Uncovering the Best Akero Alternatives for Student Enrollment Success
Akero, a specialized platform designed for student-specialist marketers and recruiters, helps improve marketing performance and increase student enrollments. It offers an easy-to-use, subscription-based, end-to-end solution, or acts as a seamless marketing layer between advertising, websites, and student CRMs. With features like personalized content, detailed touchpoint tracking, and automation workflows, Akero simplifies the nurturing process and supports over 300 global colleges and universities. However, for various reasons—cost, specific feature needs, or integration preferences—many institutions seek an effective Akero alternative. This post explores top contenders that offer similar, or even enhanced, capabilities for student recruitment and marketing.
Top Akero Alternatives
Whether you're looking for robust marketing automation, comprehensive CRM features, or specialized email marketing tools, there's an Akero alternative that can meet your institution's unique demands. Dive into our curated list to find the perfect fit for your student enrollment strategy.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp's all-in-one Marketing Platform is an excellent Akero alternative, particularly for small businesses and institutions focusing on streamlined marketing. It operates on a Freemium model with various paid tiers and is accessible via Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, iPad, and even Apple Watch. Key features include email automation, a user-friendly email template editor, robust email deliverability, IFTTT integration, general marketing automation, newsletter capabilities, and advanced targeting user segments, making it a versatile tool for engaging prospective students.
HubSpot
HubSpot stands out as a leading inbound marketing and sales platform, making it a powerful Akero alternative for comprehensive student recruitment. Available on a Freemium model with advanced commercial tiers via the Web, HubSpot offers features like contextual sales, email tracking, legal CRM, publishing tools, rich media support, and sales funnel management. Its integrated approach can help educational institutions manage leads, nurture relationships, and streamline the entire enrollment process effectively.
MailerLite
MailerLite is a strong Akero alternative focused on simplicity and user-friendly email marketing. It offers a Freemium plan and is available on Web, iPhone, and iPad. Its features include email automation, scheduled sending by Timezone, abandoned cart recovery (useful for application processes), autoresponder, e-commerce integration, email analytics, email scheduling, email tracking, a free API, list management, marketing automation, newsletter creation, responsive design, a website builder, and workflow automation. MailerLite provides an intuitive platform for designing beautiful and effective email campaigns to engage potential students.
GetResponse
GetResponse is an easy-to-use email marketing platform that serves as a solid Akero alternative for institutions focused on robust communication. It offers commercial plans and is accessible via Web, Android, and iPhone. Key features include autoresponders, email automation, an email template editor, live push notifications, and comprehensive marketing automation. GetResponse empowers users to send compelling email newsletters, campaigns, online surveys, and follow-up autoresponders to nurture student prospects.
Intercom
Intercom offers customer messaging apps for sales, marketing, and support, all connected on one platform, making it a versatile Akero alternative for engaging with prospective and current students. Available on commercial plans via Web, Android, and iPhone, Intercom features include email automation, encrypted chat, knowledge base structuring, live chat, onboarding tools, and user profiles. Its focus on direct communication can significantly enhance an institution's ability to support and guide students through their journey.
Campayn
Campayn is a viable Akero alternative, particularly appealing for its 'Free for Life' plan, allowing users to send 20,000 emails to 500 contacts. Available on a Freemium model via the Web, Campayn enables users to create, share, and track email newsletters and marketing emails. Its core features include autoresponders, email tracking, and marketing automation, providing essential tools for institutions looking to manage their email communications efficiently.
SendPulse
SendPulse is an effective Akero alternative that maximizes newsletter open rates through intelligent automation. Offered on a Freemium model and accessible via Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and iPad, SendPulse leverages Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to optimize email delivery. Key features include Push Notifications and SMS Messaging, providing multi-channel communication options to reach and engage potential students effectively.
Sendinblue
Sendinblue provides a simple yet powerful all-in-one platform for marketing automation, email, and SMS marketing campaigns, as well as transactional messaging, making it a comprehensive Akero alternative. Available on a Freemium model via the Web, its extensive features include email marketing automation, superior email deliverability, transactional email and SMS, email tracking, autoresponders, chat functionality, dynamic retargeting, email API, Facebook integration, general marketing automation, newsletter creation, responsive design, REST API, SMS API, SMTP, WooCommerce, and WordPress integrations, and workflow automation. Sendinblue offers a complete suite for managing student communications.
Sendy
Sendy is a self-hosted newsletter application that serves as a unique Akero alternative, especially for those who prefer more control over their data and costs. It's a Commercial, Self-Hosted platform available via the Web, allowing users to send trackable emails via Amazon Simple Email Service (SES). Complete with reports, subscriber, and list management, Sendy is a cost-effective solution for sending large volumes of emails to prospective students.
TinyLetter
TinyLetter is a free and straightforward Akero alternative for institutions primarily focused on sending newsletters. Available as a Free Web-based platform, TinyLetter allows users to instantly start writing their own newsletters. It efficiently keeps track of subscribers and sends newsletters for free, making it an excellent choice for basic, direct communication with a student audience without complex marketing automation needs.
Choosing the right Akero alternative depends on your specific needs, budget, and the scale of your marketing and recruitment efforts. Whether you prioritize comprehensive marketing automation, cost-effective email campaigns, or advanced CRM functionalities, there's a platform out there that can help your institution achieve its student enrollment goals. Explore these options to find the best fit for your unique requirements.