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Free tiers exist to get you comfortable, then the bill arrives when the list is finally worth something. Choose a host that can send to Gmail without you becoming a detective, and an editor you will still use when you are tired.
Deliverability first
A pretty builder that lands in spam is a toy. Look at authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) documentation written for humans. Mailchimp, Kit (ConvertKit), and Beehiiv-class tools are fine starting points; cheap unknown SMTP with a scraped list is how you burn a domain.
Automation you will use
One welcome sequence and a tag for “bought the guide” beats a 40-step map you never finish. If the tool hides basic automation behind a plan you cannot afford, leave before the list grows.
When to leave the cheap plan
Leave when you cannot export the list in one click. Leave when support only answers with bots. Confirm the per-contact price at your next 2,000 subscribers, not at 500.
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