Campaign Monitor vs Mailchimp: Email Design Comparison 2026
Compare Campaign Monitor and Mailchimp for email marketing. Templates, design features, agency tools, and which platform is right for you.
Overview
Campaign Monitor and Mailchimp both focus on making email marketing accessible, but with different strengths. Campaign Monitor is known for beautiful templates and agency features, while Mailchimp offers broader functionality and a larger user base.
For AI-powered features and revenue tracking, Sequenzy is a modern alternative worth considering.
| Feature | Campaign Monitor | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $12/mo | $13/mo |
| Free Tier | Yes (limited) | Yes (500 contacts) |
| Template Quality | Excellent | Very Good |
| Agency Features | Excellent | Basic |
| Automation | Moderate | Moderate |
| Integrations | Good | Extensive |
| Ease of Use | Excellent | Excellent |
| Best For | Agencies, designers | Small business |
Key Differences
Design Quality
Campaign Monitor templates are notably beautiful. They are designed by professionals and stand out from typical email marketing templates. If email aesthetics matter to your brand, Campaign Monitor delivers.
Mailchimp templates are good but more generic. The variety is greater, but the design quality is not quite at Campaign Monitor's level.
Agency Features
Campaign Monitor offers excellent tools for agencies managing multiple clients. White-label options, client management, and reseller pricing make it easy to run an email marketing service.
Mailchimp has some agency features but they are less developed. Managing multiple client accounts is more cumbersome.
Ecosystem and Integrations
Mailchimp has a larger integration ecosystem. Whatever tools you use, Mailchimp probably connects to them. The platform also includes more features like landing pages and social posting.
Campaign Monitor integrations are more limited. The platform focuses on doing email well rather than expanding into adjacent areas.
Pricing Comparison
| Contacts | Campaign Monitor (Basic) | Mailchimp (Essentials) |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | $12/mo | $13/mo |
| 2,500 | $39/mo | $45/mo |
| 10,000 | $99/mo | $100/mo |
| 50,000 | $329/mo | $350/mo |
Pros and Cons
Campaign Monitor
Pros
- + Beautiful templates
- + Excellent agency tools
- + Clean, focused interface
- + White-label options
- + Good analytics
Cons
- - Fewer integrations
- - Limited free tier
- - Less feature breadth
- - Smaller community
Mailchimp
Pros
- + Extensive integrations
- + Better free tier
- + More features overall
- + Large community
- + Strong brand recognition
Cons
- - Templates less distinctive
- - Agency features limited
- - Interface can feel cluttered
- - Pricing scales poorly
Who Should Choose What
Choose Campaign Monitor if:
- Email design quality is a priority
- You run an agency
- You need white-label options
- You value beautiful templates
- You manage multiple client accounts
Choose Mailchimp if:
- You need many integrations
- You want a free tier
- You need landing pages and forms
- Brand recognition matters
- You are a small business
Consider Sequenzy if:
- You want AI-powered features
- Revenue tracking matters
- You need advanced automation
The Bottom Line
Campaign Monitor is the better choice for agencies and design-focused teams who prioritize email aesthetics and need client management tools. Mailchimp is better for small businesses that need a broad feature set and extensive integrations.
For growing businesses that want modern AI features and automation, Sequenzy offers better value than either option.
Looking for more comparisons?
Check out our full ranking of 15+ marketing email tools.
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