Mailchimp vs MailerLite
Mailchimp is a all-in-one marketing platform while MailerLite is a email marketing platform. Mailchimp has been around since 2001, giving it a 9-year head start over MailerLite (founded 2010). MailerLite is the more affordable option at $10/mo — that's $3 less than Mailchimp's $13/mo entry point. Both offer free plans to get started. Mailchimp has the edge with SMS marketing. Both tools work well for small businesses and beginners.
Quick Verdict
Mailchimp wins on integrations.
MailerLite wins on price, deliverability, rating.
Best for most users: MailerLite (small businesses).
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.
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 | Mailchimp | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Starting Price | $13/mo | $10/mo |
| Free Plan | 250 contacts, 500 emails/month | 500 subscribers |
| Founded | 2001 | 2010 |
| Email Templates | 100 | 90 |
| Integrations | 300 | 140 |
| Deliverability Rate | 96% | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
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
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
MailerLite edges ahead with a 4.6/5 rating compared to Mailchimp's 4.3/5. The gap comes mainly from support (4.7 vs 4) and deliverability (4.4 vs 4). On deliverability, MailerLite reports 97% compared to 96% for Mailchimp — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | Mailchimp | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $13/mo | $10/mo |
| Deliverability | 25% | 96% | 97% |
| Rating | 25% | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 300 | 140 |
| Free Tier | 10% | Yes | Yes |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose Mailchimp if…
- + You need SMS marketing
- + You're a ecommerce
- + You're a nonprofits
Choose MailerLite if…
- + You want lower starting costs ($10/mo)
- + You're a bloggers
- + You're a freelancers