Best Marketing Automation Tools That Drive E-commerce Sales (2025 Guide)

Marketing automation tools boost e-commerce conversion rates by a lot and cut down time spent on repetitive marketing tasks. Companies that don’t automate their marketing processes risk falling behind competitors who utilize these powerful solutions.

The most effective marketing automation tools blend email marketing capabilities with CRM integration and personalization features. These features deliver consistent results throughout the customer’s trip. E-commerce businesses can track customer behavior, segment audiences, and send relevant communications at the right time. On top of that, these tools provide analytics that shape strategic decisions and boost ROI.

This 2025 piece explores five trailblazing solutions. Maestra leads the pack, with Braze, CleverTap, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, and Klaviyo following suit. Each platform gives businesses a chance to streamline their marketing efforts and boost sales effectively.

Comparison Table

Tool

Best For

Price

Notable Pros

Notable Cons

Maestra

Rapidly scaling e-commerce, retail, DTC brands

Flat-rate pricing from $2,000 amonth with all-inclusive features

• Real-time CDP with omnichannel communications
• Built-in loyalty program and web personalization
• Product recommendations across all channels
• Dedicated Customer Success Manager included
• Complete all-in-one solution with strategic guidance
• Purpose-built for commerce with all-inclusive pricing

• Best suited for advanced marketing strategies
• May be overkill for simple email campaigns

Klaviyo

E-commerce and DTC brands

Contact-based pricing from free tier to a few thousand a month. Quickly becomes expensive when your contact list grows. Recent shift to active profile billing

• Deep e-commerce integrations with behavioral targeting
• Email/SMS automation with revenue attribution
• Pre-built automation flows and extensive template library
• User-friendly interface with strong ROI tracking
• Flexible pricing that grows with business

• Limited to email and SMS channels
• Higher pricing for large databases
• Basic personalization compared to enterprise platforms
• Implementation of all features requires resources

Braze

Enterprise-level brands

Custom enterprise pricing starting around $60,000 — $200,000 a year

• Canvas visual journey builder with real-time event streaming
• Advanced mobile engagement and Liquid templating
• Exceptional scalability and real-time capabilities
• Superior mobile engagement features with powerful API integration
• Advanced segmentation capabilities and strong analytics

• Very high enterprise pricing
• Steep learning curve requiring technical expertise
• Complex implementation
• Often requires integration with separate tools

Salesforce Marketing Cloud

Large multi-brand corporations

Modular pricing from $1,500 – $3,250 a month plus custom enterprise deals

• Journey Builder with Einstein AI and cross-channel campaigns
• Deep CRM integration with enterprise-grade features
• Exceptional Salesforce CRM integration
• Comprehensive marketing capabilities with advanced AI features
• Extensive third-party ecosystem and strong role-based access controls

• Complex implementation requiring specialists
• Steep learning curve
• High pricing structure
• Interface feels dated compared to newer platforms
• Multiple disconnected "studios"

Omnisend

Small to mid-sized eCommerce

Budget-friendly tiered pricing from $16 a month with generous free tier

• Email campaigns, SMS marketing, and web push notifications
• Pre-built automation templates with Campaign Booster feature
• User-focused interface with complete multi-channel tools
• Tight integration with e-commerce platforms
• 24/7 email support and live chat

• Simpler segmentation than enterprise options
• Basic personalization features
• SMS features don't match dedicated platforms
• Limited customization for larger companies

Iterable

Sophisticated B2C marketing teams

MAU-based pricing from $1,000 a month with unlimited emails

• Cross-channel orchestration with Catalog system
• 70+ filter criteria segmentation and visual workflow editor
• Advanced analytics with unlimited emails on all plans
• Great cross-channel campaign coordination
• Strong API and integration options with advanced A/B testing

• Custom enterprise pricing
• No free tier available
• Takes time to learn all features
• Setup requires technical knowledge
• Complex segments can run slowly

Insider

Mid-sized to enterprise e-commerce

MAU-based pricing starting from $1,500 a month with annual contracts

• AI-powered predictive segmentation with Web suite
• Cross-channel orchestration and Architect Journey Builder
• Advanced AI-powered segmentation with comprehensive capabilities
• Resilient personalization engine and dedicated customer success management

• Higher cost than simple automation solutions
• Time required to master platform capabilities
• No free tier or self-service option
• Setup requires dedicated resources

MoEngage

Mid-sized to enterprise focused on analytics

MAU-based pricing starting from $999 a month with enterprise contracts

• RFM analysis with cross-channel capabilities
• AI-powered analytics and visual journey designer
• Cohort analysis tools with powerful analytics visualization
• Solid RFM segmentation for retail applications
• Cross-channel orchestration with AI channel selection

• Higher price point than entry-level tools
• Learning curve for analytics capabilities
• No free tier available
• Large data volumes can cause latency
• Limited customization for reporting dashboards

Active Campaign

Small to mid-sized businesses

Contact-based pricing from $29 a month, costs increase with list growth

• Email marketing with CRM integration
• Machine learning capabilities and visual workflow builder
• Thank you.+ app integrations
• Balances usability with sophisticated features
• Exceptional automation capabilities with budget-friendly pricing
• Strong CRM and marketing integration

• Prices increase with contact list growth
• Higher-tier plans needed for advanced reporting
• Email builder less intuitive than competitors
• Complex automations may face performance issues

CleverTap

Mobile-focused businesses

Usage-based pricing starting from $75 a month with affordable entry point

• TesseractDB analytics with Clever.AI predictions
• Omnichannel messaging and visual journey builder
• Behavioral analysis capabilities
• Combined analytics and engagement platform
• AI-driven segmentation with low-code interface
• Affordable pricing with strong mobile engagement

• Limited web capabilities compared to mobile
• Basic email tools versus dedicated platforms
• No built-in loyalty features
• Limited Western market presence
• E-commerce platform integration needs work

Maestra

Maestra Review: The Most Unified Platform for E-Commerce Marketing

Maestra leads the pack in e-commerce marketing automation. It’s a complete solution for brands that want to move beyond using multiple marketing tools. This platform combines advanced omnichannel capabilities with expert guidance. It’s perfect for ambitious e-commerce businesses that want to unite their marketing operations.

