Mailchimp
Email marketing platform with AI-driven automation and segmentation
4.3
/5
(16400 reviews)
What is Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is the world's most widely used email marketing platform, with over 13 million users. It offers AI-powered content suggestions, send-time optimization, audience segmentation, and multi-channel campaigns including email, SMS, and social ads.
The free plan is genuinely capable for getting started. As you scale, Mailchimp's automation builder, landing pages, and e-commerce integrations make it a solid all-in-one for SMBs — though it gets expensive compared to alternatives like Brevo or ActiveCampaign at higher contact counts.
Key Features
- AI Subject Line Helper
- Send-Time Optimization (AI)
- Email Automation Builder
- Audience Segmentation
- Landing Page Builder
- A/B Testing
- SMS Marketing
- Social Media Ads Integration
- E-commerce Integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce)
- Reporting & Analytics
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best-in-class free plan (500 contacts, 1,000 sends/mo)
- Very easy to use — beginner friendly
- Large template library
- Strong e-commerce integrations
Cons
- Gets expensive quickly vs Brevo or Klaviyo
- Automation is less powerful than ActiveCampaign
- Limited segmentation on lower plans
- Pricing based on contacts, not emails sent
Pricing
Model: Freemium + subscription (monthly)
| Plan | Price | Key Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 500 contacts, 1,000 emails/mo, basic templates |
| Essentials | $13/mo | 500 contacts, 5,000 emails/mo, A/B testing, custom branding |
| Standard | $20/mo | 500 contacts, 6,000 emails/mo, automation journeys, retargeting |
| Premium | $350/mo | 10,000 contacts, advanced segmentation, phone support |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Mailchimp free forever?
- Mailchimp has a free plan limited to 500 contacts and 1,000 sends per month. It stays free but has limitations — no automation journeys, Mailchimp branding on emails, and limited A/B testing.
- Mailchimp vs ActiveCampaign — which should I choose?
- Mailchimp is better for beginners and e-commerce. ActiveCampaign is better for advanced automation, CRM features, and B2B lead nurturing. If you run complex drip sequences, ActiveCampaign wins.
- Why is Mailchimp getting expensive?
- Mailchimp prices by contact count, not email volume. If your list grows past 5,000 contacts, tools like Brevo (prices by emails sent) or Klaviyo (better ROI for e-commerce) often become cheaper alternatives.