses that want a simple yet powerful email tool without high costs.
It provides advanced automation, transactional emails, and a built-in CRM, making it a great choice for small to mid-sized businesses.
Key Features of Brevo
- Email and SMS marketing in one platform.
- Advanced automation, segmentation, and predictive sending.
- CRM features for lead tracking and customer management.
Pros and Cons of Brevo
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Free plan available | ❌ Daily sending limit on free plan |
| ✅ Affordable entry-level pricing | ❌ Fewer integrations than some competitors |
| ✅ Strong automation and segmentation | ❌ UI can feel cluttered |
| ✅ Includes SMS marketing | ❌ Limited A/B testing on lower plans |
Brevo Pricing
- Free – 300 emails/day, basic automation.
- Starter – From $8.08/month for 5,000+ emails.
- Business – From $16.17/month for 5,000+ emails, includes automation, predictive sending, and landing pages.
- Enterprise – Custom pricing with unlimited contacts and exclusive features.
Brevo Pricing vs. Userlist
Brevo is much more affordable than Userlist, with a free plan and cheaper automation options. Userlist is more tailored for SaaS companies, while Brevo works for various business types.
| Plan | Brevo | Userlist |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | 300 emails/day | No free plan |
| Entry-Level | $8.08/month (5,000 emails) | $149/month (1,000 users) |
| Advanced | $16.17/month (automation + landing pages) | $349/month (advanced automation) |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Custom pricing |
Why switch from Userlist to Brevo?
If you need an affordable email marketing platform with SMS capabilities, Brevo is a great alternative to Userlist.
7. ActiveCampaign
- G2: 4.5/5 ⭐
- Capterra: 4.6/5 ⭐
ActiveCampaign is a powerful marketing automation and CRM platform, ideal for businesses that need advanced customer journeys and segmentation. It goes beyond simple email marketing by offering AI-powered features, predictive sending, and sales automation.
Key Features of ActiveCampaign
- AI-driven automation for email and omnichannel marketing.
- Built-in CRM for sales pipeline management.
- Advanced segmentation, tagging, and lead scoring.
Pros and Cons of ActiveCampaign
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ AI-powered automation | ❌More expensive than basic email tools |
| ✅ CRM and sales automation included | ❌Steep learning curve |
| ✅Great segmentation and tagging | ❌ No free plan |
| ✅Predictive sending and analytics | ❌ Can be overwhelming for small businesses |
ActiveCampaign Pricing
- Starter – $15/month (basic automation and email marketing).
- Plus – $49/month (advanced automation, landing pages, CRM).
- Pro – $79/month (omnichannel automation with AI features).
- Enterprise – $145/month (custom solutions with dedicated support).
ActiveCampaign Pricing vs. Userlist
ActiveCampaign is cheaper at entry-level but adds costs for advanced features. Userlist is tailored for SaaS customer messaging, while ActiveCampaign includes CRM and AI automation.
| Plan | ActiveCampaign | Userlist |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | No free plan | No free plan |
| Entry-Level | $15/month (basic email automation) | $149/month (1,000 users) |
| Advanced | $79/month (AI-powered automation) | $349/month (advanced automation) |
| Enterprise | $145/month | Custom pricing |
Why switch from Userlist to ActiveCampaign?
If you need AI-powered automation, sales CRM, and omnichannel marketing, ActiveCampaign is a better choice than Userlist.
8. Ortto
- G2: 4.4/5 ⭐
- Capterra: 4.6/5 ⭐
Ortto is an AI-powered customer data platform that combines marketing automation, analytics, and messaging in a single platform. It’s designed for businesses that need deep insights and predictive analytics to optimize customer journeys.
Key Features of Ortto
- AI-powered marketing automation and analytics.
- Multi-channel messaging (email, SMS, in-app).
- Customer journey tracking with detailed insights.
Pros and Cons of Ortto
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ AI-driven insights for customer journeys | ❌High starting price |
| ✅Multi-channel messaging (email, SMS, in-app) | ❌ Complex setup |
| ✅ Advanced analytics and reporting | ❌ Not budget-friendly for small businesses |
| ✅Built-in CRM with customer tracking | ❌ Limited integrations compared to others |
Ortto Pricing
- Professional – $509/month → Core marketing automation with AI insights.
- Business – $849/month → Adds priority support, transactional messaging, and advanced reporting.
- Enterprise – $1,699/month → Dedicated consultants, SLAs, and large-scale custom setups.
