MailerLite and Mailchimp are the two names most people weigh when they want a straightforward newsletter tool. Mailchimp is the default everyone knows. MailerLite is the cheaper, simpler challenger that keeps winning people over. Here is the honest breakdown.
The verdict
MailerLite wins on price and simplicity. Mailchimp wins on depth and integrations. For most solo senders, small teams, and budget-conscious newsletters, MailerLite is the better pick in 2026. Mailchimp makes more sense if you are already deep in its ecosystem or need its broader automation toolset and e-commerce integrations.
| MailerLite | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 1,000 subscribers, 12,000 emails/mo | 500 contacts, 1,000 emails/mo |
| Starting paid price | $9/mo (1,000 subscribers) | $13/mo (500 contacts) |
| Best for | Budget-conscious newsletters & small businesses | Small businesses needing e-commerce integrations |
| Deliverability | Strong | Strong |
| Ease of use | Very easy – clean modern editor | Moderate – more options, steeper curve |
| Automation | Good (all paid plans) | Better depth on higher tiers |
| Templates | Clean, modern, fewer | Large library, more variety |
| Support | Email + chat (paid); email only (free) | Email + chat (paid); limited on free |
Pricing
This is MailerLite's strongest card. The free plan gives you 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 sends per month, which is more than Mailchimp's 500-contact free tier. Paid plans start at $9 per month for 1,000 subscribers, compared to $13 on Mailchimp for 500 contacts.
The gap widens as lists grow. At 10,000 subscribers, MailerLite runs around $54 per month on the Growing Business plan. Mailchimp's Essentials plan at the same count is closer to $110 per month. For the same core capabilities, MailerLite is consistently cheaper at every tier.
Ease of use
MailerLite is built around a clean, modern editor that most people learn in an afternoon. The interface stays out of your way and the campaign workflow is linear and sensible. Mailchimp is more powerful but heavier, and the interface has grown busier over the years. If you want to write and send without a learning curve, MailerLite feels lighter.
Templates & design
Mailchimp has a larger template library with more variety across industries. MailerLite's templates are more modern-looking but fewer in number. If you want a lot of starting-point options to choose from, Mailchimp wins. If you want clean and minimal, MailerLite is usually enough.
Automation & segmentation
Mailchimp has the deeper automation toolbox: more triggers, better branching, and more reporting on how sequences perform. MailerLite covers the essentials well, and its automation builder is genuinely usable, but power users who need advanced branching or complex behavioral segmentation will hit MailerLite's ceiling sooner.
For a welcome series, a lead nurture flow, or simple behavior-based triggers, MailerLite does the job without paying for features you never use.
Deliverability
Both are reputable senders with strong deliverability track records. Real-world results depend far more on your list quality and sending habits than on the platform. Clean your list, send consistently, and both land fine. Neither platform is a meaningful differentiator here.
Free plan
MailerLite's free plan is the more generous starting point: 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month. The one limitation is that free accounts get the MailerLite branding on emails and limited template access. Mailchimp's free plan covers 500 contacts and 1,000 sends, and it restricts you to single-step automations only. For most people just starting out, MailerLite's free tier goes further.
Support
Both offer email and live chat support on paid plans. MailerLite's support has generally received positive marks for response times. Mailchimp's free-tier support is limited to email only for the first 30 days. Neither offers phone support as a standard option.
Who should pick which
- Pick MailerLite if you want a simple, affordable newsletter, value a clean editor over a deep feature list, or are cost-conscious as your list grows.
- Pick Mailchimp if you need its automation depth, larger template library, or e-commerce integrations, or you are already invested in its ecosystem.
FAQ
Is MailerLite cheaper than Mailchimp?
Yes, in almost every case. MailerLite's paid plans start at $9 per month versus Mailchimp's $13, and the gap grows significantly at larger list sizes. At 10,000 subscribers, MailerLite is roughly half the price of Mailchimp's comparable tier.
Which has better deliverability, MailerLite or Mailchimp?
Both platforms have strong deliverability records. Neither is a clear winner here. Your list hygiene, sending frequency, and engagement rates matter far more than the sending platform you choose.
Can I migrate from Mailchimp to MailerLite?
Yes. MailerLite has a built-in import tool that accepts CSV exports from Mailchimp, including subscriber tags and custom fields. The process takes under an hour for most lists.
Does MailerLite have automation?
Yes, on all paid plans. MailerLite includes visual automation workflows, triggered sequences, and behavioral conditions. The free plan does not include automation, which is one reason to upgrade early if sequences are part of your plan.
Which is better for beginners?
MailerLite. The interface is cleaner, the campaign setup is more linear, and there are fewer options to get lost in. Mailchimp's broader feature set is an advantage once you need it, but it adds complexity for people who just want to send a newsletter.
A third option if you sell B2B: Bobb
Both tools above are built to send email. If the job of your newsletter is to sell (book meetings, surface buyers, move pipeline), that is a different job, and it is the one Bobb was built for. Bobb finds the people in your list most likely to buy, writes and sends for you, and books the meeting when someone raises a hand. You send from a pre-warmed platform domain, so you land in the inbox from day one with no domain to warm.
If your newsletter is purely content or consumer e-commerce, pick the winner above. If it is supposed to generate pipeline, start free and see the difference on your own list.