An Honest Flodesk Review After Testing 5+ Platforms

 

Last Updated September 2025

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pinterest graphic with text overlay 'an honest Flodesk review after trying every "better" email marketing alternative'

I remember getting my first Flodesk email in 2019.

I don’t remember where it came from, but this email landed in my inbox that actually looked... good. Custom fonts, on-brand colors, stunning images. It had that unmistakable Flodesk vibe before I even knew what Flodesk was.

I couldn't wait to try out a platform that looked as good as it claimed to work!

Six years later, here’s my Flodesk review—the pros and the cons—after multiple platform experiments, business pivots, and that time I convinced myself I needed "more advanced" features 🙄

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Flodesk Pros

Flodesk feels like it was designed by someone who actually sends emails to real humans.

While other email platforms feel like they were built by tech bros for tech bros. The difference hits you the second you log in. Instead of overwhelming dashboards and seventeen menu tabs, you get clean, intuitive design that just makes sense. And your emails look professionally designed, even if you've never touched Adobe Illustrator a day in your life.

If you can use Canva, you can use Flodesk!

User-Friendly for Non-Techies

Setting up an email sequence shouldn’t feel like learning a new language. Flodesk's drag-and-drop editor actually works the way your brain expects it to. No coding. No pulling your hair out over formatting. You can create a welcome sequence that converts while your coffee's still hot.

Even as a designer, I spent hours frustrated with Kit's templates, wondering why I had to custom code emails just to make them look decent. With Flodesk? Five minutes flat. Duplicate a template, swap the copy, update the images, and you're done.

Flodesk Actually Listens to Users

In six years, I've watched Flodesk add features that users actually asked for. Their automation capabilities have grown significantly since 2019, and they keep adding practical features that make sense for real businesses. Let's just say their behind-the-scenes roadmap is impressive 😉

Integrations That Actually Work

Flodesk has been rolling out so many direct integrations with platforms that solopreneurs like me actually use. No Zapier required. Here are my favorites:

E-commerce

While Flodesk does have its own basic e-commerce features when you upgrade to Email + Checkout, if you’re running a full blown online storefront, these integrations are for you.

The Shopify integration is amazing if you sell physical products. Your workflows now respond automatically to real customer actions - cart abandonment, completed purchases, specific product buys. No more manual segment juggling.

Same goes for Squarespace and ThriveCart. If you're selling digital products or courses, your email marketing now happens automatically when someone buys. Seamless follow-up that converts—no spreadsheets, no delays!

Lead Generation Made Simple

The Interact integration for quizzes is brilliant. (I’m actually testing this one out myself right now in partnership with Interact and I can’t wait to share the results with you!) Quiz takers get automatically segmented based on their results, so you can serve them content that actually matches what they need. Much smarter than generic welcome sequences.

And Manychat for Instagram means people can join your email list without ever leaving the app!

Graphic Design Integration

The Canva integration lets you pull designs directly into your emails. No more downloading, uploading, resizing. Your brand stays consistent without the back-and-forth. I honestly haven’t tried this one myself yet (mainly because I don’t tend to use graphics in my emails) but I’m excited to test it out after all the good things I’ve heard!

Client Management Integration

HoneyBook users can automatically add new inquiries to email sequences! This opens up so many new opportunities for your marketing and client follow-ups. For example, you can set up automations to add leads when they first inquire, move them to a "current clients" segment when they book, or transition them to "past clients" when projects wrap up.

(brb, adding this to my to-do list!)

 

Flodesk is Women-Founded & Women-Led

As a woman working in male-dominated fields (web design and SEO) I'm intentional about supporting other women in tech (and women in business in general). Most of my clients work in women's health, building businesses that genuinely help other women. I truly believe that where I spend my money matters.

Supporting a platform built by women who understand the reality of running a business - not just the tech behind it - feels so aligned with my values. Martha and Rebecca (Flodesk's founders) built this company knowing that beautiful, functional marketing tools shouldn't require a computer science degree.

So, when you choose Flodesk, you're also choosing to support women entrepreneurs who have built something meaningful in a space traditionally dominated by tech bros 👀

Use Code REBECCA to Start for Free

And get 25% off your first year of Flodesk!

 

Flodesk Cons (Because Nothing's Perfect)

Nothing about Flodesk is truly a "con" to me, but there are a few things that could be dealbreakers depending on your business needs.

Limited Advanced Automation

If you need complex, multi-branch automations that segment subscribers seventeen different ways, Flodesk might feel basic. Their workflows are clean and functional, but they're not quite as robust as something like ActiveCampaign. If you’re a solopreneur like me, this is actually a feature because it means less overwhelm and easier setup.

Analytics Could Be Deeper

You'll get the essentials — open rates, click rates, subscriber growth. But if you're the type who wants to analyze every single micro-metric, you might want more detailed reporting.

Honestly? Most of us don't need to know that someone in Toledo opened our email at 3:47 PM. The core metrics tell the story just fine. But if this is on your must-have list, Flodesk might not be for you. That said, they’re always adding new features and listening to what the people want, so I have an inkling this area will improve over time.

Who Flodesk Works Best For

Flodesk isn't for everyone, and that's actually a good thing.

Flodesk is perfect if you're a solopreneur or small business who wants:

  • Beautiful emails without hiring a designer

  • Simple setup without tech headaches

  • A platform that feels intuitive, not overwhelming

Flodesk isn’t ideal if you need:

  • Complex automation workflows

  • Deep analytical reporting

  • Advanced segmentation features

If you only take away one thing from this Flodesk review, let it be this.

The best email platform is the one you'll actually use consistently.

I've tested 5+ platforms in the last 6 years. Some platforms have more features. Some have better analytics. Some have more integrations.

But I still choose Flodesk every time! This email platform makes it so easy to create emails that look professional and feel personal. It doesn't overwhelm you with features you'll never touch.

For solopreneurs and small business owners who want their marketing to feel as thoughtful as their work, Flodesk gets it so so right.

 
 

Ready to Try Flodesk for Yourself?

Flodesk offers a 14-day free trial — no credit card required. You can build your first few sequences and see if it feels right for your business. If you're tired of email platforms that feel complicated or emails that look boring, it's worth the test drive!

Try Flodesk
 
 
Rebecca Richards

Written by Rebecca Richards, Founder of Modern Shift Studio

Rebecca is a Website and SEO Strategist for health and wellness practitioners. She helps established health experts create websites and SEO strategies that work 24/7, so they can book clients even when they’re offline.

https://modernshiftstudio.com
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