When I started my online business journey, everyone said “the money is in the list.” After setting up my website with reliable hosting (you can read my Bluehost experience here), choosing an email marketing platform was my next priority. But as a complete beginner, the options felt overwhelming. After researching alternatives, I chose AWeber – and I’m here to share my brutally honest AWeber review after 10 months of real-world use.
Here’s the truth upfront: I’m not an email marketing guru with thousands of subscribers. I have 8 subscribers and haven’t sent a campaign in almost a year. But that’s exactly why this AWeber review might be more valuable than others – I’m sharing the real beginner experience, not some success story that doesn’t match your reality.
My AWeber Setup: Plus Plan (500 Subscribers)
I chose the AWeber Plus plan at $20/month, which includes:
- Up to 500 subscribers
- 6,000 emails per month
- Unlimited autoresponders
- Advanced segmentation
- Landing page builder
- 24/7 customer support
- No AWeber branding on emails
Why I chose this over the free plan: Even starting with zero subscribers, I wanted the professional features and no limitations when I started growing my list.
What I Love About AWeber (The Good)
1. Setup Was Actually Simple
As someone who gets overwhelmed by technical stuff, AWeber’s onboarding was refreshing. The step-by-step wizard walked me through:
- Creating my first email list
- Setting up my sender information
- Importing contacts (when I had some)
- Creating my first email template
Screenshot of my actual AWeber dashboard – notice the clean layout and easy-to-understand metrics
No coding required – everything uses drag-and-drop editors that make sense. As you can see from my real dashboard, AWeber presents your key information clearly: subscriber statistics, recent broadcasts, and list management all in one organized view.
2. Templates That Don’t Look Amateur
Even with my limited design skills, the email templates help me create professional-looking emails. The template library has options for:
- Simple newsletters
- Product announcements
- Welcome sequences
- Holiday campaigns
I can customize colors, fonts, and layouts without touching any code.
3. Customer Support Actually Responds
I’ve contacted AWeber support four times in 10 months:
- Email deliverability question: Detailed response in 6 hours
- Template customization help: Live chat solved it in 15 minutes
- Integration question: Phone support walked me through it
- Billing inquiry: Quick email response with clear explanation
The support team knows their platform and doesn’t just send generic responses.
4. Reliable Email Delivery
Even with my small list, my emails consistently reach inboxes. AWeber’s reputation with internet service providers means better deliverability than newer platforms.
My delivery stats so far:
- Average open rate: 42% (industry average is 20-25%)
- No major delivery issues
- Emails rarely end up in spam folders
5. Automation Features I’ll Actually Use
While I haven’t fully utilized the automation yet, I can see how powerful it is:
- Welcome email sequences for new subscribers
- Behavioral triggers based on email opens/clicks
- Follow-up sequences for specific products
- Birthday and anniversary emails
The automation builder is visual and intuitive – not intimidating like some platforms.
What Could Be Better (The Honest Truth)
1. Price Adds Up for Small Lists
At $20/month for 8 subscribers, I’m paying $2.50 per subscriber per month. That’s expensive when you’re just starting out.
Cost comparison:
- AWeber Plus: $20/month for up to 500 subscribers
- MailChimp: Free for up to 2,000 subscribers (with limitations)
- ConvertKit: $29/month for up to 1,000 subscribers
2. The Interface Feels Dated
While functional, AWeber’s interface looks like it’s from 2015. Newer platforms like ConvertKit and Mailerlite have more modern, cleaner designs.
What feels old:
- Dashboard layout and colors
- Some menu organization
- Mobile app interface
- Overall visual design
3. Landing Page Builder Is Basic
The included landing page builder works, but it’s pretty limited compared to dedicated tools like Leadpages or even newer email platforms.
Limitations I’ve noticed:
- Limited template options
- Basic customization features
- No A/B testing for landing pages
- Simple analytics only
4. Learning Curve for Advanced Features
While basic email sending is simple, the advanced automation and segmentation features require time to learn. The interface could be more intuitive for complex workflows.
AWeber vs Top Competitors: Honest Comparison
AWeber vs MailChimp
MailChimp offers a generous free plan (up to 2,000 subscribers) but has limited automation and customer support on the free tier.
