Building an email list is one of the best things you can do for your website. Email marketing has the highest ROI of any marketing channel and loyal subscribers are more likely to purchase from you.
But choosing the right email list building plugin for WordPress can be overwhelming with so many options.
In this comprehensive guide, we compare the 12 best WordPress mailing list plugins for collecting emails and growing your list.
Why You Need a Mailing List Plugin
Here are 5 key reasons why you need a dedicated mailing list plugin:
1. Collect Email Subscribers
A quality mailing list plugin makes it easy to collect email addresses by adding opt-in forms, popups, slide-ins and more to your site.
2. Deliver Lead Magnets
Many plugins let you create and deliver your lead magnet or content upgrade when visitors subscribe to your list. This helps incentivize signups.
3. Integrate Providers
Connect your preferred email service provider without any coding including Mailchimp, Constant Contact, ConvertKit, AWeber, Campaign Monitor and more.
4. List Segmentation
Segment your subscribers based on their interests and behaviors for more targeted, relevant email campaigns.
5. Analytics & Testing
See which types of opt-in forms convert best. Run A/B split tests on your forms to further optimize performance.
Now let‘s look at the top mailing list plugins for WordPress…
1. Thrive Leads
Thrive Leads is our top pick for WordPress mailing list plugins because it’s loaded with features, customization options, templates and integrations.
With Thrive Leads you can add just about any type of opt-in form imaginable from popups and slide-ins to ribbons, content lockers and 2-step lightboxes.
Key Features
- 30+ types of high converting opt-in forms
- Drag and drop editor to build custom forms
- 60+ mobile-ready form templates
- Advanced targeting and triggers
- A/B split testing
- Detailed analytics on all your forms
- Integrates with all major email providers
Thrive Leads is part of Thrive Suite which also includes plugins for building landing pages, quizzes, webinars and more.
Pricing: Starts at $19/month for Thrive Leads standalone or access to all Thrive Suite plugins starting at $33/month
Why We Recommend Thrive Leads
We like Thrive Leads because it packs virtually every list building feature you need into a single, nicely designed WordPress plugin.
It also integrates beautifully with other Thrive Suite plugins for creating full sales funnels and the entire Thrive ecosystem.
For advanced email list building capabilities, Thrive Leads is hard to beat.
2. OptinMonster
OptinMonster pioneered the concept of exit intent and on-site retargeting to capture email subscribers.
It was also one of the first lead generation tools built specifically for WordPress sites.
With OptinMonster you can create popups, slide-ins, sticky bars, scroll boxes and more. Advanced targeting and exit intent technology lets you display opt-ins to visitors right before they leave your site.
Highlights
- Lightbox popups and slide-ins
- Floating bars
- Targeting rules and exit intent
- A/B testing capabilities
- Real-time analytics
- Integrates with all major email services
A unique advantage of OptinMonster is the dynamic text replacement feature which allows you to customize messaging for each visitor in real time.
For example, show first name personalization to logged in members or trigger different offers based on their on-site browsing behavior.
Pricing: Starts at $29/month. Discounted annual pricing available.
3. Convert Pro
Convert Pro is an easy to use WordPress plugin for all your list building needs from Brainstorm Force.
It’s packed with every type of opt-in form and lead generation tool including popups, slide-ins, notifications bars, content lockers and more.
Why Choose Convert Pro
- 35+ mobile-ready opt-in form templates
- Drag and drop form builder
- Advanced targeting and triggers
- Real-time split testing
- Detailed conversion analytics
- Popular email service integrations
- Light-weight plugin
Convert Pro is designed for speed and performance. You can disable any modules you don’t need for faster load times.
It also integrates seamlessly with the Schema theme for easy implementation right out of the box.
Pricing: Starts at $99/year or $297 lifetime deal for all products
4. Bloom
Bloom is a simple but powerful mailing list plugin from Elegant Themes.
It adds gorgeous opt-in forms throughout your site along with advanced delivery and segmentation features.
Bloom comes with the Divi Website Builder and all of Elegant Themes’ WordPress products.
Why Choose Bloom
- Mobile-friendly opt-in forms
- Choose from multiple form layouts
- Advanced targeting rules
- Segment subscribers
- Deliver lead magnets
- Detailed analytics
- Popular email service integrations
We like Bloom for its ease of use combined with the ability to create multi-step forms and targeted campaigns. And the Divi integration provides a complete funnel building solution.
Pricing: $89/year for full access to Bloom and all Elegant Themes products
5. Mailchimp for WordPress
The official Mailchimp plugin allows you to quickly integrate Mailchimp opt-in forms into your WordPress site.
It adds sign-up forms, embedded forms, pop-up forms, top bar forms, scroll box forms and more with just a few clicks.
Benefits of Using Mailchimp
- Dead simple to set up
- Tons of mobile ready form templates
- Advanced targeting and triggers
- Detailed subscriber analytics reports
- Popular automations and email campaigns
Because it’s built by Mailchimp, it offers seamless integration for collecting emails, managing lists and sending campaigns.
The free version works great if you just need basic list building functionality. Paid upgrades provide advanced features and customizations.
Pricing: Free and premium options available
6. Hustle
Hustle is a WordPress popup plugin developed specifically for generating email subscribers, social shares and conversions.
It lets you easily create popups, slide-ins, notifications, embeds and sticky widgets that convert casual website visitors into loyal followers.
