If Mailchimp’s rising costs, limited automation, or clunky contact list management have you searching for a better email service provider—you’re not alone.

As your subscriber list grows, Mailchimp’s pricing can start to feel steep—especially for small businesses and startups. Users also don’t hide their frustration with the platform’s limited customization options, bulk emails slipping into spam, and features quietly moved to more expensive plans.

In this article, I will break down the 13 best Mailchimp alternatives, from budget-friendly ESPs to advanced marketing automation platforms, helping you weigh up the ‘Why switch from Mailchimp?’ consideration that led you to this article. Time to get this monkey off your back!

Disclaimer: This article evaluates the best Mailchimp alternatives, including Sender, which our company owns. Email marketing comparisons and assessments are based on research, industry standards, and user feedback. No commissions are earned from links in this article.

Why Consider Alternatives to Mailchimp?

Mailchimp might be one of the most recognized names in the email marketing industry. However, many users—especially those seeking Mailchimp alternatives for US businesses—are making the switch from the platform that once was a household name.

From unpredictable pricing to boring Mailchimp email templates and performance concerns, there are several reasons why small businesses and creators are exploring better email marketing software.

Here’s why you might want to replace Mailchimp and consider a Mailchimp substitute:

  • High costs. Mailchimp can be up to 6x more expensive than other platforms, making users seek cheaper alternatives to Mailchimp. For example, Sender charges $7/month for the same number of contacts that might cost over $40 on Mailchimp, making it tough for budget-conscious businesses; 
  • Regular price hikes. Mailchimp has increased its pricing multiple times over the years, often without adding significant new value. These hikes make it hard to plan long-term if you’re on a tight budget; 
  • Limited free plan. Mailchimp free plan limitations are difficult not to notice—especially when it’s been trimmed down gradually over the years. Today, it includes restrictive sending limits, fewer email marketing automation features, and minimal support, forcing users to upgrade just to access basic tools; 
  • Deliverability issues. Only 89.5% of Mailchimp emails land in inboxes, compared to 92%+ from most Mailchimp equivalent services. Some users suspect overused or shared IPs may be to blame for poor email deliverability (source: emaildeliverabilityreport.com)
  • Pricing structure. As your list grows, Mailchimp’s pricing quickly escalates. One user shared they were paying over $320/month to maintain campaigns—without seeing proportional value.
  • Customer support challenges. Support is slow, often taking 15+ minutes to respond to basic queries. There’s also no multilingual support, which adds friction for global users.

Best Mailchimp Competitors at Glance

If you want an overview of all the top Mailchimp alternatives and newsletter management systems—from B2B email marketing software to Mailchimp alternatives for enterprises—here’s a table to help you decide faster. Check out the limits, pricing, and the best features, and make a pick from the top email marketing automation platforms.

BrandBest forKey featuresFree plan
SenderEcommerce, bloggers, small businessesAutomation, segmentation, landing page builder2,500 subscribers / 15,000 emails per month
OmnisendEcommerce businessesAutomation, SMS, ecommerce workflows250 contacts / 500 emails per month
BrevoEcommerce, SaaS, transactional businessesEmail, SMS, transactional API300 emails per day (approx. 9,000 per month)
KlaviyoEcommerce, SaaS, data-driven businessesAdvanced segmentation, analytics500 contacts / 5,000 emails per month
MoosendSmall businesses, startupsAutomation, personalizationNo free plan
Campaign MonitorCreators, agencies, and businessesPersonalization features, pre-built engagement segmentsNo free plan
Constant ContactSmall and medium-sized businessesEmail marketing features, high deliverabilityNo free plan
ActiveCampaignSmall and medium-sized businessesAdvanced segmentation, high deliverabilityNo free plan
GetResponseEcommerce, SaaS, online storesAutomation, landing pages, webinars500 contacts / Unlimited emails for free plan
MailerliteSmall businesses, bloggers, and creatorsDrag-and-drop editor, automation, high deliverability500 subscribers/ 12,000 emails per month on free plan
DRIPEcommerce businesses with advanced email marketing automation needsEcommerce CRM, workflowsNo free plan
AweberSolo creators, digital product sellers, coachesLanding pages, Stripe integration, tag-based automation500 subscribers / Limited features on free plan
MailjetMarketing teams, agencies, enterprisesReal-time collaboration, API6,000 emails per month / 200 per day

If you’d like to see how I tested and narrowed down the 13 best Mailchimp alternatives, skip ahead to the Evaluation Process section.

13 Best Mailchimp Alternatives Compared in 2025

If you’ve been searching for email services like Mailchimp, look no further. Here are the top Mailchimp competitors and the best email marketing services on the market.

  • Sender – Best for budget-friendly email campaigns at scale;
  • Omnisend – Ecommerce & SMS Marketing with Lower Costs;
  • Brevo – Free with Unlimited Contacts & Advanced Features;
  • Klaviyo – Best for data-driven ecommerce email segmentation;
  • Moosend – Affordable automation for startups and SMBs;
  • Campaign Monitor  – Design-Driven Email Marketing Solution;
  • Constant Contact – Mailchimp Alternative for Small Businesses;
  • ActiveCampaign – The Mailchimp Alternative That Does the Heavy Lifting;
  • GetResponse – Strong funnel builder for sales and webinars;
  • MailerLite – Best for simplicity and intuitive email design;
  • DRIP – Ecommerce CRM with behavior-based automation;
  • Aweber – Solid choice for small businesses and newsletters;
  • Mailjet – Great for transactional and collaborative emails;

Let’s look at email campaign platforms like Mailchimp one by one—from the cheapest email marketing platforms to the most powerful ones.

1. Sender — Best Overall Mailchimp Alternative (6x Cheaper)

Best for: Ecommerce, small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) looking for bulk email sender;
Sender pricing: Paid plans start at $7/month for 1,000 subscribers + 12,000 monthly emails;
Sender Free plan: Up to 2,500 subscribers + 15,000 monthly emails.

Overall rating:
4.7
/5
G2:
4.7
Trustpilot:
4.8
Capterra:
4.7

Key Features

  • Drag & drop email builder—Create professional emails using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface with no coding required;
  • Visual automation workflows—Build automated email sequences triggered by subscriber behavior like opens, clicks, and purchases;
  • Advanced behavioral segmentation—Target customers based on specific actions including website visits, purchase history, and engagement patterns;
  • Multi-channel marketing platform—Combine SMS and email marketing campaigns from a single unified platform;
  • Integrations. Connect Sender with your favorite tools—like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Zapier—to sync customer data and streamline marketing efforts.
  • Landing page builder—Design high-converting landing pages with customizable templates and a drag-and-drop editor, no coding needed;
  • Email A/B testing—Optimize performance by testing subject lines, content, and send times to find the winning combination for maximum engagement.
Sender-email-builder-2025

Why Choose Sender Over Mailchimp?

