Software: Campaign Monitor

Category: Email Marketing & Automation Platform

Primary Use: Email campaigns, automation workflows, and customer journey messaging

Developer: Campaign Monitor (owned by Marigold)

Starting Price: Plans typically start from approximately $12/month (pricing varies by contact count and features)

Free Trial/Plan: Free trial available

Platform: Web-based (cloud)

Official Website: campaignmonitor.com

Campaign Monitor is a cloud-based email marketing platform designed to help businesses create visually branded email campaigns, automate customer journeys, and track subscriber engagement. The platform emphasizes design customization and structured automation tools.

What Is Campaign Monitor?

Campaign Monitor is a SaaS email marketing platform founded in 2004. It provides tools for designing professional email campaigns, managing subscriber lists, and building automated workflows.

The platform is widely known for its email template customization and brand-focused design features. Businesses can create reusable templates aligned with company branding guidelines.

Campaign Monitor operates entirely online and does not require installation.

Who Uses Campaign Monitor?

Campaign Monitor is commonly used by small to mid-sized businesses, ecommerce brands, marketing agencies, and design-focused organizations. It is particularly suited for teams prioritizing visually customized email campaigns.

Retailers use it for promotional emails and seasonal campaigns. Agencies use it to manage client email campaigns with branded templates. Marketing teams rely on it for customer journey automation and subscriber segmentation.

Core Features

Campaign Monitor provides a drag-and-drop email builder that allows users to create branded email campaigns. Customizable templates support logo placement, color schemes, fonts, and layout adjustments.

Automation workflows enable users to create customer journeys triggered by subscriber behavior, such as sign-ups, purchases, or email engagement. Conditional branching allows personalized messaging sequences.

Subscriber segmentation tools allow targeting based on engagement metrics, demographics, or custom data fields. Lists can be organized and filtered for campaign-specific targeting.

Transactional email functionality is available through add-on services. This allows businesses to send automated receipts, account confirmations, and system notifications.

Reporting features include open rates, click-through rates, bounce rates, device usage data, and geographic tracking. A/B testing is supported in higher-tier plans for subject lines and content optimization.

Integrations and Compatibility

Campaign Monitor integrates with ecommerce platforms such as Shopify and WooCommerce. It also connects with CRM systems, CMS platforms, and payment processors.

API access is available for custom integration and transactional messaging workflows. Zapier integration supports extended automation connectivity.

The platform is cloud-based and accessible through modern web browsers.

Pricing Structure

Campaign Monitor offers tiered subscription plans based on contact count and feature access. Entry-level plans typically start at approximately $12 per month, with pricing increasing as subscriber numbers grow.

Higher-tier plans include advanced automation, A/B testing, and enhanced reporting capabilities. Transactional email services may require additional fees.

Billing is available monthly or annually, with discounted pricing often available for annual subscriptions.

Advantages and Limitations

Campaign Monitor provides strong design customization and brand control for email templates. Automation workflows support customer journey messaging. Reporting tools offer detailed engagement insights.

However, advanced CRM functionality may be limited compared to marketing automation platforms like ActiveCampaign. Pricing increases with contact list growth. Some advanced features require higher-tier plans.

Alternatives to Campaign Monitor

Several platforms provide similar email marketing functionality. Mailchimp offers email marketing and automation tools. MailerLite provides cost-effective campaigns and landing pages. ActiveCampaign includes advanced automation and CRM features. Constant Contact supports small business promotions and event marketing.

Each alternative differs in pricing structure, automation depth, and CRM integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Campaign Monitor do?

Campaign Monitor is an email marketing platform that supports campaign design, automation workflows, and subscriber management.

Is Campaign Monitor cloud-based?

Yes. It operates as a web-based SaaS platform.

Does Campaign Monitor offer a free plan?

No permanent free plan is available, but a free trial is offered.

Can Campaign Monitor automate email sequences?

Yes. Automation workflows are supported in paid plans.

Who typically uses Campaign Monitor?

Small to mid-sized businesses, agencies, and ecommerce brands commonly use the platform.

Key Takeaways

Campaign Monitor is a cloud-based email marketing platform designed for branded campaign design and customer journey automation. It includes customizable templates, automation workflows, segmentation tools, and performance analytics. Pricing typically begins at approximately $12 per month and scales based on contact count and feature access.