phpList

• Setup 2

  2/5 means: PHP, a database, and a web server

  PHP 8.1 or later, MySQL or MariaDB, and a web server. Cron automates the queue and bounces. The manual describes that as the way to stop doing those jobs in the browser, not as a job you must add before the first send.

• Automation 2

  2/5 means: A campaign is one message to a list, including a scheduled send

  The features page documents scheduling a campaign. The pages checked do not describe a multi-step journey in the core program.

• Signup forms 4

  4/5 means: Built-in subscribe pages

  The manual documents subscribe pages, and says you can have an unlimited number of them, combining attributes, lists, and languages.

• Lists and segments 4

  4/5 means: Double opt-in plus visual segments, or segmentation the project calls unlimited

  The features page documents double opt-in and calls list segmentation unlimited.

• Someone else runs it 5

  5/5 means: A free hosted allowance and a paid plan around $1 a month

  The features page says a trial sends 300 messages a month for free forever, and that basic accounts start at US$1 a month. A million messages a month starts at US$8.

Pricing

• Self-hosted Free The software is AGPL and installed on your server. The hosted trial is a separate offer.
• Hosted trial Free 300 messages a month, described as free forever.
• Hosted basic $1.00 /month The features page says basic accounts start at US$1 a month.

From the vendor’s pricing page, checked Nov 8, 2026. That page is authoritative.

Evidence and sources