Sender delivers all premium email marketing features at dramatically lower costs, making it the smart choice for budget-conscious businesses. 

While Mailchimp charges $20/month for just 500 contacts with basic features, Sender provides 1,000 contacts at only $7/month—saving you $13 monthly while doubling your contact capacity. This pricing advantage extends across all plans, with transparent costs and no surprise overage fees.

Beyond affordability, Sender is also one of the best GDPR-compliant Mailchimp alternatives. It includes advanced features like multi-step automation builders, comprehensive email split testing, behavioral popups, and integrated SMS marketing. Every plan comes with CAN-SPAM, and SOC 2 compliance, ensuring your campaigns meet all data privacy and security requirements.

Mailchimp vs. Sender Breakdown

FeatureMailchimpSenderWinner
Free Plan Contacts5002,500Sender
Starting Price$13/month (500 contacts)$7/month (1,000 contacts)Sender
Deliverability Rate89.5%99.3%Sender
SMS MarketingSeparate add-onIncludedSender
Customer Support15+ min waitInstant responseSender
Automation BuilderLimited on lower plansVisual builder on all plansSender
Landing PagesAvailableAvailableTie
Market ExperienceEstablished (2001)Newer platform (2012)Mailchimp
Pricing TransparencyHidden overage feesNo hidden costsSender
A/B TestingLimited featuresComprehensive testingSender

Take a closer look at the key differences between Mailchimp vs. Sender in our in-depth comparison.

Key Advantages over Mailchimp
  • 99.3% deliverability rate (compared to Mailchimp’s 89.5%);
  • 6x more affordable with transparent, predictable pricing;
  • 5x more generous free plan (2,500 vs 500 contacts);
  • Instant customer support (vs Mailchimp’s 15+ minute wait times).

See pricing →


2. Omnisend — Ecommerce & SMS Marketing with Lower Costs

Best for: Ecommerce brands looking for a budget-friendly email marketing solution;
Omnisend pricing: Starts at $11/month for up to 500 contacts + 6,000 monthly emails;
Omnisend Free plan: Available for up to 250 contacts + 500 monthly emails.

Overall rating:
4.6
/5
G2:
4.6
Trustpilot:
4.4
Capterra:
4.7

Key Features

  • Email + SMS + Push—Orchestrate coordinated marketing campaigns across email, SMS, and web-push notifications, all from a single intuitive dashboard; 
  • Automated review requests—Effortlessly collect and showcase customer feedback with intelligent review request workflows that integrate directly with Shopify; 
  • Behavior-based segmentation—Target by purchase history, site behavior, or lifecycle stage; 
  • Email A/B Testing—Optimize campaign performance by testing subject lines, calls-to-action, visuals, and content variations.
Omnisend_dashboard

Why Choose Omnisend Over Mailchimp? 

If you’re running an ecommerce store, Omnisend beats Mailchimp by focusing on what you need exactly. It simplifies automation with pre-built workflows for abandoned carts, order confirmations, and post-purchase sequences. 

Where Omnisend falls short, however, is email deliverability. During my time with this Mailchimp alternative, I was generally satisfied with its deliverability, although Omnisend’s deliverability rate dropped to 78.5% (source: emailtooltester.com).

While definitely below industry standards, Omnisend compensates for janky deliverability with its integrated SMS marketing. Unlike Mailchimp—which treats SMS as a limited add-on—Omnisend offers native, fully synchronized SMS capabilities that work hand in hand with email campaigns, including drip email campaigns.

Mailchimp vs. Omnisend Breakdown 

FeatureMailchimpOmnisendWinner
Free Plan Contacts500250Mailchimp
Starting Price$13/month (500 contacts)$11/month (500 contacts)Omnisend
Deliverability Rate89.5%78.5%Mailchimp
SMS MarketingSeparate add-onIncluded on all plansOmnisend
Customer Support15+ min waitFast email/chat supportOmnisend
Automation BuilderLimited on lower plansAdvanced automation builderOmnisend
Landing PagesAvailableAvailableTie
Push notificationsRequires third-party appsAvailable (on all plans)Omnisend
Pricing TransparencyHidden overage feesTransparent pricingOmnisend
A/B TestingLimited featuresComprehensive testingOmnisend

Take a closer look at the key differences between Mailchimp vs. Omnisend in our in-depth comparison.

Key Advantages over Mailchimp
  • Faster campaign setup for ecommerce workflows;. 
  • Built-in multichannel email marketing tools (email, SMS, web push notifications—no extra tools needed); 
  • Built-in ecommerce automations (vs Mailchimp’s general-use templates); 
  • Transparent pricing with no tier confusion; 
  • Shopify-friendly real-time sync plus WordPress plugins.

3. Brevo — Free with Unlimited Contacts & Advanced Features

Best for: Ecommerce startups looking for a reliable MailChimp alternative;
Brevo pricing: Starts at $8/month for up to 500 contacts + 5,000 monthly emails;
Brevo Free plan: Available for up to 500 contacts + 5,000 emails/month.

Overall rating:
4.5
/5
G2:
4.5
Trustpilot:
4.4
Capterra:
4.6

Key Features

  • Transactional email engine—Reliably send order confirmations, shipping updates, and password resets with a powerful transactional system built for ecommerce performance;
  • Built-in CRM—Keep all your customer data organized in one place, track interactions, and manage relationships without needing separate CRM software;
  • Prebuilt automations—Save time with ready-to-use workflows for welcome sequences, cart recovery, and re-engagement that you can customize in minutes;
  • Signup forms & segmentation—Grow your audience faster with flexible signup forms and segment lists automatically based on demographics, behavior, or engagement.
Brevo-dashboard-scaled

Why Choose Brevo Over Mailchimp? 

Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) handles email, SMS, WhatsApp, and even transactional emails without overwhelming you with complex pricing tiers. 

During my time with Brevo, one of the first things I noticed was Brevo’s built-in CRM integration. It made managing contacts, tracking interactions, and segmenting audiences far easier without relying on external tools. And while it’s not a full-on CRM platform, I still found it to be superior to Mailchimp’s tools.

When it comes to email deliverability, Brevo scored a respectable, yet below-average 74.7% (source: emailtooltester.com). While this Mailchimp alternative certainly lags behind tools like Sender or Mailchimp, the majority of emails still landed in primary inboxes across major email service providers (ESPs) like Gmail and Yahoo without any need for concern.

