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Mailchimp vs MailerLite in 2026: The Honest Pricing Comparison
MailerLite is the most popular budget alternative to Mailchimp, and the pricing gap has only widened in 2026. At every contact tier, MailerLite costs 40-60% less. But cheaper does not always mean better. Here is when each platform wins.
Quick verdict: MailerLite is cheaper at every contact count with a more generous free plan (1,000 subs vs 250). It includes automation on all plans. Mailchimp has better templates, deliverability, and 3x more integrations. For budget-conscious businesses with straightforward email needs, MailerLite is the better value. For businesses that need maximum integrations and top-tier deliverability, Mailchimp justifies the premium.
Free Plan Comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp Free | MailerLite Free |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts/subscribers | 250 | 1,000 |
| Monthly sends | 500 | 12,000 |
| Automation | None | Included |
| Templates | Basic | Basic |
| Landing pages | Included | Included |
| Website builder | Yes | Yes |
| A/B testing | None | None |
| Support | 30 days email | Email + chat |
Pricing at Every Tier
| Contacts | MC Essentials | MC Standard | MailerLite | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $30 | $45 | $15 | $30/mo |
| 2,500 | $45 | $60 | $15 | $45/mo |
| 5,000 | $75 | $100 | $39 | $61/mo |
| 10,000 | $110 | $135 | $59 | $76/mo |
| 25,000 | $230 | $285 | $139 | $146/mo |
| 50,000 | $350 | $410 | $239 | $171/mo |
When Mailchimp Wins
- Integrations: 300+ vs MailerLite's 100+. If you use Salesforce, HubSpot, or niche CRM tools, Mailchimp is more likely to connect natively.
- Deliverability: Mailchimp consistently ranks top 3. MailerLite is good but not best-in-class.
- Template quality: Mailchimp's drag-and-drop editor and template library are industry-leading.
- Intuit ecosystem: QuickBooks, TurboTax data syncing for financial businesses.
When MailerLite Wins
- Budget: 40-60% cheaper at every tier. At 10K contacts, you save $76/mo ($912/yr) vs Mailchimp Standard.
- Free plan: 4x the contacts, 24x the sends, and automation included.
- Simplicity: Cleaner interface, faster setup, less overwhelming for small teams.
- Website builder: Better built-in website builder with custom domains included on paid plans.
Switching from Mailchimp to MailerLite
- 1. Export contacts from Mailchimp. Go to Audience > All contacts > Export Audience. Download as CSV.
- 2. Create a MailerLite account. The free plan gives you 1,000 subscribers to start with.
- 3. Import contacts. Use MailerLite's import tool with your CSV. Map fields (email, name, tags).
- 4. Rebuild key automations. Recreate your welcome sequence and any critical flows in MailerLite's automation builder.
- 5. Update signup forms. Replace Mailchimp embed codes on your website with MailerLite forms.
- 6. Run parallel for 1-2 weeks. Keep Mailchimp active while testing MailerLite. Cancel Mailchimp once everything works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MailerLite really cheaper than Mailchimp?▼
Yes, at every comparable tier. At 1,000 contacts, Mailchimp Standard costs $45/mo vs MailerLite Growing Business at $15/mo. At 10,000 contacts, Mailchimp Standard costs $135/mo vs MailerLite at $59/mo. The gap widens at higher tiers. MailerLite also includes automation and badge removal on all paid plans, while Mailchimp charges extra for both.
Is MailerLite's free plan better than Mailchimp's?▼
Significantly. MailerLite Free includes 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 monthly sends with automation. Mailchimp Free includes just 250 contacts and 500 sends with no automation. MailerLite gives you 4x the contacts and 24x the sends. The only area where Mailchimp Free wins is its larger template library.
Does MailerLite have good deliverability?▼
MailerLite's deliverability is good but not top-tier. In independent tests, Mailchimp consistently ranks in the top 3 while MailerLite typically ranks in the top 10. For most small businesses, the difference is negligible. If inbox placement is critical for your business (high-stakes transactional communications), Mailchimp has a measurable edge.
Can I migrate from Mailchimp to MailerLite?▼
Yes. MailerLite provides a Mailchimp import tool that transfers contacts, groups, and basic subscriber data. Templates and automations need to be rebuilt manually. The migration typically takes 1-2 days for a small business. Export your Mailchimp contacts as CSV, import into MailerLite, and rebuild your key automations.
What does Mailchimp do better than MailerLite?▼
Mailchimp has a larger template library, better drag-and-drop editor, more integrations (300+ vs 100+), superior deliverability, a built-in website builder, and the Intuit ecosystem (QuickBooks integration). If you need a broad all-in-one marketing platform with maximum integration support, Mailchimp is the better choice.