email marketing tools · Tool Face-Off

Mailchimp vs ConvertKit

Quick answer

Mailchimp wins on breadth and brand recognition, but ConvertKit (now Kit) is the sharper tool for creators and solopreneurs who actually send newsletters people read.

Mailchimp

The OG email platform — does everything, for everyone, kinda.

3.8★

ConvertKit

Built for creators — clean, opinionated, and proud of it.

4.1★

Free plan contacts

Up to 500 contacts

Up to 10,000 contacts

Free plan emails/month

1,000 sends/month

Unlimited sends

Starting paid price

~$13/mo (500 contacts)

~$9/mo (300 contacts)

Landing pages

Yes (limited on free)

Yes (unlimited, even free)

Email templates

100+ drag-and-drop templates

Minimal — text-first design

E-commerce tools

Built-in store, product blocks, ads

Basic — sells digital products only

Audience segmentation

Tag + group based (can get messy)

Tag-based, clean and intuitive

Visual automation builder

Yes (complex, can be clunky)

Yes (simple, flowchart-style)

A/B testing

Subject line + content (paid)

Subject line only

Native paid newsletter/tips

Yes — built-in paid subscriptions

Multi-user seats

Yes (even on lower plans)

Paid plans only

SMS marketing

Yes (US, paid add-on)

Mailchimp

Pricing★★★½☆

Support★★★☆☆

Features★★★★½

Automations★★★½☆

Ease of Use★★★★☆

Integrations★★★★½

Deliverability★★★½☆

ConvertKit

Pricing★★★★☆

Support★★★★☆

Features★★★½☆

Automations★★★★½

Ease of Use★★★★½

Integrations★★★½☆

Deliverability★★★★½

Worth knowing

Mailchimp was founded in 2001 and now has 13M+ active users worldwide.
ConvertKit rebranded to 'Kit' in 2024, though most people still call it ConvertKit.
ConvertKit's free plan is one of the most generous in the industry — 10K contacts with no credit card needed.
Mailchimp's pricing jumps steeply as your list grows, frustrating many mid-size senders.
ConvertKit was built specifically after founder Nathan Barry got frustrated with Mailchimp himself.

Mailchimp's iconic Freddie Von Chimpenheimer IV mascot has been giving a thumbs-up since 2001 — he's watched entire social networks rise and fall without blinking.

If you want

You run an e-commerce store or need an all-in-one marketing suite

Mailchimp's built-in store, ad tools, and deep Shopify integrations make it the obvious retail choice.

→ Pick Mailchimp

If you want

You're a creator, blogger, or newsletter writer building an audience

ConvertKit's generous free tier, paid subscriptions, and creator-first automations are purpose-built for you.

→ Pick ConvertKit

If you want

You need advanced A/B testing or lots of visual email templates

Mailchimp simply offers more design flexibility and testing options out of the box.

→ Pick Mailchimp

If you want

You want clean automations without a learning curve

ConvertKit's visual automation builder is refreshingly simple — you'll set up a sequence in minutes, not hours.

→ Pick ConvertKit

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