Best Mailchimp Alternatives (2026)
Mailchimp is email marketing and automation platform, starting at $13/mo. Here are the best alternatives — whether you need something cheaper, simpler, or with different features.
Why people switch from Mailchimp
- →Pricing jumps steeply
- →Automations less powerful than competitors
- →Contact-based pricing gets expensive
Marketing automation platform built for e-commerce
Klaviyo
Marketing automation platform built for e-commerce
Klaviyo is a powerful email and SMS marketing platform purpose-built for e-commerce brands. Known for its deep Shopify integration, advanced segmentation, and revenue-focused analytics.
ActiveCampaign
Email marketing and CRM automation platform
ActiveCampaign combines email marketing, marketing automation, and CRM in one platform. Known for its powerful automation builder, it's popular with small to mid-size businesses that want to nurture leads through complex multi-step workflows.
Kit (ConvertKit)
Email platform built for creators and solopreneurs
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is an email marketing platform built specifically for content creators, bloggers, podcasters, and online course sellers. It prioritises simplicity, deliverability, and audience segmentation.
beehiiv
Newsletter platform built for growth
beehiiv is a newsletter platform built by the team behind Morning Brew. It's designed for newsletter creators who want powerful growth tools — referral programmes, paid subscriptions, boosts, and detailed analytics.
Brevo
Email, SMS, and CRM platform for growing businesses
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is an all-in-one marketing platform offering email, SMS, WhatsApp, live chat, and CRM. Known for its email-volume-based pricing (rather than contact-based), making it cost-effective for large lists.
Mailchimp vs alternatives: quick comparison
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | Pricing model | G2 score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp (current) | $13 | ✓ | freemium | 4.3/5 |
| Klaviyo | $20 | ✓ | freemium | 4.6/5 |
| ActiveCampaign | $15 | ✗ | paid | 4.5/5 |
| Kit (ConvertKit) | $25 | ✓ | freemium | 4.4/5 |
| beehiiv | $39 | ✓ | freemium | 4.8/5 |
| Brevo | $9 | ✓ | freemium | 4.5/5 |
How to switch from Mailchimp
- 1. Export your data first
Before cancelling, export everything from Mailchimp — contacts, projects, records, or reports. Most tools offer a CSV export under Settings → Data Export. Download and store it as a backup even if you don't need it immediately.
- 2. Trial the alternative with a real project
Klaviyo and Kit (ConvertKit) both offer free plans — sign up and run a live project in parallel before committing. Most paid alternatives also offer 14–30 day trials.
- 3. Import and run both tools briefly
Use the import wizard in your chosen alternative to bring across your exported data. Run both tools in parallel for 2–4 weeks so your team can adapt without losing continuity. Most migrations take less than a day for small teams.
- 4. Cancel before the next billing cycle
Cancel Mailchimp before renewal to avoid being charged for another month or year. Check whether you're on a monthly or annual plan — annual plans often have no mid-cycle refunds. Keep your final data export on file.
Our verdict
If you are switching from Mailchimp, Klaviyo is our top pick — marketing automation platform built for e-commerce, with a G2 score of 4.6/5. For a free option, Klaviyo is worth considering. Use the comparison links above to do a side-by-side before committing.
Mailchimp alternatives: frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Mailchimp?
Klaviyo is our top-ranked alternative. It starts at $20/mo with a free plan and scores 4.6/5 on G2.
Is there a free alternative to Mailchimp?
Yes — Klaviyo, Kit (ConvertKit), beehiiv all offer free plans.
What is the cheapest alternative to Mailchimp?
Brevo offers the lowest entry point with a free plan. Paid plans start at $9/mo.
Not sure which tool to pick?
See a detailed breakdown of Mailchimp pricing before you decide.
See Mailchimp pricing →