Mailchimp vs. Brevo Breakdown

FeatureMailchimpBrevoWinner
Free Plan500 contacts + 1,000 email sends/month300 contacts + unlimited email sendsBrevo
Starting Price$13/month$8/monthBrevo
Deliverability Rate89.5%74.7%Mailchimp
SMS/WhatsApp MarketingSMS as add-on, no WhatsAppBuilt-in Email, SMS, WhatsApp, TransactionalBrevo
Customer Support15+ min waitFast, responsive supportBrevo
CRM & Contact ManagementBasic CRM toolsBuilt-in CRM with segmentationBrevo
Automation BuilderLimited on lower plansAvailable on all plansBrevo
CRM integrationBuilt-in, missing features filled in by extensionsBuilt-in, no integrations neededBrevo
IntegrationsLarge ecosystem of integrationsShopify, WooCommerce, WP, Stripe & moreTie
Pricing TransparencyHidden overage feesCosts extra if you want to remove Brevo brandingTie
Data Privacy & SecurityGDPR-compliant, US-based serversGDPR-compliant, EU-based servers, 2FABrevo

Take a closer look at the key differences between Mailchimp vs. Brevo in our in-depth comparison.

Key Advantages over Mailchimp
  • Better for email marketing beginners—cleaner UX, easier to navigate. 
  • Unlimited contact storage (vs Mailchimp’s steep list-based pricing); 
  • Free transactional emails (ideal for order updates and confirmations); 
  • No hidden costs for essentials like automation or segmentation; 
  • Live chat + CRM built-in (vs paid Mailchimp add-ons).

4. Klaviyo — Advanced Ecommerce Features Mailchimp Can’t Match

Best for: Ecommerce businesses looking for advanced segmentation features;
Klaviyo pricing: Starts at $20/month for up to 500 contacts + 5,000 monthly emails;
Klaviyo Free plan: Available for up to 250 contacts and 500 monthly emails.

Overall rating:
3.9
/5
G2:
4.6
Trustpilot:
2.4
Capterra:
4.6

Key Features

  • Advanced segmentation tools—Precisely target audiences using detailed filters based on engagement level, purchase history, location, and other behavioral or demographic data;
  • Visual automation builder—Build powerful, multi-step workflows for onboarding, cart recovery, and win-back campaigns—all through an intuitive visual interface;
  • Ecommerce-first integrations—Sync deep customer and order data from Shopify, WooCommerce, and other ecommerce platforms to create fully personalized campaigns;
  • Revenue attribution dashboards—Track exactly which emails and automations drive sales, conversions, and repeat purchases with real-time performance insights;
  • Dynamic content—Automatically personalize product recommendations, messaging, and CTAs for each subscriber based on their behavior and purchase patterns.
Klaviyo-dashboard-2024

Why Choose Klaviyo Over Mailchimp? 

Klaviyo is a great Mailchimp alternative for ecommerce brands serious about driving sales with data. It turns customer behavior—browsing, purchase history, engagement—into real-time, personalized email and SMS campaigns. 

After starting my hands-on testing, Klaviyo surprised me with a more comprehensive segmentation, predictive analytics, and revenue attribution features for ecommerce email marketing.

If there’s one trade-off with everything that Klaviyo offers—including a strong deliverability rate roughly on par with Mailchimp’s—it’s the steep learning curve, which can be a real turnoff for email marketing newcomers. But if you’re willing to invest the time, the payoff in better features than Mailchimp and sales performance is well worth it.

Mailchimp vs. Klaviyo Breakdown

FeatureMailchimpKlaviyoWinner
Free Plan500 contacts + 1,000 sends/moUp to 250 contacts & 500 sends/moMailchimp
Starting Price$13/month (500 contacts)$20/month (500 contacts)Mailchimp 
DeliverabilityNo detailed deliverability dashboards or feedback loop dataBounce suppression, Sender health metrics, IP warmup supportKlaviyo
SMS MarketingAdd-on, limited integrationBuilt-in SMS with email campaignsKlaviyo
Customer Support15+ min waitEmail + chat supportKlaviyo
Segmentation & TargetingBasic segmentationAdvanced, behavior-driven segmentationKlaviyo
Predictive AnalyticsNot availableBuilt-in predictive analyticsKlaviyo
Automation BuilderLimited on lower plansPowerful marketing automation workflowsKlaviyo
IntegrationsLarge ecosystem of integrationsShopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, etc.Tie
Reporting & Revenue AttributionStandard campaign reportsAdvanced revenue attribution reportsKlaviyo
Ease of UseBeginner-friendlySteeper learning curveMailchimp
Pricing TransparencyHidden overage feesTransparent, usage-based pricingKlaviyo

Take a closer look at the key differences between Mailchimp vs. Klaviyo in our in-depth comparison.

Key advantages over Mailchimp
  • Stronger campaign personalization across the funnel compared to Mailchimp; 
  • Hyper-specific segmentation based on real-time customer behavior; 
  • Revenue-tracking automation flows (vs Mailchimp’s limited tracking); 
  • Native ecommerce integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce; 
  • Predictive analytics to forecast churn and future purchases.
With Sender, it’s free as long as you want it
Send up to 15,000 emails to 2,500 subscribers completely free. Automation, segmentation, email templates, landing pages and popups included.
Start With Free Plan

5. Moosend — Decent Automation Tools at More Affordable Rates

Best for: Digital marketing agencies & email marketing for startups;
Moosend pricing: Starts at $7/month for up to 500 contacts + unlimited emails;
Moosend Free plan: 30-day free trial available.

Overall rating:
4.2
/5
G2:
4.7
Trustpilot:
3.4
Capterra:
4.6

Key Features

  • Visual automation editor—Build sophisticated email journeys with an intuitive, no-code visual editor that maps out the entire customer experience step by step;
  • Prebuilt automation recipes—Save time with ready-to-use automation templates for welcome sequences, abandoned cart recovery, re-engagement, and more;
  • List segmentation & personalization—Deliver hyper-relevant content by grouping subscribers based on behavior, purchase history, or expressed interests;
  • Real-time analytics—Monitor campaign performance instantly with live tracking for opens, clicks, conversions, and overall engagement metrics;
  • Landing page builder—Design unlimited landing pages for lead generation, promotions, and signups using an easy drag-and-drop builder and customizable templates.
moosend-dashboard

Why Choose Moosend Over Mailchimp? 

If you’re a small business looking for powerful automation without overpaying, Moosend delivers more than expected at its price point. 

Placing Moosend next to Mailchimp, I quickly found its visual automation builder to be more intuitive—even for team members new to email marketing. I was able to build multi-step journeys without constantly referencing tutorials.

Moosend also stood out with a deliverability score of 90.1% (source: emailtooltester.com), edging out Mailchimp by a small margin. With built-in tools to monitor sender reputation and helpful tips for avoiding spam filters, Moosend gives you a solid foundation for maintaining strong inbox placement.

