You need more than a contact form to build an email list on WordPress. The best WordPress email subscription plugin helps you capture visitor emails before they leave, segment subscribers, and automate follow-up sequences that turn visitors into repeat customers.
Email plugins now offer everything from newsletter signups to Wheel of Fortune games, exit-intent popups that detect abandoning visitors, content locks that reveal articles after subscription, and forms that adapt based on customer actions.
Join us below to discover which plugin best fits your WordPress site, compare features and pricing across seven leading options, and learn how each one tackles different list-building challenges.
Grow your WordPress subscriber list and automate email marketing with Omnisend
Our list of WordPress email subscription plugins covers everything from basic signup forms to advanced solutions with popups, automation, and marketing features to help you build your list and nurture subscriber relationships.
Here’s a table containing our favorite plugins — click the links to jump to any that interest you:
Multi-step forms, save-and-resume, form abandonment tracking, calculator forms, user journey reports
Free, paid plans from $49.50/year
4.8/5
What features should a WordPress email subscription plugin have?
When choosing a WordPress (WP) email subscription plugin, consider the features it offers to ensure it aligns with your goals and needs.
Remember, email subscription plugins for WordPress aren’t all created equal. Here are some key features you should look for:
Easy to use: The plugin should be simple to set up and manage, even for beginners. Go for those with a user-friendly interface.
Customization: Check for options to customize emails and signup forms. Their appearance and content should match your website’s branding and design.
Integration: Seamless integration with your email marketing provider and other tools saves time. You won’t have to export and import subscriber lists.
Features: Ensure your WordPress email subscription plugin has all the essential features. These include signup forms, confirmation emails, and list management.
Double opt-in: This feature requires subscribers to confirm their email addresses. By adding this extra step, opt-in emails prevent spam signups and enhance consent.
Email automation:Automation allows sending targeted emails based on subscriber actions or triggers. These include welcome emails and re-engagement flows.
Analytics: This feature provides valuable insights into your email subscription list’s performance. Track subscriber growth, engagement stats, conversions, and more.
Image via Omnisend
Nice-to-have features:
Responsive design: Ensures subscription forms are mobile-friendly to capture subscribers from various devices
A/B testing: Lets you test different versions of your subscription forms to determine the most effective ones
Exit-intent popups: Appear when users are about to leave your site, providing a last chance to capture their email address
Conditional logic: Allows you to show or hide specific fields in your subscription forms based on user behavior or choices
The best WordPress email subscription plugins will grow your list with popups, forms, and gamification features like the Wheel of Fortune.
Some, such as Omnisend, can segment your subscribers and create contact profiles based on what pages and products they view, what they buy or intend to buy, and more to assist in future marketing campaigns.
Check out these subscription plugins to start growing your list:
Omnisend connects email collection to ecommerce automation so you can capture visitors and turn them into customers. WordPress store owners get popup forms that feed directly into cart abandonment sequences and product recommendations.
Who it’s for
WordPress ecommerce stores need Omnisend to turn one-time visitors into repeat buyers using automated email sequences. It works with WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Shopify to sync your product catalog and customer purchase history.
Manual email blasts waste your time and miss revenue opportunities that automation captures automatically. Omnisend replaces your current email setup with workflows that run themselves based on customer behavior and purchase patterns.
How it grows your list
Omnisend’s Wheel of Fortune lets visitors spin for discounts after entering their email addresses. Exit-intent popups detect when a mouse moves toward the browser’s close button and display signup offers to recapture interest.
Here are some form examples from Omnisend’s template library:
Image via Omnisend
Selecting a form takes you to the form builder, which uses a drag-and-drop interface for items and provides form settings in an intuitive separate sidebar:
Image via Omnisend
Teaser buttons can sit quietly on page edges until clicked, then expand into signup forms to avoid distraction. Multi-step forms collect emails first and phone numbers second, ensuring you capture something even if visitors abandon halfway.
Key features
Wheel of Fortune gamification for email collection
Exit-intent detection based on mouse movement patterns
Teaser buttons that expand when clicked
Multi-step forms with branching logic
Landing pages you can share on social media
Cart abandonment workflows that trigger automatically
Pro: $59/month, 2,500 contacts, unlimited emails, plus bonus SMS credits equal to the price of your monthly plan
Why choose Omnisend?
Omnisend provides insight into customer behavior. It calculates how much money each subscriber generates after joining your list, and you see which popup forms attract buyers versus discount seekers who disappear after one purchase.
Forms collect purchase intent alongside email addresses, showing you which products visitors view before subscribing. The data feeds automation workflows that send targeted recommendations based on browsing behavior, not guesswork.
