Mailchimp vs ConvertKit
Pick any two tools to get a head-to-head breakdown.
- Most recognised platform — integrates with almost everything
- Excellent drag-and-drop email builder
- Strong e-commerce integrations with Shopify and WooCommerce
- Predictive send time and subject line optimisation
- Detailed analytics and A/B testing
- Good automation on higher plans
- Free tier goes to 10,000 subscribers — most generous in the market
- Tag-based system more flexible than Mailchimp lists
- Visual automation builder designed for creator workflows
- Built-in digital product sales and tip jar
- Excellent deliverability rates in our testing
- Subscriber tagging keeps list management clean
- Creator community and education resources
- Free tier reduced to 500 contacts — less generous than competitors
- Gets expensive quickly — $100+/mo at 10,000 contacts
- List-based model causes duplicate billing if contacts are in multiple lists
- Automation builder is complex compared to ConvertKit
- Customer support slow on lower plans
- More expensive than Mailchimp on higher subscriber counts
- Email template designs are more minimal than Mailchimp
- Fewer e-commerce integrations than Mailchimp
- Landing page builder is basic
- Reporting less detailed than ActiveCampaign
Mailchimp is the most widely recognised email marketing platform but has become less competitive since reducing its free tier to 500 subscribers in 2022. The drag-and-drop editor is intuitive and the brand recognition means it integrates with almost every third-party tool. However, for creators and small businesses, ConvertKit and Beehiiv now offer better value. Mailchimp retains its lead for e-commerce brands who need its deep Shopify and WooCommerce integrations and predictive send-time optimisation.
ConvertKit (now rebranded Kit) is the best email marketing platform for bloggers, newsletter creators, and course sellers. Its free tier allows up to 10,000 subscribers with unlimited sends — 20x more generous than Mailchimp. The tagging and segmentation system is more logical than Mailchimp list management, and the automation builder is designed around subscriber journeys rather than campaign blasts. Commerce features let you sell digital products directly. For content creators, it is the clear choice over Mailchimp.
Our verdict: ConvertKit wins
ConvertKit wins for creators. Mailchimp wins for small businesses sending promotional email.