Side by side
Plainly vs Serious Email Studio
Both stand on email design software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Web
Plainly combines visual email building, AI tools, image access, branding controls, and production HTML export. Its free tier is limited, while Pro expands saves, templates, AI generation, and branding options.
Visit Plainly Free plan Web
Serious Email Studio offers structured email creation, checks, previews, and export, with a small free plan for individual use. Its focus is production and export rather than broadly available managed sending.
Visit Serious Email StudioThe facts
| Plainly | Serious Email Studio | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Web | Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Pro: €19 a month | Starter: $12 a month |
| Plans published | 2 | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | plainly.email | serious.email |
| On email design software | #23 of 63 | #27 of 63 |
Plainly: what it does well
- Builds responsive emails with drag-and-drop editing
- AI can generate layouts and rewrite copy
- Previews email designs on iPhone and Android
- Exports HTML for named email platforms
- Free start requires no credit card
What to know first
- Free plan allows only three project saves
- Free plan includes three basic templates
- Pro costs €19 a month
Serious Email Studio: what it does well
- Free plan includes responsive previews.
- Reusable approved sections and project-based templates.
- Checks HTML validity and email compatibility.
- Exports rendered HTML or a ZIP with images.
- Test sends can require outside-recipient confirmation.
What to know first
- Free plan is limited to one user.
- Free plan allows three projects and ten templates.
- Managed sending is private and invite-only.
- Paid plans start at $12 a month.
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