How to Migrate from Kit (ConvertKit) to Mailchimp
Some creators switch from ConvertKit to Mailchimp when their needs expand beyond pure newsletter sending. Mailchimp offers broader marketing features — social media posting, postcards, website builder, e-commerce integrations, and retargeting ads — that ConvertKit doesn't provide. Businesses that started as solo creators but grew into teams sometimes prefer Mailchimp's more established ecosystem and broader integration library.
What Transfers?
Method: CSV export/import
Export ConvertKit subscribers, import into Mailchimp audience.
ConvertKit's plain-text emails need to be rebuilt as Mailchimp templates using the drag-and-drop editor.
Recreate ConvertKit sequences as Mailchimp customer journeys.
Build new Mailchimp forms and replace ConvertKit embed codes.
Historical data stays in ConvertKit.
Method: CSV import with tags column
ConvertKit tags can be imported as Mailchimp tags during CSV import.
Step-by-Step Migration Guide
- 1
Export subscribers from ConvertKit
Export all subscribers as CSV. This includes email, name, subscription date, and tags.
- 2
Create your Mailchimp audience
Set up a Mailchimp audience (list) with custom merge fields that match your ConvertKit subscriber data.
- 3
Import contacts into Mailchimp
Go to Audience > Import contacts > CSV. Map ConvertKit fields to Mailchimp merge fields. Apply tags during import.
- 4
Design email templates
Build your email templates in Mailchimp's drag-and-drop editor. Mailchimp offers more design flexibility than ConvertKit's plain-text approach.
- 5
Set up customer journeys
Recreate ConvertKit sequences as Mailchimp customer journeys. Map sequence steps to journey emails with appropriate delays and conditions.
- 6
Build signup forms
Create Mailchimp signup forms — embedded, pop-up, or landing pages. Replace ConvertKit form embeds on your website.
- 7
Configure domain and launch
Authenticate your sending domain in Mailchimp. Set up DKIM records. Send test campaigns before going live.
Watch Out For
Mailchimp's free plan limits you to 500 contacts and 1,000 sends/month. If your ConvertKit list exceeds this, you'll need a paid Mailchimp plan from day one.
Mailchimp counts contacts per audience. If the same email exists in multiple audiences, you pay for each instance. ConvertKit counts unique subscribers only.
ConvertKit's tag-based automation logic translates well to Mailchimp tags, but Mailchimp's customer journeys have a different interface that takes time to learn.
Ready to switch to Mailchimp?
Start with Mailchimp's free plan and import your contacts.
What You Get with Mailchimp
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