Mailchimp vs Kit (ConvertKit) vs MailerLite
These three platforms are the most popular starting points for small businesses and solopreneurs building their first email list. They all offer generous free plans and intuitive editors, but diverge sharply on automation depth, landing page quality, and pricing as your list grows.
Quick Verdict
Best for most users: MailerLite — email marketing, websites and landing pages for small businesses.
Mailchimp: Email and SMS marketing with automation for small businesses
Kit (ConvertKit): Email marketing and digital product sales for online creators
MailerLite: Email marketing, websites and landing pages for small businesses
Mailchimp
Email and SMS marketing with automation for small businesses
Kit (ConvertKit)
Email marketing and digital product sales for online creators
MailerLite
Email marketing, websites and landing pages for small businesses
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | Kit (ConvertKit) | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Starting Price | $13/mo | $39/mo | $12/mo |
| Free Plan | 250 contacts, 500 emails/month | 10,000 subscribers | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month |
| Founded | 2001 | 2013 | 2010 |
| Email Templates | 100 | 40 | 90 |
| Integrations | 300 | 90 | 140 |
| Independent Inbox Test | No independent test | No independent test | No independent test |
| Marketing Automation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| A/B Testing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Landing Pages | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Segmentation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drag & Drop Editor | Yes | No | Yes |
| SMS Marketing | Yes | No | No |
| Ecommerce Features | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| API Access | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Language | Yes | No | No |
| Web Push Notifications | No | No | No |
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Analytics | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Verdict
| Criterion | Weight | Mailchimp | Kit (ConvertKit) | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $13/mo | $39/mo | $12/mo |
| Deliverability | 25% | 3.9/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Rating | 25% | 4.3/5 | 4.0/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 300 | 90 | 140 |
| Free Tier | 10% | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Choose Mailchimp if…
- + Only option with SMS marketing
- + Best for ecommerce
- + Best for nonprofits
Choose Kit (ConvertKit) if…
- + Best for creators
- + Best for solopreneurs
- + Excellent creator ecosystem with built-in monetization
Choose MailerLite if…
- + Lowest starting price ($12/mo)
- + Best for freelancers
- + Best for startups
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 (250 contacts, 500 sends)
- − Premium plan is expensive ($350/mo)
- − Charges for unsubscribed contacts
- − Affiliate marketing restricted
- − Deliverability has declined in recent years
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
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 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails/month
- − No SMS marketing
- − Fewer integrations than competitors
- − Strict approval process for new accounts
- − Limited automation compared to ActiveCampaign