Kit (ConvertKit) vs Mailchimp
Kit (ConvertKit) is a email marketing platform while Mailchimp is a all-in-one marketing platform. Mailchimp has been around since 2001, giving it a 12-year head start over Kit (ConvertKit) (founded 2013). Mailchimp is the more affordable option at $13/mo, which is $26 less than Kit (ConvertKit)'s $39/mo entry point. Both offer free plans to get started. Mailchimp has the edge with SMS marketing, a drag-and-drop editor.
Quick Verdict
Kit (ConvertKit) wins on deliverability, rating.
Mailchimp wins on price, integrations.
Best for most users: Kit (ConvertKit) (bloggers).
Kit (ConvertKit)
Email marketing built for creators
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is purpose-built for online creators including bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, and course creators. It emphasizes simplicity and deliverability over complex design features, making it ideal for text-based newsletters and automated sequences.
Mailchimp
Turn emails into revenue
Mailchimp is the most widely recognized email marketing platform, used by millions of businesses worldwide. Acquired by Intuit in 2021, it offers a full suite of marketing tools but has become increasingly expensive compared to alternatives.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Kit (ConvertKit) | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Starting Price | $39/mo | $13/mo |
| Free Plan | 10,000 subscribers | 250 contacts, 500 emails/month |
| Founded | 2013 | 2001 |
| Email Templates | 50 | 100 |
| Integrations | 90 | 300 |
| Deliverability Rate | 98.2% | 96% |
| Marketing Automation | Yes | Yes |
| A/B Testing | Yes | Yes |
| Landing Pages | Yes | Yes |
| Segmentation | Yes | Yes |
| Drag & Drop Editor | No | Yes |
| SMS Marketing | No | Yes |
| Ecommerce Features | Yes | Yes |
| API Access | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Language | No | Yes |
| Web Push Notifications | No | No |
| Live Chat | No | No |
| Advanced Analytics | Yes | Yes |
Kit (ConvertKit): Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Excellent creator ecosystem with built-in monetization
- + Intuitive visual automation builder
- + Generous free plan up to 10,000 subscribers
- + Strong deliverability rates
- + Creator-focused features like tip jars and paid newsletters
Cons
- − Limited email template design options
- − Gets expensive at higher subscriber counts
- − No native SMS; texting needs the third-party SlickText app
- − Basic reporting compared to competitors
- − No drag-and-drop email editor
Mailchimp: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Most recognized brand in email marketing
- + Excellent drag-and-drop editor
- + 300+ integrations with third-party tools
- + Strong analytics and reporting
- + Good for beginners with guided setup
Cons
- − Free plan severely limited (500 contacts, 1,000 sends)
- − Premium plan is expensive ($350/mo)
- − Charges for unsubscribed contacts
- − Affiliate marketing restricted
- − Deliverability has declined in recent years
The Verdict
Kit (ConvertKit) edges ahead with a 4.6/5 rating compared to Mailchimp's 4.3/5. The gap comes mainly from deliverability (4.7 vs 4) and value for money (4.7 vs 4.4). On deliverability, Kit (ConvertKit) reports 98.2% compared to 96% for Mailchimp — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | Kit (ConvertKit) | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $39/mo | $13/mo Winner |
| Deliverability | 25% | 98.2% Winner | 96% |
| Rating | 25% | 4.6/5 Winner | 4.3/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 90 | 300 Winner |
| Free Tier | 10% | Yes | Yes |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose Kit (ConvertKit) if…
- + You're a bloggers
- + You're a creators
- + Excellent creator ecosystem with built-in monetization
Choose Mailchimp if…
- + You want lower starting costs ($13/mo)
- + You need SMS marketing
- + You're a small businesses
- + You're a beginners