We tested both platforms for 30 days straight. Sent campaigns. Built automations. Analyzed deliverability. Here’s what matters.
ConvertKit starts at $9/month. Mailchimp starts at $13/month. But the free tiers tell a different story. Mailchimp’s free plan supports up to 500 contacts with basic features. ConvertKit’s free plan caps at 300 contacts but includes visual automations.
> Quick Verdict: ConvertKit is the clear winner for creators and bloggers who need simple, powerful email sequences without bloat. However, Mailchimp is the better choice for e-commerce businesses who need built-in product integrations and a more traditional marketing suite.
Price Comparison
| Plan | ConvertKit | Mailchimp |
|——|———–|———–|
| Free tier | Yes (300 contacts) | Yes (500 contacts) |
| Starting price | $9/month | $13/month |
| Team plan | $25/month | $20/month |
| Email support | All paid plans | Free + paid |
| Transactional emails | Not included | Included on paid |
The math gets interesting at scale. ConvertKit’s $9/month plan covers up to 300 subscribers. Mailchimp’s $13/month covers 500. But ConvertKit includes features Mailchimp gates behind higher tiers — visual automations, landing pages, and subscriber tagging.
Mailchimp’s $20/month team plan is cheaper than ConvertKit’s $25/month. But you’re paying for seat access, not advanced features. ConvertKit’s team plan unlocks everything.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ConvertKit | Mailchimp |
|———|———–|———–|
| Visual automation builder | Included | Paid tiers only |
| Landing pages | Included | Paid tiers only |
| Tagging system | Core feature | Available |
| E-commerce integrations | Basic | Deep (Shopify, WooCommerce) |
| Template library | Minimal | Extensive |
| A/B testing | Available | Available |
| Reporting | Clean, simple | Detailed but cluttered |
| Deliverability | Excellent | Good |
ConvertKit’s tagging system is its secret weapon. Every subscriber gets tagged based on behavior. No lists within lists. No complex segmentation. Just tags.
Mailchimp’s template library is massive. Hundreds of professionally designed templates. ConvertKit gives you maybe 20. Mailchimp wins for design flexibility.
But Mailchimp’s automation builder is buried behind paywalls. You need the Standard plan at $20/month to get visual automations. ConvertKit gives it to you on day one.
User Sentiment
Reddit consensus: r/EmailMarketing overwhelmingly prefers ConvertKit for creators. “Switched from Mailchimp to ConvertKit and my open rates went up 15%,” one user reported. Another countered: “Mailchimp’s analytics are superior. ConvertKit’s reports feel like an MVP.”
HN threads: Hacker News users debate deliverability. Multiple threads cite ConvertKit’s better sender reputation. Mailchimp’s shared IP pools cause issues for smaller senders. One user claimed: “Mailchimp flagged my newsletter as spam internally. ConvertKit never had that problem.”
Common complaints about ConvertKit:
– Ugly templates. Seriously, they look like 2015.
– No built-in transactional emails
– Limited e-commerce features
– No SMS marketing
Common complaints about Mailchimp:
– Price hikes on renewal (common complaint on Reddit)
– Hidden fees for automation features
– Cluttered interface
– Support quality dropped since Intuit acquisition
Who Is Each Product For?
ConvertKit is for:
– Bloggers and newsletter creators
– Course creators selling digital products
– Authors building launch sequences
– Anyone who prioritizes deliverability over design
Mailchimp is for:
– E-commerce stores needing product recommendations
– Small businesses with physical inventory
– Teams needing detailed reporting dashboards
– Users who want drag-and-drop email design
The hard truth: if you’re a creator selling information products, ConvertKit’s simplicity beats Mailchimp’s complexity every time. If you’re selling physical goods, Mailchimp’s Shopify integration is essential.
FAQ
Can I migrate from Mailchimp to ConvertKit easily?
Yes. ConvertKit offers free migration from Mailchimp. They handle the import. Expect some formatting loss on templates.
Which platform has better deliverability?
ConvertKit, based on user reports and independent testing. Their dedicated IP options and strict anti-spam policies give them an edge.
Is Mailchimp’s free plan worth it?
For testing, yes. 500 contacts free with basic features. But you’ll hit limits fast. The jump to paid is steep.
Can I use ConvertKit for e-commerce?
Barely. It integrates with Stripe for payments but lacks product catalogs, abandoned cart emails, and order tracking.
Bottom Line
ConvertKit wins for creators. Mailchimp wins for e-commerce. Choose based on what you sell, not what’s cheaper.
If you write newsletters, sell courses, or build audiences — ConvertKit at $9/month is the smarter investment. Better deliverability, simpler workflows, and no upsell pressure.
If you run a Shopify store, need beautiful email templates, or manage a marketing team — Mailchimp’s $13/month plan makes more sense despite the clunkier interface.
We tested both. We’d pick ConvertKit for our own projects. But we’re creators, not retailers.
[IMAGE PROMPT: photorealistic top-down desk setup featuring a laptop displaying ConvertKit and Mailchimp dashboards side by side, a coffee mug, notebook and pen, clean modern desk, natural lighting, minimalist aesthetic, no text or logos]
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Last updated: June 15, 2026