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Maybe you're hitting pricing walls as your list grows, or you need better automation features for your ecommerce store. I recommend checking my Mailchimp Pricing comparison and Mailchimp Review first to make sure switching is actually worth it for your situation.
Why Switch
Why people look for Mailchimp alternatives
Pricing gets expensive quickly as your subscriber count grows
Limited automation features compared to specialized competitors
Basic segmentation options that don't match advanced needs
No phone support on lower-tier plans
Interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming for beginners
Alternatives
Best Mailchimp alternatives
15 alternatives ranked. 9 are cheaper. 26 offer free plans.
ActiveCampaign
Top PickBusinesses wanting advanced CRM integration with email marketing
Email marketing and marketing automation platform with advanced CRM features.
Why consider ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign combines email marketing with a full CRM, making it ideal for businesses that need to track the entire customer journey. The automation features are among the best available. Read my ActiveCampaign Review for a full breakdown.
Pros
- +Powerful automation workflows
- +Built-in CRM features
- +Advanced segmentation options
Cons
- −Steep learning curve
- −Higher price point than simple email tools
MailerLite
Small businesses wanting simple, affordable email marketing
Email marketing platform with drag-and-drop editor and automation features.
Why consider MailerLite
MailerLite offers excellent value with a generous free plan and intuitive drag-and-drop editor. The pricing stays reasonable even as you grow, making it perfect for budget-conscious businesses. Read my MailerLite Review for more details.
Pros
- +Free plan up to 1,000 subscribers
- +Clean, user-friendly interface
- +Good automation features at low cost
Cons
- −Limited integrations compared to bigger players
- −Basic reporting on lower plans
Brevo
Businesses needing email, SMS, and marketing automation in one platform
All-in-one marketing platform combining email, SMS, and marketing automation.
Why consider Brevo
Brevo combines email marketing with SMS, live chat, and CRM features at competitive prices. It's particularly strong for businesses that want to manage multiple communication channels from one place. Check out my Brevo Review for a detailed look.
Pros
- +Includes SMS marketing in all plans
- +Strong deliverability rates
- +Free plan with unlimited contacts
Cons
- −Learning curve for advanced features
- −Template design could be better
Klaviyo
Ecommerce businesses with advanced segmentation needs
Advanced email and SMS marketing platform designed for ecommerce businesses.
Why consider Klaviyo
Klaviyo is built specifically for ecommerce, with powerful segmentation based on purchase behavior and browsing data. If you're serious about email marketing for online sales, this is hard to beat.
Pros
- +Deep ecommerce integrations
- +Advanced behavioral segmentation
- +Strong SMS marketing features
Cons
- −Expensive for large lists
- −Overkill for simple email campaigns
Omnisend
Ecommerce stores wanting omnichannel marketing automation
Omnichannel marketing automation platform built specifically for ecommerce.
Why consider Omnisend
Omnisend specializes in ecommerce marketing across email, SMS, push notifications, and more. The platform excels at creating unified customer journeys across multiple touchpoints.
Pros
- +Built-in omnichannel features
- +Pre-built ecommerce workflows
- +Good Shopify integration
Cons
- −Focused mainly on ecommerce
- −Can be pricey for high-volume senders
GetResponse
Businesses that also need webinar hosting and landing pages
Email marketing platform with additional features like webinar hosting and landing pages.
Why consider GetResponse
GetResponse goes beyond email marketing to include webinar hosting, landing page builders, and conversion funnels. It's perfect for businesses that want an all-in-one marketing toolkit. See my GetResponse Review for a complete breakdown.
Pros
- +Includes webinar hosting
- +Built-in landing page builder
- +Solid automation features
Cons
- −Interface feels dated
- −Webinar features cost extra on lower plans
Moosend
High-volume senders wanting unlimited emails at a fair price
Email marketing and automation platform with unlimited emails on paid plans.
Why consider Moosend
Moosend offers unlimited emails on all paid plans, making it perfect for businesses that send frequently. The automation features are solid, and the pricing is very competitive. Read my Moosend Review for an in-depth look.
Pros
- +Unlimited emails on paid plans
- +Good automation features
- +Affordable pricing
Cons
- −Smaller template library
- −Limited third-party integrations
EmailOctopus
Budget-conscious businesses prioritizing deliverability
Simple and affordable email marketing platform focused on deliverability.
Why consider EmailOctopus
EmailOctopus focuses on the essentials: sending emails that actually reach inboxes. Built on Amazon SES, it offers excellent deliverability at rock-bottom prices.
Pros
- +Very affordable pricing
- +Excellent deliverability rates
- +Simple, clean interface
Cons
- −Basic automation features
- −Limited design templates
EngageBay
Small businesses needing CRM, email marketing, and help desk in one
All-in-one CRM and marketing automation platform for small businesses.
Why consider EngageBay
EngageBay offers a complete business suite including CRM, email marketing, and customer support tools. It's perfect for small businesses that want to manage everything from one platform.
Pros
- +All-in-one business platform
- +Generous free plan
- +Good value for money
Cons
- −Can feel overwhelming
- −Individual features aren't best-in-class
beehiiv
Newsletter creators and publishers wanting monetization features
Newsletter platform designed for creators and publishers with monetization features.
