Published: July 17, 2026 | Last updated: July 17, 2026 | 16 min read
TL;DR
MailerLite and Mailchimp are two of the most popular email marketing platforms, but they serve different audiences in 2026. MailerLite is the affordable, beginner-friendly option with a clean interface and generous free plan, while Mailchimp is the more advanced, all-in-one platform with broader features and deeper integrations (SendPulse, 2026).
MailerLite pricing starts at $10-$12/month (500 subscribers), with a Free plan for 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails/month (MailerLite, 2026; Software Advice, 2026). Mailchimp pricing starts at $13/month (500 subscribers), with a Free plan for 250 subscribers and 500 emails/month (Mailchimp, 2026; Brevo, 2026).
Key differences: MailerLite scores higher on ease of use (10/10 vs 9.5/10) and value for money (4.7/5 vs 4.4/5), while Mailchimp leads in email design (9.4/10 vs 8.6/10), automation (7.8/10 vs 6.5/10), and integrations (SendPulse, 2026; Software Advice, 2026).
MailerLite is better for: Beginners, creators, small businesses, and budget-conscious marketers who want simplicity and a generous free plan (Hostinger, 2026).
Mailchimp is better for: Growing businesses, agencies, B2B companies, and teams that need advanced automation, multi-channel marketing, and deeper integrations (SendPulse, 2026).
Bottom line: For most small businesses and creators just starting out, MailerLite offers the best balance of price, simplicity, and essential features. For businesses that need advanced automation, deeper integrations, and multi-channel marketing, Mailchimp is worth the premium (Hostinger, 2026; SendPulse, 2026).
MailerLite vs Mailchimp: Key Differences at a Glance
| Category | MailerLite | Mailchimp | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Small businesses, creators, budget-conscious retailers | B2B services, agencies, SaaS startups | Depends on use case (SendPulse, 2026) |
| Ease of Use | 10/10 – Very simple, step-by-step guidance | 9.5/10 – Intuitive but more complex | MailerLite (SendPulse, 2026) |
| Email Design | 8.6/10 – 108 templates, clean editor | 9.4/10 – 135+ templates, polished builder | Mailchimp (SendPulse, 2026) |
| Automation | 6.5/10 – Simple workflows, 15 templates | 7.8/10 – Multi-step flows, 35+ templates | Mailchimp (SendPulse, 2026) |
| Deliverability | 9.8/10 – Permission-first, automated bounce handling | 9.6/10 – Strict list policies, dedicated IP add-on | MailerLite (SendPulse, 2026) |
| Value for Money | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 | MailerLite (Software Advice, 2026) |
| Customer Support | 4.8/5 | 4.2/5 | MailerLite (Software Advice, 2026) |
Scores based on independent testing by SendPulse as of June 2026 (SendPulse, 2026)
MailerLite vs Mailchimp: Pricing Comparison
Pricing is where the differences are most stark—especially after both platforms changed their free plans in 2026.
Pricing Plans Comparison
| Plan | MailerLite | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month (MailerLite, 2026) | 250 subscribers, 500 emails/month (Brevo, 2026) |
| Starting Paid | $10-$12/month (500 subscribers) (Software Advice, 2026) | $13/month (500 subscribers) (Brevo, 2026) |
| Mid-Tier | Growing Business: ~$10/month | Standard: $20+/month (Brevo, 2026) |
| High-Tier | Advanced: ~$18/month | Premium: $350+/month (Brevo, 2026) |
| Nonprofit Discount | 30% off (MailerLite, 2026) | Not publicly available |
Important Pricing Changes in 2026
MailerLite’s free plan changed on June 16, 2026. Subscriber limit was reduced from 500 to 250, and sending limit from 12,000 to 2,500 emails per month. However, more features were unlocked—custom templates, blogs, HTML editor, and promotional pop-ups (SendPulse, 2026). Feature use limits were introduced: 3 automations, 3 forms, 1 digital product, 1 landing page, and 1 website (MailerLite, 2026).
Mailchimp also reduced its free plan in January 2026. The free plan now caps at 250 contacts (down from 500) and 500 sends per month (down from 1,000)—a steep drop for anyone on the free tier (Brevo, 2026).
MailerLite remains cheaper overall. A business with 1,000 subscribers pays roughly $10-$12/month on MailerLite, compared to $13/month for Mailchimp’s Essentials—and MailerLite includes more sends (Hostinger, 2026). For 10,000 contacts, Mailchimp’s Standard plan costs $315+/month, while MailerLite’s equivalent is significantly less (Brevo, 2026).
