Mailchimp vs Kit (ConvertKit) (2026)

Mailchimp offers 4 tiers: Free at $0 (500 contacts), Essentials at $13/mo, Standard at $20/mo, Premium at $350/mo. The entry point sits at Free / $13/mo, which lands it in the budget range for this category.

Kit (ConvertKit) prices across 3 tiers: Newsletter at $0 (10K subscribers), Creator at $25/mo, Creator Pro at $50/mo. Starting at Free / $25/mo, it falls into the budget bracket.

When you stack the two side by side, Mailchimp at Free / $13/mo vs Kit (ConvertKit) at Free / $25/mo, the question isn't which costs less. It's which gives you more per dollar for your specific workflow. A cheaper tool that doesn't fit your process costs more in lost productivity than a pricier one that does.

Brand recognition, everyone knows it. For teams that prioritize this, Mailchimp delivers where Kit (ConvertKit) can't match it.

Decent template builder. For teams that prioritize this, Mailchimp delivers where Kit (ConvertKit) can't match it.

Good analytics and A/B testing. For teams that prioritize this, Mailchimp delivers where Kit (ConvertKit) can't match it.

Mailchimp scores 7.4/10 overall, with particular strength in Small businesses wanting a familiar, established email platform.

Built specifically for creators. This advantage is a big part of why Kit (ConvertKit) edges ahead overall. If this matters to your team, Kit (ConvertKit) has a clear edge over Mailchimp.

Excellent email deliverability. This advantage is a big part of why Kit (ConvertKit) edges ahead overall. If this matters to your team, Kit (ConvertKit) has a clear edge over Mailchimp.

Visual automation builder. This advantage is a big part of why Kit (ConvertKit) edges ahead overall. If this matters to your team, Kit (ConvertKit) has a clear edge over Mailchimp.

Kit (ConvertKit) scores 8.3/10 and works best for Creators, bloggers, and solopreneurs building an audience.

Free plan severely limited (500 contacts). This is a real limitation, and it's worth weighing before you commit. If this is a dealbreaker for your team, Kit (ConvertKit) might be the better pick.

Pricing jumps are steep. This is a real limitation, and it's worth weighing before you commit. If this is a dealbreaker for your team, Kit (ConvertKit) might be the better pick.

Charges for unsubscribed contacts. This is a real limitation, and it's worth weighing before you commit. If this is a dealbreaker for your team, Kit (ConvertKit) might be the better pick.

Limited design options for emails. Worth considering seriously, especially if your use case leans on the areas where Kit (ConvertKit) is weakest. Mailchimp handles this better.

No advanced segmentation at lower tiers. Worth considering seriously, especially if your use case leans on the areas where Kit (ConvertKit) is weakest. Mailchimp handles this better.

More expensive than MailerLite for basic sending. Worth considering seriously, especially if your use case leans on the areas where Kit (ConvertKit) is weakest. Mailchimp handles this better.

You're watching every dollar. Go with Kit (ConvertKit) (starting at Free / $25/mo). It covers the core functionality without the sticker shock. You can always upgrade or switch later once you've outgrown it.

You need the deepest feature set. Kit (ConvertKit) takes this one. Its standout strengths include built specifically for creators and excellent email deliverability. If you're willing to pay for completeness, Kit (ConvertKit) won't leave you wanting.

You have a specific workflow in mind. Mailchimp is built for Small businesses wanting a familiar, established email platform. If that describes your team, Mailchimp might be the better fit despite the overall scores. Tools are only as good as the match between their design and your process.

We evaluated Mailchimp and Kit (ConvertKit) across pricing, features, ease of use, and real-world fit for small teams. Scores reflect hands-on testing and documented feature sets, not vendor marketing. Pricing data is current as of our last review and may change. We don't accept payment for placement or scores.