Mailchimp vs Kit (ConvertKit): Which is better in 2026?
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, features, and use cases to help you decide between Mailchimp and Kit (ConvertKit).
Email marketing and automation platform
Email platform built for creators and solopreneurs
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | Kit (ConvertKit) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $13/mo ✓ Cheaper | $25/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Pricing model | freemium | freemium |
| G2 rating | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 ↑ |
| Capterra rating | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Founded | 2001 | 2013 |
Mailchimp: pros & cons
- ✓Easy to use
- ✓Generous free plan
- ✓Good template library
- ✓Strong e-commerce integrations
- ✗Pricing jumps steeply
- ✗Automations less powerful than competitors
- ✗Contact-based pricing gets expensive
Kit (ConvertKit): pros & cons
- ✓Best for creators and solopreneurs
- ✓Very generous free plan (10K subs)
- ✓Clean, simple interface
- ✓Built-in digital product sales
- ✗Limited design customisation
- ✗Not ideal for e-commerce brands
- ✗Fewer features than ActiveCampaign
Choose Mailchimp if...
- →You're a small business or startup sending newsletters and promotional emails to under 5,000 contacts
- →You run a Shopify or WooCommerce store and want basic abandoned cart and welcome automations without complex setup
- →Your team is non-technical and needs a drag-and-drop email builder with a large template library
Choose Kit (ConvertKit) if...
- →You're a blogger, podcaster, or course creator who wants to tag and segment subscribers based on interests and purchase behaviour
- →You sell digital products or courses and want a single platform to collect email, automate follow-up sequences, and process sales
- →You have up to 10,000 subscribers and want unlimited broadcasts and landing pages on the free plan without paying anything
Our verdict
Mailchimp and Kit (ConvertKit) are closely matched on user ratings. Mailchimp is the more affordable option. The right pick depends on your team size and workflow.
Mailchimp vs Kit (ConvertKit): frequently asked questions
Is Mailchimp better than Kit (ConvertKit)?
Kit (ConvertKit) has a higher G2 score (4.4/5 vs 4.3/5). The best tool depends on your specific use case and budget.
Which is cheaper, Mailchimp or Kit (ConvertKit)?
Mailchimp is cheaper, starting at $13/mo.
What is the main difference between Mailchimp and Kit (ConvertKit)?
Mailchimp focuses on email campaigns, automations, landing pages. Kit (ConvertKit) focuses on email broadcasts, automation sequences, landing pages. Both serve similar use cases but differ in approach and pricing model.
Can I migrate from Mailchimp to Kit (ConvertKit)?
Most teams migrate between Mailchimp and Kit (ConvertKit) within a day or two. Export your data from Mailchimp (typically as CSV or via API), then use Kit (ConvertKit)'s import wizard to bring it across. Check each tool's help centre for a step-by-step migration guide before switching.