Campaign Monitor by Marigold Review: Is It Still the Email Marketing Classic for SMBs in 2026?

A fresh look at Campaign Monitor by Marigold—features, value, competitors, and 2026 outlook.

Campaign Monitor by Marigold has long been a familiar name for growing brands and agencies seeking reliable, intuitive email marketing. Heading into 2026, Campaign Monitor by Marigold positions itself as a sophisticated yet accessible platform, marrying its original strengths with new AI, automation, and team productivity features, all under a pricing model that appeals to scaling SMBs and agencies.

From Launch to 2026: Campaign Monitor’s Timeline

  • 2004–2017: Campaign Monitor emerges as an easy-to-use alternative to complex email platforms, focusing on beautiful templates and SMBs.
  • 2018: Joins Marigold, expands feature set and compliance coverage.
  • 2019–2022: Gradually layers in automation, basic segmentation, and improved integrations.
  • 2023–2025: Launches AI-powered content, advanced segmentation, and agency/multi-brand support; refines pricing for transparency.
  • 2026: Now targeting growing SMBs, agencies, and multi-brand teams demanding advanced workflows with minimal learning curves.
Campaign Monitor by Marigold dashboard
Campaign Monitor by Marigold delivers actionable, real-time insights—no developers required.

Key Features

  • AI Content & Personalization: Automated recommendations for copy, subject lines & send times fully integrated for non-coders.
  • Drag-and-Drop Builder: Visual campaign editing with 100+ responsive templates and branded themes.
  • Segmentation & Dynamic Content: Target audiences with data-driven criteria, behavioral triggers, or past engagement.
  • Smart Automation: Multi-step journeys, automated triggers (e.g., signups, purchases), auto-tag rules.
  • Analytics & Reporting: Real-time dashboards, list growth, engagement, and geographic Worldview.
  • Agency & Team Tools: Client account hierarchy, template/automation sharing, white labeling, dedicated roles & permissions.
  • Deliverability & Compliance: GDPR and SOC2 readiness, reputation tools, and template/checklist compliance assistance.
  • Integrations: Native plugins for eCommerce, CRM, forms, and open API; plus unique multi-brand management.

Workflow & User Experience

  • New users create fully-branded campaigns in minutes with minimal onboarding.
  • Interface is approachable—drag-and-drop is the default for both campaign and journey creation.
  • Teams benefit from unlimited users, granular permissions, and content section locking on higher tiers.
  • AI Writer and the Campaign Assistant guide creators with fresh text, best practice prompts, and dynamic content block insertions.
  • Agency dashboard reveals all client activity in one view, template/automation libraries sync across brands/subaccounts.

Campaign Monitor by Marigold Pricing

PlanWho it’s forKey FeaturesPricing*
Lite SMBs starting out, low-volume senders 5x list size/mo send, AI writer, automation, templates From $12/mo (500 contacts, annual)
Essentials Scaling SMBs, agencies, eCommerce Unlimited sends, priority support, advanced automations From $29/mo (500 contacts, annual)
Premier Larger teams, advanced segmenting All Essentials + phone support, advanced segments, analytics From $159/mo (500 contacts, annual)
Enterprise High-volume, multi-brand orgs & agencies Custom contracts, account manager, extra compliance Custom pricing (quote required)

*All plans scale by contact count—see site for full breakdown.

How Campaign Monitor by Marigold Compares

PlatformBest ForStarting PriceKey Differentiators
Campaign Monitor by Marigold SMBs & agencies wanting collaborative, code-free email $12/mo Visual journey builder, AI, unlimited team access, agency controls
Mailchimp Broad market, eCommerce shops $13/mo Vast app ecosystem; somewhat steeper learning curve
Constant Contact Local businesses, event/email combos $12/mo Event tools, surveys, simple automations
ActiveCampaign Power users, drip marketers $29/mo CRM, advanced workflows, steeper ramp-up
ConvertKit Creators, bloggers $15/mo Tag-based automation, landing pages, simple UI
Pro Tip: Unlock the best Campaign Monitor by Marigold pricing by opting for annual billing—and watch for exclusive promo codes on the official site via this link.

Campaign Monitor by Marigold Discount Code

View current offer

Integrations

  • eCommerce: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce
  • CRM: Salesforce, Zoho, Pipedrive, HubSpot
  • Lead Capture & Forms: Gravity Forms, Typeform, Wufoo
  • API access for custom tools, SSO support (higher plans), Zapier

Pros & Cons

ProsCons
  • Intuitive for teams or agencies with no IT required
  • AI-powered writing and segmentation features
  • Unlimited users and permission controls
  • Predictable pricing with transparent scaling
  • Enhanced deliverability and compliance readiness
  • Some advanced segments cost extra on mid-tiers
  • Third-party app marketplace not as broad as Mailchimp
  • Enterprise features require a quote
  • No built-in CRM—focus is solely email & SMS

Final Thoughts

  • For SMBs and agencies seeking a legacy platform that hasn’t stood still, Campaign Monitor by Marigold remains a strong contender—especially if your priority is fast deployment, deep segmentation, and high team productivity without code.
  • It’s ideal for multi-brand orgs, consultants, or marketers tired of platform sprawl or confusing pricing.
  • If you need tightly-integrated CRM or broad app stores, consider Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign for comparison.
  • Otherwise, for most digital-first teams in 2026, this newly refined classic quietly leads the segment.

Campaign Monitor by Marigold FAQ

This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn commissions. Learn more in our disclosure. 

More Reviews Like This

Unified Windows/iOS backup, recovery & partner program with direct sales incentives.
ArtemisAds is a performance marketing platform empowering SMBs with data-driven advertising automation.
Malwarebytes unifies device, privacy, and identity security—tailored for SMBs, growing teams, and entrepreneurs.

Learn How to Market Your Online Course

Use this FREE CHEAT SHEET to successfully gain attention and customers for your online course.

    We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.