123Presets doubled its revenue after switching to Omnisend and fixing deliverability issues. Open rates jumped 62%, clicks increased 600%, and automated workflows combined with targeted signup forms drove immediate results.
MailPoet runs email marketing from your WordPress dashboard without external accounts or logins elsewhere. Build newsletters where you write blog posts and manage subscribers alongside your WordPress users in one unified system.
Who it’s for
Consider MailPoet if you run a WordPress blog and want automatic notifications sent when you publish new posts. Service businesses and consultants find it ideal for nurturing client relationships without learning external email platforms or managing separate accounts.
How it grows your list
MailPoet embeds forms directly into widget areas where you already place content like recent posts or category lists. It includes PHP snippets and iFrame options for developers who want forms in custom theme locations beyond standard WordPress placements.
Key features
Newsletter builder with drag-and-drop interface
Automatic new post notifications for blog updates
Welcome email sequences for new subscribers
WooCommerce abandoned cart recovery emails
Popup, slide-in, and fixed bar form options
Exit intent triggers for form display
Basic engagement statistics on the free plan
Advanced segmentation on paid plans
GDPR-compliant subscription forms
MailPoet Sending Service for reliable delivery
Pros
Free for up to 1,000 subscribers
Everything stays inside the WordPress dashboard
No technical setup or configuration is required
600,000 websites trust the platform
Automatic bounce and complaint handling
Built-in email authentication (SPF/DKIM)
Cons
Lacks complex ecommerce automation flows
Segmentation filters aren’t as capable as Omnisend’s
Creator: €8/month, 500 subscribers, no MailPoet Sending Service
Why choose MailPoet?
MailPoet lets you place forms using shortcodes, PHP snippets, iFrames, or Gutenberg blocks for maximum flexibility. Forms work in widget areas, post content, page builders, or anywhere you can paste code on your WordPress site.
The Newsletter plugin charges once instead of monthly, giving you email marketing tools without recurring costs eating into profits. You get automation, segmentation, and delivery tracking and keep complete control of your subscriber data in your database.
Who it’s for
You’ll appreciate Newsletter if you hate monthly subscriptions and want to pay once for email marketing features. WordPress sites that lock premium content behind paywalls use it to reveal articles only after visitors subscribe, monetizing expertise without payment processing.
How it grows your list
It adds subscription checkboxes to comment forms so regular readers who engage with your content join your list naturally. Topbar forms float at screen edges as visitors browse, staying visible without the annoyance of center-screen popups that everyone immediately closes.
Key features
Content locking gates articles until after a successful subscription
Comment form subscription checkboxes
WooCommerce checkout integration
Automated post-digest newsletters
Custom field mapping for segmentation
Domain blacklist spam protection
REST API for custom integrations
Autoresponder email series (paid)
Geolocation targeting (paid)
Pros
One-time payment instead of monthly fees
Integrates with 10+ form builders
Syncs with membership plugins automatically
Supports Amazon SES and SMTP services
No subscriber or email limits
30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
Advanced features require paid add-ons
Doesn’t suit ecommerce businesses
Pricing
Free: Unlimited subscribers, basic features
Essential: €69 one-time, one site, advanced features
Professional: €99 one-time, three sites
Agency: €299 one-time, unlimited sites
Note: Although the payment is one-time, you only get one year of updates. After this, you may need to pay to access new features.
Why choose Newsletter?
Newsletter locks posts behind subscription walls, revealing content only after readers join your list. You decide which articles require signup, turning your best content into list-building assets instead of giving everything away for free.
Comment forms gain subscription checkboxes that capture your most engaged visitors — people who read entire posts and contribute to discussions. These readers convert better than random popup subscribers because they already value your content enough to participate.
Icegram packs 15 different message types into one plugin, from exit-intent popups to sticky ribbons and toast notifications. You get professional lead capture without monthly fees or subscriber limits holding back your growth.
Who it’s for
Icegram fits if you run multiple campaigns targeting different visitor segments and need variety beyond basic popups. Store owners use badges and ribbons to highlight sales, bloggers deploy inline blocks within posts, and membership sites leverage tabs for exclusive content.
How it grows your list
Its toast notifications slide in from screen corners like desktop alerts, catching attention without blocking content, and its messenger-style chat bubbles float in the bottom corner, mimicking familiar interfaces visitors already trust and engage with daily.
