Mailchimp vs Shopify Email: The Ultimate Choice for Your Business. Find out which platform offers the best features, pricing, and ease of use for your email marketing success.
Starting an email list feels like magic for small businesses. It’s a direct line to your customers. But choosing the right tool can feel overwhelming. You’ve likely heard of Mailchimp, a big name in email marketing. Then there’s Shopify Email, built right into the platform many of you use for your online store. How do they stack up? This guide breaks down Mailchimp vs Shopify Email so you can confidently pick the best fit for your business, no jargon allowed!
Contents
What is Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is a well-known email marketing and automation platform. It helps businesses grow by sending marketing emails, newsletters, and automated campaigns. Think of it as your all-in-one tool for managing contacts, designing emails, and tracking results. It’s popular with businesses of all sizes, from solo entrepreneurs to larger companies, thanks to its user-friendly interface and a wide range of features.
What is Shopify Email?
Shopify Email is an email marketing service directly integrated into the Shopify platform. If you have a Shopify store, you already have access to it. Its main purpose is to make it easy for Shopify merchants to send branded emails to their customers, such as promotions, new product announcements, and order updates. It’s designed to be simple and work seamlessly with your existing Shopify data.
Key Differences at a Glance
Choosing between Mailchimp and Shopify Email often comes down to your business needs and how integrated you want your email marketing to be with your e-commerce operations.
- Integration: Shopify Email is native to Shopify, offering deep integration. Mailchimp offers integrations but requires setup.
- Features: Mailchimp generally offers a more robust suite of advanced features, including sophisticated automation, segmentation, and A/B testing. Shopify Email is simpler and focused on core e-commerce campaigns.
- Target Audience: Mailchimp serves a broader range of businesses, while Shopify Email is specifically tailored for Shopify store owners.
- Pricing: Both offer free tiers, but Mailchimp’s paid plans can scale higher with more features, while Shopify Email’s pricing is tied to sending volume and a free allowance.
Features Comparison
Let’s dive into the specifics of what each platform offers:
| Feature | Mailchimp | Shopify Email |
|---|---|---|
| Email Builder | Drag-and-drop editor, pre-designed templates, custom code option. | Drag-and-drop editor, Shopify-themed templates, basic customization. |
| Audience Segmentation | Advanced segmentation based on tags, behavior, purchase history, demographics. | Basic segmentation based on Shopify customer data (e.g., purchase history, location). |
| Automation | Robust automation workflows (welcome series, abandoned cart, birthday emails, etc.) with visual workflow builder. | Basic automation for order-related emails, welcome series, and post-purchase follow-ups. |
| E-commerce Integration | Integrates with Shopify, but requires connection. Offers product syncing and cart abandonment features. | Native Shopify integration. Seamlessly syncs customer and product data. Built for e-commerce. |
| Reporting & Analytics | Detailed reports on opens, clicks, conversions, revenue, engagement metrics. | Basic reports on open rates, click-through rates, and revenue generated from campaigns. |
| A/B Testing | Yes, for subject lines, content, and sender names. | Limited A/B testing capabilities. |
| Landing Pages | Yes, built-in landing page builder. | No, focuses solely on email. |
| Forms & Pop-ups | Yes, integrated form builder and pop-up options. | Limited native options; often requires third-party apps. |
Mailchimp offers a more comprehensive feature set, particularly for advanced users who need sophisticated segmentation and automation. Shopify Email is more streamlined, focusing on the essential e-commerce email marketing needs of Shopify store owners.