Maestra Features

Maestra works as a unified marketing hub that brings together several significant components. The platform runs on a real-time Customer Data Platform (CDP) that tracks and processes customer behavior right away. This helps marketers create tailored campaigns based on customer data and buying patterns.

Customer profile in Maestra

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The platform shines when it handles multiple marketing channels at once. Many competitors focus on specific channels, but Maestra lets you communicate smoothly through:

Email marketing automation
SMS messaging
Mobile and web push notifications
On-site and in-app personalization
Paid advertising integration
Loyalty program management

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The platform’s flow builder lets you create sophisticated multi-step customer experiences. A business can set up an abandoned cart recovery sequence that starts with an email. If customers don’t open it, they get an SMS. When they return to the site, they see personalized content and might earn loyalty points to complete their purchase.

Maestra’s flow example: abandoned card flow with emails, mobile and web pushes, pop-ups, paid ads and loyalty points

The platform has a built-in loyalty and rewards engine, so you won’t need separate software. This integration keeps customer engagement data and loyalty status in one place. You’ll get a better view of how customers interact with your brand.

Maestra’s promotions rule engine

Maestra Pricing Plans

Maestra’s plans begin at $2,300 per month for 80,000 contacts. You get access to all features for one flat rate instead of paying for each capability.

Maestra offers better value through its all-in-one approach. Every subscription includes a dedicated Customer Success Manager and all features — no extra costs for loyalty programs, web personalization, or product recommendations. Companies replace multiple tools with one platform, eliminating separate expenses for email, SMS, loyalty, and website tools. Many businesses reduce their total marketing costs after switching to Maestra. While priced similarly to enterprise solutions like Braze, Maestra offers transparent pricing and makes advanced features available to mid-market brands without six-figure commitments.

Each plan includes a dedicated Customer Success Manager. That's great value compared to platforms that charge extra for strategic guidance.

Maestra Support

Maestra stands out with its hands-on support model. Every client gets a dedicated Customer Success Manager (CSM) who helps develop and implement strategies. They do more than technical support — they actively guide your marketing approach and optimize campaigns.

Your CSM becomes part of your marketing team. They offer strategic advice and help build effective automation flows. Teams with limited in-house marketing resources can get results faster. This approach is different from Braze or MoEngage, which provide basic support but expect clients to have stronger technical skills or work with agencies.

E-commerce brands without marketing automation experts can implement and optimize the platform easily. The service-oriented approach helps them get value from the platform faster.

Testimonial: Kyle Cannon, Digital Marketing Manager, Furniture Fair

Maestra Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

All-in-one solution combining CDP, marketing automation, loyalty, and product personalization

Less specialized for mobile app-first businesses compared to platforms like Braze

Dedicated strategic guidance through assigned Customer Success Manager

Not as deeply integrated with Salesforce ecosystem as Salesforce Marketing Cloud

Built specifically for e-commerce use cases with retail-focused features

Strong omnichannel capabilities across email, SMS, push, web, and ads

Native loyalty program management eliminates need for separate systems

Unified customer data across all touchpoints without requiring external CDP

Maestra balances powerful capabilities with ease of use. Braze might give more technical flexibility to developer-heavy organizations. But Maestra delivers a united solution with built-in strategic guidance.

The platform works best for ambitious e-commerce brands that want to unite their marketing stack and get expert guidance. Retail businesses looking for an integrated approach to customer engagement across channels will find Maestra compelling. Its mix of technical capabilities and strategic partnership makes it stand out among top marketing automation tools.

Braze

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Braze has become a major player in customer engagement, serving big consumer brands and tech companies with large user bases. The platform’s real-time event-streaming architecture helps create sophisticated cross-channel marketing campaigns that respond right away to user actions.

Braze Features

Canvas sits at the heart of Braze's system. This visual trip builder lets marketers coordinate multi-step campaigns on channels of all types. Teams can create complex customer flows with branching logic, A/B testing, and control groups from a single screen. They can design sequences that trigger based on specific behaviors, like finishing a game level or adding items to a cart.

Braze’s Canvas tool

The platform really shines in mobile engagement with strong features for:

Push notifications with rich content support
In-app messaging that responds to user actions
Dynamic content delivery inside mobile applications
Real-time messaging triggered by behavioral events

Braze supports email, SMS, web notifications, and integrates with other services through webhooks. All the same, its mobile-first approach makes it perfect for fintech, gaming, and on-demand service companies where smartphone interactions drive business results.

The platform processes data streams instantly, which sets it apart from competitors. This quick processing lets campaigns trigger almost immediately based on user actions. Companies find this invaluable during flash sales or abandoned cart recovery.

Creating a segment in Braze

Braze's Liquid templating language helps create advanced personalized content. Marketers can add dynamic elements like product recommendations or conditional content blocks right in their messages if they have the user data they need.

Braze Pricing Plans

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The platform targets enterprise clients with custom quotes starting around $60,000+ annually. Unlike other platforms with clear pricing tiers, potential clients must talk to sales representatives to get specific quotes based on their user base size, message volume, and feature needs.

Small businesses or startups can't usually afford Braze unless they're well-funded and focused on mobile engagement from the start. The high cost reflects Braze's ability to handle huge message volumes and complex campaigns at scale - features that global brands with millions of customers need but mid-market businesses might find excessive.

Braze Support

Enterprise-level support matches Braze's pricing tier, including dedicated customer success teams. The support model works differently from Maestra's approach. Maestra gives clients dedicated Customer Success Managers who help develop strategy and build flows. Braze expects clients to have stronger in-house technical skills or work with external consultants.

