MailerLite vs Mailchimp (2026): Which Email Tool Should You Use?

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Updated October 27, 2026. Prices below were checked against each company’s own pricing page on this date.

Mailchimp is the email marketing name most people know. MailerLite is the lower-cost challenger that many small businesses switch to as their list grows. Both are easy to use, but they price very differently.

Here’s how they compare, based on each company’s own pricing pages.

The short answer

• Choose MailerLite if you want automations, signup forms and landing pages at a low price, including on the free plan.
• Choose Mailchimp if you value the most familiar interface and its wider ecosystem, and your list is small.

MailerLite vs Mailchimp at a glance

	MailerLite	Mailchimp
Best for	Value as you grow	Familiar and beginner-friendly
Free plan	Up to 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/mo	Under 250 contacts
Paid plans from	$10.80/mo billed yearly (Comfort)	$13/mo (Essentials)
Automations on free plan	Yes	Limited
Free trial	14 days of paid features, no card	14 days of Standard
Support	Email from paid plans	Varies by plan

Prices are for the smallest list sizes and rise as your list grows.

Pricing compared

MailerLite

The free plan covers up to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month with 2 user seats. Comfort is $12 a month, or $10.80 a month billed yearly, for 500 subscribers and 5,000 monthly emails, with 3 seats and 50 automations. Power is $22.50 a month billed yearly and allows unlimited monthly sends. Paid features can be tried free for 14 days with no card.

Mailchimp

Free for businesses with under 250 contacts. Essentials starts at $13 a month and Standard at $20 a month, with a 14-day free trial of Standard. Prices increase with your contact count, and Mailchimp offers 15% off for lists of 5,000 or more contacts.

Where MailerLite wins

• Lower prices at every small list size
• Automations, forms and a landing page on the free plan
• A clean, modern editor

Where Mailchimp wins

• The most familiar name, with lots of tutorials and integrations
• A polished beginner experience
• A trial of its Standard plan

Our verdict

For most small businesses, MailerLite gives you more for less, which is why it’s our best overall value pick for email marketing. Mailchimp is fine for a small list and a familiar start, but costs climb faster as you grow.

Also considering Kit? Read Kit vs MailerLite, or see the full MailerLite pricing breakdown.

Frequently asked questions

Is MailerLite really cheaper than Mailchimp?

At small list sizes, yes. MailerLite Comfort starts at $10.80 a month billed yearly, while Mailchimp Essentials starts at $13 a month and Standard at $20.

Can I move my list from Mailchimp to MailerLite?

Yes. You can export your contacts from Mailchimp and import them into MailerLite. Rebuild any automations and forms after the move.

See every option in our guide to the best email marketing software for small business, or read Kit vs Mailchimp.