Black Friday is when inboxes get crowded — but a smart, well-timed email can still cut through and drive serious results. Especially when it’s tailored to your users and their behavior, not just blasted to everyone.
The best Black Friday emails are clear and bold. No gimmicks, no clutter — just a solid offer, a strong CTA, and a deadline that pushes action.
In this post, you’ll find 22 real SaaS Black Friday email examples. All of them are from actual companies that made their offer stand out when it mattered most.
Let’s take a look.
Contents
What is a Black Friday Email for SaaS?
Answer: A SaaS Black Friday email is a limited-time promotional message sent during the Black Friday period to offer discounts, special deals, or exclusive bundles.
These emails are designed to create urgency and drive conversions fast. Black Friday is a unique moment where users expect deals—so offering the right promotion at the right time can make a big impact. In SaaS, this might look like 50% off annual plans, bonus features, or early-bird perks.
Black Friday emails aren’t just about slashing prices—they’re about getting attention in a crowded inbox and giving people a reason to act now. When planned well, they bring in a spike in new signups, upgrades, or reactivations.
Why Send Black Friday Emails for Your SaaS?
Answer: The main benefit of sending Black Friday emails is to generate a short burst of high-intent conversions while your users are already in buying mode.
It’s one of the few times of year when discounting is expected—and even welcomed. For SaaS brands, it’s a prime opportunity to convert hesitant leads, re-engage inactive users, and grow revenue fast without hurting your long-term pricing strategy.
If you’re offering upgrades to existing users, pairing your promo with a walkthrough email helps them get more value right away — and makes the upgrade stick.
1. You catch users when they’re ready to buy
During Black Friday, your audience is already on the lookout for deals. This changes the way they read their inbox—people want to find something worth buying.
This means even cold leads or dormant users might be more receptive. If you show up with a good offer at the right time, it’s easier to close.
2. It’s a low-risk way to offer discounts
Black Friday is one of the few times when SaaS companies can discount without looking desperate or damaging their perceived value.
It gives you a window to test pricing strategies, introduce new packages, or offer add-ons—without affecting your regular pricing long term.
3. You can reward loyal users
Your Black Friday campaign isn’t just for new signups. You can include offers for current customers—like discounted upgrades, annual plan bundles, or loyalty rewards.
That’s a win-win. You boost retention and give your existing users a reason to stick around (and maybe even spend more). If you’re targeting current subscribers, these renewal email examples show how to frame the value before or after the deal.
4. It drives urgency without extra effort
You don’t need a long campaign or fancy strategy. Even one or two well-timed emails with a clear offer can drive serious results.
Add a countdown, keep the message simple, and let the deadline do the heavy lifting.
When Should You Send Black Friday Emails?
Answer: You should send your SaaS Black Friday emails between the Monday before Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday—with a mix of teasers, launch-day emails, and last-chance reminders.
Start early to warm up your list, and end strong to catch the procrastinators. Timing is everything.
1. Tease your offer early in the week
Send a teaser email on the Monday or Tuesday before Black Friday. This builds anticipation and lets users know something good is coming.
You don’t need to reveal the full offer—just give them a reason to look out for it.
2. Launch your main offer on Black Friday morning
This is your biggest email. Send it early in the day so you’re at the top of the inbox when your audience is most active.
Include a clear CTA, short explanation of the deal, and a simple way to claim it.
3. Follow up with a reminder over the weekend
People get busy. A reminder on Saturday or Sunday gives you another shot at reaching those who missed the first email.
You can also test different angles—urgency, scarcity, or social proof (“Thousands of users have already upgraded”).
4. End with a final “last chance” push on Cyber Monday
Wrap it up with one final reminder before the deal ends. This is your “if you’re still thinking about it…” message.
Keep it short, urgent, and focused on the deadline. Let the FOMO do the rest.
Listed: 22 SaaS Black Friday Email Examples That Actually Worked
1. Mimo – 50% Off for Pro Access
Mimo used a clean layout with bright colors and an animated header to push urgency around their Black Friday discount. They made the value crystal clear: a 50% discount for learners wanting to level up with coding projects, certificates, and a distraction-free experience.
Why it works: This email hits fast. The benefit (become a Pro) and the urgency (limited-time 50% off) are the only two things readers need to act. No fluff, just a big, clickable CTA.
2. QuillBot – 40% Off With Simple Framing
QuillBot’s email is short and centered around a single, solid message: 40% off during Black Friday. They avoided distractions and just gave the user one reason to upgrade now — limited-time pricing.
Why it works: No overexplaining. It’s bright, visual, and straight to the point. The mix of emojis, icons, and a centered CTA makes it quick to scan and click.
