Flodesk Review: Features, Pricing, & Alternatives

Flodesk is an email marketing platform for small businesses, creatives, and entrepreneurs who want an easy way to design and send beautiful emails.

With a drag-and-drop editor and lots of gorgeous, customizable templates, Flodesk makes it easy for everyone to create professional-looking emails that connect with their audiences – no tech knowledge needed.

Beyond the templates, Flodesk has automation capabilities to set up workflows, manage subscriber lists, and connect with your audience. The flat pricing (one rate for all subscribers) makes it an affordable option for growing businesses, too. 

In this review, we’ll go over the features, pricing, and alternatives so you can decide if Flodesk can help your email marketing.

SMB Guide’s Verdict for Flodesk

Based on our analysis, I’m giving Flodesk an overall score of 7.35 out of 10.

Factor	Rating (out of 10)
SMB Guide Rating	7.35
Pricing & Plans	9.5
Marketing Automation Capabilities	8
Email Builder	8
Personalization & Customization	7
Campaign Performance Tracking	6
User Interface and User Experience	7
Integrations and Compatibility	7
Customer Support	6

In this review of Flodesk, I’ve followed SMB Guide’s detailed criteria for evaluating the email marketing platform.

Pricing & Plans

Flodesk offers a straightforward pricing model with a single flat-rate plan that provides access to all features without any subscriber or email send limits.

Flodesk also offers a 30-day free trial, allowing users to explore the platform’s capabilities without any initial commitment.

Unlike many other email marketing platforms, Flodesk does not have multiple pricing tiers or a freemium plan; instead, it provides all users with the same level of service and functionality at one flat rate.

Free

Flodesk offers a free plan that allows users to grow their email lists using a variety of on-brand forms, landing pages, and link-in-bio tools.

Price

• Free

Features

• Unlimited subscribers
• Audience segmentation
• Advance analytics
• Integrations
• Link in Bio
• Custom domains
• Hosted, pop-up forms and more

Who it’s for: Small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creatives just starting with email marketing and want to build their subscriber lists without upfront costs.

Email marketing

This plan allows users to send unlimited emails to an unlimited number of subscribers, making it a cost-effective option for businesses that are scaling rapidly.

Price

• $38 per month (billed monthly)
• $35 per month (billed annually)

Features

All the features from the Free plan, plus:

• Unlimited emails
• Custom layouts
• API Access
• Workflow automation
• Email scheduler
• Personalization fields
• Send time optimizer

Who it’s for: Small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creatives needing a simple yet powerful platform to manage their email marketing efforts.

Email marketing & checkout

This plan is like an add-on with the Email plan and offers checkout features with e-commerce functionalities. 

Price

• $26 per month (billed monthly)
• $24 per month (billed annually)

Features

All the features from Email, plus:

• Unlimited sales pages
• Payment processing
• Checkout flows
• Upsells and Bonus offers
• Discount codes
• Online payments
• Instant deliveries

Who it’s for:

• Small businesses, e-commerce brands, and entrepreneurs who want to combine email marketing with sales tools to drive online revenue. 
• Users who need a streamlined solution for creating sales funnels, managing online payments, and delivering products, alongside their email marketing efforts.

Marketing Automation Capabilities

Flodesk makes marketing automation super easy to set up, so you can get started with automated workflows in no time. You can create basic workflows for welcome sequences, lead nurturing, and follow-up emails.

These workflows can be triggered by user actions like subscribing to a list or filling out a form.

While Flodesk is super simple, it doesn’t have advanced automation features like branching logic and conditional actions. The triggers for automated actions are mostly email-related and basic subscriber data, with no multi-channel automation (e.g. SMS or social media). 

Dynamic content in Flodesk’s automated workflows allows for basic personalization of recipient attributes, but not deep segmentation and behavioral targeting.

So it’s perfect for users who want simple automation without the complexity.

