How to Migrate from Drip to Klaviyo
E-commerce businesses switch from Drip to Klaviyo because Klaviyo has become the dominant e-commerce email platform with the deepest Shopify integration available. Klaviyo's predictive analytics, product recommendations, and revenue attribution are more advanced than Drip's. After Drip pivoted away from its original ECRM positioning, many users felt Klaviyo offered a more focused and feature-rich e-commerce email platform with a larger ecosystem of integrations and resources.
What Transfers?
Method: CSV export/import
Export Drip subscribers as CSV. Import into Klaviyo as profiles. Both platforms are e-commerce focused.
Rebuild in Klaviyo's template editor. Klaviyo has more e-commerce-specific template blocks.
Recreate Drip workflows as Klaviyo flows. The automation concepts are similar — both are e-commerce-oriented.
Create new forms in Klaviyo. Replace Drip form embeds.
Historical data stays in Drip. Klaviyo starts tracking from integration point.
Method: CSV column mapping to properties
Drip tags map to Klaviyo profile properties or list memberships.
Step-by-Step Migration Guide
- 1
Connect Klaviyo to your e-commerce platform
Install Klaviyo's integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, or your e-commerce platform. This syncs product and order data before you migrate contacts.
- 2
Export subscribers from Drip
Go to People in Drip and export all subscribers as CSV. Include tags, custom fields, and engagement data.
- 3
Import into Klaviyo
Upload the CSV to Klaviyo Profiles. Map Drip fields to Klaviyo profile properties. Assign to lists as needed.
- 4
Recreate workflows as flows
Rebuild Drip automation workflows as Klaviyo flows. Both platforms use event-driven triggers — map Drip events to Klaviyo metrics. Use Klaviyo's pre-built flow templates for common e-commerce automations.
- 5
Build email templates
Design templates in Klaviyo's editor. Add product recommendation blocks, dynamic content sections, and personalization using Klaviyo's template language.
- 6
Set up forms and pop-ups
Create Klaviyo signup forms with targeting rules. Replace Drip forms on your website.
- 7
Warm up sending and go live
Configure your sending domain in Klaviyo. Start with engaged segments and gradually expand. Monitor deliverability closely during the first 2-4 weeks.
Watch Out For
Klaviyo is significantly more expensive than Drip at the same subscriber count. At 5,000 contacts, Klaviyo costs approximately $100/month compared to Drip's $89/month, and the gap widens at scale.
Drip's visual workflow builder and Klaviyo's flow builder have different interfaces. While the concepts map well, expect a learning curve with Klaviyo's flow editor.
Drip's liquid templating syntax differs from Klaviyo's Django-based template language. Any dynamic content in emails will need syntax updates.
Klaviyo's IP warming process is critical for deliverability. Do not send to your full list immediately after migration.
Ready to switch to Klaviyo?
Start with Klaviyo's free plan and import your contacts.
What You Get with Klaviyo
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