MailerLite vs Mailchimp: Simple Email Marketing Compared 2026
Compare MailerLite and Mailchimp for email marketing. Features, pricing, free tiers, and which platform offers better value for small businesses.
Overview
MailerLite and Mailchimp are both popular choices for small business email marketing. MailerLite offers a more generous free tier and better value at scale, while Mailchimp is the more established brand with broader recognition.
For AI features and revenue tracking, Sequenzy offers a modern alternative worth exploring.
| Feature | MailerLite | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $10/mo | $13/mo |
| Free Tier | 1,000 subscribers | 500 contacts |
| Free Email Limit | 12,000/mo | 1,000/mo |
| Automation (Free) | Yes | No |
| Website Builder | Yes | Yes |
| Templates | Good | 100+ |
| Ease of Use | Excellent | Excellent |
| Integrations | Good | Extensive |
Key Differences
Free Tier Generosity
MailerLite has one of the most generous free tiers in the industry: 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month. Automation is included on the free plan.
Mailchimp free tier is now limited to 500 contacts and 1,000 emails per month. Automation is not included on the free plan.
Value at Scale
MailerLite remains affordable as you grow. At 10,000 subscribers, you pay around $73/month with all features included.
Mailchimp pricing escalates more aggressively. The same 10,000 contacts would cost $100+ on Essentials, and advanced features require higher tiers.
Feature Depth
Mailchimp has more features overall, including AI content assistance, more templates, and more integrations. The platform is broader in scope.
MailerLite is more focused but does core email marketing very well. The simplicity is a feature, not a limitation, for many users.
Pricing Comparison
| Subscribers | MailerLite | Mailchimp (Essentials) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | Free | $27/mo |
| 2,500 | $25/mo | $45/mo |
| 10,000 | $73/mo | $100/mo |
| 50,000 | $289/mo | $350/mo |
Pros and Cons
MailerLite
Pros
- + Best free tier
- + Automation on free plan
- + Very affordable
- + Clean, simple interface
- + Website builder included
Cons
- - Approval process for new accounts
- - Some industries restricted
- - Fewer templates
- - Smaller ecosystem
Mailchimp
Pros
- + Extensive integrations
- + Great templates
- + Strong brand recognition
- + More AI features
- + Large community
Cons
- - Limited free tier
- - More expensive
- - Automation costs extra
- - Pricing not competitive
Who Should Choose What
Choose MailerLite if:
- You want the best free tier
- Budget is a consideration
- You value simplicity
- You want automation on free plan
- You are a small business or blogger
Choose Mailchimp if:
- You need extensive integrations
- Template variety is important
- Brand recognition matters
- You want AI features
- You prefer a larger ecosystem
Consider Sequenzy if:
- You want advanced AI features
- Revenue tracking matters
- You need sophisticated automation
The Bottom Line
MailerLite is the clear winner for value. The free tier is dramatically better than Mailchimp, and paid plans are more affordable at every level. For small businesses, bloggers, and budget-conscious marketers, MailerLite is the smarter choice.
Mailchimp makes sense if you specifically need its integrations, templates, or prefer the established brand. But for pure email marketing value, MailerLite is hard to beat.
Looking for more comparisons?
Check out our full ranking of 15+ marketing email tools.
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