Mailchimp vs. Moosend Breakdown

FeatureMailchimpMoosendWinner / Notes
Free Plan500 contacts + 1,000 sends/monthNo actual free plan (30-day free trial)Mailchimp
Starting Price$13/month (500 contacts) $7/month (500 contacts)Moosend
Automation & WorkflowsVisual “Customer Journeys,” multi-step automations.Strong automation even at lower price points. Conditional sequences, behavior-triggered automations praisedMoosend
Interface / Ease of UseMany features but some users feel UI is more cluttered or datedClean and straightforwardMoosend
Reporting & Real-Time DataStrong reporting suite; good campaign analytics. Some lag issues or limitations on lower plansNoted for more real-time reporting, detailed analytics, and faster feedback loopsMoosend
Template / Editor FlexibilityLarge template library; drag-and-drop editor; extra design optionsStrong drag-and-drop editor modern templatesTie
IntegrationsVery large ecosystem of integrationsMore limited compared to Mailchimp but still covers key toolsMailchimp
SupportSlow responses and higher-tier priorityFast, responsive support Moosend

Take a closer look at the key differences between Mailchimp vs. Moosend in our in-depth comparison.

Key advantages over Mailchimp
  • Better automation value at a lower cost;
  • Transparent pricing model vs. Mailchimp; 
  • Clean, drag-and-drop interface; 
  • Visual workflows for every scenario; 
  • Responsive support across all tiers.

6. Campaign Monitor — Design-Driven Email Marketing Solution

Best for: Creators, agencies, and businesses that prioritize brand consistency;
Campaign Monitor pricing: Starts at $11/month for up to 500 contacts + 2,500 monthly emails;
Campaign Monitor Free plan: 30-day free trial only.

Overall rating:
4.1
/5
G2:
4.1
Trustpilot:
3.8
Capterra:
4.5

Key Features

  • Drag-and-drop email designer—Build pixel-perfect, on-brand campaigns with one of the most intuitive visual editors on the market;
  • Custom brand templates—Lock in your fonts, colors, and design rules to maintain visual consistency across all messages;
  • Journey automation builder—Send personalized customer journeys triggered by behavior, signups, or purchases—no coding required;
  • Dynamic segmentation—Group audiences by engagement, demographics, or custom fields to boost open and click-through rates;
  • Advanced analytics—Visual performance dashboards that reveal what drives engagement and conversions across campaigns.
campaign-monitor-reports

Why Choose Campaign Monitor Over Mailchimp?

Campaign Monitor stands out for its design-first approach—a core philosophy Mailchimp has been slowly moving away from. During my hands-on, Campaign Monitor’s drag-and-drop builder felt faster and more refined than that of Mailchimp’s. 

Where Mailchimp often buries customization behind paywalls or complex menus, Campaign Monitor keeps things straightforward. Each campaign can automatically replicate your company’s fonts, color palette, and logo settings.

While its automation tools are slightly more limited than Mailchimp’s higher-tier workflows, Campaign Monitor compensates with visual clarity and ease of use, especially for small teams or agencies managing multiple brands. And with a deliverability rate averaging 92%, inbox placement remained consistent across Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo.

Mailchimp vs. Campaign Monitor Breakdown

FeatureMailchimpCampaign MonitorWinner
Free Plan500 contacts + 1,000 sendsFree trial onlyMailchimp
Starting Price$13/month (500 contacts)$11/month (500 contacts)Campaign Monitor
Deliverability Rate89.5%90.5%Campaign Monitor
Email BuilderFunctional email builderIntuitive visual editorTie
AutomationBasic on lower tiersEasy-to-use journey builderTie
SegmentationAvailable on paid plansDynamic, real-time segmentationCampaign Monitor
Design ConsistencyManual setupBrand templates with locked stylingCampaign Monitor
Integrations300+179Mailchimp
SupportLimited on free plansEmail + chat supportCampaign Monitor
Pricing TransparencyHidden overage feesClear, usage-based pricingCampaign Monitor
Key Advantages over Mailchimp
  • More polished and responsive email design experience;
  • Branded templates ensure consistent visuals across campaigns;
  • 90.5% deliverability rate with strong inbox placement;
  • Straightforward pricing—no overage surprises;
  • Ideal for agencies managing multiple brands or design-centric campaigns.

7. Constant Contact — Mailchimp Alternative for Small Businesses

Best for: Small and medium-sized businesses looking for reliable Mailchimp alternatives;
Constant Contact pricing: Starts at $12/month for 500 contacts + 5k emails/month;
Constant Contact Free plan: Not available (30-day free trial).

Overall rating:
4.2
/5
G2:
4.1
Trustpilot:
4.2
Capterra:
4.3

Key Features

  • User-friendly landing page & email creator—Create email campaigns with built-in list-building features. Great for lead capture, special offers, and event signups;
  • In-depth analytics—Track open rates, click-throughs, and engagement over time with visual analytics and device-specific insights;
  • Reliable phone & live chat support—Real-time help available whenever you need it, perfect for users who prefer guided assistance;
  • Powerful email marketing features—Use customizable templates, RSVPs, and automated reminders to drive engagement for both virtual and in-person events.
constant-contact-dashboard

Why Choose Constant Contact Over Mailchimp? 

If you’re a growing business that relies on integrations and consistent inbox placement, Constant Contact makes a compelling case over Mailchimp. While Mailchimp often limits automation and integrations to higher-priced plans, Constant Contact offers robust tools for email marketing, ecommerce, and CRM workflows—even on its basic plan.

Meanwhile, Constant Contact boasts one of the best deliverability rates in the industry—an impressive 91.7% (source: emailtooltester.com). This ~2% difference bears little difference when it comes to the actual email inbox placement—at least in my testing—but the numbers are first-rate all the same.

Another area where Constant Contact shines is integrations. Whether you’re running a Shopify store, building a site on WordPress, it offers built-in connectors that sync data with speed and precision.

Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact Breakdown

FeatureMailchimpConstant ContactWinner
Free Plan500 subs + 1,000 emails/moNo permanent free planMailchimp
Ease of UseBeginner-friendly, general-purpose UIUser-friendly landing page & email creator with built-in list-building toolsTie
Deliverability Rate89.5%91.7%Constant Contact
IntegrationsMany integrations but some locked to higher tiersNative integrations with Shopify, WordPress, Salesforce, and moreConstant Contact
SupportEmail support, live chat limited to paid plansReliable phone & live chat support available on all plansConstant Contact
AutomationMany marketing automation features locked to higher tiersAutomation, list segmentation, ecommerce tools included on base planConstant Contact
AnalyticsBasic analytics, advanced reporting on higher tiersIn-depth visual analytics with device-specific insightsConstant Contact
Event MarketingNo native event management toolsBuilt-in RSVP tracking, reminders, and event promotion toolsConstant Contact
Templates & CustomizationWide template library but slightly less flexibleHighly customizable templates with easy drag-and-drop builderTie

Take a closer look at the key differences between Mailchimp vs. Constant Contact in our in-depth comparison.

Key advantages over Mailchimp
  • Seamless integration with Shopify, WordPress, Salesforce, and more;
  • Real-time chat and phone support available on all plans (unlike Mailchimp’s paywalled assistance);
  • Built-in event management with registration forms and RSVP tracking;
  • Transparent pricing with automation, segmentation, and ecommerce essentials included from the start.

