Looking for a better deal than Mailchimp? You're not alone. With recent price increases and feature limitations, many businesses are searching for Mailchimp alternatives that offer better value for money.
The good news is that superior and more affordable alternatives to Mailchimp exist. We've compared 11 top Mailchimp competitors based on functionality, pricing, user reviews, and unique features. Which one is best for your business? What are the most cost-effective alternatives? Read on for all the answers.
Disclaimer: This article covers the best Mailchimp alternatives, including our own platform, SelfMailKit. Our recommendations are based on objective research, user reviews, and feature comparisons. We aim to provide honest insights to help you make the best decision for your business.
What are the best Mailchimp alternatives?
At a glance, the best Mailchimp alternatives in 2025 are:
- SelfMailKit - best overall alternative with native inbox & cheapest pricing
- Brevo - excellent CRM capabilities & competitive pricing
- ConvertKit - ideal for content creators and bloggers
- MailerLite - simple and affordable solution
- Klaviyo - focused on ecommerce businesses
- HubSpot - comprehensive platform for larger teams
- Omnisend - ecommerce automation specialist
- AWeber - reliable choice for small businesses
- ActiveCampaign - advanced automation features
- Constant Contact - good for nonprofits
- Campaign Monitor - suitable for agencies
Why switch from Mailchimp?
Mailchimp was once the go-to email service because of its free plan and user-friendly interface. However, several factors have made businesses look elsewhere:
- Steep price increases. Mailchimp raised prices by 16% in 2022 and another 7-14.5% in November 2023. The free plan now covers only 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly emails (down from 2,500).
- Limited customer support. Free plan users only get email support for the first 30 days. After that, you're on your own unless you upgrade.
- Expensive contact pricing. Every contact counts as billable, even unsubscribers. Plus, contacts appearing on multiple lists are billed twice.
- Transactional emails cost extra. You can't use marketing email credits for transactional emails, requiring separate expensive add-ons.
- Poor user satisfaction. These issues have brought Mailchimp's Trustpilot score down to just 1.4 out of 5 stars.
How to choose the best Mailchimp alternative
When evaluating alternatives to Mailchimp, consider these key factors:
- What are your primary goals? Newsletter campaigns, transactional emails, or complex automation workflows?
- What's your budget? Look for platforms with generous free plans or better pricing structures.
- How large is your contact list? Choose a platform that scales affordably with your growth.
- Do you need advanced features? Consider segmentation, automation, A/B testing, and analytics requirements.
- What integrations do you need? Ensure compatibility with your existing tools and workflows.
- What support level do you require? Some businesses need 24/7 support, others can work with standard business hours.
Overview of the best Mailchimp alternatives
| Mailchimp Alternative | Best for | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| SelfMailKit | All-in-one value and unique features | Native inbox, cheapest pricing, all email types included |
| Brevo | All-in-one CRM capabilities and affordability | Robust free plan, easy-to-use segmentation |
| ConvertKit | Content creators | Automation workflows, flexible signup forms |
| MailerLite | Freelancers, micro-businesses | Lightweight solution and simple pricing |
| Klaviyo | Shopify sellers | Seamless Shopify integration, advanced ecommerce analytics |
| HubSpot | Big companies with data expertise | Advanced marketing automation and data analytics, deep customization |
| Omnisend | Ecommerce | Multichannel (email, SMS, push), ecommerce workflows |
| AWeber | Small businesses, bloggers | Easy-to-use templates, customer support |
| ActiveCampaign | Advanced automation users | Sophisticated automation, extensive integrations |
| Constant Contact | NGOs and nonprofit organizations | Donation forms, event management |
| Campaign Monitor | Low volume senders (agencies, retail) | Intuitive interface, visual journey builder |
Price comparison: Find the best value alternatives
Here's how the top Mailchimp alternatives compare on pricing when sending one email per month to different audience sizes. Note that most tools except SelfMailKit and Brevo charge per contact stored, which inflates the price significantly as your list grows.