Extensive documentation, training resources, and technical support come with the platform. Many organizations still find they need special expertise to get the most out of Braze. This often means hiring Braze-experienced marketers or working with agencies who know the platform well.

Teams with strong technical resources and developer support thrive with this model. Organizations with limited technical staff might struggle to use Braze's full capabilities without extra help.

Braze Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Exceptional real-time data processing for instant campaign triggers

Enterprise-level pricing ($60k+ annually) makes it too expensive for smaller businesses

Powerful trip coordination through Canvas

Takes time to learn and needs technical expertise

Strong mobile engagement features across push, in-app, and content

No built-in loyalty program or on-site personalization modules

Strong API and integration options for developer flexibility

Complex interface slows down campaign launches

Handles millions of users and messages easily

Often needs extra tools for complete marketing features

Advanced segmentation using behavioral data

Hard to use for marketers without technical background

Great analytics and testing capabilities

Braze works best for organizations with mobile-first strategies and technical resources to use its capabilities. Enterprise businesses that manage millions of customer interactions across channels will find the scale, reliability and sophistication they need for complex engagement campaigns.

The platform serves organizations that need real-time engagement across multiple channels, especially when mobile apps play a key role in their customer experience strategy. Its position as a technically advanced platform makes it ideal for companies with strong development resources or budget for specialized implementation support.

CleverTap

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CleverTap stands out as an all-in-one customer engagement and retention platform with powerful analytics capabilities. Mobile-focused businesses will find it especially useful. This tool fills a unique spot among marketing automation solutions by combining deep behavioral analysis and multi-channel campaign execution in one user-friendly interface.

CleverTap Features

The platform shines with its smooth integration of analytics and engagement functions. Most tools keep these features separate, but CleverTap lets marketers learn about insights and turn them into practical campaigns right away. Users don’t have to jump between different analytics and messaging platforms anymore.

TesseractDB, CleverTap's proprietary big-data store, powers its analytics engine. It captures and processes huge amounts of user events and tracks millions of interactions per user. This solid foundation helps with:

Detailed funnel analysis to spot conversion bottlenecks
Cohort tracking to measure retention across user segments
RFM (Recency, Frequency, Monetary) segmentation to target marketing
Behavioral analysis to spot engagement patterns

CleverTap’s funnel dashboard

Clever.AI brings AI capabilities to the platform. It analyzes user behavior and predicts outcomes like churn likelihood or conversion probability. Marketers can target at-risk customers before they leave.

The platform offers detailed omnichannel outreach through:

Mobile push notifications
In-app messaging
Email campaigns
SMS delivery
Web notifications
WhatsApp messaging

Creating an email with Clever.AI’s recommendations

Marketers can create complex multi-step campaigns across these channels with the visual journey builder. A push notification might go out first, followed by an email if the initial message stays unopened. An abandoned cart sequence could start with an app notification, send an email reminder later, and finish with a special SMS offer.

CleverTap’s flow builder

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The platform uses a no-code/low-code approach. Team members without technical backgrounds can create sophisticated campaigns and experiments without complex queries.

CleverTap Pricing Plans

The platform uses tiered pricing based on monthly active users (MAUs). The Essentials plan costs about $75 monthly for up to 5,000 MAUs. This makes it more available than enterprise solutions like Braze.

Custom pricing applies to higher-tier plans based on usage and features.

Companies can start with basic features and grow their investment over time. This approach matches CleverTap's market position – serving both new mobile-first companies and 10-year old enterprises.

CleverTap Support

The platform focuses on self-service support across all pricing tiers. Documentation, knowledge bases, and standard response channels are available. Maestra offers dedicated Customer Success Managers, but CleverTap takes a different approach.

The platform started in Asia and keeps expanding worldwide. North American and European companies might find fewer local agencies or experts familiar with CleverTap compared to Braze or Salesforce Marketing Cloud. This gap keeps getting smaller.

Teams with strong technical skills can make the most of this support model. Others might want to check if they have enough internal resources to use the platform well.

CleverTap Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Rich analytics and engagement tools work together in one interface

Web engagement features don't match mobile capabilities

Clever.AI offers smart segmentation and predictive analytics

Email design tools can't match dedicated email providers

TesseractDB handles data processing really well

Built-in loyalty or referral programs aren't included

Mobile-first features help with app engagement

Western markets have fewer support options

Visual journey builder creates smart multi-channel campaigns

E-commerce platform integration needs work

Lower starting price than enterprise options

User-friendly interface needs minimal technical knowledge

Smart timing sends notifications when users are most likely to respond

Mobile app-focused businesses will get the most from CleverTap. Product teams that want to improve in-app experiences and keep users engaged will love how it combines analytics with engagement. Fintech apps, mobile games, and on-demand services can use immediate behavior tracking to create relevant user experiences.

Email marketing or web personalization-focused companies might find better options elsewhere. Organizations that just need loyalty program management should look at all-in-one platforms like Maestra instead.

Salesforce Marketing Cloud

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Salesforce Marketing Cloud stands as a complete enterprise-level solution that builds on Salesforce’s leading position in the CRM industry. Unlike standalone marketing platforms, this tool works as an integrated part of the Salesforce ecosystem. Companies already using Salesforce’s CRM infrastructure find this particularly appealing.

Salesforce Marketing Cloud Features

SFMC serves as an enterprise marketing automation suite with extensive marketing capabilities. The Journey Builder tool serves as the life-blood of the platform. Marketers can build detailed customer trips with multiple touchpoints and decision splits. These trips respond to customer actions, priorities, and CRM data points.

