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Head-to-head · Mailing List Management Software

phpList vs Simplelists

  • 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
Simplelists #8 in Mailing List Management Software 7.8/10 From $13/mo · 30-day trial ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Simplelists

phpList leads on 1 check, Simplelists on 4, and 1 is 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 planonly phpList
  • Most featuresSimplelists · 4 of 5

phpList scores higher on our rubric for mailing list management software: 8.9 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

phpList offers free plan; Simplelists doesn't. Simplelists offers moderation controls; phpList doesn't publish it. Simplelists offers subscriber preferences; phpList doesn't publish it. Simplelists offers message archives; phpList doesn't publish it. Simplelists offers signup forms; phpList doesn't publish it.

phpList is the better fit for email teams that need segmentation and campaign analytics. Simplelists is the better fit for teams managing member lists and group email.

  • phpList fits best

    Email teams that need segmentation and campaign analytics

  • Simplelists fits best

    Teams managing member lists and group email

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 ↗ Simplelists 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 7.8
Ranking #1 in Mailing List Management Software #8 in Mailing List Management Software
Best for Email teams that need segmentation and campaign analytics Teams managing member lists and group email
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price Not published $13/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Community, Docs, Tickets Email, Phone · 24/7
Compliance GDPR GDPR, SSO/SAML
Integrations 3 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features phpList 0/5 · Simplelists 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
  • Control posting permissions and hold messages for administrator approval
  • Offer embedded signup forms, searchable archives, and daily digests
  • Automate bounce handling and sync members through an API
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
  • No free plan; paid plans start at $13 per month
  • Unlimited email volume starts at $27 per month for one list
  • Cloud-hosted only, with no self-hosted deployment
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 →

Simplelists is a hosted mailing-list service for organizations that send newsletters, announcements, or group discussions. It suits teams that need to manage members and control how messages move through a list, including clubs,…

Read the review →
  1. phpListMailing List Management Software 8.9Free plan
  2. SimplelistsMailing List Management Software 7.8From $13/mo · 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

  • Simplelists — where it wins

    • Control posting permissions and hold messages for administrator approval
    • Offer embedded signup forms, searchable archives, and daily digests
    • Automate bounce handling and sync members through an API

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; paid plans start at $13 per month
    • Unlimited email volume starts at $27 per month for one list
    • Cloud-hosted only, with no self-hosted deployment
  • phpList8.9/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit phpListFull verdict →
  • Simplelists7.8/10 · From $13/mo · 30-day trial

    Managed lists with moderation, searchable archives, signup forms, and bounce handling.

    Visit SimplelistsFull 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