ConvertKit Pricing vs Mailchimp: Essential Choice

ConvertKit Pricing vs Mailchimp: The Essential Choice for Growing Your Business. Discover which platform offers the best value and features for your needs, making your decision simple and stress-free.

Choosing the right email marketing tool can feel like a big decision. You want something that helps your business grow, but the pricing and features can be confusing. It’s frustrating when you’re trying to build your audience and a complicated system slows you down. Don’t worry! We’re here to break down ConvertKit pricing versus Mailchimp in a way that makes sense. We’ll compare them side-by-side so you can confidently pick the best fit for your business goals. Let’s dive in!

What is ConvertKit?

ConvertKit is an email marketing platform designed specifically for creators, like bloggers, YouTubers, and online course creators. It focuses on making it easy to build your audience, send targeted emails, and automate your marketing. Think of it as a friendly assistant that helps you connect with your fans and sell your creations without getting lost in complicated tech. Its core strength lies in its powerful segmentation and automation features, allowing you to send the right message to the right person at the right time.

What is Mailchimp?

Mailchimp is one of the most well-known and widely used email marketing services. It started by offering a free plan that made email marketing accessible to many small businesses. Mailchimp is a great all-around tool for sending newsletters, managing contact lists, and creating simple email campaigns. While it has grown to offer more advanced features, it’s often seen as a good starting point for businesses of all sizes looking for a straightforward way to communicate with their customers.

Key Differences at a Glance

When you’re comparing ConvertKit pricing vs Mailchimp, it’s helpful to see the main differences upfront. Here’s a quick look:

• Target Audience: ConvertKit is built for creators, while Mailchimp serves a broader range of small businesses.
• Automation: ConvertKit excels with its visual automation builder, making complex sequences easier to set up. Mailchimp offers automation but can be less intuitive for advanced workflows.
• Ease of Use: Mailchimp is generally considered very beginner-friendly. ConvertKit has a learning curve, especially for its automation features, but is still manageable for most.
• Deliverability: Both platforms generally have good email deliverability, but ConvertKit is often praised for its focus on clean lists and creator-specific engagement.
• Pricing Structure: Both scale with your subscriber count, but their feature sets at different tiers can vary significantly, impacting the “value” for your specific needs.

Features Comparison

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what each platform offers. This comparison will help you see which features align with your business needs.

Feature	ConvertKit	Mailchimp
Email Builder	Simple, clean editor with good templating options. Focus on plain text and clear messaging.	Drag-and-drop editor with many visually appealing templates. Can be more complex to master for advanced designs.
Audience Segmentation	Excellent. Uses tags and custom fields for granular segmentation. Very powerful for targeted messaging.	Good. Uses tags and groups. Segmentation options are robust but can feel less intuitive than ConvertKit for complex scenarios.
Automation	Industry-leading visual automation builder. Easy to create complex workflows based on subscriber actions (e.g., clicks, purchases).	Offers autoresponders and workflow automation. Visual builder available on higher plans, but generally less flexible than ConvertKit.
Landing Pages & Forms	Built-in, easy-to-use landing page and form builder. Optimized for lead generation.	Offers landing pages and forms. Templates are available, and integration with their website builder is seamless.
E-commerce Integrations	Strong integrations with platforms like Shopify, Gumroad, Teachable, etc., for selling digital products and courses.	Integrates with a wide range of e-commerce platforms, including Shopify and WooCommerce, for managing customer lists and sales.
Reporting & Analytics	Clear, concise reports focused on subscriber engagement, open rates, and click-through rates.	Detailed analytics on campaign performance, subscriber activity, and audience growth.
Free Plan	Offers a free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers with limited features (no advanced automation, limited forms/landing pages).	Offers a free plan for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 sends per month, with limited features and Mailchimp branding.

ConvertKit shines with its creator-centric features, especially its advanced automation and segmentation capabilities. If you’re selling digital products, courses, or have a complex sales funnel, ConvertKit’s tools are tailored for you. Mailchimp offers a more generalist approach, with a strong emphasis on visually appealing newsletters and a user-friendly interface that’s great for broad communication. Its built-in website and e-commerce tools can be appealing if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution.

