AWeber Review [2025]: The Email Marketing Dinosaur That Refuses to Go Extinct

The Premise: The OG Email Platform That's Been Around Since Dial-Up

AWeber is one of the original email marketing platforms, founded way back in 1998—which in internet years makes it practically prehistoric. They claim to have invented the autoresponder, which is like saying your grandpa invented texting because he sent the first telegraph.

But here's the thing about being one of the first: you either evolve with the times or become a cautionary tale about companies that couldn't adapt. Think Blockbuster, Myspace, or that friend who still uses Internet Explorer.

So which is AWeber? A pioneering platform that's stayed relevant through constant innovation? Or a dated relic coasting on name recognition while newer, sleeker competitors eat its lunch?

Let's find out if this 27-year-old email platform still has game, or if it's time to let it retire to a digital nursing home.

What AWeber Actually Is (The Basics)

AWeber is a powerfully simple email marketing platform—or at least that's what their marketing says. In reality, it's a comprehensive email marketing tool with drag-and-drop builders, automation workflows, landing pages, forms, subscriber management, analytics, web push notifications, and integrations with 750+ other apps.

You can use it to:

• Build and manage email lists

• Create newsletters and broadcasts

• Set up automated email sequences

• Design landing pages and forms

• Track performance with analytics

• Send web push notifications (surprisingly modern)

• Integrate with basically everything via Zapier

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It's still evolving too. Recently, they added an AI writing assistant, a "Smart Designer" that creates branded email templates automatically, and support for AMP emails (dynamic, interactive content). So they're at least trying to keep up with the cool kids.

The question is whether these modern features compensate for an interface that looks like it was designed during the Bush administration (the first one).

The Pricing (Where Things Get Expensive)

AWeber uses subscriber-based pricing, which means the more people on your list, the more you pay. This is standard for email platforms, but AWeber's pricing is... let's call it "premium."

The Plans

Free Plan: Forever free

• Up to 500 subscribers

• 3,000 emails per month

• 1 email list

• 1 landing page

• 1 email automation

• Email and live chat support

• All basic features

Lite Plan: Starting at $15/month (or $12.50/month billed annually)

• Unlimited emails

• Up to 3 users

• 3 landing pages

• 3 email automations

• Email split testing

• Advanced analytics

• 24/7 support

Plus Plan: Starting at $30/month (or $20/month billed annually)

• Everything in Lite

• Unlimited lists, landing pages, and automations

• Unlimited customer segments

• Unlimited users

• Sales tracking

• Advanced landing page features

Unlimited Plan: $899/month

• Unlimited subscribers

• Everything in Plus

• Personalized account management

• Can send 12x as many emails as you have subscribers monthly

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The prices listed are for 0-500 subscribers. As your list grows, so does your bill. At 1,000 subscribers, you're paying $20/month for Lite or $30/month for Plus. At 10,000 subscribers, it jumps to $120/month for Plus.

The Problem

For those prices, you're competing with platforms like Kit (ConvertKit), MailerLite, and GetResponse that offer more features, better interfaces, and similar or lower prices. AWeber charges premium pricing while offering mid-tier features, which is basically restaurant math applied to software.

The Good Stuff (Why People Still Use AWeber)

It's Actually Easy to Use

Probably the best thing about AWeber is how easy it is to use—there's little to no learning curve. If you've ever used any website builder or email tool, you'll figure it out in about ten minutes.

The drag-and-drop email builder is straightforward, the campaign editor isn't overwhelming, and everything is designed to be accessible for beginners with no technical skills. It's not exciting, but it works.

The Smart Designer Is Legitimately Cool

This is one of AWeber's standout features. You enter your website URL, AWeber crawls your site to learn your branding (colors, fonts, logos), then generates custom-branded email templates specifically for your business.

It's genuinely impressive when it works. Instead of starting from scratch or using generic templates, you get professional-looking emails that actually match your brand. It's like having a designer who works for free but occasionally misses the mark on color choices.

The AI Writing Assistant Shows Promise

AWeber's AI writer is in beta but already useful. Click any text element, type /, select "Write with AI," and it generates compelling copy based on your prompts.

Is it revolutionary? No. ChatGPT exists. But having it integrated directly into the email builder is convenient, and it produces decent copy for subject lines, CTAs, and body text. It won't replace good copywriters, but it'll help you get unstuck when staring at blank templates.