SFMC's core marketing functions include:

Email marketing with advanced segmentation and template options
Mobile engagement with SMS and push notification capabilities
Social media management for content publishing and audience targeting
Advertising audience creation for coordinated digital ad campaigns
Cross-channel campaign orchestration through visual journey mapping

Salesforce Marketing Cloud flow builder

SFMC’s deep data handling capabilities give it a real edge. The platform uses Salesforce’s data model and talks directly to CRM objects. Customer profiles stay consistent across sales and marketing touchpoints. This creates a single view of customer interactions that other platforms can’t match.

Salesforce Marketing Cloud: user segmentation

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The platform also features Einstein AI to improve marketing results through predictive capabilities. Users can optimize send-times, identify high-value prospects, and get content recommendations based on behavior patterns.

Salesforce Marketing Cloud’s Einstein product recommendations setup

SFMC started as an email marketing tool (ExactTarget) before growing into broader marketing automation. The platform shines at batch campaigns and scheduled journey campaigns, unlike Braze which focuses on real-time, event-driven marketing.

Salesforce Marketing Cloud’s email builder

Salesforce Marketing Cloud Pricing Plans

SFMC sits in the premium pricing tier. Mid-level packages start from $1,500 to $3,250 per month. Most enterprise deals come with custom contracts based on features and usage volumes.

The pricing follows building blocks where clients pick specific "clouds" they need - Email Studio, Mobile Studio, or Social Studio. Companies can start small and grow, but costs add up for full implementations.

The platform costs more than Braze for similar features. Yet, existing Salesforce customers often justify this through better integration and consolidated data.

Companies typically sign annual contracts. This matches SFMC's focus on long-term enterprise partnerships rather than monthly flexibility. Mid-market and enterprise organizations with big marketing budgets make up the main user base.

Salesforce Marketing Cloud Support

SFMC's complexity demands special expertise. Companies need certified SFMC consultants or dedicated specialists to get the most value. Many businesses hire SFMC experts or work with specialized agencies for implementation.

New users face a steeper learning curve than with Braze or CleverTap. Even marketing veterans need substantial training to master SFMC's tools and data model.

Standard enterprise support includes knowledge bases, community forums, and technical help. Yet, most organizations need extra expertise - either in-house or through partners.

Companies familiar with Salesforce administration adapt more easily. Those new to Salesforce might struggle more, even with formal support resources.

Salesforce Marketing Cloud Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Exceptional Salesforce CRM integration for unified customer data

Steep learning curve needs specialized expertise

Complete marketing capabilities across email, mobile, social, and advertising

High prices put it out of reach for smaller companies

Powerful journey orchestration through Journey Builder

User-friendly interface lags behind newer marketing platforms

Advanced AI capabilities through Einstein for optimization and predictions

Implementation often needs consultants or agencies

Extends through the broader Salesforce ecosystem and AppExchange

Real-time, event-triggered marketing falls short of mobile-first platforms

Resilient infrastructure for complex customer segmentation

Multiple modules can complicate comprehensive implementation

Large marketplace of implementation partners and consultants

Some components feel dated compared to newer platforms

SFMC offers a robust solution for enterprises that want deep CRM integration with marketing automation. The platform works best for organizations managing complex customer trips across channels while keeping sales and marketing aligned.

Klaviyo

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Klaviyo has grown into the leading marketing automation platform for e-commerce businesses over the past decade. The platform caters to direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands and separates itself from competitors through its e-commerce integrations and evidence-based campaign features that boost revenue.

Klaviyo Features

The platform’s unified customer view sits at its heart. It creates detailed profiles of website behavior, email engagement, purchase history, and custom attributes. This united data helps target customers based on their actual shopping patterns instead of basic demographics.

Seamless e-commerce integration makes Klaviyo stand out. One-click connections to Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento automatically sync product, order, and customer data. Users don't need manual setup like they do with standard marketing tools.

Customer profile in Klaviyo

Klaviyo shines brightest through its email and SMS marketing capabilities. The platform offers:

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Pre-built automation flows (Welcome Series, Abandoned Cart, Winback)

Flow templates in Klaviyo

Dynamic product recommendations within message content
Personalized content based on browsing and purchase history
Revenue attribution tracking for each campaign element
Automated segmentation based on purchase behavior

Creating a segment in Klaviyo

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The campaign builder comes with user-friendly workflow creation and customizable templates. Marketers can create sophisticated multi-step sequences without technical knowledge. AI-driven tools help determine the best send times and channels for each customer.

Klaviyo Pricing Plans

The platform's flexible pricing starts with a free tier for small businesses with smaller contact lists. Prices increase based on contact numbers, making it available to growing businesses.

Klaviyo doesn't require long-term commitments. Businesses can adjust their investment as they grow without enterprise contract lock-ins. This approach differs from platforms like Braze ($60k+ yearly) or Salesforce Marketing Cloud ($1,500–$3,250/month for mid-tier packages).

The platform costs less than enterprise solutions while offering specialized e-commerce features that justify its higher price compared to simple email providers.

Klaviyo Support

Educational resources form the backbone of Klaviyo's support system. Active community forums let users share strategies and solutions. Regular webinars cover both simple platform basics and advanced marketing techniques.

The platform provides detailed marketing guides and industry standards to help businesses track their performance. New users can implement and adopt the platform quickly without needing dedicated specialists, unlike Salesforce Marketing Cloud which often requires certified experts.

This self-service support works well for Klaviyo's target market of smaller businesses that might not have resources for specialized consultants.

Klaviyo Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Built specifically for e-commerce with specialized triggers and workflows

Limited to email and SMS channels (no push notifications or web personalization)

User-friendly interface balancing power and simplicity

Smaller scope than multi-channel platforms like Maestra or Braze

Strong ROI focus with per-campaign revenue statistics

Might need external tools for loyalty programs or on-site personalization

Deep integration with major e-commerce platforms

Template and visual email builder less flexible for complex layouts

Fair pricing that grows with your business

No specialized technical expertise needed

Advanced targeting similar to enterprise solutions

Klaviyo excels at e-commerce revenue generation through email and SMS channels. While platforms like Maestra offer loyalty and web personalization, and CleverTap focuses on mobile engagement, Klaviyo provides deeper e-commerce communication features instead of covering the entire customer experience.

