Mailchimp vs Klaviyo
Prices read from both vendors on 2026-10-19. No invented scores.
Short answer: Mailchimp starts at $13 per month; Klaviyo starts at $20 per month. Mailchimp is the better fit for small lists that want the brand-name tool, on a plan ladder that grows with contacts. Klaviyo is the better fit for online stores that want email, sms and storefront data in one place and are happy to pay by active profiles.
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Price comparison
| Mailchimp | Klaviyo | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest paid plan | $13/mo | $20/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Plans listed | 4 | 2 |
Mailchimp plans
| Plan | Monthly | Billed annually | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free/mo | Under 250 contacts, core features. Sending pauses if the contact or email-send limit is exceeded. On 2026-10-14 the comparison table's Free column printed Max of 500/mo or 250/day. |
| Essentials | $13 | — | Starts at 0-500 contacts ('starts at' rate). Testing and scheduling features, 14-day free trial. Price rises with contacts. |
| Standard | $20 | — | Starts at 0-500 contacts ('starts at' rate), send up to 6,000 emails each month at that tier. Automations, personalization, optimization tools. 14-day free trial. |
| Premium | $350 | — | Unlimited contacts, advanced tools, priority support. Promo on the page: 15% off the first 12 months for 10,000+ contacts ($297.50/mo for 12 months). |
Best for: Small lists that want the brand-name tool, on a plan ladder that grows with contacts.
Not for: Anyone watching cost as the list grows - every price steps up at each contact tier and the free plan stops at 250 contacts.
Klaviyo plans
| Plan | Monthly | Billed annually | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free | Up to 250 active profiles, 500 email sends a month, $5 a month of mobile messages and $5 a month of Klaviyo Composer usage included, email support for the first 60 days. |
| $20 | — | Starts at $20/mo for up to 500 active profiles and rises with the profile count (see the ladder below). No send or profile limits on the tier you buy. SMS messages cost extra. |
Best for: Online stores that want email, SMS and storefront data in one place and are happy to pay by active profiles.
Not for: Anyone list-building on a budget - free stops at 250 active profiles and the paid steps get steep fast.
How to choose
Mailchimp starts at $13 per month; Klaviyo starts at $20 per month. Mailchimp is the better fit for small lists that want the brand-name tool, on a plan ladder that grows with contacts. Klaviyo is the better fit for online stores that want email, sms and storefront data in one place and are happy to pay by active profiles.
Run the 12-month cost calculator →
Sources: https://mailchimp.com/pricing/marketing/, https://www.klaviyo.com/pricing. Checked 2026-10-19.