MailerLite offers superior automation and lower pricing starting at $0/month with unlimited contacts, while Mailchimp charges based on contact count and provides more advanced segmentation tools for enterprise users. MailerLite wins for cost-conscious creators and small businesses, while Mailchimp suits larger enterprises needing complex workflows.
MailerLite vs Mailchimp — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
All-in-one email marketing platform with advanced automation and landing pages.
Email marketing, automation, and CRM platform with extensive templates and free tier.
Starting Price. Automation Workflows. Drag-and-Drop Editor. API Rate Limit. Advanced Segmentation. Customer Support. E-commerce Integrations
Choose MailerLite if you're a content creator, small business, or startup prioritizing affordable automation and an intuitive interface—its free plan with unlimited contacts and automations is unmatched for budget-conscious users. Choose Mailchimp if you need enterprise-level segmentation, extensive third-party integrations, 24/7 support, or operate a complex e-commerce business requiring advanced customer data tools.
MailerLite: Standard automation builder with conditional logic | Mailchimp: Advanced (conditional, behavioral triggers)
MailerLite: Basic contact management | Mailchimp: Requires API/Zapier connectors
MailerLite: Beginner-friendly, intuitive interface | Mailchimp: N/A
MailerLite: $0 (free) | Mailchimp: $20/month
MailerLite: Near-instantaneous (seconds to minutes) | Mailchimp: N/A
MailerLite: 24-48 (email/chat only) | Mailchimp: Email-based, no SLA
MailerLite: $0 (free tier) | Mailchimp: Free
MailerLite: 70+ templates | Mailchimp: 100+
MailerLite: 25 | Mailchimp: Limited on starter plans
MailerLite: Included in Pro plan | Mailchimp: N/A
MailerLite: Email, chat, phone | Mailchimp: N/A
MailerLite: Yes, native feature | Mailchimp: N/A
MailerLite: $0 (Free tier) | Mailchimp: $0 (free tier) or $20 (Pro)
MailerLite: 500 | Mailchimp: 500 contacts
MailerLite: Subject line, send time | Mailchimp: N/A
MailerLite: Included in all plans | Mailchimp: Included in paid plans
MailerLite: $0 (Limited to 1,000 subscribers) | Mailchimp: N/A
MailerLite: Basic template suggestions only | Mailchimp: N/A
MailerLite: 25 behavioral triggers | Mailchimp: Standard audience segmentation
MailerLite: 4.8/5 (based on 2,100+ reviews) | Mailchimp: N/A
MailerLite: $40/month | Mailchimp: $70/month
MailerLite: Unlimited workflows | Mailchimp: Limited (up to 5-10 per plan tier)
MailerLite: Included in plan | Mailchimp: $0.01-0.05 per SMS
MailerLite: 200+ templates | Mailchimp: 100+ templates
MailerLite: 1-2 weeks | Mailchimp: 4-6 weeks
MailerLite: 6 (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, PrestaShop, Magento, Zapier) | Mailchimp: N/A
MailerLite: Yes (paid plans only) | Mailchimp: N/A
MailerLite: 1,000 subscribers | Mailchimp: 500 free contacts
MailerLite: 200+ templates | Mailchimp: 1,000+ templates
MailerLite: Contact management only | Mailchimp: Full CRM with customer profiles
MailerLite: Basic workflows (limited) | Mailchimp: 300+
MailerLite: Unlimited | Mailchimp: 500 contacts
MailerLite: Email & chat (24/5) | Mailchimp: 24/7 on paid plans
Base Paid Plan Price (1,000-10,000 subs)
MailerLite: 4 basic triggers | Mailchimp: N/A
MailerLite: 97.8% average | Mailchimp: 97-98%
MailerLite: Yes, included in all paid plans | Mailchimp: Paid add-on
MailerLite: None (third-party integrations required) | Mailchimp: N/A
MailerLite: Yes (all plans) | Mailchimp: N/A
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes (500 contacts)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 7 (moderate to high)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Sophisticated data-driven rules
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes, varies by plan
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes, with international expansion
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Free on all plans
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Not available
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic (Customer Journey Builder)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: A/B testing and design testing (free)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: More extensive platform coverage
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic contact management
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Beginner-friendly
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Limited (abandoned cart via integrations)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes - charges per contact/send overages
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Comprehensive campaign performance and subscriber insights
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic personalization features
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Available but less intuitive setup
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Full SMS suite with 2026 international expansion
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Legacy interface, steep learning curve
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Full native CRM platform integrated
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 300+ (general purpose)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: $50-70/month
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Limited core features only
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Extensive design variety and customization
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic contact data syncing
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 1,000-5,000
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: No (API integration only)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes (added 2026, supports international markets)
Contact List Size Limit (Standard Pricing)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Unlimited growth with pro-rated pricing
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 250 contacts
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 1,000 emails/month
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Capped by contact tier multipliers
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 12+ million users
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 4.3/5 stars
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Full CRM suite with advanced segmentation
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Limited e-commerce via integrations
Price Scaling Factor at 5,000 Subscribers
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Steep 3-4x multiplier
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 500 contacts
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic add-on CRM
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Manual segmentation only
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Email, basic social
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Minimal (intuitive interface)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Standard quarterly updates
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes, full CRM suite
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Email, SMS, landing pages, ads
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Moderate, marketing-focused
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 10-20 minutes
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 300,000 (based on plan)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: $13/month (Essentials)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: $800/month (100,000 contacts)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Full-featured free plan
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes (up to 500 contacts)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Modern and professional
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Advanced automation included
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Third-party integrations
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Transactional email and small business
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes (drag-and-drop, AI-assisted)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: All paid plans
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 500 (free) / 5,000 (paid)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 0.08 months (1 hour)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 3 (Salesforce, HubSpot, custom)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Behavioral segmentation only
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 2/10 (simple)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic (list segmentation only)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: ~5 basic automations