3. Semrush – Black Friday Checklist Hook
Semrush’s Black Friday offer turns their value prop into a “checklist” visual, which is a smart angle. Instead of saying what users get, they show what to replace on a wishlist: forget the TV — buy SEO growth.
Why it works: It blends benefit and personality. The checklist format hooks attention, while the CTA “Grow big in 2024” feels bigger than a typical promo.
4. Skillshare – Personal, Bold, and Feel-Good
Skillshare used strong color contrast, a warm lifestyle image, and a conversational tone to promote their 50% discount. They framed the deal as a self-investment, not a “sale.”
Why it works: It doesn’t scream “limited-time offer” — it makes the user feel like they’re doing something kind for themselves. The emotional tone is different and memorable.
5. TradingView – 70% Off + 1 Free Month
TradingView took a bold, high-contrast approach for Black Friday. Their headline doesn’t waste time—“Black Friday sale starts now”—and the offer is massive: up to 70% off plus a free month. The design leans into urgency with red tones, dark backgrounds, and aggressive copy that mirrors the pace of the trading world.
This wasn’t a soft reminder—it was a loud launch.
Why it works: The entire email is written like a high-stakes trade alert. The visual intensity grabs attention fast, while the short copy keeps readers focused on one thing: activating the deal before it disappears. Bonus points for a single, centered CTA—“Explore offers”—that’s hard to miss.
6. Typefully – First-Time Discount with Feature Recap
Typefully used their first-ever discount as the main hook. Instead of just saying “40% off,” they backed it up with a list of feature highlights to remind users what they’re getting — from AI writing to scheduling and analytics.
Why it works: Listing specific features helps justify the price. Plus, ending with a signature from the co-founder makes it personal and trustworthy.
7. Wincher – SEO Tool with a Bold Banner
Wincher took a visual-first approach — huge discount (75% off), big red CTA, and screenshots of the dashboard. The copy is minimal, letting the visuals do the heavy lifting.
Why it works: Instant visual appeal. Great for price-sensitive SaaS buyers who want to see the value fast. The urgency (“just a few hours left”) pushes the final clicks.
8. Wordtune – Sleek Design for a 40% Promo
Wordtune went for a design-heavy email with soft gradients and clean typography. Their offer? 40% off premium, but the visual polish made it feel premium too. The CTA was perfectly timed: “24 hours left.”
Why it works: It’s short but polished. Everything from the rounded CTA to the mobile-optimized layout screams trust and quality. Urgency without chaos.
9. Yoast – Feature-Based Discount Reminder
Yoast leaned into benefits over emotion. Their email outlined exactly what users get with Premium (like internal linking and AI readability tools) — plus 30% off to seal the deal.
Why it works: For analytical buyers, this works. No vague pitches. Just price + features + CTA = done.
10. Zoom – Deal Breakdown by Plan
Zoom’s Black Friday email explained what users would get with the 40% discount — broken down by the Basic vs. Pro plan. This comparison approach is great for converting fence-sitters who want to see the difference.
Why it works: It removes confusion. Instead of “40% off, trust us,” they walk through the added value clearly and visually, making the upgrade feel obvious.
11. Llama Life – quirky and community-first
Llama Life went for a fun and quirky tone to stand out. Instead of diving straight into the discount, they opened with a light-hearted joke about llamas and lemonade — setting the tone for a brand that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
They offered 30% off the first year of the annual plan and used playful language throughout to reinforce their personality.
The email also reminded their audience of existing features like preset lists and Todoist integration, while teasing the upcoming mobile app. This combo of humor, value, and roadmap made the offer feel thoughtful — not just a sales push.
Why it works: It doesn’t look or sound like a “Black Friday email.” It sounds like a friend who’s excited to tell you something. That’s what makes it land.
For loyal users who love your brand voice, this is also a great time to spark word of mouth. These referral email examples show how to turn excitement into action.
12. AppSumo – lifetime deal reminder
AppSumo’s Black Friday email focused on nudging free users to upgrade with a limited-time 10% off lifetime deals. The copy is short, skimmable, and very product-focused — with bullet points showing what each deal unlocks (TidyCal, SendFox, KingSumo).
Instead of generic urgency, it called out that the deal would end “in a few days,” which felt real and respectful. They didn’t try to hard-sell — they just presented clear value and let the lifetime pricing speak for itself.
Why it works: It targets a specific segment (free users) and makes the pitch simple: unlock more for less, forever. No fluff. Just what’s in it for them.
13. Avast – countdown urgency meets upsell
Avast’s Cyber Monday email went heavy on urgency with a countdown timer and a 70% discount on Premium Security. But what really stood out was the way they layered it — after the main pitch, they showcased other add-on products (VPN, Cleanup, BreachGuard) with 50–60% off too.
