Mailchimp vs ConvertKit
A detailed comparison of Mailchimp and ConvertKit — features, pricing, pros & cons, and which one is right for you.
Last updated: April 3, 2026
TL;DR
ConvertKit takes the lead in 3 of 5 categories, especially in value for money. Still, Mailchimp holds its own — the right pick depends on your priorities.
🎯 Quick Pick Quiz
Answer 4quick questions and we'll recommend the best fit for you
How big is your team?
Question 1 of 4
Mailchimp
The most popular email marketing platform for small businesses. Offers email campaigns, automations, landing pages, and audience management.
ConvertKit
Email marketing platform built specifically for creators — bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters, and course creators. Focuses on simplicity and subscriber growth.
🥊 Head to Head
Tale of the tape — how they stack up across 5 key dimensions
🏆ConvertKit wins 3 of 5 categories
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | ConvertKit |
|---|---|---|
| Drag Drop Editor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Email Automations | Standard | Advanced |
| A/B Testing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Landing Pages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Signup Forms | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segmentation | Standard | Advanced |
| Analytics Reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
| API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sms Marketing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Template Library | 100+ | 50+ |
| Deliverability Tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free Tier | ✓ | ✓ |
✨ Vibe Check
What's it actually like to use these tools day-to-day?
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is email marketing's comfort food. Everyone knows it, everyone's tried it, and it works fine for getting started. The free plan is decent, the editor is drag-and-drop easy, and the monkey mascot is weirdly charming. But once your list grows past a few thousand, the pricing starts to sting.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit (now Kit) feels like it was built by a blogger who got frustrated with Mailchimp. Plain-text-first emails, tag-based organization, and automation that just makes sense. Creators love it because it doesn't try to be a full marketing suite — it just helps you build and nurture an audience.
Pros & Cons
Mailchimp
✓ Pros
- •Industry-leading brand recognition
- •Easy drag-and-drop editor
- •Generous free plan for starters
- •Good template library
- •Built-in landing pages and forms
✗ Cons
- •Gets expensive as contacts grow
- •Automations are basic on lower plans
- •Limited advanced segmentation on free plan
- •Support can be slow on free tier
ConvertKit
✓ Pros
- •Built for creators and solopreneurs
- •Excellent visual automation builder
- •Tag-based subscriber management
- •Clean, simple interface
- •Great deliverability rates
✗ Cons
- •Limited design customization for emails
- •No built-in CRM features
- •Reporting is relatively basic
- •Higher price per subscriber than some alternatives
🔄 Switching Difficulty
Already using one? Here's what to expect if you switch.
Straightforward migration — most data can be exported/imported with minimal fuss.
Straightforward migration — most data can be exported/imported with minimal fuss.
The Verdict: Mailchimp or ConvertKit?
Choose Mailchimp if…
you prioritize small businesses and beginners wanting an easy-to-use email marketing platform with a free plan.
Choose ConvertKit if…
you prioritize content creators, bloggers, and solopreneurs who want simple yet powerful email marketing.
Both tools offer free plans — we recommend trying both before committing. The best choice depends on your team size, workflow complexity, and specific needs.
Ready to try?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mailchimp better than ConvertKit?▼
It depends on your needs. Mailchimp is best for small businesses and beginners wanting an easy-to-use email marketing platform with a free plan, while ConvertKit excels at content creators, bloggers, and solopreneurs who want simple yet powerful email marketing. Both have free plans you can try.
Can I switch from Mailchimp to ConvertKit?▼
Yes, most email marketing tools offer data migration or import features. ConvertKit can typically import data from Mailchimp via export or direct integration. Plan for a transition period as your team adapts to the new workflow.
Which is cheaper, Mailchimp or ConvertKit?▼
Mailchimp pricing starts at Free (up to 500 contacts). ConvertKit pricing starts at Free (up to 10. Both offer free tiers — compare features at each price point to find the best value.
Do Mailchimp and ConvertKit have free plans?▼
Mailchimp offers a free plan. ConvertKit offers a free plan.