Choosing the right marketing software has never been more overwhelming. With new tools launching every month—promising automation, better results, and AI-powered features—it’s hard to know which ones actually deliver. As we head deeper into 2025, entrepreneurs and small business owners face a critical question:
Which marketing platforms are truly worth your time and money in 2025?
At TechReviewSites.com, we’ve researched, tested, and compared dozens of marketing tools—so you don’t have to. Whether you’re running campaigns, managing leads, building a funnel, or scaling outreach, this guide gives you a real-world comparison of the best marketing software available right now.
Let’s break it all down.
What Makes Great Marketing Software in 2025?
Before diving into the comparisons, it’s important to define what we consider “great” in today’s software landscape.
The must-have criteria:
- Ease of Use – Is it intuitive for non-tech users?
- Automation Power – How much can it automate to save you time?
- AI Integration – Does it help you make smarter decisions?
- Scalability – Can it grow with your business?
- Value for Money – Do the features justify the cost?
The software featured in this guide all meets these standards—but each shines in a specific area.
1. GoHighLevel – All-in-One Marketing Platform for Agencies
Best for: Marketing agencies, freelancers, consultants
GoHighLevel has grown rapidly as the top white-label platform for agencies. It combines CRM, funnels, email/SMS automation, reputation management, appointment booking, and even a website builder—all under one roof.
Standout features:
- Drag-and-drop funnel builder
- Unlimited sub-accounts (ideal for reselling)
- Built-in AI chatbot and workflow automation
- SMS and email automation flows
Why we recommend it:
GoHighLevel replaces multiple tools like ClickFunnels, Calendly, Mailchimp, and even CRM systems like HubSpot—saving thousands in subscription costs.
2. HubSpot Marketing Hub – Best for Enterprise-Level Growth
Best for: Mid-to-large businesses with growing teams
HubSpot continues to dominate for good reason. With its comprehensive CRM integration, marketing automation, blog and SEO tools, and advanced reporting, it’s built for businesses looking to scale sustainably.
Key tools:
- Lead nurturing workflows
- SEO content strategy module
- ABM (Account-Based Marketing) for B2B
- Behavioural triggers and smart email journeys
Why it stands out:
The ecosystem is seamless—once you’re in, every tool works together like magic. However, pricing can scale quickly, so it’s best suited for businesses with decent budgets.
3. MailerLite – Affordable Email Marketing for Small Businesses
Best for: Solopreneurs, eCommerce stores, creators
Don’t let the simplicity fool you—MailerLite is one of the most intuitive yet powerful email tools on the market. It lets you build forms, create automations, and send campaigns without ever touching code.
What we love:
- Generous free plan (up to 1,000 subscribers)
- Clean drag-and-drop builder
- Simple automation workflows
- Website builder + landing pages included
Why it’s great in 2025:
MailerLite has integrated AI subject line suggestions, performance predictions, and smart segmentation to help marketers get better open rates without complexity.
4. ClickFunnels 2.0 – Funnel Building with Enhanced Performance
Best for: Course creators, coaches, info product sellers
ClickFunnels made funnels popular—and 2.0 took it a step further. With site-wide membership areas, universal products, and faster hosting, this version is finally solving the performance issues users complained about for years.
Pros:
- High-converting templates based on proven psychology
- Affiliate management tools built-in
- Fast, clean checkout flows
- Native course hosting platform
Use case:
If you sell digital products or want to create webinar or VSL funnels, ClickFunnels still remains a leading choice.
5. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) – Full-Stack Email + SMS Tool
Best for: Local businesses, SMBs, email + SMS campaigns
Brevo offers powerful email marketing, transactional email, SMS, WhatsApp campaigns, and simple automations—all in one low-cost platform. It’s ideal for startups that want versatility.
Features:
- Smart email segmentation
- AI subject line and A/B testing
- SMS marketing in 40+ countries
- Live chat and CRM included
Pricing edge:
Brevo charges based on emails sent, not contacts stored—which makes it cost-effective for growing lists.
6. ActiveCampaign – Best-in-Class for Email Automation
Best for: SaaS companies, eCommerce brands, advanced automation
ActiveCampaign sets the bar high for automation logic. With behavioural triggers, split testing paths, scoring systems, and dynamic content, it’s one of the smartest platforms for customer journey building.
Why we rate it:
- Visual automation builder is unmatched
- Integrates with 900+ tools including Shopify and Zapier
- AI predictions on likelihood to buy, engage, or churn
- Built-in CRM for lead tracking
Note: It’s not beginner-friendly, but if you want segmentation and precision, this is your tool.