Online retailers looking for marketing automation tools with direct ROI impact and simple implementation will find Klaviyo a perfect match. Its blend of power and ease of use has made it a leader among e-commerce marketing platforms.

Omnisend

Omnisend is a specialized marketing automation tool designed specifically for e-commerce businesses. It’s different from regular marketing platforms because it focuses only on what online retailers need, making it a great choice for businesses that want to boost their digital sales.

Omnisend Features

Omnisend gives you a detailed set of features built for online stores. You can create professional-looking emails without any coding skills thanks to its accessible drag-and-drop builder. The automation workflows let you map your customer's experience with smart conditional splits based on how subscribers behave.

Omnisend’s pre-build abandoned cart automation

The platform really shines when it comes to segmentation. You can target customers based on:

Shopping behavior (products viewed, cart abandonment, purchase history)
Campaign engagement (email opens, clicks, website visits)
Customer lifecycle stage (new subscribers, first-time customers, loyal shoppers)
Custom events and properties

Omnisend’s segment builder

The platform's pre-built automation templates help you quickly set up proven strategies that generate revenue. These include welcome series, abandoned cart recovery, browse abandonment, order confirmation, and post-purchase sequences. The platform also offers SMS marketing, web push notifications, and Facebook/Google ad integration to create a complete omnichannel experience.

Omnisend’s email templates

You can connect Omnisend smoothly with most major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento. This smooth connection makes sure your product data, customer information, and purchase history automatically flow into marketing campaigns.

Klaviyo vs Omnisend vs Maestra: Comprehensive eCommerce Marketing Platform Comparison

The platform uses dedicated IP addresses and reputation management tools to help your messages land in inboxes instead of spam folders. On top of that, it lets you test different subject lines, content, and send times to maximize engagement through A/B testing.

Omnisend Support

The platform offers different levels of customer support. Every paid plan comes with 24/7 email support that usually responds within 3 hours. Live chat works during business hours (24/5), with extra hours if you’re an Enterprise client. Only Enterprise customers get phone support.

Enterprise customers work with a dedicated account manager who runs quarterly business reviews and strategy sessions. Free plan users mostly rely on self-service resources with limited direct support.

Omnisend helps you learn through extensive resources. Their knowledge base has over 200 detailed articles about platform features. Their blog keeps you updated with e-commerce marketing trends and strategies. Omnisend Academy offers free online courses with certification if you want structured learning.

Omnisend Pricing

The pricing works based on how many subscribers you have and what features you need:

Plan

Monthly Price

Features

Email Send Limit

SMS Credits

Free

Basic email campaigns, signup forms, 1 automation workflow

500/month

None

Standard

$16/month

All automation templates, advanced reporting, SMS marketing

15,000/month

Pay-as-you-go

Pro

$59/month

Advanced segmentation, web push notifications, priority support

40,000/month

3,000 included

Enterprise

Custom

Dedicated account manager, custom IP address, custom integrations

Unlimited

Custom allocation

You can try any paid plan free for 14 days without a credit card. Yearly billing saves you 20% compared to monthly payments.

Omnisend Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Features built specifically for online retail

Basic CRM features compared to broader marketing platforms

Powerful automation workflows with conditional logic

You need higher-tier plans for advanced reporting

Smart segmentation based on shopping behavior

Phone support only for Enterprise customers

Works perfectly with major e-commerce platforms

Takes time to master advanced segmentation

Marketing across email, SMS, and web push

Some users mention platform slowdowns during busy sending times

Easy-to-use interface that needs minimal technical knowledge

Not enough customization options for bigger companies

Better pricing than similar e-commerce marketing tools

Omnisend works best for small to mid-sized e-commerce businesses that want specialized marketing automation without enterprise-level complexity. The platform balances powerful features with ease of use, though larger organizations might find it limiting as they grow. Since it focuses on e-commerce, businesses outside retail might want to look elsewhere.

Iterable

Iterable stands out as a strong cross-channel marketing automation platform built for companies that want to grow and connect with customers better. This platform works great for e-commerce companies and goes well beyond simple email marketing.

Iterable Features

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The heart of Iterable's platform lies in its ability to run campaigns across multiple channels. Marketers can create natural customer trips that connect through different touchpoints. The platform supports these communication channels:

Email marketing with advanced personalization
Mobile push notifications and in-app messaging
SMS marketing with two-way conversation capabilities
Direct mail campaign integration
Social media retargeting

Iterable’s visual email composer

The Catalog system is one of Iterable's best features. Marketers can import product data and make use of information for dynamic content. E-commerce businesses find this valuable to show tailored product recommendations based on what customers browse and buy.

The platform lets businesses slice and dice their audience using more than 70 different filters. These cover behavior, demographics, purchase history, and custom events. This means marketers can target their exact audience with great precision.

Marketers love the visual workflow editor in the journey builder. They can design complex automation sequences that branch based on conditions. Rather than rigid templates, Iterable gives you a canvas where you can build sophisticated decision trees based on what customers do or don't do.

Teams that love numbers will appreciate Iterable’s analytics. The platform shows real-time performance in easy-to-read dashboards. The A/B testing goes beyond just subject lines — you can test when to send, what content works best, and which channels your customers prefer.

Iterable works well with major e-commerce platforms, CRM systems, and data warehouses. The platform combines smoothly with other business systems through pre-built connectors and a solid API.

Iterable Support

The level of support you get depends on your plan. Every customer can access:

Email support that responds within 24 hours (business days)
A complete knowledge base with detailed documentation
A community forum where users help each other
Regular webinars and training sessions

Growth and Enterprise customers get better support options. These include their own account managers, faster ticket handling, and strategy sessions. Enterprise clients also get 24/7 emergency support with guaranteed response times when critical problems come up.