We compared pricing for sending one email per month to a specific number of contacts:
| Mailchimp/Alternative | Entry Plan | 20,000 contacts | 50,000 contacts | 100,000 contacts | 200,000 contacts | 500,000 contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | $13 | $230 | $385 | $800 | $1,600 | Custom quote |
| SelfMailKit | Free | $21 | $44 | $64 | $109 | $244 |
| Brevo | $9 | $29 | $55 | $69 | $239 | $399 |
| ConvertKit | $29 | $179 | $379 | $679 | $1,279 | $2,499 |
| MailerLite | $10 | $139 | $289 | $440 | $820 | $1,900 |
| Klaviyo | $20 | $375 | $720 | $1,380 | $2,070 | Custom quote |
| HubSpot | $15 | $608 | $1,508 | $3,992 | $5,250 | $7,350 |
| Omnisend | $16 | $265 | $413 | $900 | Custom quote | Custom quote |
| AWeber | $15 | $311 | $375 | $600 | $899 | $899 |
| ActiveCampaign | $15 | $286 | $609 | Custom quote | Custom quote | Custom quote |
| Constant Contact | $12 | $230 | $430 | Custom quote | Custom quote | Custom quote |
| Campaign Monitor | $12 | $224 | $369 | Custom quote | Custom quote | Custom quote |
Prices based on monthly plans (cheapest plan available per number of contacts). SelfMailKit pricing includes all email types and unlimited domains.
Comparing 'free forever' plans: The best free alternatives to Mailchimp
Is Mailchimp free? It offers a free plan, but it's very limited and the price goes up steeply from there.
Naturally, if you're an email marketing beginner, a small business owner, or just starting out, you might find Mailchimp too expensive. Free plans are an ideal opportunity to test-drive an email tool before committing to a paid plan.
Here's how the free plans stack up:
| Platform | Contacts | Monthly Emails | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| SelfMailKit | Unlimited | 5,000 | Native inbox, all email types, advanced templates, unlimited domains |
| Brevo | 100,000 | 9,000 | CRM tools, transactional emails included |
| MailerLite | 1,000 | 12,000 | Basic automation, landing pages |
| ConvertKit | 1,000 | Unlimited | Creator-focused features, basic automation |
| Mailchimp | 500 | 1,000 | Basic email marketing only |
Email marketing services that don't have a free plan:
- ActiveCampaign: 14-day free trial
- Constant Contact: 30-day free trial
- Klaviyo: Free up to 250 profiles (very limited)
- HubSpot: Free plan available but limited features
The 11 best Mailchimp alternatives for 2025
1. SelfMailKit: The best overall Mailchimp alternative
SelfMailKit is the cheapest email marketing platform with unique features that other platforms either charge extra for or don't provide at all. If you're a business looking to save money while getting superior features, SelfMailKit is the clear choice.
What makes SelfMailKit the best Mailchimp alternative?
Main advantages over Mailchimp:
- Dramatic cost savings: Up to 10x cheaper than Mailchimp and other competitors for growing lists
- Native email inbox: Send, receive, and reply to emails directly from the dashboard - no other platform offers this
- All email types included: Marketing, transactional, and newsletters all in one price (Mailchimp charges separately)
- Unlimited domains and audiences: Manage multiple projects without extra costs
- Always free support: Email support never expires (Mailchimp limits free support to 30 days)
- Advanced template validation: Spam score analysis, link validation, and performance optimization at no extra cost
- Multiple editors: Notion-like editor, HTML/CSS code editor, and drag-and-drop builder
- Self-hosted option: Full infrastructure control with AWS deployment for enterprise customers
- No credit card required: Start sending 5,000 emails monthly for free
Pricing:
- Free: Up to 5,000 emails/month (unlimited contacts, all features)
- Cloud Plan: Starting at $21/month for 10,000 emails (fully managed infrastructure)
- Connect Plan: Starting at $16/month for 10,000 emails (bring your own AWS SES)
User testimonials:
"Finally, a platform that doesn't punish you for growing"
"SelfMailKit saved us over $500/month compared to our previous provider. The native inbox feature replaced our need for separate email management tools."
- Growing SaaS business
2. Brevo: Excellent CRM and competitive pricing
Best for: Businesses needing CRM integration with email marketing
Key advantages:
- Complete CRM suite with omnichannel marketing
- Pricing based on emails sent, not contacts stored
- Transactional emails included in all plans
- Available in 6 languages
Pricing: Free up to 9,000 emails/month, paid plans start at $25/month, but gets expensive fast.