Email Builder

Flodesk’s email builder is one of the best features as it’s a drag-and-drop editor that requires no coding. The platform has a ton of pre-designed templates that are mobile-optimized and look very pretty.

These templates are for various business needs, newsletters, promotions, and lead magnets. Customization in the email builder is easy, you can adjust layouts, fonts, and images.

But Flodesk doesn’t allow direct HTML editing which might be a limitation for those who like to code their templates. Flodesk is all about design so your emails will look great on all devices.

Flodesk doesn’t have built-in tools to preview emails across different clients or run spam tests which can affect deliverability rates. 

However, the ease of use and design options make Flodesk’s email builder a go for small businesses and creatives who care about looks.

Personalization & Customization

Flodesk has basic personalization features where you can insert dynamic content based on subscriber attributes like name or location. They have merge tags for easy insertion of recipient-specific info which adds a personal touch to your emails.

However, the depth of personalization is limited compared to more advanced platforms.

Segmentation in Flodesk is basic but works, you can target specific segments of your audience based on criteria like subscription source or engagement level.

Advanced segmentation options like combining multiple conditions or using complex behavioral triggers are not available. 

Flodesk also has basic personalization tokens but overall the customization is more simple than complex.

Campaign Performance Tracking

Flodesk has the basic tools to track your email campaigns, open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. The reporting dashboard is clean and easy to navigate and gives you real-time insights into your campaign performance.

But the analytics are pretty basic. There are not a lot of options for deep dive performance tracking and analysis.

Unfortunately, there’s also no A/B testing available, which can be a big bummer if you want to experiment with your campaigns. Plus, no integrations with third-party analytics tools like Google Analytics so you can’t track conversions and ROI. 

The flipside here is that if you need more in-depth performance tracking, Flodesk’s analytics may not be enough for you. However, it’s perfect for smaller businesses and beginners getting started in the niche.

User Interface and User Experience

Flodesk is designed to be simple and easy to use so even if you have no tech background, you won’t face many challenges getting around the platform. The interface is clean with a minimalist design to make the email creation process as easy as possible. 

The layout is straightforward with easy-to-navigate menus and features that make the user experience smooth. The drag-and-drop editor is accompanied by pre-designed templates that can be customized to fit a brand’s style.

Flodesk’s approach is design and aesthetics-focused, making visually appealing emails with minimal effort. However, don’t forget that it lacks advanced customization options like keyboard shortcuts and customizable dashboards that would take it to the next level. 

To add to this, Flodesk also has limited testing features and no robust tools to preview emails across devices and clients. But the interface is still one of its best features, especially for users who value ease of use and design.

Integrations and Compatibility

Flodesk has robust integration capabilities so you can connect your favorite apps and streamline your marketing. Through Zapier and Pabbly Connect, you can connect Flodesk to many 3rd party tools including Shopify, Facebook, Instagram, Typeform, WordPress, Google Sheets, and Slack to sync data and automate workflows across platforms.

For e-commerce businesses, Flodesk has a direct integration with Shopify so you can sync customer data and send personalized email campaigns based on purchase behavior.

Flodesk’s API is available for even more custom integrations so you can connect Flodesk to other tools and platforms that are specific to your business. Whether you’re managing customer interactions or automating tasks, Flodesk’s integrations help you get more out of the platform within your existing tech stack. 

One thing to note is that Flodesk doesn’t currently offer a mobile app so you can’t manage your email marketing on the go. The web platform is mobile friendly but no native app might be a con for those who like to manage their campaigns from their mobile devices.

Customer Support

Currently, Flodesk is only offering support via email and a knowledge base. There is no live chat or phone support which might be a considerable drawback for those who want real-time support. 

The good news is that the response time to emails is still pretty fast so most users will be happy with the support. The knowledge base has a ton of articles, tutorials, and guides that cover everything about the platform so you can troubleshoot and learn how to use Flodesk to the max.

Plus, Flodesk has a community forum where you can connect, share, and ask fellow users for help, so it’s a great place to solve problems and share ideas. They also have online videos and tutorials so new users can get started and explore the platform at their own pace. 

