Make the smallest decision that fixes the named constraint.
Use Free only while the account remains at or below 250 active subscribers, 2,500 sends every 30 days, three active automations, three forms, and one landing page. Those are real operating limits after MailerLite’s June 2026 plan change, not merely trial restrictions.
Comfort starts at $12 per month and becomes the practical choice before a legitimate list crosses 250, when more than three active automations are needed, or when removing MailerLite branding and gaining paid support matters. Upgrade before a scheduled campaign, because MailerLite says sending and automation can pause after the Free subscriber or send limit is exceeded.
Decision snapshot
The revised plan also documents 2,500 monthly sends and two user seats.
The limits apply to active or published items; drafts do not count in the same way.
The entry presentation lists 5,000 monthly emails, three seats, and 50 visual automations.
Scenario: 220 subscribers and a four-email welcome path
A consultant sends two full-list newsletters each month and adds 30 new subscribers who receive four welcome emails.
Assumptions
- All 220 records are active and legitimately subscribed.
- Two broadcasts use 220 × 2 = 440 sends.
- Thirty new subscribers receiving four emails use another 120 sends.
Disclosed math
- Estimated monthly sends: 440 + 120 = 560.
- Free headroom: 2,500 − 560 = 1,940 sends.
- Comfort starting-price floor: $12 × 12 = $144 before tax or higher subscriber tiers.
Result: Free fits the current volume if the welcome path can stay within the three-active-automation boundary. The next review trigger is subscriber 225, not 250: that buffer leaves time to confirm pricing, payment, and campaign continuity before the hard limit.
Scenario outputs are arithmetic from the assumptions above, not traffic, conversion, revenue, or savings forecasts.
Use these decision criteria
Use active-subscriber math
MailerLite counts active subscribers and uses a cumulative count during the billing cycle. Deleting a record after it was active may not immediately reduce the billed tier.
Count published assets
Three automations may be enough for welcome, inquiry follow-up, and re-engagement. If every lead magnet needs a separate path, Comfort becomes an operational decision.
Protect campaign continuity
Forms can continue collecting addresses after a limit is crossed while sending is paused. That makes waiting for the exact cap a poor launch-day strategy.
Choose, pause, or reject
| Option | Choose when | Pause when |
|---|---|---|
| Choose Free | The list is safely below 250, send demand is below 2,500, and three active automations cover the real workflow. | A launch or recurring campaign would be disrupted by crossing the cap. |
| Choose Comfort | List growth, asset count, branding, or paid support already has a named operational value. | The only reason is access to many templates that the business has no production capacity to use. |
| Choose a different platform | A deal pipeline or a much larger free creator list matters more than MailerLite’s service-business-friendly email tools. | Migration effort outweighs the modest paid-plan difference. |
Test the threshold before the next campaign
- Export the active-subscriber count and identify the 30-day growth rate.
- Inventory active automations, forms, landing pages, and websites—not drafts.
- Calculate the highest-send month, including automation messages and resends.
- Confirm the exact Comfort tier and tax at checkout before the list reaches 250.
Pass rule: Free passes when both the projected subscriber count and high-month send total remain under their limits with a buffer for at least one billing cycle.
Limits to keep visible
- MailerLite introduced the current plan structure on June 16, 2026; legacy accounts can have transition rules.
- The $12 figure is a starting price. Subscriber tier, billing term, sends, and taxes can change the total.
- An active integration can continue syncing under some limit conditions; test the exact behavior before relying on it.
Continue the decision
Frequently asked questions
How many subscribers are allowed on MailerLite Free now?
The official Free-plan material checked August 19, 2026 listed 250 active subscribers. This changed from the previous 500-subscriber allowance.
What happens if MailerLite Free exceeds 250 subscribers?
MailerLite says campaigns, automations, and manual subscriber additions can be paused until the account upgrades or returns within the applicable limit.
Is MailerLite Comfort exactly $12 for every list?
No. It starts at $12 per month. The exact price depends on the subscriber tier, term, tax, and live checkout.
Primary sources checked
- MailerLite current plans and starting prices ↗
- MailerLite Free, Comfort, and Power limits ↗
- MailerLite subscriber, sending, and billing rules ↗
Pricing changes. Recheck the vendor’s checkout before buying.