Mailchimp vs ConvertKit
Last updated: 2026-07-09
Mailchimp and Kit (formerly ConvertKit) are two of the most popular email marketing platforms, but they target different users. Mailchimp is a general-purpose email marketing tool for small businesses, while Kit is built specifically for creators. This comparison covers pricing, features, and which platform fits your use case.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | popular Mailchimp | best Kit (formerly ConvertKit) |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0/mo (Free) | $0/mo (Free) |
| Free trial | Free plan available (up to 250 contacts, 1,000 emails/mo) | Free plan available (up to 10,000 subscribers) |
| Best for | Small businesses and e-commerce | Creators and bloggers |
| Free plan | Up to 250 contacts | Up to 10,000 subscribers |
| Starting paid price | $13/mo (Essentials, 250 contacts) | $33/mo (Creator plan, 10,001+ subscribers) |
| Email sequences | Standard plan+ | ✓ |
| Visual automations | Standard plan+ | ✓ |
| Landing pages | ✓ | ✓ |
| A/B testing | Standard plan+ | Creator Pro only |
| API access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrations | 300+ integrations | 100+ integrations |
| Support | Email (Free), Chat (Paid) | Email (Free), Priority email (Paid) |
| Commerce | Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce | Sell digital products |
Mailchimp Pros & Cons
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop email builder — easiest to use for beginners
- Free plan (250 contacts, 1,000 emails/month)
- Built-in CRM and audience management tools
- Strong e-commerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce)
- Content studio with built-in image editor
- Wide range of pre-designed email templates
Cons
- Pricing scales steeply — 500→10,000 contacts jumps from $0 to $100+/mo
- Free plan includes Mailchimp branding on emails
- Automation features limited on lower tiers
- A/B testing only on Standard plan ($20/mo+) or 500+ contacts
- Customer support limited to email on free plan
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) Pros & Cons
Pros
- Generous free plan (up to 10,000 subscribers, unlimited landing pages and forms)
- Built specifically for creators — tagging and segmentation designed for content creators
- Visual automation builder makes complex sequences easy to set up
- Subscriber-centric pricing (charges per subscriber, not per email sent)
- Excellent deliverability rates
- Built-in commerce tools (sell digital products directly)
Cons
- Limited email template selection (fewer than Mailchimp)
- No built-in A/B testing on lower plans
- Advanced reporting requires Pro plan ($66/mo)
- No SMS marketing features
Final Verdict
For creators (bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters, course creators), Kit is the better choice — its free plan covers 10,000 subscribers, and its features are designed for content workflows. For small businesses and e-commerce stores, Mailchimp wins with better templates, e-commerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce), and a more intuitive drag-and-drop builder.
Our pick: Kit (for creators) / Mailchimp (for businesses)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has a better free plan: Mailchimp or Kit?
Kit has the more generous free plan — up to 10,000 subscribers with unlimited landing pages and forms. Mailchimp's free plan covers 250 contacts with 1,000 emails/month and includes Mailchimp branding. If you have a growing audience but no budget yet, Kit is the clear winner.
Which is better for e-commerce: Mailchimp or Kit?
Mailchimp is better for e-commerce. It integrates directly with Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce, offering abandoned cart emails, product recommendations, and purchase tracking. Kit is designed for selling digital products and courses, not physical e-commerce.
Can I use both Mailchimp and Kit together?
Not recommended. You should pick one platform to avoid managing duplicate subscriber lists. If you switch, both platforms offer export tools, and Kit offers a free migration service for creators moving from Mailchimp.
Ready to try?
Start with a free trial and see which tool fits your workflow.