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Head-to-head · Mailing List Management Software

phpList vs Groups.io

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score phpList #1 in Mailing List Management Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit phpList
Groups.io #5 in Mailing List Management Software 8.5/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Groups.io

phpList leads on 0 checks, Groups.io on 4, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorephpList · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresGroups.io · 4 of 5

phpList scores higher on our rubric for mailing list management software: 8.9 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Groups.io offers moderation controls; phpList doesn't publish it. Groups.io offers subscriber preferences; phpList doesn't publish it. Groups.io offers message archives; phpList doesn't publish it. Groups.io offers signup forms; phpList doesn't publish it.

phpList is the better fit for email teams that need segmentation and campaign analytics. Groups.io is the better fit for groups needing hosted lists with member collaboration.

  • phpList fits best

    Email teams that need segmentation and campaign analytics

  • Groups.io fits best

    Groups needing hosted lists with member collaboration

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature phpList 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Groups.io 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.5
Ranking #1 in Mailing List Management Software #5 in Mailing List Management Software
Best for Email teams that need segmentation and campaign analytics Groups needing hosted lists with member collaboration
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Community, Docs, Tickets Email, Docs
Compliance GDPR GDPR, 2FA, SSO/SAML
Integrations 3 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features phpList 0/5 · Groups.io 4/5
Moderation controls Not published ✓ (best)
Subscriber preferences Not published ✓ (best)
Self-hosted option Not published —
Message archives Not published ✓ (best)
Signup forms Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
List modes Not published Both
Our review
Pros
  • Segments audiences and supports behavioral targeting and A/B testing
  • Tracks opens, clicks, forwards, and bounces
  • Offers both hosted service and self-hosted open-source software
  • Supports open, restricted, moderated, and announcement-only groups
  • Searchable message archives and member-managed delivery preferences
  • Paid plans add calendars, chat, polls, files, photos, and wikis
Cons
  • Forever Free is limited to 300 messages per month
  • The $1 Plan caps subscribers at 3,000
  • Hosted pricing spans multiple models and subscriber tiers
  • The product focuses on group communication rather than campaign marketing
  • Premium charges are member-based, with minimum monthly or annual charges
  • Enterprise billing details are not fully specified
Our verdict

phpList is open-source email marketing software for organizations sending newsletters, announcements, notifications, and campaigns to subscriber lists. It suits teams that want list management, segmentation, and campaign statistics, with a…

Read the review →

Groups.io is a hosted email-group and listserv service for communities, nonprofits, teams, and larger organizations that need shared discussion with moderator controls. Members can post by email or through a group website, while owners can…

Read the review →
  1. phpListMailing List Management Software 8.9Free plan
  2. Groups.ioMailing List Management Software 8.5Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • phpList — where it wins

    • Segments audiences and supports behavioral targeting and A/B testing
    • Tracks opens, clicks, forwards, and bounces
    • Offers both hosted service and self-hosted open-source software

    Where it doesn't

    • Forever Free is limited to 300 messages per month
    • The $1 Plan caps subscribers at 3,000
    • Hosted pricing spans multiple models and subscriber tiers

  • Groups.io — where it wins

    • Supports open, restricted, moderated, and announcement-only groups
    • Searchable message archives and member-managed delivery preferences
    • Paid plans add calendars, chat, polls, files, photos, and wikis

    Where it doesn't

    • The product focuses on group communication rather than campaign marketing
    • Premium charges are member-based, with minimum monthly or annual charges
    • Enterprise billing details are not fully specified
  • phpList8.9/10 · Free plan

    A flexible campaign tool with segmentation, A/B tests, and both hosted and self-hosted options.

    Visit phpListFull verdict →
  • Groups.io8.5/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    Hosted email lists pair moderation and searchable archives with paid community tools.

    Visit Groups.ioFull verdict →

More comparisons

All mailing list management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update