Pricing Comparison
Both platforms offer ways to start for free, which is great for beginners. Here’s a look at how their pricing generally works:
| Plan Level | Mailchimp (Approximate) | Shopify Email |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Free Forever: Up to 500 contacts, 1,000 sends per month, 1 audience, basic templates, drag-and-drop builder, 1-step automations. | Free Allowance: 2,500 sends per month included with Shopify plans. Additional sends are $1 per 1,000. No contact limit mentioned, but tied to Shopify store. |
| Paid Plans (Starting) | Essentials: Starts around $13/month for up to 500 contacts, 5,000 sends/month, more templates, 3-step automations, basic support. View Mailchimp Pricing | Pay-as-you-go: After the free allowance, sending costs are very affordable, especially for lower volumes. For example, 10,000 emails cost $10. This is included with your Shopify subscription. Learn about Shopify Email |
| Mid-Tier Plans | Standard: Starts around $20/month for 1,000 contacts, 6,000 sends/month, advanced automation, A/B testing, more segmentation. | Shopify Email’s cost remains very low per send for higher volumes, making it cost-effective for active senders. |
| Higher-Tier Plans | Premium: Starts around $350/month, offering advanced features, dedicated support, and higher sending limits for larger lists. | N/A – Shopify Email pricing is based on send volume. |
Mailchimp’s pricing scales with your contact list size and feature needs. Shopify Email is very attractive for Shopify users because the initial allowance is generous and additional sends are inexpensive, especially when compared to many standalone email marketing services. If you’re already on a paid Shopify plan, you have a significant head start with Shopify Email’s free sending allowance.
Ease of Use & Customer Support
When you’re just starting, ease of use is key. Mailchimp has a reputation for being user-friendly, especially for beginners. Its interface is generally intuitive, and there are plenty of tutorials available. Customer support on the free plan is limited to email and a knowledge base. Paid plans offer chat and phone support, which can be a lifesaver when you’re stuck.
Shopify Email, being integrated into Shopify, feels very familiar if you’re already navigating the Shopify admin. The interface is clean and straightforward, focusing on core tasks. Since it’s part of Shopify, you can often find support through Shopify’s extensive help resources, which include 24/7 chat, email, and phone support for your overall Shopify account. This integrated support can be a big plus.
User Reviews & Case Studies
Real user experiences can offer valuable insights. Here’s what people are saying:
“Mailchimp is great for getting started. The templates are nice, and it’s easy to send out a newsletter. I found the automation a bit tricky at first, but the guides helped.”
— Small Business Owner, G2
“Shopify Email is a lifesaver for my online store. I can quickly send out promotions without leaving Shopify. It syncs perfectly with my products and customer list.”
— E-commerce Entrepreneur, Trustpilot
“I switched from Mailchimp to a more integrated solution for my Shopify store. While Mailchimp is powerful, the native Shopify apps just make things simpler and faster for my specific business needs.”
— Shopify Merchant, Reddit
“The free plan on Mailchimp was perfect when I had a small list. As I grew, I did find the paid plans got expensive quickly compared to other options, especially if I wanted more advanced features.”
— Startup Founder, Capterra
“Shopify Email is really good for basic campaigns. For more complex sequences or advanced segmentation, I might need to look at a dedicated app, but for regular promotions, it’s perfect and cheap.”
— Online Retailer, Shopify Community Forum
Case Study: “The Cozy Corner Bookstore” Boosts Sales with Shopify Email
The Cozy Corner Bookstore, an online retailer of unique books, struggled to consistently engage its customers with email promotions. After switching to Shopify Email, they found it incredibly easy to create visually appealing newsletters showcasing new arrivals and special offers directly from their Shopify product catalog. By sending out weekly targeted emails, they saw a 15% increase in sales attributed to email marketing within three months.
Case Study: “Artisan Crafts Co.” Grows Audience with Mailchimp
Artisan Crafts Co., a handmade goods seller, started their email list using Mailchimp’s free plan. They leveraged Mailchimp’s segmentation features to send personalized recommendations based on past purchases, leading to higher engagement. Their welcome series automation, which offers a discount to new subscribers, has been instrumental in converting visitors into loyal customers, resulting in a steady growth of their email list and an improved conversion rate of 8% from email campaigns.
Pros & Cons of Mailchimp
👍 What Users Like
- User-friendly interface, great for beginners (G2).
- Wide range of features and templates available (Capterra).
- Powerful automation and segmentation options (Reddit).
- Good reporting and analytics to track performance (Trustpilot).
- Reliable deliverability for most users (G2).
👎 Common Complaints
- Can become expensive as your list grows (Reddit).
- Advanced features might have a steeper learning curve (Capterra).
- Free plan limitations can be restrictive for scaling businesses (G2).
- Customer support on lower tiers is less responsive (Trustpilot).
Pros & Cons of Shopify Email
👍 What Users Like
- Seamless integration with Shopify stores (Shopify Community).