So even if someone didn’t grab the main deal, they might pick up a secondary offer. The layout was clear and CTA-heavy, making it easy to skim and convert.
Why it works: It doesn’t rely on just one deal — it stacks value. Great for increasing average order value and appealing to different user needs in one go.
14. Brain.fm – smooth and confident pitch
Brain.fm’s email was one of the most calming Black Friday promos. No yelling, no exclamation overload. Just a purple aesthetic, a “50% off your first year” offer, and a clear rundown of what makes their product valuable.
They also teased the new Brain.fm web player and framed the offer as “early access to the biggest sale ever.” The CTA felt personal, not pushy — and the copy stayed true to the app’s core mission: helping users unlock better focus, sleep, and relaxation.
Why it works: It’s one of the rare emails that doesn’t break its tone just to ride the Black Friday hype. The calm vibe actually builds trust.
15. Closely – feature-driven with promo codes
Closely went the “all features, all promos” route. The email opened with product updates: new CRM integrations, an advanced campaign builder, and a white-label option. Then came a breakdown of discounts (20–50%) for different plan lengths with matching promo codes.
It wasn’t about a flashy design — it was about giving their users real, detailed reasons to upgrade. Everything from the email felt like it came from someone who understood what growth teams care about.
Why it works: It leads with value, not discount percentages. And it works especially well for B2B users who want feature clarity before they buy.
If you’re launching new features during your Black Friday promo, these feature announcement email examples show how to make the update shine without overshadowing the offer.
16. Designmodo – all-in on helpfulness
Designmodo didn’t send a typical sale email. Instead, they shared a curated roundup of Black Friday & Cyber Monday email templates — showcasing layout ideas, abandoned cart suggestions, and newsletter best practices.
For SaaS marketers or email designers, it felt like a gift. The focus wasn’t on a product sale, but on empowering the reader to create better campaigns themselves.
Why it works: Instead of selling, they teach. It’s a trust-building move that naturally brings users back to their platform.
17. Elementor – short, visual, direct
Elementor kept their Black Friday email brutally simple: a 25% discount, a ticking countdown, and bold orange visuals. No fluff, no copy blocks — just clear urgency and one big CTA.
It looked and felt like a last call. And for a product as widely used as Elementor, that’s often all it takes.
Why it works: Visuals do the heavy lifting. Great reminder that if you’ve built brand recognition, you don’t always need a long pitch.
18. Grammarly – credibility through clarity
Grammarly’s approach was clean and benefits-first. The email opened with a strong visual: “55% OFF,” then broke down exactly what users get with Premium vs Free. That clear comparison table helped users justify the upgrade without needing to scroll far.
It also leaned on the authority of the product — no hype, just an invitation to make the most of their writing.
Why it works: It builds trust by being clear and focused on outcomes. The side-by-side feature chart also converts skeptics.
19. Iconic.app + Lemon Squeezy – bundle spotlight
This one was a two-in-one. Iconic promoted their 50% off Iconic Pro offer, while Lemon Squeezy pitched a curated directory of discounted tools. It was clean, dark-mode friendly, and got straight to the point: designers and developers could save big on tools they already use.
The email also promoted other brands from the same team (Make Lemonade, Dunked), making it feel like a curated ecosystem.
Why it works: Bundling offers like this makes discovery easier — and cross-promotion boosts visibility across tools.
20. Jarvis (now Jasper) – classic long-form pitch
Jarvis used a classic copywriting approach: lead with the discount ($59/mo vs $119/mo), then explain the benefits (write 5X faster), then bundle it with a secondary deal from Surfer SEO. It read like a personal note, not a campaign — signed by the CMO and full of CTAs.
The rawness worked. No fancy design, just a clear value-driven message.
Why it works: It sounds like a real person who genuinely wants to help. And when it comes to SaaS tools, that personal voice still wins.
21. AllTrails – 50% Off the AllTrails+ Plan
AllTrails used Black Friday to promote a rare discount on their premium AllTrails+ subscription. Instead of pushing a flash sale, they leaned into how their product helps people spend more time outdoors. They broke the offer down feature by feature—offline maps, trail previews, wrong-turn alerts—and backed it up with real UI images.
This approach made the deal feel less like a limited-time sale and more like a solid upgrade for serious hikers.
Why it works: The email is structured like a landing page, not just a sales pitch. Each feature gets its own spotlight, helping readers visualize how the paid plan fits into their weekend adventures. The call to action (“50% off AllTrails+”) is repeated just enough to keep the focus on action, without overwhelming the user.
