Big change coming to MailerLite Free Plan Subscribers: Starting September 23, 2025, their free plan is dropping from 1,000 to 500 subscribers. Depending on when you’re reading this, that might be happening soon or may have already taken effect.
As someone currently using MailerLite for both my personal brand and Human Design Redefined, I noticed a notification on my dashboard recently offering a 30% discount on premium plans. That’s when I realized these changes were coming—and honestly, I think they make perfect sense.
What you’ll discover in this guide:
- Exactly what’s changing (and what’s staying the same)
- How MailerLite compares to Klaviyo’s recent cuts
- Your 4 options if you’re over the 500 subscriber limit
- Why this change might actually improve your email marketing results
- My real experience cleaning a 700-subscriber list that wasn’t converting
Let me break this down honestly: this isn’t just about MailerLite. It’s part of a bigger shift where email marketing free plans are getting smaller across the industry—and it’s time we talked about why that’s actually good news.
Table of Contents
New MailerLite Free Plan Subscribers Limits Explained
From 1,000 to 500: What’s Changing
Here’s exactly how MailerLite changes:
Previous Free Plan:
- Up to 1,000 subscribers
- 12,000 emails per month
- All core features included
New Free Plan (September 23, 2025):
- 500 subscribers maximum
- 12,000 emails per month (unchanged)
- All core features still included
What Stays the Same after MailerLite Free Plan Subscribers Changes (12,000 emails/month)
The good news? Unlike other platforms, MailerLite isn’t touching your email sending limits. You still get 12,000 emails monthly, which means you can email your entire list multiple times.
September 23, 2025: Mark Your Calendar
The changes take effect on September 23, 2025. Depending on when you’re reading this, you might have less than 3 weeks, just a few days, or maybe this date has already passed.
MailerLite vs Klaviyo: Free Plan Comparison
| Feature | MailerLite Free | Klaviyo Free |
| Subscribers | 500 | 250 |
| Monthly Emails | 12,000 | 500 |
| Automation | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Templates | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Support | 60 days only | |
| SMS Credits | ❌ No | 150 |
[Here is the Official MailerLite announcement]
What Happens to Your MailerLite Account After September 23
If You’re Under 500 Subscribers: Nothing Changes
If your list is under 500, you can continue using MailerLite exactly as before. No disruption, no forced upgrades.
If You’re Over 500: Account Restrictions Explained
Here’s what happens if you exceed the limit:
- Sending stops: Campaigns and automations won’t send
- Form collection continues: Your signup forms keep working
- No automatic billing: Unlike Klaviyo, MailerLite won’t charge you automatically
How MailerLite Will Notify You
MailerLite has been proactive about communicating these changes. You’ll see dashboard notifications (like the 30% discount offer I noticed) and receive email updates as the date approaches.
How to Prepare for MailerLite Free Plan Subscribers Changes
List Cleaning: Remove Inactive Subscribers
Before panicking about the 500-subscriber limit, audit your list:
- Remove contacts who haven’t opened emails in 6+ months
- Delete invalid or bounced email addresses
- Unsubscribe obvious spam or bot accounts
What Should I Do If I Have Over 500 Subscribers But Can’t Afford Premium MailerLite?
Here’s some tough love: if you have 500+ subscribers but can’t afford $14/month for MailerLite’s premium plan, we need to talk.
That’s not a MailerLite problem—that’s likely an approach problem. It could be:
- Identity issue: You’re not clear on your unique value
- Strategy problem: You’re attracting the wrong audience
- Messaging challenge: You’re not connecting your expertise to real solutions
If 500 people are interested enough to join your list but not one of them is buying enough to cover a $14 monthly expense, something needs to shift in your business model.
Attention vs Recognition: Why I Pivoted My Entire Business
Let me share something personal: In my previous business, I had over 700 email subscribers and grew my Instagram pretty quickly to thousands of followers. I was getting plenty of attention.
But here’s what I learned: attention doesn’t equal recognition.
Those 700 subscribers? Most came from freebies. They wanted free stuff, not solutions they’d pay for. I had captured their attention, but they didn’t recognize me for my true gifts. They weren’t ready to invest—they were just consuming.
