Mailchimp vs ConvertKit: Which Email Platform is Better?
Compare features, automation, ease of use, and pricing for creators and businesses
Mailchimp and ConvertKit are two popular email marketing platforms, but they serve different audiences. Mailchimp is a full-featured marketing platform for businesses, while ConvertKit is built specifically for creators. Let's compare them to help you choose.
Mailchimp
Best for: Small businesses and e-commerce
Starting at: Free (up to 500 contacts)
Try Mailchimp Free →ConvertKit
Best for: Bloggers, creators, and course sellers
Starting at: Free (up to 10,000 subscribers)
Try ConvertKit Free →Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | ConvertKit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Email Templates | 100+ templates | Limited templates (creator-focused) | ✅ Mailchimp |
| Email Builder | Drag-and-drop (complex) | Simple visual editor | ✅ ConvertKit (easier) |
| Automation | Good (multi-step) | Excellent (visual automation) | ✅ ConvertKit |
| Landing Pages | Yes (limited customization) | Yes (creator-optimized) | ✅ ConvertKit |
| Forms & Popups | Basic forms | Advanced forms with incentives | ✅ ConvertKit |
| Tagging & Segmentation | Basic segments | Advanced tagging system | ✅ ConvertKit |
| Deliverability Rate | ~83% | ~88% | ✅ ConvertKit |
| Integrations | 300+ integrations | 100+ integrations | ✅ Mailchimp |
| E-commerce Features | Robust (Shopify, WooCommerce) | Basic commerce tools | ✅ Mailchimp |
| Analytics | Advanced reports | Good subscriber insights | ✅ Mailchimp |
| Mobile App | Full-featured app | Basic app | ✅ Mailchimp |
| Learning Curve | Steep (complex interface) | Easy (intuitive for creators) | ✅ ConvertKit |
Pricing Comparison
Mailchimp Pricing
- Free: $0 - Up to 500 contacts, 1,000 sends/mo
- Essentials: $13/mo - 500 contacts, remove branding
- Standard: $20/mo - 500 contacts, automation
- Premium: $350/mo - 10,000 contacts, advanced
💰 Pricing increases significantly with subscriber count
⚠️ Charges based on total contacts, not subscribers
ConvertKit Pricing
- Free: $0 - Up to 10,000 subscribers (limited features)
- Creator: $15/mo - 300 subscribers, full features
- Creator Pro: $29/mo - 300 subscribers, advanced
💡 Generous free plan for up to 10,000 subscribers
📊 Only charges for active subscribers
Pricing at Different Subscriber Counts
- 1,000 subscribers: Mailchimp $52/mo vs ConvertKit $29/mo
- 5,000 subscribers: Mailchimp $140/mo vs ConvertKit $79/mo
- 10,000 subscribers: Mailchimp $270/mo vs ConvertKit $99/mo
ConvertKit is significantly cheaper at every tier and only charges for engaged subscribers, not total contacts.
Mailchimp Pros
- 100+ professional email templates
- Robust e-commerce integrations
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- 300+ third-party integrations
- Full-featured mobile app
- Built-in CRM features
- Social media ad tools
- Free plan for small lists
Mailchimp Cons
- Complex interface (steep learning curve)
- More expensive as list grows
- Charges for unsubscribed contacts
- Customer support only on higher plans
- Deliverability lower than competitors
- Automation builder not intuitive
ConvertKit Pros
- Simple, creator-friendly interface
- Better value at every price point
- Visual automation builder
- Superior tagging and segmentation
- Higher deliverability rates (88%)
- Free plan up to 10,000 subscribers
- Only charges for active subscribers
- Built-in landing pages and forms
- Excellent for selling digital products
ConvertKit Cons
- Limited email templates
- Fewer integrations than Mailchimp
- Basic e-commerce features
- Less advanced analytics
- Simple mobile app
Use Case Recommendations
Choose Mailchimp If...
- You run an e-commerce business
- You need advanced analytics and reporting
- You want a full marketing platform (not just email)
- You need social media ad integration
- You have a small list (under 500 contacts)
- You want lots of pre-designed templates
- You need robust CRM features
Best for: E-commerce stores, traditional businesses, agencies
Try Mailchimp Free →Choose ConvertKit If...
- You're a blogger, YouTuber, or podcaster
- You sell digital products or courses
- You want simple, powerful automation
- You need advanced subscriber tagging
- You're growing a creator business
- You want better value and deliverability
- You prefer a clean, intuitive interface
Best for: Content creators, coaches, course creators, authors
Try ConvertKit Free →Automation Comparison
Mailchimp Automation
Capabilities:
- Multi-step automation workflows
- Abandoned cart emails (e-commerce)
- Product recommendations
- Birthday and anniversary emails
- Re-engagement campaigns
Complexity: More features but harder to set up
ConvertKit Automation
Capabilities:
- Visual automation builder
- Tag-based sequences
- Event-triggered emails
- Link-click automation
- Product purchase sequences
Simplicity: Easier to build complex automations visually
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better deliverability?
ConvertKit has better deliverability (88% vs 83%). This means more of your emails reach inboxes instead of spam folders.
Can I migrate between them?
Yes, both platforms allow you to import/export subscribers. ConvertKit offers free migration assistance for new users.
Which is easier to use?
ConvertKit is significantly easier to learn, especially for creators. Mailchimp's interface can be overwhelming with more features and options.
Which is better for selling courses?
ConvertKit is better for course creators with built-in tools for tagging students, delivering course content via email, and automation based on purchases.
Does Mailchimp charge for unsubscribed contacts?
Yes, Mailchimp charges based on total contacts including unsubscribed ones. ConvertKit only charges for active subscribers.
Which has better support?
ConvertKit offers email support on all paid plans. Mailchimp only provides email support on higher-tier plans; free and essentials plans get knowledge base only.
Our Verdict
Winner: ConvertKit (for creators and most users)
Choose ConvertKit if you're a content creator, blogger, course seller, or building a creator business. It's simpler to use, more affordable, has better deliverability, and includes features specifically designed for creators.
Choose Mailchimp if you run an e-commerce business that needs robust shopping cart integrations, or if you need a full marketing platform with CRM, social ads, and advanced analytics.
Best Strategy: Most creators should start with ConvertKit's free plan (up to 10,000 subscribers). E-commerce businesses should consider Mailchimp for its superior shopping integrations.