Most standard setups take 2-4 weeks. Enterprise implementations might need more time but come with dedicated technical help to ensure everything goes right.

The company also offers extra professional services. These cover advanced setup needs, custom integration work, and marketing strategy advice - though these cost extra.

Iterable Pricing

The pricing works differently than most - it's based on monthly active users (MAU) instead of total subscribers. This helps businesses with large databases where not everyone engages regularly:

Plan

Starting Price

User Limit

Key Features

Growth

$1,000/month

Up to 50,000 MAU

Basic workflows, standard segmentation, email + mobile channels

Scale

$1,800/month

Up to 100,000 MAU

Advanced workflows, custom event tracking, all digital channels

Enterprise

Custom pricing

Unlimited

AI optimization, dedicated infrastructure, SLA guarantees

You won't find a free version or self-service option here. Iterable needs an annual contract with minimum commitments, which makes it a better fit for mid-market and enterprise companies.

Iterable Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Great at running campaigns across multiple channels

Costs more than basic marketing tools

Visual journey builder that handles complex logic

Takes time to learn all the features

Strong segmentation engine that targets based on behavior

No free or self-service options for small businesses

Unlimited emails on all plans

Setup needs technical knowledge

Solid data management with catalog features

Complex segments sometimes run slowly

Strong API and integration options

Advanced A/B testing across all channels

Iterable works best for mid-sized to enterprise e-commerce companies with complex marketing needs and lots of customers. The platform excels at creating consistent customer experiences across different channels. While the price might be too high for small businesses, companies with the right resources find it worth the investment given what it can do and how well it grows with them.

Insider

Known for its AI-driven approach, Insider has a detailed marketing automation platform that creates individual-specific experiences throughout the customer lifecycle. This platform combines predictive segmentation with cross-channel orchestration to help e-commerce businesses build meaningful connections with customers.

Insider Features

Insider's platform architecture builds on its AI-powered experience cloud that helps marketers create individual-specific experiences through multiple touchpoints. The platform stands out in several key areas:

The Architect Journey Builder gives marketers a user-friendly visual canvas to design complex multi-channel workflows. Unlike simple automation tools, Architect uses predictive segments that automatically adapt based on live user behavior. This creates dynamic experiences that evolve with customer priorities.

Insider’s flow builder

Insider's predictive audiences feature sets it apart in segmentation capabilities. The platform analyzes historical and live data to identify:

Likelihood to purchase within specific timeframes
Probability of churn or disengagement
Product affinity and category priorities
Best engagement times and channel priorities

Insider’s segmentation

The platform has dedicated e-commerce tools including smart product recommendations, abandoned cart recovery, and social proof notifications. Its web suite has over 40 pre-built templates for website personalization, from exit-intent overlays to smart recommendations.

Mobile marketing goes beyond simple push notifications to include in-app messaging, app inbox communications, and app review management. The platform also works with WhatsApp Business, which lets merchants use conversational commerce for sales and support.

Insider's personalization engine customizes content based on user attributes, behavioral signals, and predictive scores. The AI-powered optimization tools automatically adjust send times, content variations, and channel selection.

The platform blends with major e-commerce platforms, CRMs, CDPs, and analytics tools through pre-built connectors. It also has an open API for custom integrations and a dedicated team helps with implementation.

Insider Support

The platform offers tiered support options based on plan level. Every customer gets:

Email support with 8-hour response times during business hours
Detailed knowledge base with step-by-step guides
Regular product webinars and certification programs

Growth and Enterprise customers get better support through dedicated customer success managers who provide strategic guidance, quarterly business reviews, and industry standards. Technical support specialists help with complex implementation questions and provide quick responses.

Enterprise clients receive 24/7 emergency support with guaranteed 2-hour response times for critical issues. These clients can also join Insider's product roadmap sessions and beta feature testing opportunities.

Setting up the platform takes 3-6 weeks depending on complexity. Clients work with dedicated implementation specialists to set up the platform, create original experiences, and connect data sources.

Insider Pricing

Insider bases its pricing on monthly active users (MAU) and feature access:

Plan

Starting Price

Key Features

Support Level

Growth

$1,500/month

Web suite, simple journey builder, email & mobile channels

Standard support

Pro

$3,000/month

Predictive segments, all digital channels, advanced analytics

Enhanced support

Enterprise

Custom pricing

Custom AI models, dedicated infrastructure, full feature access

Premium support

All plans include unlimited email sends within fair usage policies. Seasonal businesses can adjust user volumes quarterly through the flexible pricing model.

Insider doesn't offer a free tier or self-service option. The platform needs an annual contract with minimum commitments, making it suitable for mid-market to enterprise segment.

Businesses that need specialized solutions can get additional modules for advanced analytics, custom AI model development, and industry-specific solutions. These modules cost extra based on specific needs.

Insider Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Advanced AI-powered predictive segmentation capabilities

Costs more than simple marketing automation solutions

Detailed cross-channel campaign orchestration

Takes time to master platform capabilities

Resilient personalization engine with 1:1 content customization

No free tier or self-service option for smaller businesses

Powerful web and mobile experience optimization tools

Setup needs technical expertise

Adaptable journey builder with advanced branching logic

Complex predictive segments sometimes face delays

Strong integration capabilities with e-commerce platforms

New users might find analytics dashboards overwhelming

Dedicated customer success management for strategic guidance

Insider works best for mid-sized to enterprise e-commerce businesses that need sophisticated personalization and cross-channel orchestration. The platform's predictive capabilities and AI-powered optimization help businesses with substantial customer data and complex marketing needs. Companies with sufficient resources often see strong ROI through improved conversion rates and customer retention, despite the higher investment.

