The Mailchimp email marketing service and 5 alternatives worth a look
Mailchimp is still a capable email marketing service in 2026, with strong automation, a familiar builder, and deep integrations, but its pricing climbs fast as your list grows and its free plan has shrunk over the years. It suits small businesses that want an all-in-one platform and will pay for polish. If your main goal is publishing a newsletter and growing an audience, Beehiiv is the better pick, and budget-focused senders often do better on AWeber or MailerLite.
Beehiiv
Beehiiv was built by former Morning Brew operators specifically for newsletters, so growth tools like referral programs, recommendation networks, and a built-in ad network come standard rather than as paid add-ons. Paid subscriptions and website hosting are included, which makes it a strong home base for a media business. The trade-off is that it is a weaker fit for a store that needs deep e-commerce automation and product-based flows.
Try Beehiiv free →| # | Tool | Best for | Free plan | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beehiiv | Creators & newsletter growth | Up to 2,500 subscribers | ~$39/mo (Scale ~$99/mo) | Try free |
| 2 | Mailchimp | Small businesses wanting all-in-one | Up to 500 contacts, 1,000 sends/mo | ~$13/mo Essentials (scales with contacts) | Try free |
| 3 | AWeber | Small-business email on a budget | Up to 500 subscribers | ~$15/mo (billed annually) | Try free |
| 4 | MailerLite | Clean, low-cost all-rounder | Up to 1,000 subscribers, 12,000 emails/mo | ~$10/mo | Try free |
| 5 | ConvertKit (Kit) | Professional creators & courses | Up to 10,000 subscribers | ~$29/mo (Creator) | Try free |
| 6 | Brevo | Transactional + marketing email | Unlimited contacts, 300 emails/day | ~$9/mo (Starter) | Try free |
Beehiiv
Creators & newsletter growthBeehiiv was built by former Morning Brew operators specifically for newsletters, so growth tools like referral programs, recommendation networks, and a built-in ad network come standard rather than as paid add-ons. Paid subscriptions and website hosting are included, which makes it a strong home base for a media business. The trade-off is that it is a weaker fit for a store that needs deep e-commerce automation and product-based flows.
Pros
- Referral program, boosts, and ad network are built in for real audience growth
- Free plan runs to 2,500 subscribers with no daily send caps
- Native paid subscriptions and a hosted website with no separate tools
Cons
- Not designed for e-commerce or complex product automation
- Newer platform, so some CRM-style features are still thinner than Mailchimp
Mailchimp
Small businesses wanting all-in-oneMailchimp remains a polished, well-supported email marketing service with strong automation, a large template library, and integrations with almost everything. It works well for small businesses that want marketing, basic CRM, and e-commerce in one place. The catch is cost: pricing is tied to total contacts including unsubscribed ones by default, so bills climb quickly past a few thousand contacts.
Pros
- Mature automation, segmentation, and reporting
- Huge integration ecosystem and app marketplace
- Familiar editor most teams already know
Cons
- Gets expensive fast as your contact count grows
- Free plan is limited to 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly sends
AWeber
Small-business email on a budgetAWeber has been doing small-business email for over two decades, and it shows in its reliable deliverability and genuinely helpful phone and chat support. Its Lite and Plus plans cover automation, landing pages, and sign-up forms without Mailchimp's pricing jumps. The interface feels dated next to newer tools, and its automation logic is simpler than what advanced marketers may want.
Pros
- Flat, predictable pricing that stays cheaper than Mailchimp at scale
- Live phone and chat support, which is rare at this price
- Solid deliverability and unlimited email lists
Cons
- Interface and templates look dated
- Automation branching is basic compared to Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign
MailerLite
Clean, low-cost all-rounderMailerLite hits a sweet spot of clean design, low pricing, and enough automation for most small senders and creators. The drag-and-drop editor is pleasant and the free plan is generous compared to Mailchimp's. Its approval process for new accounts can be strict, and advanced marketers may find the automation and reporting shallower than they need.
Pros
- Generous free plan up to 1,000 subscribers
- Lowest entry pricing of the mainstream tools here
- Clean editor plus free landing pages and websites
Cons
- Manual account approval can delay or reject some signups
- Reporting and automation depth trail heavier platforms
Frequently asked questions
How much does Mailchimp cost in 2026?
Mailchimp's free plan covers up to 500 contacts and 1,000 sends per month. Paid tiers start around $13/mo for Essentials, but the price scales with your total contact count, so a list of 10,000 or more can run well over $100/mo depending on the plan. Prices are directional as of 2026, so check current rates before committing.
Is there a free Mailchimp alternative?
Yes. MailerLite's free plan covers up to 1,000 subscribers with 12,000 monthly emails, Beehiiv's free plan reaches 2,500 subscribers, and Kit's free tier goes up to 10,000 subscribers. Each has feature limits, but all are more generous than Mailchimp's 500-contact free plan.
Can I migrate my list from Mailchimp to another tool?
Yes. You export your audience as a CSV from Mailchimp and import it into the new platform, which every tool here supports. Beehiiv, MailerLite, and Kit all offer guided imports, and some provide concierge migration for larger lists. Automations and templates do not transfer, so plan to rebuild those.
Which tool is best for a newsletter versus a small business?
For a content newsletter focused on growth and paid subscriptions, Beehiiv is the strongest fit thanks to its referral tools, ad network, and native paywall. For a small business that needs marketing plus light CRM and e-commerce, Mailchimp or AWeber make more sense, with AWeber typically cheaper as the list grows.
Why does Mailchimp get expensive as my list grows?
Mailchimp bills on total contacts, and by default that can include unsubscribed and non-subscribed contacts unless you manage them carefully. As you cross a few thousand contacts the monthly cost rises noticeably. Tools like AWeber use flatter pricing, and Brevo charges by emails sent, which can be cheaper for large lists you mail occasionally.
Which one should you pick?
If you run a content newsletter and care about growth and paid subscriptions, start with Beehiiv. If you are a small business that wants classic email automation with real human support, AWeber or Mailchimp both make sense, with AWeber usually cheaper as your list grows. Choose Mailchimp itself when you already live in its ecosystem or need its deeper CRM and e-commerce tie-ins and can absorb the higher cost.
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