Mailchimp vs Substack: Essential Choice

Mailchimp vs Substack: Your Essential Choice for Email Marketing Success

Choosing the right email marketing tool can feel overwhelming. If you’re stuck between Mailchimp and Substack, you’re not alone! This guide breaks down exactly what each platform offers, making your decision simple and stress-free. Let’s find the perfect fit for your business.

Starting or growing a business means connecting with your audience. Email marketing is a powerful way to do this, but picking the right tool can be tricky. You’ve heard of Mailchimp, a long-time favorite for many. Then there’s Substack, which has gained a lot of buzz for writers and creators. How do you know which one is right for you? It’s a common question, and it can lead to a lot of confusion. Don’t worry! This article will clearly compare Mailchimp and Substack, focusing on what matters most for beginners. We’ll look at features, pricing, and ease of use to help you make an informed choice. Get ready to feel confident about your email marketing strategy.

What is Mailchimp?

Mailchimp is a comprehensive email marketing and automation platform that has been around for a long time. It’s designed for businesses of all sizes, from solopreneurs to larger companies. Mailchimp helps you create and send email newsletters, run marketing campaigns, build landing pages, and even manage social media posts. Its strength lies in its versatility and a wide range of features that can grow with your business.

What is Substack?

Substack is primarily a platform for writers and creators to publish newsletters and build paid subscription communities. It’s known for its simplicity and focus on content creators. Substack handles the publishing, email delivery, and payment processing for paid subscriptions, allowing writers to monetize their content directly. It’s less about complex marketing automation and more about straightforward content delivery and audience building.

Key Differences at a Glance

Here’s a quick look at how Mailchimp and Substack stack up:

• Mailchimp: A full-service marketing platform with extensive automation, CRM, and e-commerce integrations. Best for businesses needing diverse marketing tools.
• Substack: A simple, creator-focused platform for newsletters and paid subscriptions. Best for writers and content creators looking to monetize their work directly.

Features Comparison

Let’s dive deeper into the features that matter most for your email marketing efforts.

Feature	Mailchimp	Substack
Email Campaign Creation	Drag-and-drop editor, templates, personalization, A/B testing.	Simple text-based editor, basic formatting, clean delivery.
Audience Management	Advanced segmentation, tagging, CRM features.	Subscriber lists, basic tagging for free tier.
Automation	Robust automation builder (welcome series, abandoned cart, etc.).	Limited automation, primarily for new post notifications.
E-commerce Integration	Strong integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.	Basic e-commerce for paid subscriptions, no direct product selling.
Landing Pages	Built-in landing page builder.	No dedicated landing page builder; relies on newsletter signup pages.
Paid Subscriptions	Can be set up with e-commerce integrations, but not its core function.	Core feature, built for paid newsletters and memberships.
Analytics	Detailed reports on opens, clicks, conversions, engagement.	Basic subscriber growth and open/click rates.

Mailchimp offers a much broader suite of tools. Its drag-and-drop email builder makes creating visually appealing newsletters easy, even for beginners. You can personalize emails based on subscriber data, a key feature for effective marketing. Mailchimp also excels in automation, allowing you to set up automated workflows like welcome emails or post-purchase follow-ups. This is crucial for nurturing leads and driving sales.

Substack, on the other hand, is built for a different purpose. Its email editor is simple, focusing on delivering clear, readable content. While it doesn’t offer the advanced design options or automation of Mailchimp, its strength is in its ease of use for publishing regular content and managing paid subscriptions. If your main goal is to write a newsletter and potentially charge for premium content, Substack is streamlined for that.

Pricing Comparison

Understanding the costs is vital for any small business. Here’s how Mailchimp and Substack’s pricing generally works:

Plan Type	Mailchimp	Substack
Free Plan	Yes, for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 sends/month, basic features.	Free to start for writers. Substack takes a 10% cut + 3% payment processing fee on paid subscriptions.
Paid Plans	Starts around $13/month for Essentials (up to 500 contacts), scaling up with features and contacts.	No monthly fees, but takes a percentage of paid subscriber revenue.
Pricing Model	Contact-based, tiered features.	Revenue-share for paid content; free for free newsletters.

Mailchimp’s pricing is based on the number of contacts you have and the features you need. Their free plan is a great starting point for very small lists. As your list grows or you need more advanced features like automation or advanced segmentation, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan. You can explore their official pricing page for the most up-to-date details.

Substack’s pricing is unique. It’s free to use for sending newsletters to free subscribers. If you decide to offer paid subscriptions, Substack takes a percentage of your earnings. This model can be very attractive for creators who want to monetize their work without upfront costs, but it means your expenses directly scale with your revenue. For businesses focused on marketing and sales, this revenue-share model isn’t ideal.

Ease of Use & Customer Support

For beginners, ease of use is paramount. Mailchimp has a reputation for being user-friendly, especially with its visual drag-and-drop editor. However, with its vast array of features, it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming as you explore more advanced options. Mailchimp offers a knowledge base, email support, and chat support for paid plans. They also have extensive tutorials and guides.

Substack is exceptionally easy to use. Setting up a newsletter and publishing your first post takes minutes. The interface is clean and uncluttered, focusing solely on content creation and subscriber management. Customer support is generally through email and a help center, which is sufficient for its core functionality. If you want a no-fuss way to get your newsletter out, Substack wins on simplicity.

Pros & Cons of Mailchimp

Pros:

• All-in-One Platform: Offers email, landing pages, social media, and CRM.
• Powerful Automation: Great for nurturing leads and customer journeys.
• Extensive Integrations: Connects with many other business tools.
• Advanced Analytics: Provides deep insights into campaign performance.
• Scalable: Suitable for businesses of all sizes.