3. ConvertKit: Ideal for content creators
Best for: Bloggers, podcasters, and online course creators
Key advantages:
- Creator-focused features and templates
- Advanced automation workflows
- Flexible signup form options
- Strong community and educational resources
Pricing: Free up to 1,000 subscribers, paid plans start at $29/month
4. MailerLite: Simple and affordable
Best for: Small businesses and beginners
Key advantages:
- User-friendly interface
- Good automation features for the price
- Landing page builder included
- 24/7 customer support
Pricing: Free up to 1,000 subscribers, paid plans start at $10/month
5. Klaviyo: Ecommerce specialist
Best for: Shopify and WooCommerce stores
Key advantages:
- Deep ecommerce platform integrations
- Advanced segmentation based on purchase behavior
- Predictive analytics for revenue optimization
- SMS marketing included
Pricing: Free up to 250 profiles, paid plans start at $20/month
6. HubSpot: Comprehensive platform for larger teams
Best for: Mid-size to large businesses with dedicated marketing teams
Key advantages:
- Full CRM and sales platform integration
- Advanced marketing automation
- Comprehensive analytics and reporting
- Enterprise-grade features
Pricing: Free up to 1,000 contacts, paid plans start at $15/month
7. Omnisend: Ecommerce automation specialist
Best for: Online retailers focused on automation
Key advantages:
- Pre-built ecommerce automation workflows
- SMS and push notifications included
- Product recommendation engine
- Cart abandonment recovery
Pricing: Free up to 500 contacts, paid plans start at $16/month
8. AWeber: Reliable choice for small businesses
Best for: Small businesses and bloggers
Key advantages:
- All features available on all plans
- Extensive template library
- Good deliverability rates
- Reliable customer support
Pricing: Free up to 500 subscribers, paid plans start at $15/month
9. ActiveCampaign: Advanced automation features
Best for: Businesses with complex automation needs
Key advantages:
- Advanced behavioral automation
- CRM and sales pipeline features
- Machine learning-powered optimization
- Detailed contact scoring
Pricing: 14-day free trial, paid plans start at $15/month
10. Constant Contact: Good for nonprofits
Best for: Nonprofits and local businesses
Key advantages:
- Donation tools for nonprofits
- Event management features
- Social media integration
- Local business resources
Pricing: 30-day free trial, paid plans start at $12/month
11. Campaign Monitor: Suitable for agencies
Best for: Marketing agencies and professional services
Key advantages:
- Visual journey builder
- Client management features
- White-label options
- Professional template designs
Pricing: Free up to 500 contacts, paid plans start at $12/month
Detailed comparison: Features that matter
| Feature | SelfMailKit | Brevo | ConvertKit | MailerLite | Klaviyo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native Inbox | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| All Email Types Included | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Unlimited Domains | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Advanced Template Validation | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Always Free Support | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Self-Hosted Option | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| CRM Features | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| SMS Marketing | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Ecommerce Focus | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Pros and cons of switching from Mailchimp
Pros of switching:
- Significant cost savings - Many alternatives offer better pricing, especially for growing lists
- Better feature value - More features included at lower price points
- Improved support - Most alternatives offer better customer support policies
- Specialized tools - Industry-specific features (ecommerce, content creators, etc.)
- More generous free plans - Higher limits and better features on free tiers
Cons to consider:
- Migration effort - Time required to export contacts and recreate campaigns
- Learning curve - New interface and workflow adjustments
- Integration changes - May need to update existing tool integrations
- Feature gaps - Some Mailchimp-specific features might not be available
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Mailchimp alternative offers the best value?
SelfMailKit offers the best overall value with its unique features like native inbox, all email types included, and pricing that's 10x cheaper than most competitors. For businesses focused purely on email marketing, it provides unmatched value.
What's the cheapest alternative to Mailchimp?
SelfMailKit is the cheapest option, offering 5,000 free emails monthly and the lowest paid plan pricing. For basic needs, MailerLite and Brevo also offer competitive free plans.
Can I easily migrate from Mailchimp to these alternatives?
Yes, most platforms provide migration tools or support CSV imports from Mailchimp. Contact support teams for assistance with the migration process.
Do these alternatives have the same deliverability as Mailchimp?
Most alternatives on this list (especially SelfMailKit, Brevo, and ConvertKit) offer comparable or better deliverability rates than Mailchimp, often with better authentication setup.
Which alternative is best for ecommerce businesses?
For ecommerce, Klaviyo offers the deepest integrations, while SelfMailKit provides excellent value with its API-first approach and lower costs. Omnisend is also a strong ecommerce-focused option.
Make the switch today
Mailchimp's recent changes have created opportunities for businesses to find better value elsewhere. Whether you prioritize cost savings, unique features, or better support, there's a Mailchimp alternative that fits your needs.
For most growing businesses, we recommend starting with SelfMailKit due to its:
- Unbeatable pricing (10x cheaper than competitors)
- Unique features like native inbox
- All email types included
- Always free support
- No credit card required for free plan
Ready to switch? Start your free account at app.selfmailkit.com and experience better email marketing without the high costs.
Other great options to consider:
- Brevo for CRM integration
- ConvertKit for content creators
- MailerLite for simplicity
- Klaviyo for advanced ecommerce features