Omnisend suits smaller online stores that want every feature on the free plan, including SMS and push notifications, within 250 contacts and 500 emails a month. Klaviyo suits stores that expect to grow into deep data, segmentation and service tools, and its free plan has the same 250 and 500 limits. The free plans look alike, so the support rules and the road ahead decide it.
Both tools are built for ecommerce, and both connect to your store so emails react to what shoppers browse and order. Their free plans are almost twins on paper. I read Omnisend's plans page and FAQ, and Klaviyo's plans page and FAQ, so the details below come from both companies.
Omnisend and Klaviyo free plans in one table
| Omnisend | Klaviyo | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, Free | Yes, Free |
| Contacts | 250 contacts | Up to 250 active profiles |
| Emails | 500 each month | 500 email sends a month |
| Feature access on free | All Omnisend features (FAQ) | Email and SMS editors, automations, segmentation, reporting |
| Other channels on free | SMS, 500 web push notifications, Google Customer Match, Facebook Custom Audiences | A monthly mobile messages allowance |
| Support on free | Not covered on the plans page | Email support for the first 60 days |
| Migration help | Free migration of contacts, data and segments | Not covered on the plans page |
| Extras | Not covered on the plans page | Helpdesk ticket management and Composer AI allowance |
| Over the limit | Not covered on the plans page | Sending may be paused until you upgrade |
Omnisend: every feature, small limits
Omnisend's free plan includes 500 emails a month to up to 250 contacts, plus 500 web push notifications. Its FAQ says you can use all Omnisend features for an unlimited time on the free plan, including SMS, push notifications, Google Customer Match and Facebook Custom Audiences, along with forms, automations and segmentation. It also offers to migrate your contacts, data and segments for you.
You don't need a credit card to sign up, and Omnisend's FAQ says you can move to an upgraded plan whenever you feel ready, so there's no clock running on the free plan.
Klaviyo: a data platform with a free door
Klaviyo's free plan covers up to 250 active profiles and 500 email sends a month, with a monthly mobile messages allowance and an allowance for Composer, its AI tool. You can sync your store data, build automations and segments, use web forms and the drag-and-drop editor, and see built-in reporting with campaign attribution. There's even a helpdesk with ticket management on the free plan.
Klaviyo is clear about the limits. Stay at or under 250 active profiles and 500 sends and you can stay free indefinitely. Go over either and your sending may be restricted until you upgrade.
The support detail that's easy to miss
Here's the line I'd flag to any new store owner. Klaviyo's FAQ says the free plan includes full email support only for the first 60 days. After that you still get the Help Centre, the community and Klaviyo Academy courses, but not the support channels kept for upgraded plans. Omnisend's free plan promises every feature and a done-for-you migration, which matters if you're moving from another tool and don't want to rebuild segments yourself.
Which store each tool suits
Omnisend suits small stores that want SMS, push and email working together from day one, and a hand moving their data across. Klaviyo suits stores that plan to lean on customer data, detailed segments and a shared view between marketing and customer service as they grow. For ideas on what to send, read my ecommerce email marketing best practices and my look at Klaviyo's own marketing strategy.
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My advice for a small online store
Set up your welcome email and an abandoned basket email on whichever free plan you try first, and watch how long it takes. If you got stuck and needed help, remember Klaviyo's free support window is 60 days, so do your setup early. If you want SMS and push in the mix from the start, Omnisend's free plan covers them. Keep an eye on the 250-contact line on both, because that's where the free ride ends.
Do you make ecommerce email or SMS software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
Is Omnisend free?
Yes. Omnisend's free plan includes 500 emails a month, 250 contacts and 500 web push notifications, with access to all features.
Is Klaviyo free?
Yes. Klaviyo's free plan covers up to 250 active profiles and 500 email sends a month, and you can stay on it while you remain under those limits.
Does Klaviyo's free plan include support?
Klaviyo says the free plan includes full email support for the first 60 days, then access to the Help Centre, community and Klaviyo Academy.
Can I send SMS on the free plans?
Omnisend's FAQ lists SMS among the features on its free plan. Klaviyo's free plan includes a monthly mobile messages allowance.
