MailerLite vs Mailchimp
Prices read from both vendors on 2026-10-19. No invented scores.
Short answer: MailerLite starts at $12 per month; Mailchimp starts at $13 per month. MailerLite is the better fit for small lists that want a real free plan and cheap paid tiers. Mailchimp is the better fit for small lists that want the brand-name tool, on a plan ladder that grows with contacts.
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Price comparison
| MailerLite | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest paid plan | $12/mo | $13/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Plans listed | 4 | 4 |
MailerLite plans
| Plan | Monthly | Billed annually | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/mo, 2 user seats, 1 website, 1 landing page, 3 signup forms |
| Comfort | $12 | $10.8/mo | Starts at 250 subscribers, 3 user seats, 50 automations, 10 websites and landing pages, 5 digital products |
| Power | $25 | $22.5/mo | Starts at 250 subscribers, unlimited monthly emails, unlimited user seats, unlimited automations and landing pages |
| Enterprise | Custom | — | Custom pricing above 200,000 subscribers |
Best for: Small lists that want a real free plan and cheap paid tiers.
Not for: Big lists — the free plan shrank to 250 subscribers and the ladder climbs fast.
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.
How to choose
MailerLite starts at $12 per month; Mailchimp starts at $13 per month. MailerLite is the better fit for small lists that want a real free plan and cheap paid tiers. Mailchimp is the better fit for small lists that want the brand-name tool, on a plan ladder that grows with contacts.
Run the 12-month cost calculator →
Sources: https://www.mailerlite.com/pricing, https://mailchimp.com/pricing/marketing/. Checked 2026-10-19.