Pricing Comparison

Understanding ConvertKit pricing vs Mailchimp is crucial for your budget. Both platforms primarily base their pricing on the number of subscribers you have. Here’s a general breakdown, but always check their official websites for the most current details.

Plan Level	ConvertKit (Monthly Pricing Example)	Mailchimp (Monthly Pricing Example)
Free Plan	Up to 1,000 subscribers. Basic email sending, landing pages, and forms. No automation.	Up to 500 contacts. Limited sends, basic templates, basic automation. Mailchimp branding.
Creator Plan (~1,000-3,000 subscribers)	Starts around $29/month. Includes unlimited sending, visual automations, advanced segmentation, landing pages, forms, and basic support.	Essentials Plan starts around $13/month for 500 contacts, increasing with subscriber count. Includes advanced automation, more templates, and basic support.
Creator Pro Plan (~5,000-10,000 subscribers)	Starts around $59/month for 3,000 subscribers. Adds features like A/B testing, advanced segmentation, higher support priority, and subscriber tagging.	Standard Plan starts around $20/month for 1,000 contacts. Adds more advanced features like A/B testing and more sophisticated analytics.
Advanced Features	ConvertKit’s higher tiers offer features like deliverability reporting, advanced segmentation, and priority support.	Mailchimp’s higher tiers (Premium) offer features like advanced segmentation, predictive analytics, and dedicated support.

When looking at ConvertKit pricing vs Mailchimp, you’ll notice that at lower subscriber counts, Mailchimp can appear cheaper. However, ConvertKit’s “Creator” plan often includes more advanced automation and segmentation features that Mailchimp reserves for higher-tier plans. If your business relies heavily on automated email sequences or segmenting your audience for personalized offers, ConvertKit might offer better value even if its base price seems a bit higher. For a comprehensive look at their latest pricing, visit the ConvertKit Pricing Page and the Mailchimp Pricing Page.

Ease of Use & Customer Support

For beginners, ease of use is paramount. Mailchimp has long been praised for its user-friendly interface. Their dashboard is clean, and creating a basic email campaign or newsletter is straightforward. Even their automation builder, while growing in complexity, remains accessible for new users.

ConvertKit, while not difficult, has a slightly steeper learning curve, particularly when diving into its powerful visual automation builder. However, once you understand the logic, it becomes very intuitive. Their focus on creators means the interface is often geared towards streamlined workflows for content creators.

In terms of customer support:

• ConvertKit: Offers email support for all users, with priority email and chat support for paid plans. Their knowledge base is extensive and creator-focused.
• Mailchimp: Offers email and chat support for paid plans. Free plan users typically rely on their extensive knowledge base and community forums.

Many users find ConvertKit’s support to be more personalized and helpful, especially for understanding complex automation sequences. Mailchimp’s support is generally good, but can sometimes feel more generic due to its larger user base.

Pros & Cons of ConvertKit

Here’s a summary of what users love and dislike about ConvertKit:

Pros & Cons of Mailchimp

Here’s a summary of what users love and dislike about Mailchimp:

User Reviews & Case Studies

Real user experiences offer valuable insights beyond feature lists and pricing tables. Many small business owners find that the “feel” of a platform and its ability to solve specific problems are what matter most.

Case Study: Shopify Store Owner & ConvertKit

A growing online boutique selling handmade jewelry found that their existing email platform wasn’t allowing them to segment customers effectively based on purchase history or product interest. After switching to ConvertKit, they implemented a system where customers who bought necklaces were automatically added to a “necklace lovers” segment. This allowed them to send targeted emails about new necklace arrivals, special offers, and styling tips, resulting in a noticeable increase in repeat purchases and average order value. The automation for abandoned carts also saw improved conversion rates thanks to more personalized follow-ups.

Read more about similar success stories on ConvertKit’s blog.

