WordPress Newsletter: Best Plugins & Setup Guide (2026)
Create and send newsletters from WordPress. Compare the best newsletter plugins, set up email subscriptions, and build automated email marketing for your site.
WordPress powers 43% of websites, but it does not include built-in newsletter functionality. With the right plugin, you can add email subscriptions, create newsletters, and build automated email marketing directly from your WordPress site.
Best WordPress Newsletter Plugins
1. Brevo Official Plugin — Best Overall
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free (300 emails/day) |
| Contacts | Unlimited |
| Signup forms | Drag-and-drop builder |
| Newsletters | Create in Brevo or WordPress |
| Automation | Full workflow builder |
| Multi-channel | Email + SMS |
Why choose it: Full-featured marketing platform with generous free tier. Signup forms integrate seamlessly with WordPress. Campaigns built in Brevo’s editor or your WordPress admin. Contacts sync automatically.
2. MailPoet — Best WordPress-Native
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free under 500 subscribers |
| Contacts | 500 free, then $13/month |
| Signup forms | Widget-based |
| Newsletters | WordPress-native editor |
| Automation | Basic sequences |
Why choose it: Everything stays inside WordPress. Good for bloggers who want simplicity.
3. Newsletter Plugin — Best Self-Hosted
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free core, add-ons paid |
| Contacts | Unlimited (your server sends) |
| Signup forms | Built-in |
| Newsletters | WordPress editor |
| Automation | Basic with add-ons |
Why choose it: No external service needed. Free for unlimited subscribers. But deliverability depends on your hosting.
4. Mailchimp for WordPress — Best for Mailchimp Users
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free plugin |
| Purpose | Signup forms only |
| Newsletters | Send from Mailchimp |
| Automation | Via Mailchimp |
Why choose it: If you already use Mailchimp for email. The plugin only handles forms — you still need a Mailchimp account.
Setting Up WordPress Email Subscriptions
Step 1: Install Your Plugin
Install the Brevo WordPress plugin from Plugins > Add New. Connect it to your free Brevo account.
Step 2: Create a Signup Form
In Brevo > Forms, create a new subscription form:
- Add fields (email required, name optional)
- Choose your design and colors
- Select the contact list for new subscribers
- Enable double opt-in for quality
Step 3: Add Forms to Your Site
| Placement | Method | Conversion Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Sidebar widget | Widget area | 1-3% |
| After blog posts | Shortcode | 2-4% |
| Pop-up / slide-in | Plugin setting | 3-7% |
| Header bar | Plugin setting | 1-2% |
| Footer | Widget area | 0.5-1% |
| Landing page | Dedicated page | 10-25% |
Place forms on your highest-traffic pages. Test different placements to find what works for your audience.
Step 4: Create a Welcome Series
Set up a welcome email sequence in Brevo that triggers when new subscribers join:
- Email 1 (immediate): Welcome + deliver any promised lead magnet
- Email 2 (Day 2): Your best content or products
- Email 3 (Day 5): Social proof and community invitation
Step 5: Send Your First Newsletter
Create your newsletter in Brevo’s drag-and-drop editor:
- Choose a template or start blank
- Add your content, images, and links
- Preview on desktop and mobile
- Send a test email
- Schedule or send immediately
WordPress Email Marketing Automation
Beyond newsletters, add these automations:
| Automation | Trigger | Plugin/Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome series | Form submission | Brevo |
| Blog digest | New post published | Brevo RSS campaign |
| Re-engagement | 90 days inactive | Brevo automation |
| Cart recovery | WooCommerce cart | Brevo + Tajo |
| Course drip | Enrollment | Brevo automation |
Growing Your WordPress Email List
Lead Magnet Ideas
- Free ebook or guide (PDF download)
- Exclusive discount code
- Free course or email series
- Checklist or template
- Access to member-only content
See our email list building guide for more strategies.
Optimization Tips
- Write compelling form headlines: “Join 5,000+ marketers” beats “Subscribe”
- Show social proof: Display subscriber count or testimonials
- Offer immediate value: Deliver a lead magnet on signup
- Minimize fields: Email only for highest conversion
- Test pop-up timing: 30-60 seconds or exit-intent works best
Deliverability for WordPress Newsletters
If you are sending newsletters through WordPress, ensure reliable delivery:
- Use SMTP: Install WP Mail SMTP for authenticated sending
- Authenticate your domain: Set up SPF, DKIM, DMARC
- Use a reputable service: Brevo, not your hosting server
- Monitor deliverability: Check bounce rates and spam complaints
- Clean your list: Remove inactive subscribers regularly
For more newsletter strategies, see our newsletter complete guide and newsletter examples.