8. ActiveCampaign —The Mailchimp Alternative That Does the Heavy Lifting

Best for: Businesses looking for advanced email automation and CRM integration;
ActiveCampaign pricing: $15/month for up to 1,000 contacts + 10k emails/month;
Active Campaign Free plan: Not available (14-day free trial).

Overall rating:
4.1
/5
G2:
4.5
Trustpilot:
3.1
Capterra:
4.6

Key Features

  • Advanced segmentation—Target subscribers based on behavior, demographics, or engagement history; 
  • Conditional automations—Build flexible workflows that adapt to user actions in real time;
  • High deliverability—Reach inboxes consistently with optimized email sending infrastructure; 
  • Smart scheduling—Send emails at the ideal time for each subscriber’s time zone or engagement pattern; 
  • Robust integrations—Connect seamlessly with tools like Shopify, WordPress, Zapier, and more.

Why Choose ActiveCampaign Over Mailchimp? 

For starters, ActiveCampaign’s deliverability is excellent—ActiveCampaign scores 94.2% (source: emailtooltester.com), noticeably higher than Mailchimp’s 89.5%, coming only in second place after Sender. It’s a considerable bump that increases the odds of campaigns landing in the inbox.

Automation is where ActiveCampaign shows its strengths. Its visual automation builder supports conditional logic, split actions, goals, and CRM updates—perfect for people who need more automation than Mailchimp might offer. You can build full customer journeys that go far beyond basic autoresponders, responding to behaviors like purchases, page visits, or abandoned carts.

On the integration side, ActiveCampaign supports over 900 native connections, from Shopify and WooCommerce to Salesforce and Typeform. That makes it a solid fit for businesses that rely on a wide range of tools and want deep syncing between platforms.

Mailchimp vs. ActiveCampaign Breakdown

FeatureMailchimpActiveCampaignWinner
Free Plan500 subs + 1k emails/monthNo free plan (14-day trial)Mailchimp
Starting Price$13/month$15/monthMailchimp
Automation BuilderBasic on lower tiersAdvanced visual builder, conditional logicActiveCampaign
Ease of UseBeginner-friendly, simpler UIFeature-rich, moderate learning curveMailchimp
Deliverability Rate89.5%94.2%ActiveCampaign
IntegrationsVast ecosystem, many natives950+ native integrationsTie
CRM & Contact MgmtBasic CRM toolsBuilt-in CRM, pipelines, scoringActiveCampaign
Templates & BuilderLarger template library, advanced toolsFlexible editor, fewer templatesMailchimp
SupportPriority support on higher tiersLive chat & email on all paid plansActiveCampaign
Pricing TransparencyHidden overage feesClear tiers, no hidden feesActiveCampaign

Take a closer look at the key differences between Mailchimp vs. ActiveCampaign in our in-depth comparison.

Key Advantages over Mailchimp:
  • Higher deliverability rates (94.2% vs. Mailchimp’s 89.5%);
  • 950+ native integrations, including Salesforce and WooCommerce;
  • Advanced automations with AI and conditional logic;
  • Built-in CRM with sales pipelines and subscriber retention tools.
With Sender, it’s free as long as you want it
Send up to 15,000 emails to 2,500 subscribers completely free. Automation, segmentation, email templates, landing pages and popups included.
Start With Free Plan

9. GetResponse — Built-in Webinars + Sales Funnels (Beyond Email)

Best for: B2B & SMBs looking for lead nurturing software & SaaS email tool;
GetResponse pricing: Starts at $15/month for up to 1,000 contacts + unlimited emails;
GetResponse Free plan: Available for up to 500 contacts + 2,500 monthly emails.

Overall rating:
4.2
/5
G2:
4.2
Trustpilot:
4.1
Capterra:
4.2

Key Features

  • Autofunnel builder—Create complete email and sales funnels with intuitive drag-and-drop tools that connect signup forms, automations, and checkout pages into one seamless flow;
  • Webinar hosting—Host live or on-demand webinars directly within the platform to educate, nurture, and convert subscribers into paying customers—no external tools required;
  • AI email writer—Instantly generate engaging subject lines and compelling email copy powered by AI to save time and boost campaign performance;
  • Landing page + website builder—Visually design high-converting landing pages, lead magnets, and full websites using customizable templates that match your brand style;
  • Behavior-based automations—Automatically send personalized emails triggered by user behavior—like signups, clicks, or purchases—to nurture leads and drive repeat sales.
getresponse-dashboard-05

Why Choose GetResponse Over Mailchimp? 

If your goal goes beyond email and you’re getting tired of Mailchimp’s limited features, GetResponse should be your pick. GetResponse helps you build entire customer journeys, from signup to sale, all without any third-party tool or add-on. 

One of GetResponse’s standout features is its built-in webinar hosting—something I found Mailchimp lacks entirely. It lets you run live events, lead nurturing sessions, or product demos from the same platform you use for email marketing.

Despite offering more features, GetResponse’s plans usually cost less than Mailchimp’s. You’ll even get built-in social media and Google Ads tools, so you can automate across more channels without switching platforms.

Mailchimp vs. GetResponse Breakdown

FeatureMailchimpGetResponseWinner
Free Plan500 subs + 1,000 emails/mo500 subs + 2,500 emails/moGetResponse
Starting Price$13/month$15/month Mailchimp
Automation BuilderBasic on lower tiersBehavior-based automations, prebuilt funnelsGetResponse
Ease of UseBeginner-friendly, simpler UIIntuitive, slightly more feature-richTie
Deliverability Rate89.5%90.9%GetResponse
IntegrationsVast ecosystem, many natives120+ integrations, ecommerce & webinar toolsMailchimp
CRM & Contact MgmtBasic CRM toolsBasic CRM, lead scoringGetResponse
Templates & BuilderLarger template library, advanced toolsLanding page + website builderTie
WebinarsNot availableBuilt-in hosting & funnelsGetResponse
SupportPriority support on higher tiers24/7 chat & email supportGetResponse
Pricing TransparencyHidden overage feesClear plans, fewer surprisesGetResponse

Take a closer look at the key differences between Mailchimp vs. GetResponse in our in-depth comparison.

Key advantages over Mailchimp
  • Built-in webinar hosting (vs no webinar tools on Mailchimp); 
  • Sales funnel automation with prebuilt, customizable flows; 
  • Landing pages + lead magnets under one roof; 
  • Impressive deliverability rate of 90.9% (source: emailtooltester.com)
  • Extra features like social media integration at a lower price point than Mailchimp.

10. MailerLite — Mailchimp’s Features at Half the Price

Best for: Small businesses and retailers looking for budget-friendly marketing solution;
MailerLite pricing: Starts at $9/month for up to 500 contacts + unlimited emails;
MailerLite Free plan: Available for up to 500 contacts + 12,000 monthly emails.