- Cost-effective, especially with the free sending allowance (Reddit).
- Simple and intuitive to use for basic campaigns (G2).
- Direct access to Shopify customer data for targeting (Trustpilot).
- Branded templates that match your store’s look (Capterra).
👎 Common Complaints
- Limited advanced features compared to dedicated platforms (G2).
- Automation capabilities are basic (Capterra).
- Less flexibility in design and customization for complex needs (Trustpilot).
- Not ideal for businesses not using Shopify (Reddit).
Which One Should You Choose?
The “ultimate choice” really depends on your business stage and goals. Here’s a guide:
- Choose Mailchimp if:
- You need a versatile email marketing tool that works for various business types, not just e-commerce.
- You require advanced segmentation, automation workflows, and A/B testing from the start.
- You want to build a brand and email list independent of your e-commerce platform.
- You are a service-based business, blogger, or have a business not directly tied to a Shopify store.
- Choose Shopify Email if:
- You are a Shopify store owner and want the most integrated, hassle-free solution.
- Your primary goal is to send product promotions, order updates, and simple marketing campaigns to your existing customers.
- You are budget-conscious and want to leverage the free sending allowance included with your Shopify plan.
- You prefer a simple, straightforward tool that requires minimal setup and technical expertise.
If you are a Shopify user who needs more advanced features than Shopify Email offers, Mailchimp is a great option, but so are other dedicated email marketing apps designed for Shopify, like Klaviyo or Omnisend. These often provide deeper integrations and more powerful e-commerce specific features than Mailchimp.
FAQ
Q1: Is Mailchimp free?
A1: Yes, Mailchimp offers a free plan that allows you to send up to 1,000 emails per month to a maximum of 500 contacts. It’s a great way to start building your email list.
Q2: Does Shopify Email support automation?
A2: Shopify Email supports basic automation for essential e-commerce scenarios like welcome series, post-purchase follow-ups, and abandoned cart recovery, though its capabilities are simpler than more advanced platforms.
Q3: Which is better for small businesses?
A3: For small businesses that are Shopify store owners, Shopify Email is often the better choice due to its seamless integration and cost-effectiveness. For other types of small businesses or those needing more advanced features, Mailchimp can be a strong contender.
Q4: Can I switch from Mailchimp to Shopify Email?
A4: Yes, you can migrate your email list from Mailchimp to Shopify Email. You would export your contacts from Mailchimp and then import them into your Shopify store or directly into Shopify Email if that option is available.
Q5: Is Shopify Email worth it for Shopify stores?
A5: For many Shopify stores, especially those just starting or with moderate email marketing needs, Shopify Email is definitely worth it. It’s included with your Shopify subscription, making it very cost-effective, and its integration simplifies common marketing tasks.
Q6: What are the main differences in email deliverability?
A6: Both Mailchimp and Shopify Email strive for good deliverability. Mailchimp, as a dedicated email service provider, has robust infrastructure and IP reputation management. Shopify Email leverages Shopify’s platform, which also focuses on reliable delivery for its merchants.
Q7: Can I use Mailchimp and Shopify Email together?
A7: While you can connect Mailchimp to Shopify, using both as primary email marketing tools simultaneously isn’t recommended as it can lead to confusion and duplicate efforts. It’s generally best to choose one primary platform for your email marketing.
Conclusion
When comparing Mailchimp vs Shopify Email, the best choice hinges on your specific business context. Mailchimp offers a powerful, feature-rich platform suitable for a wide array of businesses needing advanced segmentation and automation. Shopify Email, on the other hand, excels for Shopify store owners seeking a simple, integrated, and cost-effective solution for their e-commerce email marketing needs.
Here’s a quick recommendation framework:
- Choose Mailchimp if: You are a service provider, blogger, or non-e-commerce business, or if you are a Shopify merchant who needs advanced marketing automation and segmentation beyond what Shopify Email offers.
- Choose Shopify Email if: You are a Shopify merchant looking for an easy-to-use, integrated tool to send promotions, updates, and build customer relationships directly from your store.
Don’t be afraid to try out the free plans or trials offered by both. Experimenting firsthand is the best way to see which platform feels right for you and your business goals. Happy emailing!