Key features
15 message types, including badges, ribbons, stickies
Exit-intent targeting for abandoning visitors
Toast notifications and messenger bubbles
Action bars for header/footer placement
Two-step opt-in process
Mobile-responsive templates
Lazy load to prevent site slowdown
Retargeting based on visitor sessions
Shortcode support for manual placement
A/B split testing (premium)
Pros
The free version includes unlimited campaigns
There are no branding requirements on the free plan
50+ conversion-focused templates
Works with all major email providers
Lightweight code won’t slow pages
20,000+ active installations
Cons
Analytics require a premium upgrade
Limited targeting rules on the free version
Pricing
Starter: Free, unlimited campaigns, basic features
Max: $229/year, three sites, A/B testing, geo-targeting
Why choose Icegram?
Icegram lets you create ribbons to announce sales, badges that highlight certifications, and stickies that follow visitors down the page. You can mix multiple message types per campaign, creating layered experiences that guide visitors toward conversion.
The plugin’s retargeting rules remember visitor behavior across sessions, showing different messages to returning visitors versus first-timers. Combined with device targeting, you deliver personalized campaigns without complex segmentation or external tracking tools.
Thrive Leads combines nine opt-in form types with built-in A/B testing to squeeze maximum conversions from your traffic. You get content locks, scroll mats, and screen fillers that capture leads using psychological triggers proven to work.
Who it’s for
Consider Thrive Leads if you sell courses, coaching, or digital products and need advanced conversion tactics beyond basic forms. You’ll benefit from SmartLinks that hide forms from existing subscribers and content locks that gate your best material behind opt-ins.
How it grows your list
Thrive Leads uses content locking to blur out sections of your articles until visitors subscribe, creating instant curiosity. Scroll mats push your content down as they appear from the top, forcing visitors to acknowledge your offer before continuing to read.
Key features
Content locking hides portions until the subscription
Scroll mats that push content down
Two-step opt-in process with clickable triggers
SmartLinks hide forms from existing subscribers
Multiple choice and yes/no forms
Built-in A/B testing engine
Mobile-view form controls
Category and tag-based targeting
API connections for 40+ email services
Pros
Drag-and-drop visual editor
Mobile-responsive templates included
Works with any WordPress theme
30-day money-back guarantee
Includes conversion optimization training
Professional support team
Cons
Premium pricing compared to alternatives
Requires an annual or quarterly subscription
Pricing
Thrive Leads: $99/year, one site
Thrive Suite: $299/year, five sites, includes eight other plugins
Why choose Thrive Leads?
Thrive Leads’ content lock feature creates urgency by showing visitors what they’re missing behind a blurred overlay. You select paragraphs to hide, add your opt-in form, and watch subscription rates climb as curiosity drives action.
The plugin’s yes/no forms engage visitors before asking for emails —clicking “yes” to a relevant question mentally commits them before the opt-in appears.
OptinMonster offers exit-intent technology that detects when visitors move their cursor toward the browser’s close button and displays targeted offers. It includes spin-a-wheel gamification, countdown timers, and yes/no forms that engage visitors before asking for contact information.
Who it’s for
Ecommerce stores that need cart abandonment popups and product targeting to recover lost sales. You’ll maximize value if you run paid ads and want exit popups to capture visitors before they leave, saving money on retargeting campaigns.
How it grows your list
Its InactivitySensor triggers popups when visitors stop scrolling or clicking, catching disengaged users before they bounce. Its MonsterLinks function can turn any text or image into a clickable trigger that opens lightbox forms, letting you embed opt-ins naturally within your content.
Key features
Exit-intent technology for abandoning visitors
Spin-a-wheel gamified popups
InactivitySensor for idle visitors
MonsterLinks clickable triggers
Cart abandonment detection
Geolocation targeting
Countdown timers (static and evergreen)
Yes/no multi-step forms
OnSite Retargeting for returning visitors
700+ pre-designed templates
Pros
Works on mobile with touch-based exit detection
Integrates with 35+ email services
A/B testing built into all plans
Revenue attribution tracking
Done-for-you campaign setup included
14-day money-back guarantee
Cons
No free plan
Requires monthly subscription
Limited to pageview quotas per plan
Pricing
Basic: $7/month, 2,500 page views, one site
Plus: $19/month, 10,000 page views, two sites
Pro: $29/month, 25,000 page views, three sites
Growth: $49/month, 100,000 page views, five sites
Why choose OptinMonster?
OptinMonster’s exit-intent technology works on mobile devices using scroll velocity and touch patterns to detect abandonment. You can capture mobile traffic that other plugins miss.
The plugin’s OnSite Retargeting shows different messages to returning visitors based on their previous interactions with your popups.
WPForms has multi-step lead forms that break complex steps down into digestible chunks, improving completion rates. It includes conversational forms that feel like chat interfaces, save-and-resume functionality, and form abandonment tracking to capture partial submissions.