Overall rating:
4.5
/5
G2:
4.6
Trustpilot:
4.3
Capterra:
4.7

Key Features

  • Intuitive drag-and-drop builder—Quickly design beautiful, mobile-optimized emails using a simple drag-and-drop interface that requires no coding or technical experience;
  • Basic automation—Set up automatic email sequences triggered by customer behavior, time delays, or specific conditions to nurture leads and boost engagement;
  • Solid template collection—Access a curated library of clean, professional templates—less flashy than Mailchimp’s, but perfectly suited for most marketing campaigns;
  • Deliverability optimization—Achieve top-tier inbox placement with built-in deliverability tools, custom domain authentication, and smart sending practices;
  • Countdowns, quizzes, surveys—Engage subscribers with interactive elements like countdown timers, quizzes, and surveys—no third-party tools or add-ons required.
mailerlite-dashboard

Why Choose Mailerlite Over Mailchimp? 

MailerLite offers many of the same features as Mailchimp—drag-and-drop email editor, automation workflows, and email blast tool. However, all of that comes at nearly half the price of Mailchimp. Sure, you won’t get fancy bells and whistles, but everything you need to run email marketing is there. 

Based on my hands-on testing, MailerLite consistently ranks great on deliverability, scoring 89.8% (source: emailtooltester.com)—just a touch over Mailchimp’s 89.5%. Sure, that barely makes a difference. For solo creators and small businesses, however, this small edge might be reason enough to consider switching from Mailchimp.

Furthermore, if you’re a developer or have one on your team, this Mailchimp alternative offers a clean, well-documented API, webhook support, and custom HTML email editing. While it’s not as advanced as Mailchimp when it comes to integrations or complex scripting, it strikes a solid balance between usability and customization.

Mailchimp vs. MailerLite Breakdown

FeatureMailchimpMailerLiteWinner
Free Plan500 subs + 1k emails/month500 subs + 12k emails/monthMailerLite
Starting PriceHigher once scaling upLower cost for growing listsMailerLite
Automation BuilderMore features, higher tiersVisual workflows on all plansMailerLite
Ease of UseFeature-rich, steeper curveClean, user-friendly interfaceMailerLite
Templates & BuilderLarger email template library, advanced toolsResponsive templates, simple editorMailchimp
IntegrationsVast ecosystem, many nativesGood set, covers essentialsMailchimp
SupportPriority on higher tiersDecent support, free plan includedMailerLite
Deliverability Rate89.5%89.8%MailerLite

Take a closer look at the key differences between Mailchimp vs. MailerLite in our in-depth comparison.

Key advantages over Mailchimp
  • 40–50% cheaper pricing than Mailchimp at every tier; 
  • Top-tier deliverability (89.8%);
  • Clean interface with quick loading and editing; 
  • No overcomplicated menus which makes it great for beginners; 
  • No bloated feature sets or expensive add-ons like on Mailchimp.

11. DRIP — Focused Ecommerce Automation (Higher Learning Curve)

Best for: Ecommerce brands that need powerful automation tools;
DRIP pricing: Starts at $39/month for up to 2,500 contacts + unlimited emails;
DRIP Free plan: Not available (14-day free trial).

Overall rating:
4.4
/5
G2:
4.4
Capterra:
4.4

Key Features

  • Visual automation builder—Design sophisticated customer journeys with real-time triggers that respond instantly to subscriber actions;
  • Ecommerce CRM—View detailed customer profiles, track purchase history, and sync order data directly with more personalized campaigns;
  • Personalized product recommendations—Automatically showcase products each customer is most likely to buy using behavior-based insights;
  • Onsite widget builder—Create targeted popups, gamified forms, and special offers that adapt to visitor behavior;
  • Detailed ROI reporting—Go beyond opens and clicks with performance dashboards that connect each campaign to actual revenue and customer lifetime value.
drip-dashboard

Why Choose Drip Over Mailchimp? 

While Mailchimp offers general-purpose email tools, Drip dives deep into customer behavior, segmentation, and automation workflows.

I’ve seen brands increase revenue by setting up timely drip campaigns based on browsing behavior and abandoned checkouts using Drip. While I only tested this automation on a dummy campaign, I could already see why that’s the case—it’s very user-friendly and lets you build complex workflows without feeling overwhelmed.

Drip also performs well on email deliverability. Although it scores slightly below Mailchimp with 88.2% (source: emailtooltester.com), it offers monitor engagement and sender reputation tools to help you stay out of spam folders.

This customer engagement software also integrates natively with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and tools like Stripe, allowing you to trigger campaigns based on real-time store activity. On the other hand, with no free plan, only a limited-time trial, it’s harder for smaller teams to test those premium features before making a commitment.

Mailchimp vs. DRIP Breakdown

FeatureMailchimpDripWinner
Free Plan500 subs + 1,000 emails/moNo free plan, limited-time trial onlyMailchimp
Ease of UseBeginner-friendly, general-purpose UIIntuitive workflow builder, ecommerce-focused UIDrip
Deliverability RateSlightly higher deliverability88.2% with engagement and reputation monitoring toolsMailchimp
IntegrationsLarge ecosystem, many third-party integrationsNative integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, StripeTie
CRM & Contact MgmtBasic CRM toolsBuilt-in ecommerce CRM, purchase tracking, granular segmentationDrip
AutomationBasic automation logicReal-time behavioral automation, pre-built customer lifecycle emails Drip
PersonalizationLimited personalization optionsOn-site popups, forms, and dynamic content for personalizationDrip
SegmentationLimited segmentation depthGranular filters by product views, spend, and engagementDrip
Ecommerce FocusGeneral-purpose marketing toolPurpose-built for online retail, supports post-purchase and win-back flowsDrip
Store Activity TriggersLacks native real-time triggersCan trigger campaigns based on real-time store activity (e.g., browsing, checkout)Drip
Key advantages over Mailchimp 
  • On-site personalization tools—Popups, forms, and dynamic content. 
  • Built-in CRM for ecommerce to manage purchase data and personalize every message; 
  • Real-time behavioral automation (vs Mailchimp’s basic logic); 
  • Pre-built ecommerce flows for abandoned carts, win-backs, post-purchase; 
  • Granular segmentation to filter audiences by product views, spend, engagement.

12. Aweber — Simple Setup with Better Support Than Mailchimp

Best for: Entrepreneurs, small businesses, and creators;
AWeber pricing: Starts at $13/month for up to 500 contacts + 5,000 monthly emails;
AWeber Free plan: Available up to 500 subscribers + 3,000 emails/month.

Overall rating:
3.7
/5
G2:
4.2
Trustpilot:
2.5
Capterra:
4.4

Key Features

  • Landing page builder—Create professional, high-converting pages for sales, signups, or event registrations with drag-and-drop simplicity and built-in lead capture forms; 
  • Stripe integration—Seamlessly accept payments for ebooks, workshops, or services directly through your landing pages—no need for an external store or complex setup; 
  • Tag-triggered automation—Deliver content or reminders automatically post-purchase; 
  • Personalized confirmation emails—Automatically send tailored confirmation messages for each product or purchase, enhancing the post-purchase experience;
  • Mobile responsive templates—Use email campaign tools to create landing pages that look great on any device.
aweber-dashboard

Why Choose AWeber Over Mailchimp? 

