9 Free Marketing Automation Tools for European Startups 2025

Marketing automation is no longer a luxury; it's a necessity for startups aiming to grow quickly and compete with established brands. In 2025, European startups can leverage powerful free marketing automation tools that save time, boost campaigns, and deliver real results without draining budgets. But finding the best no-cost platforms tailored to your startup’s needs can feel overwhelming. That’s where this guide comes in.

I’m Riten, founder of Fueler, a platform that helps freelancers and professionals get hired by showcasing their project results and real work experience. Just like marketing automation tools amplify your outreach, sharing your marketing achievements and campaign successes in a smart portfolio establishes trust and accelerates growth. This article takes you through the most effective free marketing automation solutions ideal for European startups ready to make an impact in 2025.

1. Mailchimp Free Plan

Mailchimp remains one of the most popular marketing automation platforms worldwide, thanks to its simplicity, scalability, and extensive features on the free plan.

• Email marketing with drag-and-drop editor
• Audience segmentation and personalization
• Basic automation workflows (welcome emails, abandoned carts)
• Landing pages and simple CRM tools

Pricing:

• Free for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 emails/month
• Paid plans start at €10/month for more contacts and advanced features

Why Mailchimp is ideal for startups:

With its intuitive interface and ample templates, Mailchimp lets founders launch professional campaigns without coding skills or upfront costs perfect for startups focusing on customer acquisition in Europe.

2. HubSpot Marketing Hub Free

HubSpot’s free marketing suite offers powerful automation features designed for startups that want to integrate marketing, CRM, and sales without juggling multiple tools.

• Email automation with personalization and A/B testing
• Lead capture forms and live chat widgets
• Basic contact management and pipeline tracking
• Integration with HubSpot CRM for a holistic view

Pricing:

• Free plan includes unlimited contacts and email sends
• Premium tiers start at €45/month for additional marketing features

Why HubSpot’s free tools matter:

HubSpot helps European startups streamline customer journeys end-to-end—all on one platform with no initial investment boosting efficiency and closing loops faster.

3. Sendinblue Free Plan

Sendinblue is a versatile marketing automation tool tailored for startups who focus on multi-channel communication, including email and SMS.

• Email marketing campaigns with drag-and-drop editor
• SMS marketing automation and transactional emails
• Segmentation and personalization features
• Basic CRM and workflow automation

Pricing:

• Free plan allows unlimited contacts and 300 emails/day
• Paid plans start at €19/month for increased sending limits and marketing automation

How Sendinblue supports European startups:

Its multilingual support and GDPR compliance make Sendinblue especially appealing for companies expanding across Europe’s diverse markets.

4. ActiveCampaign Lite

ActiveCampaign combines advanced email automation with CRM functionality, making it perfect for startups looking to nurture leads with targeted sequences.

• Automation workflows triggered by user behavior
• Email and SMS marketing integration
• Contact scoring and segmentation
• Visual workflow builder

Pricing:

• No free plan, but offers a 14-day free trial
• Starts at €9/month for Lite plan

Why ActiveCampaign is worth knowing:

Though not free long-term, its trial lets startups experiment with powerful automation before committing useful to test strategies without cost.

5. MailerLite Free Plan

MailerLite offers a clean, easy-to-use interface focused on simplicity and affordability for startups who want straight-to-the-point marketing automation.

• Drag-and-drop editor for email and landing pages
• Basic workflows like welcome emails and follow-ups
• Pop-ups and signup forms
• Reporting and analytics dashboard

Pricing:

• Free for up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails/month
• Paid plans start at €9/month for more features and volume

How MailerLite benefits startups:

MailerLite’s straightforward design helps new entrepreneurs launch campaigns quickly and understand their impact, supporting growth with no initial investment.

6. Omnisend Free Plan

Omnisend focuses on ecommerce startups, delivering marketing automation that connects email, SMS, and web push notifications in one place.

• Pre-built automation workflows (cart recovery, welcome series)
• Audience segmentation and personalized product recommendations
• Multi-channel campaign management
• Integrations with major ecommerce platforms

Pricing:

• Free plan supports up to 250 contacts and 500 emails/month
• Paid tiers start at around €16/month for extended limits

Why Omnisend empowers ecommerce startups:

Omnisend helps European online shops launch personalized, automated campaigns that increase customer retention and sales without upfront costs.

7. Benchmark Email Free Plan

Benchmark Email offers an easy-to-use platform for startups wanting to handle email campaigns and automation with minimal hassle.

• Drag-and-drop email builder
• Automated drip campaigns and triggered emails
• Basic audience segmentation
• Real-time reporting and analytics

Pricing:

• Free for up to 250 emails/month and 500 subscribers
• Paid plans begin at €11/month for advanced options

How Benchmark fits startup needs:

Its beginner-friendly interface and clear automation workflows help startups grow audiences steadily without complicated setups.

8. Zoho Campaigns Free Plan

Zoho Campaigns integrates seamlessly with Zoho CRM and other Zoho business tools, making it efficient for startups relying on the Zoho ecosystem.

• Email campaign creation and automation
• Integration with CRM for lead tracking and nurturing
• A/B testing and detailed analytics
• Responsive email templates

Pricing:

• Free plan covers up to 2,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails/month
• Paid plans start at around €4/month

Why Zoho Campaigns complements growing startups:

For Zoho users in Europe, it’s a powerful way to automate marketing while keeping all customer data unified.

Fueler: Showcase Campaign Success to Get Ahead

Automating marketing is only part of the journey. Demonstrating your results campaigns launched, emails opened, leads converted is how you turn data into trust. Fueler helps you build a portfolio of real marketing projects and outcomes, making it easy to impress clients and investors who value proof over promises.

Final Thought

Marketing automation tools level the playing field for European startups by saving valuable time and enhancing outreach all at zero cost. When combined with a compelling portfolio on platforms like Fueler, you don’t just run campaigns, you build a digital brand that attracts customers and partners alike. Start today, automate smartly, and watch your startup thrive in 2025 and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best free marketing automation tool for European startups?

Mailchimp and HubSpot are leaders due to ease of use, scalability, and strong integrations ideal for startups.

2. Can free automation tools handle GDPR compliance?

Yes, most popular marketing platforms like Sendinblue and Mailchimp provide GDPR-ready features and data protection compliance.

3. How do startups choose between email and SMS marketing automation?

It depends on your audience SMS suits direct, urgent messages, while email is better for detailed, engaging content. Some tools like Sendinblue offer both.

4. Can marketing automation tools integrate with CRMs?

Absolutely. Many tools, including HubSpot, Zoho, and ActiveCampaign, offer seamless CRM integration for unified customer management.

5. How can I showcase my marketing automation success to investors and clients?

Use platforms like Fueler to create a digital portfolio filled with campaign analytics, lead growth charts, and real project examples that prove your marketing expertise.

What is Fueler Portfolio?

Fueler is a career portfolio platform that helps companies find the best talents for their organization based on their proof of work.

You can create your portfolio on Fueler, thousands of freelancers around the world use Fueler to create their professional-looking portfolios and become financially independent. Discover inspiration for your portfolio

Sign up for free on Fueler or get in touch to learn more.