Who it’s for
WPForms works best if you need complex forms beyond email collection — think applications, registrations, or payment forms with calculations. You’ll find value if you run service-based operations requiring detailed intake forms or quote calculators with conditional pricing.
How it grows your list
Its lead forms reveal fields progressively based on previous answers, collecting more information without overwhelming visitors upfront. Plus, its form landing pages remove site navigation and distractions, focusing visitor attention solely on completing your form.
Key features
Multi-step forms with progress bars
Conversational form layouts
Save-and-resume functionality
Form abandonment tracking
Repeater fields for dynamic inputs
Calculator forms with custom formulas
Lead forms with progressive profiling
Geolocation data collection
User journey tracking
2,000+ form templates
Pros
Drag-and-drop builder requires no code
Works with Stripe, PayPal, and Square payments
Integrates with 8,000+ apps via Zapier
Form landing pages for campaigns
White glove setup service included
14-day money-back guarantee
Cons
Email features require a paid plan
Higher price point than alternatives
Pricing
Basic: $99/year, one site
Plus: $199/year, three sites, marketing integrations
Pro: $399/year, five sites, payment forms
Elite: $599/year, unlimited sites
Why choose WPForms?
WPForms’ form abandonment feature captures data from partially completed forms, giving you leads even when visitors don’t finish.
You can see where people drop off and can follow up with targeted emails to complete their submissions. There are also user journey reports that show which pages and content drive form conversions across your site.
Choose the right WordPress email subscription plugin for you: Look for a plugin that’s user-friendly and offers the features you need. We’ve discussed a few great options, like Omnisend, earlier in this article.
Install and activate the plugin: Install the chosen plugin on your WordPress site. Navigate to your WordPress dashboard, select Plugins, and click Add New. Upload or search for the chosen plugin, then install and activate it.
Configure plugin settings: Access the plugin’s form builder and configure its settings according to your preferences. Most plugins provide pre-made templates to make this fast. Customize the form fields, layout, and confirmation or call to action (CTA) message.
Embed the form on your site: Generate the subscription form. Then, use the provided shortcode or widget to embed it.
Test, preview, and save: Preview the page or post to ensure the subscription form appears as expected. Fix any display issues on mobile and confirm the signup process works as intended. Save the changes when you’re satisfied with the form’s placement.
Once your subscription form is ready, ensure you promote it throughout your website and in your content. This will help maximize your subscription rate. You can also consider creating dedicated landing pages to encourage more signups.
Turn your readers into new subscribers
Your WordPress site attracts visitors daily who leave without any way to reach them again. Email subscription plugins solve this by capturing contact information when engagement peaks, right after reading your best content or discovering products they want.
Start with Omnisend if you sell products online, as it tracks which items visitors view before subscribing and can automatically send targeted recommendations. The Wheel of Fortune gamification turns list building into an interactive experience that visitors enjoy participating in.
Free plans from Omnisend, MailPoet, and Newsletter let you start collecting emails today without budget concerns.
Install them directly from your WordPress plugins menu, choose a template that matches your site design, and position forms where visitors naturally pause — after blog posts, during checkout, or when their mouse moves toward the exit.
Build Omnisend’s flyout, popup, and embeddable forms to grow your WordPress subscriber list
How we evaluate best WordPress email subscription plugins
We look for subscription plugins with active developer support, high-quality documentation, excellent reviews, and fair pricing. We checked the plugins in our list for recent updates and gave them the seal of approval based on their features and value.
All the plugins serve different purposes and can help you grow your subscriber list in 2025.
This article was researched and written by our experts following a precise process.
What’s the best free WordPress email subscription plugin?
The Newsletter plugin offers unlimited subscribers without monthly fees, while MailPoet provides 1,000 contacts free with built-in sending. Both deliver list-building features without requiring payment upfront.
Can I send emails directly from WordPress without a third-party plugin?
WordPress only handles basic notifications like password resets and comment alerts. Marketing emails require dedicated plugins that add subscriber lists, email templates, and campaign tracking, which are missing from core WordPress.
What plugin should I use if I want popups or exit-intent forms?
OptinMonster offers exit-intent detection with mobile support, and Thrive Leads has content locking and scroll triggers. Icegram provides 15 message types for varied popup approaches.
How do I choose between a newsletter plugin and a complete marketing platform?
Newsletter plugins handle email campaigns within WordPress. Marketing platforms like Omnisend add automation, SMS, and advanced segmentation for customer journey mapping and contact management.
Milda is a Senior Content Marketing Manager at Omnisend, with extensive experience in communication, helping brands establish a unique and authentic online presence.
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