The best marketing automation tools help small businesses automate repetitive marketing tasks like email follow-ups, lead capture, customer onboarding, and social posting, so you can grow without doing everything manually.
- If you want WordPress-first automation, Uncanny Automator is my top pick.
- If your focus is turning visitors into subscribers, OptinMonster works best.
- And if you need different apps to talk to each other, Zapier is the easiest place to start.
I’ve tested each tool in this guide with small business use cases in mind, including WordPress websites, email marketing, ecommerce, and social media. This list focuses on tools that are practical, easy to set up, and actually save time instead of adding complexity.
Quick Summary of the Best Marketing Automation Tools
If you’re short on time, the table below shows how the top marketing automation tools compare at a glance, based on real small business use cases.
| Tool | Best For | Starting Price | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncanny Automator | WordPress automation | $149/year | Easy |
| OptinMonster | Lead capture & conversions | $9/month | Easy |
| RafflePress | Giveaways & list growth | $39.50/year | Very Easy |
| FunnelKit Automations | WooCommerce email flows | $99.50/year | Moderate |
| Smash Balloon | Social feed automation | $49/year | Easy |
| Constant Contact | Email marketing automation | $20/month | Easy |
| ChatBot | Automated live chat | $50/month | Easy |
| HubSpot | CRM & marketing automation | $33.60/month | Moderate |
| Zapier | App-to-app workflows | $19.99/month | Easy |
| Buffer | Social media scheduling | $6/month | Very Easy |
What Is Marketing Automation?
Marketing automation is a way to use software and technology to automate, streamline, and measure marketing tasks and workflows. This means you can do things like sending emails, posting on social media, and tracking your website visitors automatically rather than doing each job manually.
It’s like having a helpful assistant who handles repetitive tasks, freeing you up to focus on other important aspects of your business.
How I Tested These Marketing Automation Tools
I tested these marketing automation tools with small business use cases in mind, focusing on tools that save time without adding complexity.
Each tool was evaluated based on how easy it was to set up, how well it worked with WordPress or common marketing platforms, and whether it handled real tasks like lead capture, follow-ups, and basic workflows reliably.
- Setup time for a simple automation
- Ease of use for non-technical users
- Integration with WordPress, email tools, or ecommerce platforms
- Value offered on free and entry-level plans
Only tools I’d confidently use myself or recommend to a small business made it onto this list.
Why Your Business Needs Marketing Automation Tools
Marketing automation tools help you save time by handling repetitive tasks that would otherwise take up hours every week.
Instead of manually sending emails, posting updates, or tracking leads, automation tools can run these processes for you in the background.
This can include email follow-ups, lead capture, basic social media scheduling, and customer activity tracking, all without constant hands-on work.
By automating routine marketing tasks, you reduce mistakes, stay consistent, and free up more time to focus on growing your business instead of managing tools.
Below, I’ll dive into some of the best marketing automation tools available, highlighting their features, benefits, and how they can transform your marketing efforts.
1. Uncanny Automator
Uncanny Automator is the best marketing automation tool for WordPress users who want their plugins to work together automatically, without writing code or relying on external services.
It’s often described as the “Zapier for WordPress” because it lets you create automation recipes that connect your forms, email tools, ecommerce plugins, and memberships behind the scenes.
For example, you can automatically add users to an email list after a form submission, enroll customers in a course after a purchase, or send follow-up emails when someone completes a specific action on your site.
| Pricing: Pro plans start at $149/year |
| Free Plan / Trial: Yes |
| Standout Features: |
| 🔹 No-code automation recipes 🔹 Deep WordPress plugin integrations 🔹 Triggers based on real user actions |
| Rating: A |
| Best For: WordPress-first automation |
My Experience
I found Uncanny Automator easy to set up, even for more advanced workflows. The interface makes it clear what triggers an automation and what action happens next, which helps avoid mistakes.
It integrates smoothly with popular plugins like WPForms, WooCommerce, Elementor, and RafflePress, so automations feel native rather than bolted on.
Pros
- Extremely flexible automation for WordPress plugins
- Clear, beginner-friendly workflow builder
- Generous free version for basic automations
Cons
- Advanced multi-step automations require a paid plan
My Verdict: If your website runs on WordPress and you want to automate everyday marketing tasks without leaving your dashboard, Uncanny Automator is the easiest place to start.