MailerLite vs Mailchimp: Features Deep Dive
Ease of Use
MailerLite wins this category with a perfect 10/10 score. The interface keeps the layout simple, with fewer menus and clearer labels (Hostinger, 2026). You can create a campaign, design an email, and manage subscribers from one main dashboard. Mailchimp’s interface is still beginner-friendly (9.5/10), but similar tasks are spread across multiple sections, which takes longer to learn (Hostinger, 2026; SendPulse, 2026).
Setup time: MailerLite lets you import contacts, choose a template, and send your first campaign in one session. Mailchimp takes longer because the interface includes more tools, settings, and configuration options (Hostinger, 2026).
Email Builder and Templates
Mailchimp has the edge here with a 9.4/10 score versus MailerLite’s 8.6/10 (SendPulse, 2026). Mailchimp offers 135+ pre-designed email templates categorized by purpose, while MailerLite offers 108 templates organized by industry and event (SendPulse, 2026). Mailchimp’s drag-and-drop editor offers more design flexibility and a larger template library (Brevo, 2026; Hostinger, 2026).
Marketing Automation
Mailchimp leads in automation with a 7.8/10 score versus MailerLite’s 6.5/10 (SendPulse, 2026). Mailchimp offers Customer Journey Builder with 35+ templates and more flexible multi-step workflows on higher-tier plans. MailerLite provides flexible automation on all plans with multi-step flows and multi-trigger entry points on higher tiers, but with only 15 templates (SendPulse, 2026).
The gap shows up in complex workflows. MailerLite struggles with multiple “decision points”—for example, sending different follow-ups based on whether a user clicked a link or made a purchase (Hostinger, 2026). Mailchimp allows detailed customer journeys with more control over each step (Hostinger, 2026).
Deliverability
MailerLite slightly edges out Mailchimp with 9.8/10 vs 9.6/10 (SendPulse, 2026). MailerLite uses a permission-first sending policy with automated bounce and complaint handling. Dedicated IP is available on request for high-volume senders with guided warm-up. Mailchimp has strict list quality policies and offers a dedicated IP add-on for $29.95/month (SendPulse, 2026).
Integrations
Mailchimp supports a wider range of integrations, including deeper connections with Shopify, WooCommerce, CRMs, and ad networks. MailerLite integrates with common tools such as website builders, basic eCommerce platforms, and form tools (Hostinger, 2026).
Customer Support
MailerLite scores higher with 4.8/5 versus Mailchimp’s 4.2/5 (Software Advice, 2026). However, MailerLite has been criticized for “aggressive and opaque compliance actions, restricting accounts without real warning, withholding prepaid funds, and providing no transparent appeal or recovery path” (Software Advice, 2026; Software Advice, 2026).
MailerLite vs Mailchimp vs Constant Contact
| Feature | MailerLite | Mailchimp | Constant Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $10-$12/month | $13/month | $12/month (Constant Contact, 2026) |
| Free Plan | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month | 250 subscribers, 500 emails/month | 30-day trial only (Software Advice, 2026) |
| Best For | Beginners, creators, value | Growing businesses, agencies | Small businesses, event marketing (Software Advice, 2026) |
| Event Marketing | Limited | Basic | Built-in (Software Advice, 2026) |
| Automation | Basic (6.5/10) | Advanced (7.8/10) | Basic (Software Advice, 2026) |
Constant Contact is a strong Mailchimp alternative for small businesses that want a simpler marketing experience with social media, automation, event management, and list-building tools—though its automation features are less advanced than some competitors (Software Advice, 2026). MailerLite offers the best value for startups and freelancers who want a clean interface without a premium price tag (Software Advice, 2026).
Mailchimp vs MailerLite vs ConvertKit (Kit)
| Feature | MailerLite | Mailchimp | ConvertKit (Kit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $10-$12/month | $13/month | $29/month (ConvertKit, 2026) |
| Free Plan | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month | 250 subscribers, 500 emails/month | 10,000 subscribers (ConvertKit, 2026) |
| Best For | Value, simplicity, beginners | All-in-one marketing, growth | Creators, content monetization (Hostinger, 2026) |
| Commerce | Limited | Basic | Built-in digital products, subscriptions |
ConvertKit (recently rebranded to Kit) caters specifically to creators with its content marketing focus and digital product sales (Hostinger, 2026). MailerLite at $10-$12/month for 1,000 subscribers is roughly 50% cheaper than ConvertKit at the same size, and includes 85-90% of the features most small businesses actually use (Software Advice, 2026). For creators who need digital product sales and subscriptions, ConvertKit’s 10,000-subscriber free plan is extremely generous (ConvertKit, 2026).