So I pivoted entirely. Now I run two businesses (my personal brand and Human Design Redefined) with much smaller, more engaged lists. And guess what? The business results are infinitely better because we need people who recognize us for our true gifts and are ready to invest, not just scroll and consume.
The Information Overload Problem (And How Freebies Make It Worse)
Here’s something most marketers won’t tell you: the freebie culture is literally overwhelming your ideal clients.
In Human Design, 70% of the population has what’s called an “undefined head center.” These people are naturally drawn to consume information—they download every freebie, buy books they never read, and get stuck in information overload.
I have a defined head center (like only 30% of people), so I naturally consume only the information I need. But I see this pattern constantly: people drowning in free resources while never taking action.
I see this pattern constantly: people drowning in free resources while never taking action.
Tereza Skranka Prochazkova,
HD Brand Blueprint™, Human Design ReDefined
These MailerLite changes are actually helping break this cycle.
[Read more about my no-freebie policy]
Your Options After the MailerLite Changes
Upgrade to Paid ($13.50/month)
MailerLite’s Growing Business plan starts at just $13.50/month for up to 1000 subscribers. Honestly? If your email list can’t generate $13.50/month in value, that’s the real problem to solve.
Why I chose MailerLite: The user experience is intuitive, automations work smoothly even on the free plan, and the pricing stays reasonable as you scale. I handle all the tech for Human Design Redefined—including our automated report system that updates our database when reports are generated—and MailerLite integrates beautifully with everything.
Switch Providers
Other email marketing platform alternatives with similar free tiers include:
- Mailchimp: 500 subscribers (but limited automation)
- Brevo: Unlimited contacts, 300 emails/day
- ConvertKit: No free tier, starts at $9/month for 300 subscribers
Embrace the Smaller List Advantage
This is my recommendation: use this as an opportunity to build a better business. Quality over quantity email subscribers always wins.
Audit Your Business Approach
Sometimes platform limitations force us to examine our entire strategy. My business partner at Human Design Redefined had a previous mentor who pushed her into using Kajabi when she was just starting out—over $200/month with no consistent income. That’s just bullshit.
My approach? Take the easiest, most cost-effective option available at your current stage. If you’re earning multiple thousands monthly, feel free to invest in premium tools. But if you’re starting out or running this as a side hustle, keep your costs minimal or it’ll mess with your nervous system.
That’s why these MailerLite free plan subscribers changes actually make sense—they’re pushing us toward more sustainable, profitable approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions about MailerLite’s Free Plan Change (FAQs)
No, your signup forms will continue working. However, you won’t be able to send campaigns or automations until you upgrade or reduce your subscriber count.
Yes, you can export your subscriber list at any time. This makes migration to another platform straightforward if you choose that route.
The Growing Business plan starts at $10/month for up to 500 subscribers with unlimited emails, making it one of the most affordable options available. However the price for up to 1000 subscribers is at affordable $13.50.
MailerLite still offers double the free subscribers (500 vs 250) and significantly more monthly emails (12,000 vs 500). For most small businesses, MailerLite provides better value.
What to Do With these MailerLite Changes?
These MailerLite changes to 500 subscriber limit aren’t happening in isolation. Across the industry, platforms are getting serious about quality over quantity email subscribers. And honestly? It’s about time.
But here’s what I want you to remember: we all have different approaches because we are different people—and that’s what needs to be honored.
Most business coaches put you in a box and project their version of success onto you. Cookie-cutter strategies rarely work because your business, your energy, and your ideal clients are uniquely yours.
My advice:
- Use this deadline to audit your list now
- If you can’t afford $10/month from 500 subscribers, fix your strategy first
- Focus on recognition over attention
- Most importantly: Find the approach that aligns with who you are
Ready to discover your unique approach?
Instead of following someone else’s blueprint, why not create your own? I’ve developed personalized reports to help you honor your uniqueness:
🔮 For your personal strategy: Grab the Purpose Gateway + Prosperity Pathway bundle – a completely personalized breakdown of your Prosperity Code based on your birthdate.
🎯 For your business strategy: Get Inside Your Ideal Client’s Brain™ – discover exactly how to connect with your perfect people.
🌟 Coming soon: Your Unique Brand Archetype Blend Analysis (sales page currently in the works!)
Because your business should work for you, not against you.
How are you planning to handle the MailerLite changes? I read every comment—let me know your strategy.
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