Ortto Pricing vs. Userlist
Ortto is a premium AI-driven marketing platform with powerful analytics, that’s why it’s significantly pricier. Userlist is a more affordable choice for SaaS businesses focused on behavior-based email automation.
| Plan | Ortto | Userlist |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | No free plan | No free plan |
| Entry-Level | $509/month (AI-powered marketing) | $149/month (1,000 users) |
| Advanced | $849/month (transactional messaging) | $349/month (advanced automation) |
| Enterprise | $1,699/month | Custom pricing |
Why switch from Userlist to Ortto?
If you need AI-driven customer insights, advanced analytics, and multi-channel automation, Ortto is a high-end alternative to Userlist.
How We Selected the Top Userlist Alternatives
Choosing the best Userlist alternatives wasn’t just about listing random email automation tools. We carefully evaluated platforms that offer similar or better functionality, ensuring they provide real value for SaaS businesses and startups.
We focused on tools that excel in automation, segmentation, and customer messaging while considering pricing, ease of use, and scalability. Every tool on this list meets essential criteria to ensure you’re not just switching but upgrading.
Key factors we considered:
- Automation capabilities – How advanced and flexible are the workflows?
- Pricing & scalability – Does it offer better value for different business sizes?
- Ease of use – Can non-technical teams easily set up and manage campaigns?
- Integrations – Does it work well with CRMs, analytics tools, and payment platforms?
- Customer support & reliability – Does the company offer strong support and uptime?
By evaluating these factors, we’ve compiled this list of alternatives that can genuinely replace or even outperform Userlist depending on your needs.
Which Alternative to Userlist Is Best for Your Business?
The best Userlist alternative depends on what you need. Some businesses might prioritize affordable email automation, while others need advanced customer journeys, AI-powered analytics, or multi-channel messaging.
That said, if you’re looking for a powerful alternative to Userlist with robust automation, behavior-based workflows, and seamless integrations, Encharge is the best option. It delivers SaaS-focused marketing automation that helps businesses convert, onboard, and retain customers effortlessly.
Did You Find the Best Userlist Alternative?
If you’ve been searching for the right Userlist alternative, this list should have helped you narrow down the best fit. Every business has unique needs, but your decision should be much easier with the information provided.
If you seek a powerful email automation tool that helps you drive conversions, nurture leads, and grow your business with less manual effort, choose Encharge.
If you’re ready to take your email marketing to the next level, Encharge has everything you need to succeed.
Userlist Alternatives: FAQs
1. What is the best alternative to Userlist?
The best Userlist alternative depends on your business needs. If you’re looking for an affordable yet powerful email automation tool, Brevo and Sender are solid choices. However, if you need advanced SaaS-focused automation with deep integrations, Encharge is the best alternative.
How to pick the right Userlist alternative:
- Define your key needs—whether it’s segmentation, automation, or CRM integration.
- Compare features and scalability—some tools may not support complex workflows.
- Test usability and pricing—opt for a free trial to see if it fits your workflow.
2. What’s the best app for SaaS email automation?
For SaaS businesses, the best email automation tool should have behavior-based workflows, deep integrations, and a focus on customer journeys. While tools like Userlist and Drip offer strong automation, Encharge is specifically built for SaaS companies, making it the best option for customer onboarding, lead nurturing, and retention.
How to choose the best SaaS email automation tool:
- Look for behavior-based automation—does it react to user actions in real-time?
- Check for deep SaaS integrations—CRM, payment processors, and analytics tools.
- Test workflow flexibility—can it handle complex sequences and segmentation?
3. Which Userlist alternative has the best automation features?
Userlist is known for its automation, but Encharge offers even more advanced features for marketing and customer engagement. With deep integrations, behavioral triggers, and multi-step workflows, Encharge is the best option for businesses looking to optimize email marketing.
How to choose an automation-focused Userlist alternative:
- Evaluate workflow customization—does it support advanced triggers and conditions?
- Check integration capabilities—ensure it connects with your CRM and other tools.
- Test automation ease of use—look for a platform with a simple yet powerful builder.
4. Can I migrate my Userlist automations to another platform?
Yes, most Userlist alternatives allow you to rebuild automations or migrate data via API. Encharge offers a simple migration process, ensuring all your workflows, contacts, and tags are transferred seamlessly.
How to migrate from Userlist to another tool:
- Export contacts, tags, and automation data from Userlist.
- Use available migration tools or manually recreate workflows.
- Test and refine automations to ensure everything runs smoothly.
