10 Free & Low-Cost Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use" /> 10 Free & Low-Cost Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use" />
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10 Free & Low-Cost Marketing Tools Every Startup Should Use

Picture of Lorenna Feliz Santos

Running a startup is a bit like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle—impressive if you pull it off, but one wrong move and… well, let’s not think about that.

The truth is, most startups don’t have the luxury of a big marketing budget. But here’s the good news: you don’t need deep pockets to compete. With the right mix of free and low-cost tools, you can market like the big players without draining your cash flow.

This guide breaks down 10 tools that deliver real ROI on a startup budget—and yes, you can start using them today.

1. Canva – Design Without the Designer Price Tag

  • Price: Free (Pro: $12.99/month)

  • Best For: Social media graphics, pitch decks, marketing materials.
    With Canva, you can create stunning visuals, presentations, and ads without hiring a designer. Templates are drag-and-drop simple, and the free version is packed with features.

    Pro tip: Keep a consistent brand kit so your graphics always look professional.

External Link: Canva Content Planner
Internal Link: See how Canva fits into a bigger plan in our low-budget marketing strategies guide.

2. MailerLite – Email Marketing That Doesn’t Drain Your Wallet

  • Price: Free for up to 1,000 subscribers

  • Best For: Newsletters, drip campaigns, lead magnets.
    Email marketing still delivers one of the best ROIs in digital marketing—$36 for every $1 spent (Forbes). MailerLite makes it easy to create landing pages, pop-ups, and automated sequences without coding.

3. Google Trends – Find What People Are Actually Searching For

  • Price: Free

  • Best For: Keyword research, content planning.
    Google Trends
    lets you see what topics are gaining traction so you can create content that resonates with your audience. Pair it with keyword tools for even more insights.

4. Trello – Organize Your Marketing Without Chaos

  • Price: Free (Business Class: $5/month)

  • Best For: Campaign planning, content calendars, project tracking.
    Trello’s board-and-card system keeps marketing projects visible and manageable. Use it to plan your social posts, blog content, and email campaigns.

5. Ubersuggest – Affordable SEO Insights

  • Price: Free version + $12/month for Pro

  • Best For: Keyword research, backlink analysis, and site audits.
    Ubersuggest
    gives you the data you need to compete in search—without paying enterprise-level prices.

6. Buffer – Schedule and Analyze Social Posts

  • Price: Free for 3 channels

  • Best For: Social media scheduling, analytics.
    Buffer
    helps you post consistently without being glued to your phone. Schedule posts in batches, then analyze performance to see what’s working.

7. Loom – Record and Share Video Messages

  • Price: Free (Pro: $12.50/month)

  • Best For: Personalized video outreach, tutorials, and team updates.
    Video is more engaging than text, and Loom makes it easy to record quick walkthroughs for clients, leads, or your team.

8. AnswerThePublic – Content Ideas on Demand

  • Price: Free (Limited daily searches)

  • Best For: Blog ideas, SEO planning.
    Type in a keyword and see what questions people are asking - Answer The Public. Use this to build content that ranks and answers your audience’s needs.

9. Google Analytics – Know What’s Working

  • Price: Free

  • Best For: Tracking web traffic, conversions, and user behavior.
    If you don’t know what’s working, you’re just guessing. Google Analytics shows you where your visitors come from and what they do on your site.

10. Unsplash – Free, High-Quality Images

  • Price: Free

  • Best For: Website, blog, and social media visuals.
    Stop using pixelated stock photos from 2005. Unsplash offers beautiful, royalty-free images that give your brand a polished look.

How to Use These Tools Together for Maximum Impact

Here’s a quick, budget-friendly marketing workflow using these tools:

  1. Use Google Trends + AnswerThePublic to find trending topics.

  2. Create graphics in Canva and write posts optimized with Ubersuggest.

  3. Schedule posts via Buffer and track results in Google Analytics.

  4. Build your list with MailerLite and keep track of campaigns in Trello.

  5. Personalize outreach with Loom and enhance visuals with Unsplash.

Key Takeaway

Marketing on a budget isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about being strategic. These free and low-cost tools give startups the power to look professional, stay consistent, and grow without overspending.

Want more ways to stretch your marketing budget? Check out our Low-Budget Marketing Strategies for Startups That Work for the full game plan.

What other free and low-cost marketing tools have you found online?
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