2. OptinMonster
OptinMonster is the best marketing automation tool for turning website visitors into subscribers and customers through automated lead capture.
Instead of relying on static forms, OptinMonster lets you trigger targeted campaigns automatically based on visitor behavior, location, device, or time spent on your site.
For example, you can show exit-intent popups, slide-ins, or floating bars to visitors who are about to leave, helping you capture leads that would otherwise be lost.
| Pricing: Starts at $9/month (billed annually) |
| Free Plan / Trial: No |
| Standout Features: |
| 🔹 Exit-intent and behavior targeting 🔹 Drag-and-drop campaign builder 🔹 Built-in A/B testing |
| Rating: A |
| Best For: Lead capture and conversions |
My Experience
I’ve used OptinMonster across multiple sites to grow email lists, and it consistently delivers results without feeling intrusive.
The campaign builder is easy to use, and the targeting rules make it simple to show the right message to the right visitor at the right time.
It integrates smoothly with popular email marketing services, so leads are automatically added to your list and ready for follow-up campaigns.
Pros
- Powerful targeting and automation without code
- Built-in A/B testing to improve conversions
- Works with most major email marketing platforms
Cons
- No free plan available
My verdict: If your goal is to capture more leads and convert visitors automatically, OptinMonster is one of the most effective tools you can add to your marketing stack.
For more details see this review of OptinMonster.
3. RafflePress
RafflePress is the best marketing automation tool for running giveaways that automatically grow your email list, traffic, and social following.
Instead of manually managing contests, RafflePress automates the entire giveaway process, from collecting entries to tracking actions and selecting a random winner.
You can award entries for actions like joining your email list, visiting a page, following on social media, or sharing the giveaway, all handled automatically inside WordPress.
| Pricing: Starts at $39.50/year |
| Free Plan / Trial: Yes |
| Standout Features: |
| 🔹 Automated giveaway entries 🔹 Viral sharing actions 🔹 Random winner selection |
| Rating: A |
| Best For: Giveaways and list growth |
My Experience
I’ve used RafflePress to run giveaways that collect email subscribers automatically while encouraging people to share and take extra actions.
The drag-and-drop builder makes setup quick, and the automation removes the usual headache of tracking entries or picking winners manually.
It also integrates with email marketing services, so new subscribers are added to your list automatically and ready for follow-up campaigns.
Pros
- Automates giveaway entries and winner selection
- Encourages viral sharing without extra tools
- Easy to set up and manage inside WordPress
Cons
- Pro plan needed for more advanced features
My verdict: If you want a hands-off way to grow your email list and engagement through giveaways, RafflePress is one of the simplest automation tools you can use on WordPress.
4. FunnelKit Automations
FunnelKit Automations is the best marketing automation tool for WooCommerce stores that want to automate email and SMS follow-ups inside WordPress.
It’s built specifically for ecommerce, making it easy to create automated workflows for abandoned carts, post-purchase follow-ups, win-back campaigns, and customer onboarding.
Instead of relying on external platforms, FunnelKit Automations lets you manage campaigns directly from your WordPress dashboard using pre-built workflows or custom automation rules.
| Pricing: Starts at $99.50/year |
| Free Plan / Trial: Yes |
| Standout Features: |
| 🔹 Abandoned cart automation 🔹 Email and SMS workflows 🔹 WooCommerce-first integrations |
| Rating: A |
| Best For: WooCommerce automation |
My Experience
I found FunnelKit Automations particularly useful for ecommerce workflows where timing matters, like cart abandonment and follow-up offers.
The pre-built automations make it easy to get started, and the visual workflow builder helps you understand exactly when emails or messages are sent.
It also lets you track opens, clicks, and revenue, which makes it easier to see which automations are actually driving sales.
Pros
- Designed specifically for WooCommerce stores
- Pre-built email and SMS automation workflows
- Runs entirely inside WordPress
Cons
- Not suitable for non-ecommerce websites
My verdict: If you run a WooCommerce store and want automated follow-ups that directly support revenue, FunnelKit Automations is one of the strongest options available.
5. Smash Balloon
Smash Balloon is the best marketing automation tool for automatically displaying fresh social media content on your WordPress website.