Why consider beehiiv
Beehiiv is designed specifically for newsletters with built-in monetization tools, referral programs, and growth features. If you're building a newsletter business, this platform gets it. Read my Beehiiv Review for a full breakdown.
Pros
- +Built for newsletter monetization
- +Referral program features
- +Clean reading experience
Cons
- −Limited to newsletter format
- −Newer platform with fewer integrations
HubSpot
Businesses wanting a complete marketing and sales platform
Comprehensive CRM and marketing platform with free email marketing tier.
Why consider HubSpot
HubSpot's free email marketing tools are part of a much larger CRM and marketing platform. If you plan to grow beyond email marketing, starting with HubSpot makes sense.
Pros
- +Free email marketing tier
- +Complete CRM integration
- +Extensive learning resources
Cons
- −Can get expensive quickly
- −Overkill for simple email needs
Zoho Campaigns
Businesses already using Zoho's business applications
Email marketing platform integrated with Zoho's suite of business applications.
Why consider Zoho Campaigns
Zoho Campaigns integrates seamlessly with the entire Zoho ecosystem. If you're already using Zoho CRM, Books, or other Zoho apps, this is the natural choice for email marketing.
Pros
- +Deep Zoho ecosystem integration
- +Affordable pricing
- +Good automation features
Cons
- −Limited appeal outside Zoho users
- −Interface could be more modern
Kit
Content creators and course creators building audiences
Email marketing platform designed specifically for creators and online businesses.
Why consider Kit
Kit is built specifically for creators with features like subscriber tagging, link tracking, and creator-focused templates. The platform understands the creator economy better than most. Read my Kit Review for more details.
Pros
- +Creator-focused features
- +Excellent segmentation
- +Strong automation tools
Cons
- −More expensive than basic alternatives
- −Limited ecommerce features
AWeber
Businesses wanting strong customer support and reliable service
Email marketing platform with strong customer support and automation features.
Why consider AWeber
AWeber has been around since 1998 and focuses on providing excellent customer support and reliable email delivery. It's perfect for businesses that value stability and support over cutting-edge features.
Pros
- +Excellent customer support
- +Reliable email delivery
- +Good template library
Cons
- −Interface feels dated
- −Limited advanced features
Benchmark Email
International businesses needing multilingual email marketing
Email marketing platform with multilingual support and responsive templates.
Why consider Benchmark Email
Benchmark Email offers templates and support in multiple languages, making it ideal for global businesses. The platform also includes some unique features like email polling and surveys.
Pros
- +Multilingual support
- +Built-in polling features
- +Responsive templates
Cons
- −Limited automation options
- −Pricing can add up with features
Price Chart
How Mailchimp compares on price
Of the 26 alternatives tracked, 9 start at a lower price than Mailchimp's $13/mo. 26 offer a free plan.
At Scale
Which stay cheaper as you grow?
Cheapest plan price at each contacts tier. Some tools that look cheap at 1K contacts get expensive fast.
| Tool | 1K | 5K | 10K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | — | $13/mo | $13/mo |
 Selzy | $10/mo | $30/mo | $60/mo |
 MailerLite | $15/mo | $39/mo | $73/mo |
 GetResponse | $16/mo | $48/mo | $69/mo |
 Moosend | $16/mo | $48/mo | $88/mo |
 Flodesk | $25/mo | $52/mo | $72/mo |
 AWeber | $25/mo | $60/mo | $100/mo |
 Omnisend | $20/mo | $65/mo | $115/mo |
 Kit | $33/mo | $75/mo | — |
Checklist
What to look for in an alternative
Start with your core needs. Are you running an ecommerce store that needs deep Shopify integration? A creator building a newsletter audience? Or a service business focused on lead nurturing? Different platforms excel in different areas. Pricing structure matters too. Some platforms charge based on subscribers, others on emails sent.
Consider your growth trajectory and pick a model that won't break the bank as you scale. Also think about deliverability, automation capabilities, and whether you need features like SMS marketing or advanced analytics. For a broader look at the top options in this category, check my best email marketing software roundup.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
EmailOctopus offers the lowest prices, especially for high-volume sending. MailerLite and Brevo also offer generous free plans and affordable pricing as you grow.
Klaviyo leads for ecommerce with advanced segmentation and purchase behavior tracking. Omnisend is also excellent for omnichannel ecommerce marketing.
Yes, ActiveCampaign and Klaviyo both offer more advanced automation workflows than Mailchimp. Kit also has strong automation features designed for creators.
Brevo offers unlimited contacts on their free plan, while MailerLite gives you 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month free. Both are more generous than Mailchimp's free tier.
Most alternatives offer migration tools or support to help you switch. Your subscriber lists and basic data typically transfer easily, though you'll need to rebuild automations and templates.
EmailOctopus, built on Amazon SES, has excellent deliverability. Brevo and ActiveCampaign also maintain strong sender reputations and inbox placement rates.
Still considering Mailchimp?
Try it free for 14 days before deciding.
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Joonas Rotko
Author & founder of That Marketing Buddy
I score marketing software for AI-stack fit (MCP, API, agent-readiness), backed by 10+ years in digital marketing. I track 36 tools so you can find the right fit.
This page may contain affiliate links. I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences the recommendations.