MoEngage

MoEngage Alternatives 2025—Better Options for E-Commerce Marketers

MoEngage is an insights-led customer engagement platform that helps e-commerce businesses analyze customer behavior and create individual-specific experiences. Many retail brands want to boost customer retention through analytical insights, making this platform their top choice.

MoEngage Features

The platform's core architecture centers on its AI-powered analytics engine that powers its automation capabilities. Customer data flows continuously into the system to create detailed behavioral profiles that shape segmentation decisions.

Creating a segment in MoEngage

RFM (Recency, Frequency, Monetary) analysis makes the platform's segmentation capabilities exceptional. E-commerce businesses can group customers based on purchase patterns. Teams can identify high-value customers, at-risk segments, and potential brand champions without complex data skills.

A visual journey designer in MoEngage's automation suite lets marketers build multi-step campaigns across channels. Decision splits in the flow editor depend on user attributes, behaviors, and predictive indicators. Complex conversion paths adjust automatically based on individual responses.

MoEngage’s flow builder

E-commerce businesses can leverage these features:

Dynamic product recommendations based on browsing history
Cart abandonment recovery sequences with customizable timing
Post-purchase engagement flows to encourage repeat business
Lifecycle-based campaigns targeting specific customer segments

The platform's cross-channel features include email, mobile push notifications, SMS, web push, in-app messaging, and WhatsApp. AI determines the best channel for each customer to maximize engagement probability.

MoEngage's email editor

Unified reporting dashboards display campaign performance across channels. Path analyzer shows customer experiences and helps marketers spot conversion bottlenecks. The cohort analysis tool measures how different customer segments react to various engagement strategies over time.

MoEngage vs CleverTap vs Maestra: Finding the Ideal Omnichannel Marketing Platform for Retail

The platform connects seamlessly with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce. Open API architecture enables connections with CRM systems, data warehouses, and third-party analytics tools.

MoEngage Support

Support levels vary based on subscription tier. Every customer gets simple email support with 24-hour response times for standard questions.

Growth and Enterprise subscribers work with dedicated customer success managers. These experts provide implementation guidance, strategic consulting, and quarterly business reviews. Managers help clients set standards and improve their engagement strategies based on industry benchmarks.

A detailed knowledge base offers product documentation, implementation guides, and best practice articles. MoEngage Academy provides self-paced courses about platform features and engagement strategy basics.

Developer documentation and API references are available through the developer portal. Enterprise clients get priority access to the product engineering team when they need help with complex implementations or custom integrations.

MoEngage Pricing

The pricing structure depends on monthly active users (MAU) and feature access:

Plan

Starting Price

Key Features

Support Level

Growth

$999/month

Simple segmentation, email & push channels, standard analytics

Email support

Pro

$1,999/month

Advanced segmentation, all digital channels, custom attributes

Enhanced support

Enterprise

Custom pricing

Predictive analytics, dedicated infrastructure, custom integrations

Dedicated CSM

Each plan comes with base MAUs and additional tiers as business needs grow. Annual contracts with minimum commitments target mid-market to enterprise segments.

Seasonal businesses benefit from flexible MAU allocation that allows periodic adjustments without new contracts. Advanced analytics, AI optimization, and industry-specific solution modules carry separate pricing based on complexity.

MoEngage Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Powerful analytics with intuitive visualization tools

Higher price point compared to entry-level marketing tools

Solid segmentation using RFM analysis for retail applications

Learning curve to master analytics capabilities

Cross-channel orchestration with automated channel selection

No free tier or self-service option for smaller businesses

Accessible journey builder with conditional logic

Large data volumes can cause occasional latency

Reliable integration options with e-commerce platforms

Mobile app lacks web interface features

Thorough cohort analysis for measuring campaign effectiveness

Limited customization for reporting dashboards

AI-driven insights that surface useful recommendations

Higher-tier plans reserve advanced features

Mid-sized to enterprise e-commerce businesses focused on data-centric customer engagement will find MoEngage most valuable. Marketing teams that want to increase customer lifetime value through individual-specific experiences will appreciate the platform's focus on behavioral analytics.

ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign, a 10-year old versatile marketing automation and CRM platform, connects sophisticated enterprise solutions with accessible tools for growing businesses. The platform's rise from an email marketing service to a detailed customer experience automation suite makes it stand out for e-commerce operations of all sizes.

ActiveCampaign Features

ActiveCampaign combines marketing automation, email marketing, CRM, and machine learning capabilities into one platform. The automation builder features a visual flowchart interface. Marketers can design complex workflows that respond to customer actions, website interactions, or data changes.

The segmentation engine lets you target customers precisely based on:

Behavioral data (site visits, email engagement, purchase history)
Demographic information (location, age, gender)
Custom fields and tags
Predictive data (likelihood to purchase, churn risk)

ActiveCampaign’s segments

E-commerce businesses benefit from specialized features like abandoned cart recovery, product recommendations, and order follow-up sequences. The platform's site tracking watches individual customer behavior and enables personalized messaging based on browsing patterns.

ActiveCampaign’s email composer

The platform started with small businesses in mind and keeps an accessible interface despite its growing feature set. Marketers with simple technical skills can navigate the platform easily, while advanced users find enough depth to meet their needs.

ActiveCampaign vs Klaviyo vs Maestra: An In-Depth 2025 Comparison

The platform connects to more than 870 applications through native connections and API access. These connections work with major e-commerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento), CRM systems, and data analysis tools. ActiveCampaign serves as a central hub for customer data from multiple sources.

ActiveCampaign Support

Your plan level determines your support options. Every customer gets:

Email support with 24-hour response time targets
Live chat during business hours
Detailed knowledge base with tutorials and guides
Community forum for peer assistance

Plus and higher tier subscribers can access one-on-one training sessions and priority support queues. Professional and Enterprise customers work with dedicated account managers who offer strategic guidance and implementation help.

