Running a marketing agency is a constant balancing act between keeping your current clients happy while hunting for new ones. As a result, you need a tool that alleviates some of the burdens, not adds additional ones on top.

Two strong candidates for email marketing platforms are Omnisend and Klaviyo. Both can help your clients sell more, but you also need to think about your own agency’s specifics to keep the processes clean and streamlined.

You need to switch between accounts quickly, you need support that answers immediately, and essential features that help drive higher ROI for clients. We looked at how these two platforms compare with each other when it comes to agencies.

Managing multiple client accounts

Time is crucial, even when you don’t have to handle tens of client profiles. But when it comes to that, time becomes even more of a commodity. Wasting minutes logging in and out of accounts adds up eventually, so you need a platform that allows you to have multiple accounts under one login.

Klaviyo treats every store as a separate entity. If you manage ten clients, you generally need to log in and out to switch between them. Consequently, you need a space where you can manage all the login info and passwords, which adds unnecessary friction and potential security loopholes.

Omnisend, on the other hand, offers centralized account management. If you create a single agency account, you can add multiple client stores to the same account. Switching between them is effortless, and you don’t need to maintain a password sheet just to access another client’s account. 

The centralized view gives you better control, convenience, and security. Also, you can copy high-performing automations across different accounts, which removes the need to build everything from scratch for another client.

Which integrates better with ecommerce platforms?

Most online stores are built on Shopify and WooCommerce, and you need a tool that integrates effortlessly with those platforms. Poor or complex integrations can lead to missed opportunities, inaccurate data, and flawed sales attribution, which could damage your reputation as an agency even when you did well. For this comparison, let’s stick with Shopify.

Klaviyo has an easy integration with Shopify, but it does require you to take some manual steps. What’s good is that you don’t need to write code anymore (unless you’re still using a Vintage theme), but you do need to enable “Klaviyo App Embed” in the Shopify Theme Editor if you want a fully activated onsite tracker.

Omnisend makes the integration even faster and without any manual setup. Once you’ve installed the app from the Shopify App Store, you need to connect your account, and it’s done. You can immediately start working with Omnisend on campaigns and automations.

Both tools provide seamless integration, aside from the one additional step that Klaviyo brings. It doesn’t result in a huge time difference, but if you’re not comfortable meddling with clients’ Shopify Theme settings, it’s more convenient to choose Omnisend.

Which is more flexible toward different types of clients?

Agencies rarely have cookie-cutter clients. One might be selling t-shirts in the US, another dabbling with supplements worldwide, and a third selling electronics in Europe. You need a tool that’s versatile and bends to various needs and locations.

Both platforms offer similar versatility in terms of templates for different brands, customization capabilities, and more. It’s not worth breaking down the features that are nearly identical.

SMS

There are, however, some factors you may need to consider. For example, Klaviyo’s SMS reach is rather limited. If your clients are global and are frequently using SMS as a secondary channel, Klaviyo’s 18 countries could be a serious issue. Also, if you don’t use up the credits by the end of the month, you’ll lose them as they don’t roll over to the next month.

Omnisend offers more flexible SMS billing. You can top off your SMS credits in small batches without buying expensive blocks, the credits roll over to the next month if unused, and Omnisend provides worldwide SMS reach, which is perfect for global or scaling brands.

Support

Support access also varies. Omnisend provides unrestricted 24/7 support via live chat and email for all users, regardless of plan choice. Klaviyo, on the other hand, limits email support for free users to 60 days only. Then, if you purchase a plan, you regain email support, but the response times vary based on the tier of your plan.

Migration

Not all clients come without an existing email service provider. Some may already have a subscription with another platform. For consistency, you may want to suggest they migrate, but that’s often a difficult discussion, especially since the client assumes they will have to do the hard work or pay.

Klaviyo’s position is standard here: you either pay to have them migrate everything for you, do it yourself by using their documentation, or use third-party agencies that charge their own fees.

Omnisend, however, provides migration services completely free of charge. If, upon signing up, your monthly plan exceeds $250/month, Omnisend will send a dedicated person who will transfer your contacts, segments, automations, templates, and more from Klaviyo to Omnisend. All of that should happen within 3-5 days, and you won’t have to lift a finger.

This service is a game-changer for agencies. Everyone knows that manual migration can take days of billable hours that clients hate paying for, and Omnisend takes that burden off everyone’s shoulders. You can tell your client that the switch will be smooth, free, and handled by in-house experts.

Scaling

Omnisend is effectively used by large, growing brands, not just small startups. It can handle complex automations, massive contact lists, and SMS marketing with ease. If you reach a point where you’ve grown so much that your plan costs $400/month or more, you’ll get a dedicated account expert who will be at your side whenever something happens.

While Klaviyo is also great for scaling brands in terms of features, it’s lacking in terms of pricing. Omnisend provides you with nearly identical features that most businesses need without overcharging for features you don’t use.

Omnisend vs. Klaviyo: Verdict

To sum up, Omnisend is the better choice for agencies not only because it allows you to handle multiple accounts under one login, provides unique migration services, but also because it allows for better scaling from a global perspective.

SMS is an important part of urgency marketing, and the 18 countries that Klaviyo offers may not cut it for most scaling brands. Also, if you’re not into niche and extremely complex automations and segmentation, Klaviyo’s pricing is simply not worth it compared to Omnisend, which provides the same power for businesses of any size at a more affordable price.