AWeber offers a refreshingly simple experience as compared to Mailchimp, suitable for solo creators, coaches, and DIY marketers. While the interface is similarly lean, the learning curve is similarly low, and AWeber’s customer support is far more responsive than one found at Mailchimp.

And that’s only the start. What’s especially handy with AWeber is its two-way data sync, which lets you personalize content based on real-time subscriber behavior across platforms. Developers get a RESTful API with decent flexibility for building custom connections—not the most advanced toolkit out there, but it gets the job done. 

Another good reason to switch to this Mailchimp alternative is strong inbox placement, which sits at around 83.1% (source: emailtooltester.com), despite offering nearly 6% lower results than Mailchimp. Still, it’s a solid performance that should be more than sufficient for most small businesses and creators.

Mailchimp vs. AWeber Breakdown

FeatureMailchimpAWeberWinner
Free Plan500 subs + 1,000 emails/mo500 subs + 3,000 emails/moAWeber
Starting Price$13/mo (Essentials plan)$14.99/mo (Lite plan)Mailchimp
Ease of UseBeginner-friendly, slightly more featuresSimple, beginner-friendly setupTie
AutomationBasic on lower tiersTag-based automationsAWeber
Templates & BuilderLarger template library, advanced editorLanding page builder + Stripe integrationTie
Ecommerce ToolsRequires third-party store setupBuilt-in widget for products & servicesAWeber
Customer SupportPriority support only on higher tiersEmail + phone + chat supportAWeber
Setup SpeedMore steps, slightly slowerQuick and straightforward onboardingAWeber
Pricing TransparencyHidden overage chargesStraightforward plans, no hidden feesAWeber

Take a closer look at the key differences between Mailchimp vs. AWeber in our in-depth comparison.

Key advantages over Mailchimp
  • Faster setup than Mailchimp, especially for beginners; 
  • Built-in ecommerce widget for digital products + services; 
  • No-code landing page builder with full Stripe integration; 
  • Tag-based automation for personalized content delivery; 
  • Responsive email and phone support along with help guides.
With Sender, it’s free as long as you want it
Send up to 15,000 emails to 2,500 subscribers completely free. Automation, segmentation, email templates, landing pages and popups included.
Start With Free Plan

13. Mailjet — Reliable Transactional Emails Without Mailchimp’s Limits

Best for: SMBs and retailers looking for a budget-friendly email marketing;
Mailjet pricing: Starts at $17/month for up to 15,000 monthly emails + unlimited contacts;
Mailjet Free plan: Available for up to 1,500 contacts + 6,000 monthly emails.

Overall rating:
4.0
/5
G2:
4.0
Trustpilot:
3.9
Capterra:
4.2

Key Features

  • Drag-and-drop email editor—Design stunning, responsive emails in minutes with an intuitive, no-code editor that makes customization simple for any skill level;
  • Transactional email API—Deliver essential messages like order confirmations, shipping updates, and password resets instantly through a reliable, developer-friendly API;
  • Live collaboration tools—Work together with your team in real time to edit, review, and approve campaigns without version conflicts or endless back-and-forth;
  • Dynamic content blocks—Automatically personalize sections of each email based on customer data, behavior, or segment to increase relevance and engagement;
  • Email A/B testing—Experiment with subject lines, buttons, visuals, and layouts to identify the best-performing variations and maximize campaign results.
mailchimp_alternatives

Why Choose Mailjet Over Mailchimp? 

If you’re sending a mix of marketing and transactional emails, Mailjet offers a more flexible and reliable setup compared to Mailchimp. While Mailchimp limits transactional messaging or forces costly workarounds (via Mandrill), this email delivery platform includes it natively.

One of the bigger advantages I noticed while testing Mailjet was its drag-and-drop editor. It’s easy to use, and dynamic content makes personalization simple. Combined with Mailjet’s improved deliverability rate of 88% (a notable jump from last year’s benchmarks)—even if it trails Mailchimp slightly in inbox placement or lacks advanced logic or complex workflows—it’s a strong overall combination.

Still, with real-time collaboration, strong deliverability, and transparent pricing, Mailjet is ideal for small teams and retailers that prioritize ease and reliability over bells and whistles.

Mailchimp vs. Mailjet Breakdown

FeatureMailchimpMailjetWinner
Free Plan500 contacts + 1k emails/mo1,500 contacts + 6,000 emails/moMailjet
Starting Price$13/month (Essentials)$15/month (Essential)Mailchimp
Automation BuilderBasic on lower tiersBasic workflows, easy setupTie
Ease of UseBeginner-friendly, slightly more polishedSimple UI, team-friendlyTie
Deliverability Rate89.5%88%Mailchimp
Data Privacy & SecurityGDPR-compliant, US-based serversGDPR compliant, EU-based servers, 2FAMailjet
CRM & Contact MgmtBasic CRM toolsBasic contact segmentationTie
Templates & BuilderLarger template library, advanced toolsDrag-and-drop editor, fewer templatesMailchimp
Transactional EmailRequires Mandrill add-onBuilt-in API includedMailjet
CollaborationSingle-user focus (extra cost for teams)Real-time multi-user editingMailjet
SupportPriority support on higher tiersEmail support, higher tiers get chatTie
Pricing TransparencyHidden overage feesSimple, no hidden feesMailjet

Take a closer look at the key differences between Mailchimp vs. Mailjet in our in-depth comparison.

Key advantages over Mailchimp
  • Dynamic content for personalized messages.
  • Built-in transactional email (no workarounds or extra tools needed); 
  • Budget-friendly pricing for high email volumes unlike Mailchimp; 
  • Multi-user access without additional charge for extra users; 
  • Strong data privacy & GDPR compliance.

Mailchimp Competitors Cost Comparison & Calculator

PlatformEntry plan10,000 contacts20,000 contacts50,000 contacts100,000 contacts
MailchimpStarts at $29/month$135$287$453$805
SenderStarts at $7/month$40/month$75/month$159/month$257/month
OmnisendStarts at $11/month $92/month$186/month$289/month$630/month
BrevoStarts at $8/month Brevo offers unlimited contacts with pricing depending on monthly email sends, starting at $29
KlaviyoStarts at $20/month $150/month$375/month$720/month$1,380/month
MoosendStarts at $7/month$70/month$128/month$252/month$499/month
Campaign MonitorStarts at $11/month$103/month$214/month$352/monthCustom price
Constant ContactStarts at $12/month$120/month$230/month$430/monthCustom price
ActiveCampaignStarts at $15/month$149/month$311/month$609/monthCustom price
GetResponseStarts at $15/month $66/month$141/month$246/month$477/month
MailerliteStarts at $9/month$66/month$125/month$260/month$396/month
DripStarts at $39/month$154/month$289/month$699/month$1,199/month
AweberStarts at $13/month$83/month$154/month$312/month$500/month
MailjetStarts at $17/month$17/month$25/month$31/month$37/month

Finding a Mailchimp alternative that fits your subscriber count, budget, and feature requirements can feel overwhelming, not to mention take hours upon hours.

