What are the best EU-based email service providers (ESPs)?

Summary

Choosing the best EU-based ESP involves considering various factors, with GDPR compliance being paramount. Several ESPs, including Mailjet, Sendinblue, MailerLite, GetResponse, CleverReach, and others, are popular choices. Understanding EU data privacy laws is crucial, regardless of where the ESP is headquartered. Key aspects include data processing agreements, security measures, data transfer mechanisms, and obtaining valid consent. US Based ESPs such as AWeber, are options if they are fully GDPR compliant.

Key findings

  • Variety of ESPs: A wide range of EU-based ESPs exists, each with distinct features and focus areas (e.g., e-commerce, SMBs).
  • GDPR is Key: GDPR compliance is a non-negotiable requirement for ESPs handling EU citizen data.
  • Compliance Responsibility: Businesses are responsible for verifying an ESP's GDPR compliance and data protection measures.
  • Consent Critical: Obtaining valid consent (freely given, specific, informed, unambiguous) is essential.

Key considerations

  • GDPR Assessment: Thoroughly assess the ESP's GDPR compliance, including data processing agreements, security, and data transfer policies.
  • Data Location: Consider data residency requirements and ensure the ESP's data storage location aligns with your needs.
  • Feature Alignment: Select an ESP whose features (e.g., automation, segmentation, multi-language support) match your specific marketing goals.
  • Legal Review: Consult with legal counsel to ensure full compliance with EU data privacy laws.
  • Opt In and Opt Out: Provide clear ways for subscribers to opt in and out of marketing activities.

What email marketers say
15Marketer opinions

Several EU-based ESPs are available, each offering various features and focusing on different business needs. Popular options include Mailjet, Sendinblue, MailerLite, GetResponse, and CleverReach. Many ESPs also emphasize GDPR compliance and data privacy, which are critical considerations when choosing a provider for EU-based operations. AWeber while US based is also GDPR compliant.

Key opinions

  • Popular EU ESPs: Mailjet, Sendinblue, MailerLite, GetResponse, CleverReach, Epsilon, Mailkit, Newsletter2Go are popular EU-based ESPs.
  • GDPR Compliance: GDPR compliance is a crucial factor when selecting an ESP for EU-based operations.
  • Feature Variety: ESPs offer a range of features, including marketing automation, segmentation, multi-language support, and e-commerce integrations.
  • Location Diversity: Many ESPs are based in different EU countries, like Poland, Germany, and France

Key considerations

  • GDPR Compliance: Verify the ESP's GDPR compliance measures and data processing agreements.
  • Data Residency: Consider where the ESP stores your data and whether it aligns with your data residency requirements.
  • Feature Set: Evaluate the ESP's features to ensure they meet your specific marketing needs, such as automation, segmentation, and multi-language support.
  • Pricing: Compare the pricing models of different ESPs to find one that fits your budget.
  • Customer Support: Assess the ESP's customer support options and responsiveness.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Campaign Monitor ensures that a company is completely compliant with GDPR. If you plan to target people in the EU then this can be important

January 2025 - Campaign Monitor
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit's r/emailmarketing suggests MailerLite and GetResponse as popular choices for EU-based businesses, citing their affordable pricing and focus on smaller companies.

January 2025 - Reddit
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks lists Ometria, Pure360, and Dotdigital as EU based ESPs.

March 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum recommends AWeber as a safe choice. Though US based they are careful to be fully GDPR compliant. Jane finds the solution easy to use.

February 2024 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks lists Newsletter2Go, Agnitas, Copernica, sendinblue, episerver, Inxmail, mailkit, and Xqueue as EU based ESPs. They also say they haven't had pressure regarding Anti-spam Policy (explicit consent) vs. Legitimate Interest because they have a clear policy of prior explicit consent.

December 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks mentions Moosend as an EU based ESP.

July 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares a list of EU based ESPs including Epsilon, Mailkit, Mailerlite, Acoustic (now based in Poland), and Emarsys. They also suggest checking certified-senders.org for ESPs with good deliverability to European mailbox providers.

April 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks mentions Mailjet as an EU based ESP.

February 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Omnisend Blog suggests Omnisend is a good option for e-commerce businesses in the EU, highlighting its powerful segmentation, automation workflows, and GDPR-compliant features.