Cons:

• Can be Expensive: Pricing can increase significantly with list growth.
• Feature Overload: May be too complex for users who only need basic newsletters.
• Customer Support: Free plan support is limited.

Pros & Cons of Substack

Pros:

• Extremely Easy to Use: Simple interface, quick setup.
• Creator Focused: Ideal for writers and content monetization.
• Built-in Paid Subscriptions: Seamlessly manage paid memberships.
• No Upfront Cost: Free to use for free newsletters; revenue share for paid.
• Clean Newsletter Design: Focuses on readability.

Cons:

• Limited Features: Lacks advanced marketing automation and segmentation.
• No E-commerce Integrations: Not suitable for traditional product-based businesses.
• Basic Analytics: Limited insights compared to marketing platforms.
• Not for Sales-Driven Marketing: Primarily content and community focused.

User Reviews & Case Studies

Hearing from real users can provide valuable insights. Many small business owners find Mailchimp to be a reliable workhorse.

One user on G2 shared, “Mailchimp is great for starting out, the interface is intuitive, and the reporting gives good insights. We used it for our early email campaigns and found it easy to manage our subscriber list.” However, another user noted, “As our business grew, we found ourselves hitting limitations with the automation features and the cost started to become a barrier.”

For Substack, creators often praise its simplicity. A writer on Trustpilot commented, “Substack made it so easy to start a paid newsletter. I don’t have to worry about the tech side, just writing. The revenue share is fair for what they provide.” A common sentiment is that it’s perfect for writers, but not for businesses needing robust marketing tools. For example, a local bakery owner might find Mailchimp’s ability to send automated birthday discounts or announce new products via targeted campaigns more beneficial than Substack’s newsletter format.

Case Study Example: A small online craft store owner initially used Mailchimp to send out weekly newsletters about new products and sales. They utilized Mailchimp’s automation to send a welcome email with a discount code to new subscribers and an abandoned cart reminder. This led to a noticeable increase in repeat customers and sales, as reported on Mailchimp’s customer success blog. They found the segmentation features allowed them to send more relevant offers to different customer groups, boosting engagement.

Which One Should You Choose?

The “better” platform truly depends on your specific goals and business type.

• Choose Mailchimp if:
  • You are a small business, e-commerce store, or service provider.
  • You need to run marketing campaigns, promotions, and sales.
  • You want to automate your email marketing (e.g., welcome series, follow-ups).
  • You need to segment your audience based on purchasing behavior or interests.
  • You want to build landing pages or integrate with other business tools.
  • You are looking for a scalable solution as your business grows.
• Choose Substack if:
  • You are a writer, journalist, blogger, or content creator.
  • Your primary goal is to publish regular content (newsletters).
  • You want to build a community and potentially monetize your content through paid subscriptions.
  • You prioritize simplicity and ease of use over advanced marketing features.
  • You don’t need complex e-commerce integrations or sales-focused automation.

For most small businesses looking to market products or services, Mailchimp is likely the more suitable choice due to its marketing-centric features and integrations. Substack is excellent for creators, but its capabilities are much more focused on publishing and community building around content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Mailchimp free?

Yes, Mailchimp offers a free plan for users with up to 500 contacts and 1,000 email sends per month. It includes basic features to get you started.

Does Substack support automation?

Substack has very limited automation, primarily focused on sending out notifications for new posts to your subscribers. It does not offer the advanced marketing automation workflows found in platforms like Mailchimp.

Which is better for small businesses?

For most small businesses focused on marketing, sales, and customer engagement, Mailchimp is generally better. Its features are designed for business growth and marketing campaigns. Substack is better for individual creators monetizing their writing.

Can I switch from Mailchimp to Substack?

Yes, you can migrate your subscriber list from Mailchimp to Substack. You would typically export your list from Mailchimp and then import it into your Substack account. However, consider why you would make this switch, as the platforms serve very different purposes.

Is Substack worth it for Shopify stores?

No, Substack is generally not recommended for Shopify stores. Its strength lies in paid newsletters and content monetization, not e-commerce operations. Shopify store owners would be better served by email marketing platforms with robust e-commerce integrations like Mailchimp, or specialized e-commerce email tools.

What are the main Mailchimp vs Substack differences for beginners?

The main differences are purpose and features. Mailchimp is a comprehensive marketing platform with automation and sales tools, suitable for businesses. Substack is a simple platform for writers to publish newsletters and manage paid subscriptions.

Can I sell products with Mailchimp?

Yes, Mailchimp has e-commerce features and integrations that allow you to sell products, manage online stores, and send targeted campaigns based on customer purchases.

Conclusion

When it comes to Mailchimp vs Substack, the choice boils down to your core objective. Mailchimp is your go-to for a full-fledged marketing strategy, offering tools to grow your business through targeted campaigns, automation, and customer relationship management. It’s a versatile platform that can adapt as your business needs evolve.

Substack shines for content creators who want to build a direct relationship with their audience and monetize their writing through paid subscriptions. Its simplicity and focus on publishing make it an excellent choice for writers and journalists.

Who should choose Mailchimp: Businesses focused on sales, marketing, lead generation, and customer retention. If you need to build an email list for promotional purposes, run automated sequences, or integrate with your e-commerce store, Mailchimp is the clear winner.

Who should choose Substack: Writers, bloggers, podcasters, and creators looking to publish content regularly and build a community, with the option to earn revenue from paid subscriptions.

My advice? If you’re a business owner aiming to grow your customer base and drive sales, start with Mailchimp. Many small businesses find its free plan is a fantastic way to dip their toes into email marketing. If you’re a writer passionate about your craft and want a simple way to share it and get paid, Substack is incredibly user-friendly.

Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try them out. Most platforms offer free plans or trials. Experiment with both to see which interface feels more natural and aligns with your vision. Happy emailing!