That’s why we built our own price calculator—so you can quickly compare different Mailchimp alternatives and choose the plan that will help you save money by cutting down on unnecessary tools.

Best Free Mailchimp Alternatives Comparison Table

Exhausted all your options but want to take some new tools for a spin? I’ve compiled a list of the most powerful free email marketing services you can use as alternatives to Mailchimp and move to a paid plan at a later stage when you grow.

PlatformEmails per MonthSubscribersAvailable features
Mailchimp1,000 (max 500/day)500• 1-step automation
• Basic templates
• Limited reporting
Sender15,0002,500• Unlimited automations
• Advanced segmentation
• Email and popup templates
• 24/7 human support
Omnisend500250• Pre-built ecommerce automation
• Email and push notifications
• Popup forms
Brevo300/day100,000• Email + WhatsApp marketing
• Popups and forms
• Workflow automation
Klaviyo500250• Email + SMS (up to 150 SMS credits)
• Prebuilt ecommerce flows
• Basic analytics
GetResponse2,500500• Email + landing page builder
• Signup forms
• Autoresponders + basic automations
Mailerlite12,000500• Email builder
• Basic automations
• Landing page builder
Aweber3,000500• Basic automation
• Landing page builder
• Pre-made email templates 
Mailjet6,000 (200/day)1,500• Email editor
• Basic segmentation
• Transactional emails
With Sender, it’s free as long as you want it
Send up to 15,000 emails to 2,500 subscribers completely free. Automation, segmentation, email templates, landing pages and popups included.
Start With Free Plan

Historical Changes to Mailchimp Pricing Plans

Mailchimp hasn’t kept its prices consistent despite being a widely used email campaign management system

According to public sources, Mailchimp increases its prices between 7-14% year on year. 

Besides the regular price increase, the email marketing giant also tends to inflate the price of add-ons from time to time (for example, the cost for 25,000 transactional emails via Mandrill, Mailchimp’s transactional email add-on, rocketed from $9.95 to $20 after it was integrated into Mailchimp, also requiring users to maintain a paid Mailchimp plan).

All this has reinforced the belief that Mailchimp is abusing its market dominance to hold unreasonable prices, making people look for more affordable email marketing service for small business owners. Here’s how Mailchimp pricing plans have changed in the past:

  • June, 2025. Classic Automation Builder discontinued from Mailchimp’s Free Forever plan. This change required freemium users to upgrade to paid plans in order to continue using Mailchimp’s advanced automation capabilities;
    Naturally, a lot of Mailchimp users were not happy, as you can see from the response below:
Mailchimp-review-reddit
Image source: Reddit
  • June 2024. Premium plan reduced to 10,000 contacts, all other plans reduced to 500 contacts. Sending limit in all paid plans reduced from unlimited to 5,000-150,000 email sends per month;
  • November 2023. Increased prices by 7% across all plans and tiers; 
  • March 2023. Reduction in free plan limits – 500 contacts and sending limit of up to 1,000 emails per month with a daily limit of up to 500 emails; 
  • February 2023. Increase in prices of the standard plan from $17/month to $20/month; 
  • August 2022. Free plan reduced to 500 contacts and 2,500 monthly emails, from 2,000 contacts and 10,000 emails previously; 
  • February 2022. Mailchimp increased its prices across all plans by 11%.

User Reviews 

People have been sharing their experiences with Mailchimp across major review and ratings platforms, such as Trustpilot, G2, and Capterra. And while Mailchimp has received strong ratings on Capterra (4.5/5) and G2 (4.3/5), with Shopify rating hovering at a respectable 4.5/5, it mostly comes down to how overpriced and slow Mailchimp can be.   

One such user shared his experience and pointed out the glitches on the platform:

Mailchimp_review
Image source: Trustpilot

If you look at independent reviews, you’ll find many complaints about billing issues, customer support, making users search for Mailchimp alternatives for nonprofits, and small business email marketing.

While another user points out how predatory Mailchimp’s pricing system can be:

Mailchimp-review-trustpilot
Image source: Trustpilot

If you look at independent reviews, you’ll find many complaints about billing issues, customer support, making users search for Mailchimp alternatives.

How We Evaluate Mailchimp Alternatives

  • Core email marketing features. In-depth evaluation of each marketing automation suite, segmentation, email analytics platform capabilities, and subscriber engagement metrics tools—measuring how effectively they deliver results compared to Mailchimp;
  • Expert assessment. Insights from marketing professionals and ESP specialists were used to benchmark performance, deliverability, and overall marketing automation depth;
  • Ease of use & design. The intuitiveness of dashboards, campaign builders, and workflow editors was tested to assess how quickly new users can launch and scale campaigns;
  • User reviews. Feedback from marketers, ecommerce owners, and creators was analyzed to gauge the overall satisfaction rate, highlight common frustrations, and reveal if Mailchimp follows email marketing best practices;
  • Value for money. Subscription costs were compared against included features, scalability, and long-term email marketing ROI to identify the most affordable Mailchimp alternatives;
  • Support quality. Responsiveness and helpfulness across live chat, email, and phone channels were taken into consideration to determine which providers offer the best assistance.

FAQs

What is the best free alternative to Mailchimp in 2025? 

Sender offers the most generous free plan with 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 monthly emails, compared to Mailchimp’s 500 subscribers and 1,000 monthly emails. It includes unlimited automation, advanced segmentation, and 24/7 support—all free.

Which email marketing platform is cheapest?

Sender comes as the cheapest Mailchimp alternative, starting at $7/month for 1,000 contacts vs Mailchimp’s $20/month for 500 contacts. Other budget options include Moosend ($7/month) and MailerLite ($9/month).

Why are people leaving Mailchimp? 

Many users are moving away from Mailchimp due to steadily rising costs (around 7–14% annually), a free plan with limited features; subpar deliverability rates averaging just 76.91%, and slow customer support with wait times often exceeding 15 minutes—all of which make the platform less appealing for businesses seeking reliability and value.

Can I migrate from Mailchimp for free?

Yes, migration from Mailchimp is free, since most Mailchimp alternatives offer free migration assistance. For instance, Sender provides one-click import, while Omnisend and ActiveCampaign offer assisted migration for larger lists.

What are the best alternatives to Mailchimp?

There are many alternatives to MailChimp. You should pick one depending on the features you need and your budget. If you’re seeking tools like Mailchimp that are high on features but low on costs, you should try giving Sender a shot. This very affordable Mailchimp alternative has everything you need without the high price point.