Campaign Templates Are Actually Helpful

AWeber doesn't overwhelm you with hundreds of pre-built automations like some platforms. Instead, they offer a handful of essential templates (welcome series, blog automation, mini-courses) plus access to a marketplace for more specific needs.

This restraint is appreciated. Sometimes less is more, especially when you're just trying to set up a basic welcome sequence and not build a marketing automation empire.

The Integration Game Is Strong

With 750+ integrations including WordPress, Shopify, PayPal, Stripe, Facebook, Zapier, and basically every tool you've heard of, AWeber plays nicely with others. You can connect it to your existing tech stack without hiring a developer or performing blood rituals.

Web Push Notifications Are a Nice Extra

Most email marketing platforms don't offer web push notifications—that's typically a separate tool requiring additional subscriptions. AWeber includes it, which is genuinely useful for timely updates about sales, new content, or limited-time offers.

It's not a game-changer, but it's a nice-to-have that saves you $20-50/month on another tool.

Customer Support Is Real

AWeber maintains in-house customer support with phone support (Monday-Friday 7am-5pm MT, Saturday 9am-5pm MT), email support, live chat, and a comprehensive learning center with articles, videos, and podcasts.

Reviews consistently mention that support is responsive and actually helpful, which in the software world is about as rare as finding money in your old coat pocket.

Good Deliverability

AWeber has taken steps to protect its sender reputation with DKIM authentication, robust anti-spam policies, and generally trying not to be associated with spammers. This means your emails are more likely to actually reach inboxes rather than getting banished to spam folders.

Deliverability is arguably the most important feature of any email platform, and AWeber does well here.

The Not-So-Good Stuff (Where Age Shows)

The Interface Looks Like 2010 Called

AWeber's user interface is dated. Not unusable, just... old. It's functional but uninspiring, like driving a 2005 Honda Civic—it'll get you where you need to go, but you won't feel excited about the journey.

Some email templates are equally dated. While they've added modern options, you'll still encounter designs that look like they were created when people thought "Web 2.0" was cutting edge.

Segmentation Is Locked Behind Paywalls

You can't segment your email list on the free plan at all. On the Lite plan ($15+/month), you get exactly one segment. ONE. As in singular.

Unlimited segments only unlock on the Plus plan ($30+/month). For a feature that's fundamental to email marketing effectiveness, gatekeeping it this aggressively is annoying. MailerLite and others offer unlimited segments at lower price points.

Unsubscribed Contacts Count Toward Limits

This is sneaky and frustrating. AWeber counts unsubscribed contacts as part of your subscriber count, which affects pricing. So if you have 600 total contacts but 100 have unsubscribed, you're still paying for 600 subscribers even though you can only email 500.

You need to regularly delete unsubscribed contacts manually to avoid paying for people who don't want your emails anyway. It's a small annoyance that adds up over time.

Automation Features Are Basic

AWeber's automation is functional but limited. You can trigger campaigns based on tags or list signups, and follow-on actions are limited to sending messages, adding/removing tags, or unsubscribing people.

Compare that to platforms like ActiveCampaign or GetResponse that offer sophisticated if/then logic, conditional splits, goal-based automations, and complex workflows. AWeber's automation feels like "Automation Lite"—good enough for basic sequences, limiting for advanced marketers.

No Dedicated IP Addresses

AWeber doesn't offer dedicated sender IP addresses, meaning you share an IP with everyone else using AWeber. If someone else on that shared IP sends spam, it can theoretically affect your deliverability.

Their anti-spam policy helps prevent this, but it's still a potential vulnerability. For high-volume senders or businesses that need absolute control over sender reputation, this could be a deal-breaker.

The Pricing Is High for What You Get

AWeber charges premium prices while offering mid-tier features. At similar price points, competitors like Kit, MailerLite, GetResponse, and Moosend offer better value with more features, modern interfaces, and comparable or superior functionality.

Unless you specifically need something AWeber offers that others don't (like their Smart Designer or specific integrations), you're probably overpaying.