While the support is basic, the resources are organized so you can follow along easily while on your Flodesk journey.

Flodesk — Unique Features

Although Flodesk is one of the more straightforward contenders in the niche, it is not without its standout features.

Here are some of the unique features that make it stand out from the competition.

Sales funnels

Flodesk empowers users to create effective sales funnels that turn casual visitors into loyal customers.

The platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools for setting up beautiful sales pages, managing online payments, and delivering products instantly—all in one seamless experience.

This integrated approach simplifies the process of selling online, making it easy for businesses to guide prospects through the buying journey.

To drive urgency and boost conversions, Flodesk allows users to create custom discount codes and leverage features like crossed-out pricing, which encourages customers to take immediate action with offers like “10% off,” “$25 off,” or “Today only” deals.

With this flexibility, businesses can tailor more of their sales strategies to maximize engagement and revenue.

Free forms

Flodesk offers a variety of customizable, visually appealing forms designed to help businesses grow their email lists effortlessly.

Users can create on-brand sign-up forms that suit their specific needs, whether it’s a link in the bio, full-page forms, embedded inline forms, landing pages, or popups.

These forms are not only easy to design but also align perfectly with the overall branding of a business, ensuring a consistent and attractive look across all touchpoints.

Flodesk’s form builder makes it simple to capture leads and expand your audience, making it an ideal tool for businesses focused on growth and community building.

What the Experts Say About Flodesk

Flodesk has got pretty good approval and ratings from users across platforms and portfolios. Reputed websites like G2.com and Capterra have given it 4 out of 5 stars based on 52 reviews and 4.2 out of 5 based on 93 reviews, respectively.

Here are some of the highlights.

I really enjoyed the easy of Flodesk, the templates are great out of the box, but the ability to establish brand colors for buttons and add a logo that’s saved in the program just make updating those really great. I definitely recommend as along as you have the money to spend.

Ricki O., Founder – Verified Capterra review

Flodesk was used as an email client to create automations and sales sequences for various groups of people from new contacts, to those specifically interested in a product or offering that I had available.

Cushi M., Coach – Verified Capterra review

Flodesk Alternatives

While Flodesk is a great option for certain users, it may not meet the needs of those requiring more advanced features.

Here are some top alternatives to consider from the market, each offering their own perks.

Beehiiv

For content providers looking to develop and monetize newsletters, Beehiiv is a great option. Compared to Flodesk, it provides more sophisticated segmentation and analytics, making it appropriate for consumers who require more in-depth information and monetization choices.

Start your free trial of Beehiiv

AWeber

AWeber is renowned for its wide third-party connectors and powerful automation features, among other email marketing tools. It provides sophisticated A/B testing capabilities and supports email and SMS marketing, among other multi-channel marketing platforms.

Sign up to AWeber for free

HubSpot Marketing Automation

HubSpot offers a full array of marketing automation technologies, such as CRM, analytics, and sophisticated email marketing. Businesses can handle social media, email, and other channels from a single platform thanks to its exceptional multi-channel automation capabilities. 

HubSpot is a great alternative for companies looking for a complete solution because of its broad integration options and strong segmentation.

Get started with HubSpot marketing suite for free

Getting Started with Flodesk

Flodesk is best for small businesses, creatives, and entrepreneurs who value design and simplicity in their email marketing. The intuitive interface and gorgeous templates mean you can create pro, on-brand emails without any tech skills.

With flat rate pricing, you can send unlimited emails and subscribers without worrying about scaling costs as you grow.

Flodesk’s focus on aesthetics and ease of use means you can focus on your audience, not the tool. Whether you want to grow your list, nurture leads, or drive sales through beautiful campaigns, Flodesk has everything you need in one place.

Sign up to Flodesk for free today!

FAQs

Related reading:

• Flodesk vs. Mailchimp
• Flodesk vs. Kit