MailerLite vs Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
| Feature | MailerLite | Brevo |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $10-$12/month | ~$9/month (usage-based) |
| Free Plan | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month | More generous contact limits (SendPulse, 2026) |
| Best For | Email-first simplicity | Multi-channel (email, SMS, WhatsApp) |
| Transactional Emails | ❌ No | ✅ Built-in SMTP (SendPulse, 2026) |
| Pricing Model | Per subscriber | Usage-based (emails sent) |
Brevo is the strongest free Mailchimp alternative, with a free plan that offers more generous contact limits and includes built-in CRM, SMS, and transactional email tools (SendPulse, 2026; Brevo, 2026). Brevo charges by email volume rather than list size, making it better for large lists with low send frequency (Brevo, 2026). For businesses with large contact lists, Brevo can work out up to 9 times cheaper per month than Mailchimp in certain cases (Brevo, 2026).
Which Platform Is Best for Newsletters?
For newsletter creators and bloggers, MailerLite is the better choice. It offers a generous free plan, clean interface, and straightforward automation for welcome sequences and regular newsletters (SendPulse, 2026). MailerLite is ideal for businesses new to email marketing and those who plan to send newsletters (SendPulse, 2026).
For creators monetizing their audience, ConvertKit offers a 10,000-subscriber free plan and built-in digital product sales (ConvertKit, 2026).
For growing businesses needing multi-channel marketing, Brevo offers the best flexibility with its usage-based pricing and transactional email capabilities (SendPulse, 2026).
For advanced marketers needing deep automation, Mailchimp’s Customer Journey Builder with 35+ templates provides more sophistication (SendPulse, 2026).
Who Should Use MailerLite?
Best Fit For:
Beginners and first-time email marketers – MailerLite’s clean interface and step-by-step guidance make it the easiest platform to learn (Hostinger, 2026; SendPulse, 2026). One reviewer said: “MailerLite is the Mailchimp alternative we’d recommend most confidently to someone just starting out” (Software Advice, 2026).
Small businesses on a budget – MailerLite is 30% cheaper than Mailchimp in the first year of use and offers a more generous free tier (Hostinger, 2026; Software Advice, 2026).
Bloggers and creators – MailerLite offers 85-90% of the features most small businesses actually use at a fraction of the cost (Software Advice, 2026; Hostinger, 2026).
Nonprofits – MailerLite offers a 30% discount for nonprofit organizations (MailerLite, 2026).
Teams that value simplicity over complexity – MailerLite keeps costs low and focuses on core functionality without overwhelming you with advanced options you don’t need (Software Advice, 2026).
Poor Fit For:
Teams needing advanced automation – MailerLite’s automation is basic (6.5/10) compared to Mailchimp (7.8/10) (SendPulse, 2026). Complex workflows with multiple decision points are harder to build (Hostinger, 2026).
Businesses needing deep integrations – MailerLite integrates with common tools but Mailchimp supports a wider range (Hostinger, 2026).
Teams needing multi-channel marketing – MailerLite focuses on email only, while Mailchimp and Brevo offer SMS, social media, and more (Hostinger, 2026).
Users concerned about account restrictions – MailerLite has been criticized for aggressive compliance actions and account restrictions (Software Advice, 2026).
Who Should Use Mailchimp?
Best Fit For:
Growing businesses and agencies – Mailchimp offers advanced features, deeper integrations, and more sophistication as your needs expand (SendPulse, 2026; Hostinger, 2026).
B2B companies and SaaS startups – Mailchimp’s broader marketing suite and reporting capabilities suit B2B needs (SendPulse, 2026).
Teams needing multi-channel marketing – Mailchimp includes more tools for social media, SMS, and ad integrations (Hostinger, 2026).
Businesses with complex automation needs – Mailchimp’s Customer Journey Builder with 35+ templates provides more flexibility (SendPulse, 2026).
Teams that need 24/7 support – Mailchimp offers 24/7 email and chat support, which MailerLite does not (Software Advice, 2026).
Poor Fit For:
Beginners on a tight budget – MailerLite offers better value and a more generous free plan (Software Advice, 2026; Hostinger, 2026).
Teams that only need email newsletters – MailerLite’s simpler approach is more than sufficient (SendPulse, 2026).
Businesses with 1,000+ subscribers on a budget – Mailchimp becomes significantly more expensive than MailerLite at scale (Brevo, 2026).