22. Adobe Creative Cloud – 25% Off for Teams
Adobe went all-in on urgency. This campaign was sent at the very end of Black Friday weekend with a clear message: this deal is hours away from disappearing. It wasn’t just about savings—it was about making it easier for creative teams to upgrade without delay.
They also kept the email clean and focused—highlighting only four core apps and keeping the pricing details in the fine print below.
Why it works: This email blends emotional urgency (“we’re not talking days… we’re talking hours”) with functional logic—reminding teams that upgrading unlocks industry-standard creative tools. The offer is concrete, the design is sharp, and the CTA appears multiple times to catch last-minute buyers.
Best Practices for SaaS Black Friday Emails
- Lead with the offer in the subject line — no teasing
Make the discount crystal clear from the start. “Get 50% Off for Black Friday” works better than “Our biggest deal ever…” - Use urgency words without sounding pushy
Phrases like “Ends tonight,” “Limited spots,” or “Once a year” build pressure without being annoying. - Keep the email design clean and focused
One hero image, one CTA, one clear message. Too many offers = no action. Especially during periods of big change—like after a rebrand or acquisition—your promo emails still need clarity. - Mention who the deal is for
Is it for new users only? Existing customers? Let them know right away to avoid confusion. You can also use lead nurturing emails in the weeks before Black Friday to warm up inactive users before dropping the deal. - Add a short FAQ or fine print section
Quickly answer common questions like “Can I upgrade an existing plan?” or “Does it auto-renew?” - Remind them of what they’re getting
Don’t just talk price — bring the value back. Highlight key features, benefits, or time saved with your product.
Black Friday emails shouldn’t feel like a shout into the void
→ Encharge helps you send the right offer to the right users — automatically.
Most Black Friday blasts go ignored because they hit everyone the same way. Encharge helps you segment your users, time your campaigns, and personalize your offer — so you drive real revenue, not just clicks.
- Trigger promos based on plan, usage, or past behavior
- Send early-access emails to VIPs or high-LTV customers
- Run flash sales, upgrades, or reactivation offers with automation
- Connect email, CRM, and product data in one place
- Trusted by 1,000+ SaaS teams to turn seasonal deals into long-term wins
Black Friday is noisy. Encharge helps you stand out — with smarter timing and better targeting.
FAQ for SaaS Black Friday email examples
1. How do I write a high-converting SaaS Black Friday email?
To write a high-converting SaaS Black Friday email, focus on clarity, urgency, and simplicity. Highlight the deal upfront, explain what makes it valuable, and add a clear CTA. With Encharge, you can segment users and send targeted emails based on plan, activity, or engagement level.
How to write it:
- Use a punchy headline like “Black Friday Deal: 50% Off Annual Plans.”
- Clearly explain the discount and who it’s for.
- Add urgency with a deadline and CTA like “Upgrade Now.”
2. When should I send SaaS Black Friday emails?
Start sending Black Friday emails at least one week before the sale, with reminders closer to the date and a final push on the day itself. With Encharge, you can pre-schedule a full sequence and trigger follow-ups for users who haven’t opened or clicked.
Ideal send timeline:
- Teaser email: 7 days before Black Friday.
- Launch email: Midnight on Black Friday.
- Last-chance email: The evening before the deal expires.
3. What type of SaaS offers work best on Black Friday?
Time-limited discounts, lifetime deals, and annual plan upgrades tend to work best for SaaS during Black Friday. The key is making the deal feel exclusive and valuable. Encharge helps you track which users are most likely to convert and target them directly.
Offer ideas that convert:
- 30–50% off annual plans.
- “Pay once” lifetime access offers.
- Limited-time bundle deals with bonus features.
4. How do I announce a SaaS Black Friday sale?
Announce your Black Friday sale with a clear subject line, bold CTA, and a message that focuses on urgency. Keep the design mobile-friendly and skimmable. With Encharge, you can A/B test subject lines and schedule reminder emails based on user interaction.
How to announce it:
- Use a subject line like “🔥 Our Biggest Deal of the Year Is Here.”
- Show the value of the deal in one line.
- Add a “Shop the Deal” CTA and a countdown timer if possible.
5. Can Black Friday campaigns help long-term SaaS growth?
Yes—Black Friday is more than a quick spike in sales. It’s a chance to bring in new users, upsell existing ones, and build long-term retention. With Encharge, you can turn one-time deals into onboarding flows and upsell sequences that keep revenue growing.
How to extend impact:
- Follow up with new users after the promo ends.
- Send onboarding emails that reinforce product value.
- Use Encharge to build upgrade flows from promo users to full-price customers.
- After the promo, a survey email can help you learn what worked — and what didn’t — directly from new customers.