Case Study: Local Business & Mailchimp

A small physiotherapy clinic used Mailchimp to build their email list through a simple sign-up form on their website. They utilized Mailchimp’s automation to send a welcome email series introducing new patients to their services, staff, and wellness tips. They also used it for monthly newsletters sharing health advice and clinic updates. The ease of use allowed the front desk staff to manage the email list and send campaigns without needing extensive technical knowledge, ensuring consistent communication with their patient base.

Learn how other businesses leverage Mailchimp for growth.

Which One Should You Choose?

The best choice between ConvertKit pricing vs Mailchimp depends entirely on your specific business needs and goals. Here’s a simple guide:

• Choose ConvertKit if:
  • You are a creator (blogger, author, course creator, coach, podcaster).
  • You rely heavily on automated email sequences and funnels.
  • You need powerful segmentation based on subscriber behavior.
  • You are focused on building an engaged community and selling digital products.
  • You don’t need highly complex, visually ornate email designs.
• Choose Mailchimp if:
  • You are a small business owner looking for an easy-to-use, all-around email marketing tool.
  • You prioritize visually appealing newsletters and marketing emails.
  • You need basic automation and simple list management.
  • You are looking for a free or low-cost starting point.
  • You are also considering an integrated website or landing page builder from the same provider.

Consider your current stage and future growth. If you anticipate needing advanced automation and segmentation soon, starting with ConvertKit might save you a migration later. If you just need to send out simple newsletters and promotions, Mailchimp is a perfectly capable and often more affordable starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mailchimp free?

Yes, Mailchimp offers a free plan for up to 500 contacts, but it comes with limitations on sending volume, features, and includes Mailchimp branding.

Does ConvertKit support automation?

Yes, ConvertKit is renowned for its powerful visual automation builder, which is available on all paid plans. The free plan does not include automation features.

Which is better for small businesses?

For small businesses focused on content creation, community building, and sales funnels, ConvertKit is often preferred. For general small businesses needing straightforward newsletters and basic marketing, Mailchimp is a very popular and accessible choice.

Can I switch from Mailchimp to ConvertKit?

Yes, you can switch from Mailchimp to ConvertKit. Both platforms allow you to export your subscriber list, and ConvertKit offers tools to help with importing your contacts.

Is ConvertKit worth it for Shopify stores?

Yes, ConvertKit integrates very well with Shopify and is highly recommended for Shopify store owners who want to leverage email marketing for customer retention, personalized offers, and abandoned cart recovery through advanced automation and segmentation.

What are the main differences in ConvertKit pricing vs Mailchimp pricing?

Mailchimp’s lower tiers can be cheaper for basic use, but ConvertKit often provides more advanced features like automation and segmentation at comparable or slightly higher price points. It’s essential to compare features based on your subscriber count and needs.

Which has better email deliverability?

Both platforms generally offer good email deliverability. ConvertKit is often praised for its focus on list hygiene and creator-centric engagement, which can contribute to higher deliverability rates. However, good deliverability also depends on your own email practices.

Conclusion: Your Essential Choice

Comparing ConvertKit pricing vs Mailchimp ultimately comes down to matching the tool to your specific business needs. Mailchimp is a fantastic starting point for many small businesses, offering ease of use and a visually appealing way to communicate with your audience. Its free plan is a great way to get your feet wet.

However, if you’re a creator, a blogger, an online course seller, or anyone looking to build a deeper connection with your audience through personalized communication and sophisticated automated workflows, ConvertKit is likely the more powerful and ultimately more valuable investment. Its focus on segmentation and automation can drive significant growth.

Who should choose ConvertKit: Creators, coaches, bloggers, course creators, and businesses focused on direct sales of digital products who need robust automation and segmentation.

Who should choose Mailchimp: Small businesses, local shops, and service providers who need a user-friendly platform for newsletters, basic promotions, and simpler email marketing tasks.

Don’t be afraid to try out the free plans or trials offered by both platforms. Experiencing them firsthand is the best way to see which one truly fits your workflow and helps you achieve your business goals. Happy emailing!