Instead of manually updating your site with new posts, Smash Balloon pulls content directly from your social media profiles and keeps your pages updated automatically.
You can display feeds from Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok, using customizable layouts that match your site’s design.
| Pricing: Starts at $49/year per plugin |
| Free Plan / Trial: Limited free versions available |
| Standout Features: |
| 🔹 Automatic social feed updates 🔹 Visual feed customization 🔹 Supports multiple social platforms |
| Rating: A |
| Best For: Social content automation |
My Experience
I’ve used Smash Balloon to keep websites updated with fresh social content without needing to touch the site every time something new is posted.
The visual customizer makes it easy to match feeds to your branding, and the layouts look clean without slowing pages down.
Once set up, the feeds update automatically, which makes it a simple way to keep content fresh and improve engagement.
Pros
- Keeps website content fresh automatically
- Supports multiple social media platforms
- Easy to customize without code
Cons
- Each social platform requires a separate plugin
- Advanced layouts require paid plans
My verdict: If you want your website to stay active and engaging without manual updates, Smash Balloon is one of the easiest social automation tools for WordPress.
For more information, please see our Smash Balloon review.
6. Constant Contact
Constant Contact is one of the best marketing automation tools for small businesses that want simple, reliable email automation without complexity.
It focuses on email marketing first, making it easy to send automated welcome emails, follow-ups, and basic drip campaigns to your subscribers.
You can also schedule emails in advance, segment your audience, and track opens and clicks to see what’s working.
| Pricing: Starts at $20/month |
| Free Plan / Trial: Free trial available |
| Standout Features: |
| 🔹 Email automation and drip campaigns 🔹 Contact list segmentation 🔹 Clear reporting and analytics |
| Rating: B+ |
| Best For: Email-first automation |
My Experience
I’ve found Constant Contact to be a solid option when email is the main focus and you don’t need advanced multi-channel automation.
The interface is straightforward, and setting up basic email sequences is quick, even for beginners.
While it doesn’t offer the same depth of automation as more advanced platforms, it covers the essentials well.
Pros
- Easy to use for beginners
- Strong email automation basics
- Clear reporting and list management
Cons
- Limited automation compared to advanced platforms
My verdict: If email marketing is your priority and you want something simple and dependable, Constant Contact is a solid choice for small businesses.
Alternatives: You may also like ActiveCampaign or Brevo (formerly sendinblue).
You might find these Constant Contact integrations helpful too.
7. ChatBot
ChatBot is a marketing automation tool that helps you automate customer conversations and support using live chat and AI-powered bots.
Instead of responding to every message manually, ChatBot can answer common questions, collect lead information, and route conversations automatically.
This makes it useful for businesses that want to provide instant replies, qualify leads, or offer 24/7 support without hiring additional staff.
| Pricing: Starts at $50/month |
| Free Plan / Trial: Free trial available |
| Standout Features: |
| 🔹 Automated chat responses 🔹 Visual chatbot builder 🔹 Live chat handoff to humans |
| Rating: B+ |
| Best For: Chat and support automation |
My Experience
I’ve seen ChatBot work well for handling simple customer questions and capturing leads without requiring someone to be online all the time.
The visual builder makes it easy to map out conversations, and you can step in manually when a conversation needs a human response.
It’s best suited for straightforward use cases rather than complex support workflows.
Pros
- Provides instant responses to visitors
- Reduces manual customer support workload
- Easy to set up basic chat flows
Cons
- Limited flexibility for complex support scenarios
My verdict: If you want to automate basic customer conversations and lead capture through chat, ChatBot is a practical option for small businesses.
8. HubSpot
HubSpot is a powerful marketing automation platform that combines email marketing, CRM, sales tools, and customer support in one system.
It’s designed to help businesses manage the entire customer journey, from first visit to lead nurturing, sales follow-ups, and ongoing customer support.
With HubSpot, you can automate email campaigns, track contacts, score leads, and see detailed reports on how your marketing and sales efforts perform.
| Pricing: Free CRM available; paid plans from $33.60/month |
| Free Plan / Trial: Yes |
| Standout Features: |
| 🔹 Built-in CRM and contact management 🔹 Email marketing and automation workflows 🔹 Sales and customer support tools |
| Rating: B+ |
| Best For: All-in-one CRM automation |
My Experience
I’ve found HubSpot useful when you want everything in one place, especially if you’re managing leads, emails, and sales conversations together.
