Klaviyo vs MailerLite
Klaviyo and MailerLite are both popular choices in the email marketing platform space. MailerLite is the more affordable option at $10/mo — that's $10 less than Klaviyo's $20/mo entry point. Both offer free plans to get started. Klaviyo has the edge with SMS marketing.
Quick Verdict
Klaviyo wins on deliverability, integrations.
MailerLite wins on price.
Best for most users: Klaviyo (ecommerce).
Klaviyo
The platform for unified customer data
Klaviyo is the gold standard for ecommerce email and SMS marketing, particularly for Shopify stores. Its deep integration with ecommerce platforms enables sophisticated automated flows like abandoned cart, post-purchase, and win-back sequences based on real purchase data.
MailerLite
Email marketing tools for growing businesses
MailerLite is known for its simplicity, affordability, and clean design. It's one of the best options for small businesses and beginners who want professional email marketing without complexity. The built-in website builder and digital product sales features add extra value.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Klaviyo | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Starting Price | $20/mo | $10/mo |
| Free Plan | 250 subscribers | 500 subscribers |
| Founded | 2012 | 2010 |
| Email Templates | 100 | 90 |
| Integrations | 350 | 140 |
| Deliverability Rate | 99% | 97% |
| Marketing Automation | ✓ | ✓ |
| A/B Testing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Landing Pages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segmentation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drag & Drop Editor | ✓ | ✓ |
| SMS Marketing | ✓ | ✕ |
| Ecommerce Features | ✓ | ✓ |
| API Access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-Language | ✓ | ✕ |
| Web Push Notifications | ✕ | ✕ |
| Live Chat | ✕ | ✓ |
| Advanced Analytics | ✓ | ✓ |
Klaviyo: Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Best-in-class ecommerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce)
- +Powerful segmentation with predictive analytics
- +Excellent deliverability (99%+)
- +Revenue attribution for every email and SMS
- +Deep customer data platform capabilities
Cons
- −Expensive for large lists
- −Steep learning curve
- −Free plan very limited (250 contacts)
- −SMS credits sold separately
- −Can be overkill for non-ecommerce businesses
MailerLite: Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Excellent value for money — most affordable paid plans
- +Clean, intuitive interface perfect for beginners
- +Built-in website and landing page builder
- +Sell digital products directly
- +Strong drag-and-drop email editor
Cons
- −Free plan limited to 1,000 subscribers
- −No SMS marketing
- −Fewer integrations than competitors
- −Strict approval process for new accounts
- −Limited automation compared to ActiveCampaign
The Verdict
Klaviyo and MailerLite are closely matched — both score within 0.0 points of each other in our overall rating. Your decision should come down to specific needs rather than overall quality. On deliverability, Klaviyo reports 99% compared to 97% for MailerLite — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | Klaviyo | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $20/mo | $10/mo |
| Deliverability | 25% | 99% | 97% |
| Rating | 25% | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 350 | 140 |
| Free Tier | 10% | Yes | Yes |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose Klaviyo if…
- + You need SMS marketing
- + You're a ecommerce
- + You're a shopify
Choose MailerLite if…
- + You want lower starting costs ($10/mo)
- + You're a small businesses
- + You're a beginners