July 2022 - Omnisend Blog
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks lists Episerver, Communicator, Adestra, Exponea, RedEye, and smartFocus as EU based ESPs.

August 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet Blog highlights Mailjet as a reliable EU-based ESP, emphasizing its GDPR compliance and features tailored for European businesses, including multi-language support and data residency within the EU.

November 2023 - Mailjet Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Sendinblue Blog positions Sendinblue as a strong EU-based ESP, noting its comprehensive marketing automation capabilities, focus on small to medium-sized businesses in Europe, and adherence to European data protection regulations.

June 2023 - Sendinblue Blog
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks mentions Splio as an EU based ESP.

February 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora mentions CleverReach as a reliable German-based ESP, highlighting its strong customer support and features tailored for the German market.

March 2025 - Quora
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks believes GetResponse is based in Poland.

September 2023 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

Experts emphasize that choosing an EU-based ESP necessitates a thorough understanding of EU data privacy laws, particularly GDPR. Compliance is not just advisable but crucial to avoid regulatory penalties. ESPs must demonstrate robust data protection measures.

Key opinions

  • GDPR Importance: Understanding GDPR is essential when selecting an EU-based ESP.
  • Compliance Crucial: Compliance with EU data privacy laws is not optional but a necessity.
  • Risk of Penalties: Failure to comply with EU data laws can result in regulatory penalties.
  • Data Protection Measures: ESPs must provide robust data protection measures to be compliant.

Key considerations

  • GDPR Expertise: Assess your own understanding of GDPR and seek expert advice if needed.
  • ESP Compliance Verification: Thoroughly verify the ESP's compliance with EU data privacy laws.
  • Data Protection Assessment: Evaluate the ESP's data protection measures, including security protocols and data handling practices.
  • Legal Counsel: Consider consulting with legal counsel to ensure full compliance.
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource.com highlights the need for EU based businesses to check EU based ESPs follow GDPR and other EU data laws. Failure to do so can mean regulatory punishment.

October 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins, emphasizes the importance of understanding EU data privacy laws like GDPR when choosing an ESP, noting that compliance is crucial, and ESPs must provide adequate data protection measures.

September 2024 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

The documentation emphasizes that GDPR compliance is a must for any ESP handling EU citizen data, regardless of the ESP's location. Key elements include assessing data processing agreements, security, and data transfer mechanisms. Transferring data outside the EU requires safeguards like Standard Contractual Clauses. Valid consent under GDPR must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous, necessitating opt-in mechanisms. All marketing activities with audiences in the EEA must comply with GDPR, requiring easy opt-out options.

Key findings

  • GDPR Mandate: GDPR compliance is required for all ESPs handling EU citizen data.
  • Data Transfer Safeguards: Data transfers outside the EU need adequate safeguards like SCCs.
  • Consent Requirements: Valid consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous.
  • Opt-Out Options: Marketing activities in the EEA must provide easy opt-out options.

Key considerations

  • Due Diligence: Thoroughly assess ESP data processing agreements and security measures.
  • Data Transfer Compliance: Ensure compliance with data transfer rules when using ESPs outside the EU.
  • Consent Management: Implement compliant consent mechanisms, including opt-in and opt-out options.
  • Ongoing Monitoring: Continuously monitor and update your GDPR compliance practices.
Technical article

Documentation from European Commission outlines the rules for transferring personal data outside the EU. They state that ESPs based outside the EU must have adequate safeguards in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs), to ensure data protection.

May 2022 - European Commission
Technical article

Documentation from Cloudflare emphasizes that all marketing activities, must comply with the GDPR if you have audiences in the European Economic Area (EEA), this regulation applies to all organisations worldwide, including those based outside of the EEA. It is therefore important that your emails include a way for subscribers to opt out.

February 2023 - Cloudflare
Technical article

Documentation from GDPR.eu explains that any ESP handling data of EU citizens must comply with GDPR, regardless of where the ESP is headquartered. They state that companies need to assess ESP's data processing agreements, security measures, and data transfer mechanisms.

February 2025 - GDPR.eu
Technical article

Documentation from Article 29 Data Protection Working Party (now replaced by the European Data Protection Board) clarifies the requirements for valid consent under GDPR. They specify that consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous, emphasizing the need for opt-in mechanisms.

September 2023 - Article 29 Data Protection Working Party