The free CRM is generous, but the platform starts to feel more complex as you unlock advanced automation and reporting features.
For small businesses, it works best when you’re ready to invest time in setup and want a single platform rather than separate tools.
Pros
- Free CRM with strong core features
- Wide range of marketing, sales, and support tools
- Detailed reporting and analytics
Cons
- Can feel overwhelming for beginners
- Advanced automation gets expensive quickly
My verdict: If you want a full-funnel marketing and CRM platform and don’t mind a learning curve, HubSpot is a powerful option for growing businesses.
9. Zapier
Zapier is the best marketing automation tool for connecting different apps and services so they work together automatically.
It lets you create automated workflows, called Zaps, that pass information between tools like email platforms, CRMs, spreadsheets, and project management apps.
For example, you can automatically add new form submissions to a CRM, send notifications to Slack, or save data to Google Sheets without manual work.
| Pricing: Paid plans start at $19.99/month |
| Free Plan / Trial: Limited free plan available |
| Standout Features: |
| 🔹 Connects thousands of apps 🔹 No-code workflow automation 🔹 Multi-step automations |
| Rating: B+ |
| Best For: Cross-app automation |
My Experience
I’ve used Zapier to connect tools that don’t integrate directly, which makes it useful when you’re working across multiple platforms.
Setting up simple Zaps is straightforward, but more advanced workflows can take some trial and error.
For small businesses, it works best as a bridge between tools rather than a full marketing automation platform.
Pros
- Connects a huge range of apps and services
- No coding required to build automations
- Useful for filling integration gaps
Cons
- Can become expensive as automation needs grow
- Not WordPress-native
My verdict: If you need different tools to talk to each other automatically, Zapier is one of the most flexible automation solutions available.
10. Buffer
Buffer is one of the best marketing automation tools for scheduling and publishing social media content consistently.
Instead of posting manually across different platforms, Buffer lets you plan, schedule, and publish posts in advance from one dashboard.
This makes it easier to stay active on social media without logging in every day or juggling multiple tools.
| Pricing: Paid plans start at $6/month per channel |
| Free Plan / Trial: Yes |
| Standout Features: |
| 🔹 Social post scheduling 🔹 Content calendar view 🔹 Basic analytics and engagement tracking |
| Rating: B+ |
| Best For: Social media scheduling |
My Experience
I’ve found Buffer useful when the goal is consistency rather than complex automation.
The interface is simple, scheduling posts is quick, and the content calendar makes it easy to see what’s going out and when.
It doesn’t replace a full automation platform, but it works well as a lightweight scheduling tool for small teams.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Free plan available for basic scheduling
- Clean interface and content calendar
Cons
- Limited automation beyond scheduling
My verdict: If you want a simple way to automate social media posting without complexity, Buffer is a solid choice.
Bonus Marketing Automation Tools
I’ve focused this guide on tools that are easy to set up and practical for small businesses.
That said, the tools below can be useful in specific situations, especially if you need to automate one part of your workflow rather than everything at once.
- SeedProd – A drag-and-drop WordPress website builder that helps automate lead collection with built-in forms, subscriber management, and integrations with email marketing services.
- MonsterInsights – A Google Analytics plugin for WordPress that automates reporting and shows key website metrics directly in your dashboard.
- PushEngage – A push notification tool that lets you automatically send updates and announcements to visitors, even when they’re not on your site.
- Heroic Inbox – A WordPress help desk plugin that automates parts of customer support, such as ticket routing and canned responses, inside WordPress.
These tools aren’t full marketing automation platforms on their own, but they can be useful additions if you’re trying to automate specific tasks without adding unnecessary complexity.
FAQs About the Best Marketing Automation Tools
Get Started with Marketing Automation Today
We hope this guide has helped you find the best marketing automation software and tools for your small business. The solutions on this list can help with lead management, omnichannel marketing, transactional and promotion emails, customer outreach, and much more.
Ready to automate more of your marketing tasks? Choose a tool on this list and give it a go!
You may also find the following best showcases helpful in your search:
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Thanks for reading! We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to join the conversation on YouTube, X and Facebook for more helpful advice and content to grow your business.