Winner: MailChimp for absolute beginners on a budget, AWeber for serious business builders
AWeber vs ConvertKit
ConvertKit has a more modern interface and better automation workflows, but costs more and can be overwhelming for beginners.
Winner: ConvertKit for advanced users, AWeber for simplicity and reliability
AWeber vs GetResponse
GetResponse offers more features (webinars, landing pages, CRM) at a similar price point.
Winner: GetResponse for all-in-one features, AWeber for focused email marketing
AWeber Review: Pricing Breakdown
My Current Plan:
- AWeber Plus: $20/month
- Up to 500 subscribers
- 6,000 emails per month
- All features included
Is it worth it for small lists?
Honestly? It’s expensive when you’re starting out. But here’s why I’ve stuck with it:
- No feature limitations – I can grow without upgrading
- Professional deliverability from day one
- Reliable platform that won’t disappear
- Investment in business infrastructure
- No migration headaches when I scale
Cost per subscriber analysis:
- With 8 subscribers: $2.50 per subscriber/month (ouch)
- With 50 subscribers: $0.40 per subscriber/month (reasonable)
- With 200 subscribers: $0.10 per subscriber/month (great value)
The math works better as you grow, obviously.
Who Should Choose AWeber?
Perfect for:
- Serious beginners who want professional tools from the start
- Small businesses prioritizing deliverability and reliability
- Non-technical users who need simplicity without sacrificing features
- Anyone building long-term business rather than testing the waters
Not ideal for:
- Absolute beginners on tight budgets (try MailChimp free first)
- Advanced marketers needing cutting-edge automation (consider ConvertKit)
- People wanting modern interfaces (you might prefer newer platforms)
- Casual users just testing email marketing
My 10-Month Results (The Real Numbers)
Subscribers: 8 (started with 0) Emails sent: About 15 total campaigns Average open rate: 42% Click-through rate: 8% Unsubscribes: 1 Deliverability issues: 0 Overall satisfaction: 7/10
What I’ve learned:
- The platform works great; my consistency is the issue
- Quality tools don’t guarantee success without execution
- AWeber makes the technical side easy when I do send emails
- Customer support has been excellent when needed
Common AWeber Questions Answered
Is AWeber good for beginners?
Yes, if you can afford the monthly cost. The learning curve is gentle, and customer support helps when you’re stuck.
How does AWeber compare to free alternatives?
More reliable deliverability and better customer support, but you pay for it. Free alternatives work for testing, but AWeber is better for serious business building.
Can I import subscribers from other platforms?
Yes, AWeber makes importing easy with step-by-step instructions and CSV templates.
What happens if I need to downgrade?
You can change plans anytime. AWeber keeps your subscriber data and email history.
Is the mobile app any good?
Functional but basic. You can send emails and check stats, but design work is better on desktop.
AWeber Review: Final Verdict
After 10 months of real use, I’d recommend AWeber for serious beginners who can afford the investment.
Why I’m staying with AWeber:
- Reliable platform that just works
- Excellent customer support when I need help
- Professional deliverability without technical hassle
- Room to grow without platform limitations
- Peace of mind knowing my email infrastructure is solid
The honest truth: AWeber didn’t magically grow my email list or make me an email marketing expert. That requires consistent effort and valuable content. But when I do send emails, AWeber makes the process smooth and professional.
My recommendation: If you’re serious about building an email list and can budget $20/month, AWeber removes the technical barriers and lets you focus on creating valuable content. If you’re just testing the waters, start with MailChimp’s free plan first.
Ready to try AWeber? You can start your free trial here and see if it’s the right fit for your business.
I research email content topics using Ubersuggest – check out my keyword research tool review.
SurgeGraph helps me create email newsletter content quickly – see my full AI writing tool review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long is the AWeber free trial? A: 30 days, no credit card required to start.
Q: Can I cancel anytime? A: Yes, no long-term contracts. Cancel through your account settings or contact support.
Q: Do they offer migration help? A: Yes, AWeber’s team can help you import subscribers from other platforms for free.
Q: What’s included in customer support? A: Live chat, phone support, email support, and extensive knowledge base – all included in every plan.
Q: Can I send newsletters and automated sequences? A: Yes, both are included in all paid plans with no additional fees.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and believe in. This review is based on my actual 10-month experience with AWeber.