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: No (Zapier third-party only)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 1 (beginner-friendly)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: None (requires third-party solutions)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Unlimited (with 10k contacts max)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Not applicable (subscriber-based)
Starter Tier Monthly Cost (50k contacts)
Automation Workflow Steps (Free/Starter Tier)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Unlimited (standard feature)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Unlimited (with pricing increase)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Limited basic sequences
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 0% (you handle payments)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: No (third-party required)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes (subject lines, send time)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 30+ (payment processor + Mailchimp config)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Not offered (email-focused)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Not offered
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 5 (Email, SMS, Social Ads, Landing Pages, Postcards)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 1-2 (self-service)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: $2–$7 (plan-dependent)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 0.5–1 hour (UI-based)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Advanced (subject, send time, content)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Manual review required
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Full CRM with segmentation, tagging, custom fields
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: $200–$350 (based on tier)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: $0.01 (SMS add-on)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 45+ countries
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 1 day (no-code signup)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 12M+ users (2025)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Unlimited steps
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: No (paid add-on)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 0% (SaaS model)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 30-60 minutes
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 20 (1K-contact plan)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 500+ templates including AI-generated
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: $20 additional per month
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Advanced abandoned cart, product recommendations, dynamic pricing
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic automation on free plan
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Advanced AI copywriter with subject line optimization
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 1,000+ templates
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Not included
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Limited - basic integration support only
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Advanced visual builder included
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 15-20 minutes
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: List management only
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes - iOS and Android
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes (drag-and-drop)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Available at higher tiers
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Advanced (100+ triggers, unlimited branching)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 0 (Third-party only)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 5+ (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Squarespace, others)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic contact segmentation, limited tagging, no pipeline management
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: None—email-focused platform only
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Automations available on free plan with customer journey builder
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Manual only
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 4 (email, SMS, ads, landing pages)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Premium+ ($350/month minimum)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: $200+ (plan dependent)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 5-10 (UI-based)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Advanced (journey builder, behavioral triggers, A/B testing)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 10 (REST API)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Not available (segmentation only)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Third-party (Zapier) only
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Unlimited free tier available
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 1 (last-click only)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 500 (free), unlimited (paid)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: No, not available
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 2 (basic contact mgmt)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: 160 (email support all plans)
MailerLite: N/A | Mailchimp: Email only (no phone)
How to choose between MailerLite and Mailchimp
MailerLite vs Mailchimp — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for MailerLite vs Mailchimp. Contains 248 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
MailerLite vs Mailchimp — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for MailerLite vs Mailchimp.
Can I use the free plan indefinitely on MailerLite?
Yes, MailerLite's free plan has no expiration date and includes unlimited subscribers, up to 5 automated workflows, 150+ templates, and basic segmentation. It's one of the most generous free email marketing plans available. You only upgrade when you need advanced features like advanced segmentation or custom integrations.
How much will Mailchimp cost me with 100,000 subscribers?
Mailchimp's pricing for 100,000 contacts ranges from $200-$350/month depending on features selected. With MailerLite, the same list would cost approximately $99/month on their highest standard plan, making MailerLite roughly 3x cheaper at scale. Mailchimp becomes significantly more expensive as your contact list grows.
Which platform is better for e-commerce businesses?
Mailchimp has a slight edge for complex e-commerce with 300+ integrations and native Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce connections plus built-in CRM. However, MailerLite now offers solid e-commerce features including product recommendations, abandoned cart automation, and integrations with major platforms at a fraction of the cost, making it suitable for growing e-commerce brands.
Does MailerLite have automation workflows on the free plan?
Yes, MailerLite includes unlimited automations on its free plan, which is exceptional. Mailchimp limits free users to 5 automations. This gives MailerLite a significant advantage for users building complex customer journeys without paying for upgrades.
What's the learning curve difference between the two platforms?
MailerLite has a significantly easier learning curve with a cleaner, more modern interface designed for non-technical users. Mailchimp's interface is more feature-rich but also more complex, requiring more time to master. For beginners and small business owners, MailerLite is typically easier to adopt. For agencies managing multiple accounts, Mailchimp's power-user features may justify the steeper learning curve.
How to Choose Between MailerLite and Mailchimp
Starting Price: MailerLite has $0/month (unlimited subscribers), while Mailchimp has $20/month (500 contacts).
Automation Workflows: MailerLite has Unlimited automations on free plan, while Mailchimp has Limited to 5 automations on free plan.
Drag-and-Drop Editor: MailerLite has Advanced with 150+ templates, while Mailchimp has Standard with 100+ templates.
API Rate Limit: MailerLite has 300 requests/second, while Mailchimp has 10 requests/second.
Advanced Segmentation: MailerLite has Basic segmentation on all plans, while Mailchimp has Advanced segmentation on paid plans.
Customer Support: MailerLite has Email and live chat (24/5), while Mailchimp has Email, chat, phone (24/7 on paid).
E-commerce Integrations: MailerLite has 50+ integrations, while Mailchimp has 300+ integrations.