Why Choose Hustle:
- Intuitive drag and drop popup builder
- Advanced targeting and triggers
- Real-time behavior automation
- A/B testing capabilities
- Detailed visitor analytics
- Popular email service integrations
We like Hustle for the user-friendly interface combined with the powerful popups and advanced customization settings. It’s easy to create converting opt-ins in just a few minutes.
Hustle is brought to you by WPMU DEV, makers of the acclaimed Smush image optimization plugin.
Pricing: Starts free. Hustle professional unlocks advanced features from $19/month.
7. MailerLite Popups
MailerLite Popups makes it fast and easy to start collecting emails with custom popups.
In just a couple clicks you can create high converting popups, slide-ins, notification bars, widgets and embedded forms.
Benefits of MailerLite Popups
- Drag and drop popup builder
- Loads of templates to choose from
- Advanced targeting and triggers
- Real-time analytics dashboard
- Popular automations and email features
- Affordable pricing plans
MailerLite is known for its simple email marketing features at a low price. The popup plugin provides the same ease of use for capturing emails at an affordable rate.
Pricing: Starts free. Pro plan unlocks advanced features at $10/month.
8. Popup Maker
Popup Maker pioneered WordPress popups way back in 2012. Today, it remains a popular choice for site owners who want to add high converting popups easily.
Why Choose Popup Maker
- Intuitive popup builder
- Tons of templates and variations
- Flexible targeting options
- Basic analytics reporting
- Popular integrations
We like Popup Maker for the extensive library of templates combined with powerful targeting and customization settings. It’s a lightweight yet feature-rich popup plugin.
Pricing: Starts at $39 for personal plan or $99 for pro plan
9. Optin Cat
Optin Cat is the latest WordPress popup and opt-in form plugin from the respected ThemeIsle team known for products like Orbit Fox and Schema.
It aims to provide an easy way for beginners to create on-site popups and slide-ins that convert visitors into subscribers.
Key Features
- Intuitive opt-in builder
- Tight email marketing integrations
- Real-time behavior targeting
- Basic analytics reporting
- GDPR consent management
We like Optin Cat for developers and agencies who want an easy popup builder to recommend to clients. The free version is very capable for basic needs.
Pricing: Free and paid plans starting at $59/year
10. OptinMonster
OptinMonster pioneered the concept of exit intent and on-site retargeting to capture email subscribers.
It was also one of the first lead generation tools built specifically for WordPress sites.
With OptinMonster you can create popups, slide-ins, sticky bars, scroll boxes and more. Advanced targeting and exit intent technology lets you display opt-ins to visitors right before they leave your site.
Highlights
- Lightbox popups and slide-ins
- Floating bars
- Targeting rules and exit intent
- A/B testing capabilities
- Real-time analytics
- Integrates with all major email services
A unique advantage of OptinMonster is the dynamic text replacement feature which allows you to customize messaging for each visitor in real time.
For example, show first name personalization to logged in members or trigger different offers based on their on-site browsing behavior.
Pricing: Starts at $9/month billed annually or $13 month-to-month
11. RafflePress
RafflePress makes it easy to grow your email list by running viral giveaways and sweepstakes.
It taps into our love of free stuff to capture more leads in exchange for a chance to win prizes.
Benefits of RafflePress
- Create giveaways in 5 minutes
- embed on any post or page
- Generates social sharing
- Option for lead capture
- Detailed giveaway analytics
We like RafflePress because giveaways incentivize visitors to join your list in a fun way. The built-in viral factor spreads brand awareness quickly across social media.
It integrates with all WordPress email providers to seamlessly collect emails during giveaway entries.
Pricing: Starts free. Premium from $39/year.
12. Thrive Quiz Builder
Thrive Quiz Builder turns visitor engagement into email list growth with viral quizzes and assessments.
These “quiz funnels” capture contacts by rewarding participation with customized results based on quiz answers.
Benefits of Thrive Quiz Builder
- Build quizzes in minutes
- Viral quiz templates
- Advanced targeting and segments
- Lead delivery integrations
- Detailed conversion analytics
We like Thrive Quiz Builder because quizzes generate massive engagement and sharing. Quiz funnels then convert that traffic into targeted leads for your list.
It integrates seamlessly with Thrive Leads, Themes and other Suite products for full sales funnel creation.
Pricing: Included in Thrive Suite starting at $19/month
Which Is the Best WordPress Mailing List Plugin for You?
So those are the 12 best WordPress email list building plugins to consider for your site or online business.
As you can see, there’s an array of options available today packed with features to capture more email subscribers.
The most important decision is which plugin aligns with your budget, email provider integrations, design preference and functionality needs.
Here is a quick recap to help you decide:
- Thrive Leads – Best overall features and capabilities
- OptinMonster – Leader in exit intent and on-site retargeting
- ConvertPro – Great for performance focused sites
- Bloom – Best combined with Divi builder
- Mailchimp – Best for Mailchimp users
- Hustle – Most user friendly popup creator
- MailerLite Popups – Best affordable email popups
- Popup Maker – Most templates and customizations
- Optin Cat – Best free popup plugin
- RafflePress – Best for giveaways
- Thrive Quiz Builder – Best quiz software
No matter which you choose, a quality WordPress mailing list plugin will make it easier to grow your email subscriber list.
And be sure to use a dedicated email marketing service like ConvertKit, MailerLite, Mailchimp or Drip to send and manage your list for best deliverability.
Now get out there and start collecting those subscriber emails!