The platform guides you through setup tasks and customized walkthroughs based on your business type. Beyond standard support, ActiveCampaign offers paid training and certification programs to help you become an expert.

ActiveCampaign Pricing

The platform uses tiered pricing based on contact count and feature access: Lite Plan starts at $29. Contact count increases affect all plan prices. Annual billing saves you 15-20% compared to monthly rates. The platform doesn't offer a free tier but gives you a 14-day trial without payment information.

The Plus plan works best for growing e-commerce businesses. It balances cost with functionality and gives you essential CRM features alongside strong automation capabilities.

ActiveCampaign Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Balances usability with sophisticated features

Prices climb as contact lists grow

Exceptional automation capabilities with visual workflow builder

Higher-tier plans needed for advanced reporting

Strong integration between marketing automation and CRM

Email builder less accessible than competitors

Budget-friendly pricing that grows with your business

Complex automations may face performance issues

Many third-party integration options

Advanced features take time to master

Solid predictive sending and content features

Strong segmentation capabilities

ActiveCampaign shines for small to mid-sized e-commerce businesses that need sophisticated automation without enterprise-level complexity and cost. The platform combines CRM with marketing automation to create an integrated approach to customer experience management that delivers results for online retailers.

Key Takeaways

The Complete Guide to Selecting Marketing Automation Software

The marketing automation landscape presents distinct tiers of solutions, each serving different business needs and technical capabilities. The choice between platforms depends primarily on business size, technical resources, budget constraints, and channel priorities rather than feature count alone.

Budget-conscious businesses have multiple viable options. ActiveCampaign offers the strongest value proposition for small businesses needing CRM integration, while Omnisend provides specialized e-commerce features at affordable pricing. Klaviyo's free tier makes it accessible for startups, though costs escalate with database growth. CleverTap emerges as a compelling choice for mobile-first businesses seeking analytics capabilities without enterprise pricing.

Mid-market companies face more complex decisions. Maestra delivers comprehensive e-commerce functionality with dedicated strategic support, making it ideal for retailers ready to consolidate their marketing stack. MoEngage and Insider offer sophisticated analytics and AI-driven personalization, respectively, though both require significant time investment to master their capabilities.

Enterprise organizations choose between specialized powerhouses. Braze dominates mobile-first strategies with real-time capabilities but demands substantial technical expertise and budget allocation. Salesforce Marketing Cloud provides unmatched CRM integration for organizations already within the Salesforce ecosystem, despite its complexity and dated interface. Iterable balances enterprise features with usability for sophisticated B2C teams.

Implementation complexity varies dramatically across platforms. Klaviyo and Omnisend enable quick deployment with minimal technical resources, while Braze and Salesforce Marketing Cloud typically require specialized consultants or dedicated technical teams. Maestra bridges this gap by providing enterprise-level capabilities with hands-on implementation support.

Mobile engagement strategies separate platforms significantly. Braze and CleverTap excel at app-centric customer experiences with real-time event processing and sophisticated in-app messaging. Traditional e-commerce platforms like Klaviyo and Omnisend offer basic mobile features but lack the depth required for mobile-first business models.

Support models impact long-term success more than many organizations anticipate. Maestra's dedicated Customer Success Managers provide strategic guidance that smaller teams particularly value. Enterprise platforms like Braze expect stronger in-house capabilities or external consulting relationships. Mid-tier solutions often provide adequate technical support but limited strategic guidance.

Pricing transparency affects decision-making processes. Platforms with clear, published pricing (Klaviyo, Omnisend, ActiveCampaign) enable faster evaluation, while enterprise solutions requiring custom quotes (Braze, Salesforce Marketing Cloud) involve longer sales cycles but potentially better-negotiated terms for large organizations.

The marketing automation market continues consolidating around omnichannel capabilities, AI-driven personalization, and real-time customer data processing. Organizations should prioritize platforms that excel in their primary customer engagement channels while ensuring integration capabilities for future expansion rather than selecting solutions based solely on feature breadth.

FAQs

Q1. What are the key factors to consider when choosing a marketing automation tool for e-commerce?

When selecting a marketing automation tool for e-commerce, consider your primary customer channels, budget constraints, technical expertise requirements, integration needs with existing systems, and scalability for future growth. Also, evaluate whether you need an all-in-one solution or a specialized platform focused on specific channels like email or mobile.

Q2. How do pricing models differ among top marketing automation platforms?

Pricing models vary significantly. Some platforms like Klaviyo offer free tiers for small businesses and scale based on contact list size. Others, such as Braze and Salesforce Marketing Cloud, have enterprise-level pricing starting at $60,000+ annually. Maestra sits in the middle, starting around $2,300 per month for comprehensive features.

Q3. What level of technical expertise is required to implement these marketing automation tools?

The required technical expertise varies by platform. User-friendly options like Klaviyo and Maestra can be implemented with minimal technical knowledge. In contrast, platforms like Braze and Salesforce Marketing Cloud often require specialized expertise or dedicated consultants for effective implementation and management.

Q4. How do these marketing automation tools support omnichannel marketing strategies?

Platforms like Maestra and Salesforce Marketing Cloud offer strong omnichannel capabilities, allowing businesses to coordinate marketing efforts across email, SMS, push notifications, and web personalization. Others, like Klaviyo, focus primarily on email and SMS channels. The level of omnichannel support depends on the specific platform and its feature set.

Q5. What unique features do these marketing automation tools offer for e-commerce businesses?

E-commerce-specific features vary by platform. Maestra includes a built-in loyalty program and advanced web personalization. Klaviyo offers deep e-commerce integrations and revenue attribution tracking. Braze excels in real-time, event-driven marketing for mobile apps. CleverTap combines analytics with engagement tools, while Salesforce Marketing Cloud provides strong CRM integration for unified customer data.