Who Should Actually Use AWeber

AWeber makes sense for:

• Beginners who want simplicity and don't need advanced features

• Small businesses with straightforward email needs (newsletters, basic automation)

• Content creators who value the blog automation and RSS features

• Anyone who loves phone support (increasingly rare in SaaS)

• WordPress users who want tight integration without complexity

• People selling through PayPal who like the built-in sales tracking

• Businesses that need web push notifications without additional tools

Skip AWeber if:

• You're budget-conscious and want maximum value (MailerLite, Moosend)

• You need advanced automation and sophisticated workflows (ActiveCampaign, GetResponse)

• You want modern UI/UX that doesn't feel dated (Kit, MailerLite)

• You have a large list and need affordable scaling (Sender, MailerLite)

• Segmentation is crucial and you're on a tight budget (literally everyone else)

• You're a serious e-commerce business needing advanced features (Klaviyo)

How AWeber Compares to Competitors

AWeber vs. MailerLite

MailerLite offers similar features with a modern interface, better pricing, and unlimited segments on all paid plans starting at $10/month. Unless you specifically need AWeber's phone support or Smart Designer, MailerLite is better value.

AWeber vs. Kit (ConvertKit)

Kit targets creators with powerful automation, better tagging systems, and built-in tools for selling digital products. Pricing is comparable. Kit is better for creators building audiences; AWeber is simpler for basic email marketing.

AWeber vs. Mailchimp

Mailchimp is the other "old guard" platform. Both have dated interfaces and similar pricing, but Mailchimp offers more marketing automation features and better analytics. Toss-up depending on your specific needs, but both are probably overpriced.

AWeber vs. GetResponse

GetResponse offers significantly more features (webinars, sales funnels, advanced automation) at similar prices. Unless you find AWeber easier to use or need their specific integrations, GetResponse provides more bang for your buck.

AWeber vs. Moosend

Moosend is cheaper with better automation features and a modern interface. AWeber's main advantages are brand recognition, phone support, and slightly better deliverability reputation. Moosend wins on value.

The Things Nobody Tells You

Email Marketing Is About Lists, Not Tools

The dirty secret of email marketing: the tool matters way less than your list quality and email content. You can use the fanciest platform in existence, but if your list is full of unengaged subscribers and your emails are boring, it won't matter.

AWeber will work fine if you have a good list and write good emails. So will basically any other legitimate platform.

The Free Plan Is Actually Generous

Compared to competitors, AWeber's free plan is solid. Unlimited emails to 500 subscribers forever is better than MailChimp's free plan (which limits monthly sends) and comparable to MailerLite.

If you're just starting and have under 500 subscribers, the free plan is legitimately useful for testing the platform.

Migration Is Easier Than You Think

If you're considering AWeber but worried about being locked in, don't be. AWeber's migrations team will move your lists, tags, subscribers, up to 3 email templates, forms, landing pages, and automations within 5 business days or less.

And if you want to leave later, most platforms make import/export relatively painless. Email platforms want to make switching TO them easy, which means switching AWAY is usually also easy.

You're Paying for Stability and Support

Part of what you're buying with AWeber is peace of mind. They've been around for 27 years, they're financially stable, they're not going to disappear or get acquired and shut down.

Their support is genuinely good. Their deliverability is solid. For businesses that value reliability over cutting-edge features, that's worth something.

The Verdict: Still Relevant, But Overpriced

AWeber is a solid email marketing service that hasn't aged as gracefully as it could have. It's easy to use, its template libraries are great, and it has everything you need to build lists and run email campaigns that get results.

The Smart Designer and AI writing assistant are genuinely useful modern additions that show AWeber is trying to stay competitive. The customer support is excellent, deliverability is good, and the platform is stable and reliable.

But the dated user interface, premium pricing for mid-tier features, lack of segmentation on lower plans, and basic automation capabilities make it hard to recommend enthusiastically when better-value alternatives exist.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐

(One star for ease of use and beginner-friendliness, one star for Smart Designer and solid features, one star for excellent customer support and stability, minus one star for dated interface and limited automation, minus one star for pricing that doesn't match value when compared to competitors.)

The Bottom Line

AWeber won't revolutionize your email marketing, but it probably won't let you down either. It's the reliable, slightly boring option that gets the job done without exciting anyone.

If you're a beginner who values simplicity and support over cutting-edge features and want to work with a company that's been around forever, AWeber is a safe choice. You'll pay a bit more than necessary, but you'll get phone support when you need help and won't have to worry about the company disappearing.

If you're budget-conscious, need advanced features, or want a modern interface, there are better options. MailerLite, Moosend, and Kit all offer comparable or superior functionality at similar or lower prices.

AWeber is the email marketing equivalent of buying a Toyota Camry. It's reliable, it'll last forever, everyone's heard of it, and it does exactly what it's supposed to do. But it's not exciting, it's not the best value, and you might be happier with something more interesting.

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Using AWeber or switched away from it? Share your experience in the comments. Let's help each other figure out which email platform actually deserves our money in 2025.