ConvertKit vs Mailchimp
The ultimate side-by-side head-to-head analysis for 2026.
Short answer
- Price: ConvertKit is cheaper — $9/user/mo vs $13/user/mo.
- How to start: ConvertKit is from $9/user/mo, Mailchimp is from $13/user/mo.
These lines are generated from the pricing we track, not from a paid placement. We do not publish a quality score, because we do not have one we can stand behind. They cannot tell you which tool fits your workflow — the sections below are there for that. How we score tools.
ConvertKit
Mailchimp
Category
Marketing
Marketing
Base Price
$9/user/mo
$13/user/mo
Public API
Yes
Yes
Mobile app
No
Yes
Open source / self-hostable
No
No
SSO (SAML)
No
Yes
Choose ConvertKit if:
Blogger, YouTubers, and Professional Creators.
Choose Mailchimp if:
E-commerce Brands, Bloggers, and Small Marketing Teams.
ConvertKit: pros & cons
- Simple Automations: The most intuitive visual funnel builder in the market.
- Creator Network: Benefit from an internal network of other creators who can recommend you.
- High Deliverability: Known for making sure your emails actually land in the inbox.
- Commerce Ready: Sell digital products and subscriptions directly within your emails.
- Basic Editor: Its email designer is very minimalist and not meant for highly visual layouts.
- Pricing: Can be expensive compared to MailerLite or Beehiiv as your list grows.
- Reporting: Analytical dashboards are less detailed than some enterprise competitors.
Mailchimp: pros & cons
- Ease of Entry: The most user-friendly interface for starting with email marketing.
- Ready Templates: Includes hundreds of professional designs for every industry.
- AI Support: Benefit from an AI assistant for design and copywriting advice.
- Huge Integration: Speaks directly with Shopify, WordPress, and hundreds of other apps.
- Price Hikes: Costs rise quite aggressively as your subscriber list grows.
- Advanced Automation: May not be as deep as ActiveCampaign for very complex funnels.
- Free Tier Shrinkage: Sending limits on the free plan have been reduced in recent years.
Our verdict on ConvertKit
The best email platform for those looking for powerful automation without the corporate headache.
Our verdict on Mailchimp
The go-to choice for those seeking a reliable, stylish, and popular email marketing solution.