7. Kartra – Funnel, Course, and Email System in One
Best for: Online course creators, personal brands
Kartra combines landing pages, course delivery, email marketing, helpdesk, and even calendar bookings in one sleek platform.
Strengths:
- Membership sites and course hosting
- Video hosting with analytics
- Affiliate marketing management
- Done-for-you funnel templates
Why we like it:
It’s a true “business in a box” for creators who want everything connected and conversion-focused without third-party tools.
8. ConvertKit – Email Simplicity with Creator-Focused Features
Best for: Bloggers, YouTubers, content marketers
ConvertKit focuses on creators—its interface is clean, automation is simple, and tools are designed for audience building.
Key features:
- Landing page builder with templates
- Smart email sequences
- Subscriber tagging and segmentation
- Creator Network for cross-promotion
Use case: If your business revolves around content and community, ConvertKit gives a focused experience without overwhelming features.
9. Zoho Marketing Plus – Suite of Tools at a Fraction of the Cost
Best for: Cost-conscious businesses needing everything
Zoho’s suite approach means you get email, social, webinars, surveys, CRM, and analytics for one price. It’s not the most intuitive, but offers deep value once mastered.
Why it’s powerful:
- AI-driven email subject line suggestions
- Social media scheduling and sentiment analysis
- CRM integration with full campaign tracking
- Heatmaps, funnel analysis, and journey builder
Note: It works best if you already use other Zoho products.
10. Semrush – Marketing Intelligence, SEO, and Competitive Data
Best for: Digital agencies, growth-focused startups
Semrush is a research powerhouse. It helps you track competitors, analyse keyword gaps, spy on ads, optimise your SEO, and even manage content calendars.
Key features:
- AI-assisted keyword and content strategy
- Domain overview + backlink analysis
- Local SEO tools
- PPC and ad copy tracking
Use case: Before launching a campaign, use Semrush to analyse what’s working for your competitors—then do it better.
Comparison Table: Quick Overview
Software | Best For | AI Integration | Price Range |
---|---|---|---|
GoHighLevel | Agencies & Resellers | ✅ | £97–£297/month |
HubSpot | Growing Teams | ✅ | £40–£300+/month |
MailerLite | Solopreneurs & SMBs | ✅ | Free–£25/month |
ClickFunnels 2.0 | Funnels & Courses | ❌ | £97–£297/month |
Brevo | SMS + Email + CRM | ✅ | Free–£50/month |
ActiveCampaign | Advanced Automation | ✅ | £25–£100+/month |
Kartra | Courses + Funnels + Emails | ✅ | £80–£250/month |
ConvertKit | Content Creators | ✅ | Free–£70/month |
Zoho Marketing | Budget-Friendly Suite | ✅ | £40–£150/month |
Semrush | SEO, Research, PPC | ✅ | £99–£399/month |
AI Trends in Marketing Software for 2025
AI is now more than a buzzword—it’s embedded in how marketing platforms help you perform better. Here’s what we’re seeing across the board:
- Predictive AI: Tools forecast customer behaviour, buying cycles, and engagement scores.
- AI-Generated Content: Subject lines, emails, blog outlines, and even ads are written faster.
- Smart Segmentation: Tools automatically group leads by intent and behaviour.
- Conversational AI: Chatbots and AI assistants offer 24/7 lead support without agents.
The best software in 2025 leverages these features not just to save time—but to improve results.
Which One Should You Choose?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your ideal marketing software depends on:
- Your business model (agency, creator, ecom, etc.)
- Your budget (some charge per contact, others per feature)
- Your goals (funnels, email marketing, research, automation)
Our Top Picks by Use Case:
Use Case | Our Recommendation |
---|---|
Full-stack all-in-one marketing | GoHighLevel |
Affordable, beginner-friendly | MailerLite or Brevo |
Advanced automation workflows | ActiveCampaign |
Funnel + course creation | ClickFunnels 2.0 or Kartra |
SEO + content research | Semrush |
Creator-focused email | ConvertKit |
Enterprise-level scaling | HubSpot |
Final Thoughts
2025 is all about smart marketing, not just more marketing. With AI integration, automation, and focused feature sets, the right software can 10x your productivity and ROI.
At TechReviewSites.com, we continue to test and review the tools that matter. Whether you’re launching your first funnel or managing 10 clients, these platforms will guide your growth—if used correctly.