Troubleshooting Common MailerLite Issues
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Account restricted or suspended | Aggressive compliance actions | Contact support; provide requested documentation; consider alternatives (Software Advice, 2026) |
| Can’t send over 2,500 emails/month | New free plan limit | Upgrade to paid plan or wait for monthly reset (MailerLite, 2026) |
| Over 250 subscribers on free plan | New subscriber limit | Upgrade to paid plan or reduce subscriber count (MailerLite, 2026) |
| Limited automations on free plan | Feature use limits (3 automations) | Upgrade to paid plan or reduce automations (MailerLite, 2026) |
| Migration issues with new platform | Painful migration process | Contact support for assistance (Software Advice, 2026) |
Frequently Asked Questions About MailerLite vs Mailchimp
Is MailerLite better than Mailchimp?
MailerLite is better for beginners, creators, and small businesses that value simplicity, affordability, and a generous free plan. Mailchimp is better for growing businesses that need advanced automation, deeper integrations, and multi-channel marketing (SendPulse, 2026; Software Advice, 2026).
Is there anything better than Mailchimp?
Yes. Several Mailchimp alternatives outperform it for specific use cases: MailerLite for simplicity and value (Software Advice, 2026), Brevo for multi-channel and transactional emails (SendPulse, 2026), ConvertKit for creators (Hostinger, 2026), and ActiveCampaign for advanced automation.
What is better than MailerLite?
Mailchimp offers better automation, more integrations, and a larger template library. Brevo offers transactional emails and multi-channel marketing. ConvertKit offers better creator-focused features. The best depends on your specific needs (Hostinger, 2026).
Which platform is best for newsletters?
For beginners and small newsletter publishers, MailerLite is the best choice with its generous free plan and clean interface (SendPulse, 2026). For creators monetizing newsletters, ConvertKit’s free plan up to 10,000 subscribers is unmatched (ConvertKit, 2026). For growing businesses, Mailchimp offers more advanced features (SendPulse, 2026).
Is MailerLite cheaper than Mailchimp?
Yes. MailerLite starts at $10-$12/month for 500 subscribers, while Mailchimp starts at $13/month (Software Advice, 2026). The gap widens at scale—MailerLite is roughly 50% cheaper than ConvertKit at 1,000 subscribers (Software Advice, 2026) and significantly cheaper than Mailchimp at 10,000+ contacts (Brevo, 2026).
Is MailerLite better than Brevo?
MailerLite is better for email-first simplicity and predictable per-subscriber pricing. Brevo is better for growing businesses with large contact lists, multi-channel marketing, and transactional email needs (SendPulse, 2026).
Is MailerLite good for beginners?
Yes. MailerLite scores 10/10 for ease of use, with a very simple interface designed for first-time users and step-by-step guidance (SendPulse, 2026). It is the Mailchimp alternative we’d recommend most confidently to someone just starting out (Software Advice, 2026).
What is MailerLite’s deliverability rate?
MailerLite has a 9.8/10 deliverability rating, slightly higher than Mailchimp’s 9.6/10 (SendPulse, 2026). It uses a permission-first sending policy with automated bounce and complaint handling (SendPulse, 2026).
Key Takeaways
MailerLite vs Mailchimp comes down to simplicity versus sophistication. MailerLite wins on ease of use (10/10), value for money (4.7/5), and deliverability (9.8/10). Mailchimp wins on email design (9.4/10), automation (7.8/10), and integrations (SendPulse, 2026; Software Advice, 2026).
Pricing: MailerLite starts at $10-$12/month (500 subscribers) with a 250-subscriber, 2,500-email/month free plan. Mailchimp starts at $13/month (500 subscribers) with a 250-subscriber, 500-email/month free plan (Software Advice, 2026; MailerLite, 2026; Brevo, 2026).
MailerLite is best for: Beginners, creators, small businesses, nonprofits, and budget-conscious marketers who want simplicity and a generous free plan (Hostinger, 2026; Software Advice, 2026).
Mailchimp is best for: Growing businesses, B2B companies, agencies, and teams that need advanced automation, multi-channel marketing, and deeper integrations (SendPulse, 2026).
MailerLite vs Brevo: Choose MailerLite for email-first simplicity. Choose Brevo for large lists, multi-channel marketing, and transactional emails (SendPulse, 2026).
MailerLite vs Constant Contact: Choose MailerLite for value and simplicity. Choose Constant Contact for event marketing and guided setup (Software Advice, 2026).
MailerLite vs ConvertKit: Choose MailerLite for affordability and simplicity. Choose ConvertKit for creator-focused features and digital product sales (Hostinger, 2026).
For most small businesses and creators, MailerLite offers the best balance of price, simplicity, and essential features. As one reviewer said: “MailerLite is the Mailchimp alternative we’d recommend most confidently to someone just starting out” (Software Advice, 2026).
