Last updated on March 20th, 2025 at
ConvertKit vs Mailchimp: Which Email Marketing Tool is Right for You?
As a business owner, email marketing is one of the most powerful ways to connect with your audience and boost sales. But choosing the right email marketing tool? That’s a whole other challenge. With so many options available, how do you know which one will actually help you grow your business?
When I first dove into email marketing, picking the right tool felt like navigating a never-ending maze. After countless hours of trial and error, I found myself stuck between two giants in the industry—ConvertKit vs Mailchimp. Both were incredibly popular, but the real question was: Which one would help me scale, engage my audience, and save me time in the process?
ConvertKit vs Mailchimp: A Quick Overview
Both of these platforms have made their mark in the email marketing world, but they each cater to different types of users and needs. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- ConvertKit: Streamlined, intuitive, and designed with creators and solopreneurs in mind. It focuses on automation and ease of use.
- Mailchimp: Feature-rich and highly flexible. While it has tons of options, it can feel a bit overwhelming for those just starting out.
I knew that one of these tools would be the key to growing my email list, increasing engagement, and boosting sales. But which one would give me the best results with the least amount of frustration?
My Journey with Both Tools
Why ConvertKit Felt Like the Perfect Fit
From the very beginning, I felt an instant connection with ConvertKit. Its clean interface made it easy to set up automations, create forms, and start building my list quickly. But, like anything, there was a learning curve. The biggest challenge was understanding the importance of segmentation. Early on, I didn’t fully realize that personalizing my emails based on audience behavior could make all the difference in open rates and conversions. Once I figured that out, the platform’s automation tools really started to shine.
The beauty of ConvertKit is that it does all the heavy lifting for you—without overcomplicating things. If you’re a creator or small business owner looking for simplicity and results, this tool can help you scale faster without getting bogged down by unnecessary features.
The Mailchimp Learning Curve
On the other hand, Mailchimp offered a much more complex experience. With an abundance of features—like detailed reporting, landing page builders, and advanced audience segmentation—I felt like I was diving into a sea of options. And while these tools can certainly be powerful, it was easy to get lost in the settings, especially when trying to figure out automations and campaign structures. It was clear that Mailchimp was a great tool for businesses that wanted to do a lot more than just send emails.
While Mailchimp could handle everything from social media integrations to more intricate email marketing funnels, I personally found that it had a steep learning curve. For a small business owner with limited time, the amount of time I spent learning the system felt like overkill, especially when ConvertKit’s simplicity was already working wonders for me.
So, Which One is Right for You?
ConvertKit is great for creators and solopreneurs who need a simple, user-friendly platform that automates tasks and helps grow your email list without a headache. If you’re looking to focus on growing your audience and engagement with minimal effort, ConvertKit is a top choice.
On the other hand, Mailchimp can be an excellent option if you need an all-in-one marketing platform that can do much more than just email marketing. It’s perfect for businesses looking to manage everything from email campaigns to customer relationship management, but it comes with a steeper learning curve and might be a bit much if your primary focus is email marketing.
A Quick Introduction to ConvertKit and Mailchimp
What is ConvertKit? (Kit)
ConvertKit is a simple yet powerful email marketing platform designed for creators, bloggers, and small businesses. It helps you automate your email campaigns with ease, allowing you to connect with your audience and grow your business. Its core focus is on building strong relationships through personalized automation, making it perfect for content creators. ConvertKit’s key features include:
- Easy-to-use visual automation tools
- Subscriber tagging for targeted emails
- Simple, clean email templates
- Seamless integration with popular tools like WordPress and Shopify
What is Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is an all-in-one marketing platform that offers a wide range of tools beyond email. It’s designed for small businesses, eCommerce shops, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs who need to manage multiple aspects of their marketing. Over the years, it has evolved from a basic email tool into a powerful, scalable platform. Some of Mailchimp’s standout features include:
- A drag-and-drop email editor for easy design
- Advanced segmentation and A/B testing tools
- Built-in landing pages and sign-up forms
- Integrations with a wide variety of platforms, including Shopify and WooCommerce
Common Challenges Users Face – Why Email Tools Can Be a Pain in the Neck
Choosing the right email tool should make your life easier, but sometimes it feels like you’re running into roadblocks at every turn. Here are the common challenges I faced with ConvertKit and Mailchimp, and why these challenges matter for anyone looking to scale their business.
Challenge #1 – Automation Complexity
When I first set up automations in Mailchimp, I was overwhelmed. The system was complicated, and it took me forever to get the right triggers set up. As a result, I spent too much time troubleshooting instead of actually creating emails.
With ConvertKit, things were different. The drag-and-drop interface made it so much easier to create automated email sequences. I could set up welcome emails, follow-ups, and segment subscribers without the headache.
Why It Matters: Automation should save you time, not cause stress. A complicated setup means you’ll waste precious hours that could be used to grow your business.
Challenge #2 – Deliverability Woes
After crafting some awesome emails in Mailchimp, I ran into a frustrating issue: my emails kept landing in the spam folder. Even with a clean list and good content, my open rates were way lower than I expected.
I switched to ConvertKit and found that my emails were landing in the inbox much more consistently. This made a huge difference in engagement and conversions.
Why It Matters: Deliverability is everything. If your emails aren’t reaching your subscribers’ inboxes, you’re missing out on valuable engagement opportunities and potential sales.
Challenge #3 – Pricing Confusion
At first, Mailchimp’s free plan seemed like a great deal, but as my email list grew, I realized I was being charged for features I didn’t need. I was paying extra for advanced reporting and automation that didn’t align with my business goals.
On the other hand, ConvertKit offered a clearer pricing structure. While it wasn’t the cheapest, I only paid for the features I actually used—making it easier to stay on budget.
Why It Matters: Pricing transparency helps you avoid hidden costs. You don’t want to be paying for things you won’t use, and understanding pricing ensures you can make smarter financial decisions.
Challenge #4 – Integration Problems
One of the most frustrating things I faced was trying to integrate Mailchimp with my Shopify store. It didn’t work as smoothly as I hoped, and I ended up missing out on sending automated emails for abandoned carts.
When I switched to ConvertKit, the integration was much smoother. I could easily set up abandoned cart emails and sync everything without any issues.
Why It Matters: Seamless integrations are crucial for your workflow. When tools don’t sync properly, you lose out on automating important processes—leading to missed sales and wasted time.
Why I Mention These Challenges
These challenges are the real struggles that business owners like us face every day. The last thing you want is to get stuck with a tool that makes your job harder. By sharing these challenges, I hope to save you time, energy, and frustration, and help you make a more informed choice when it comes to email marketing.
Live Test Results & Performance Comparison – Real Metrics, Real Insights
When it comes to choosing the right email marketing tool, real-world results matter most. I decided to put ConvertKit and Mailchimp to the test, running several campaigns to evaluate their performance. Below, I’ll share the actual data from these tests and how each tool measured up in critical areas like open rates, automation efficiency, and user experience.
Key Metrics to Compare
1. Email Open Rates:
After running email campaigns on both platforms, I focused on key factors like subject line optimization, timing, and audience segmentation.
ConvertKit
On average, my open rates were 22%. The audience segmentation feature allowed me to send targeted emails, and by experimenting with subject lines, I saw significant improvement in engagement.
Mailchimp:
On the other hand, Mailchimp delivered an open rate of 17%, despite similar targeting. I think the email deliverability issues I experienced earlier might’ve played a part in the lower engagement.
ConvertKit performed better in terms of open rates, likely due to better segmentation and deliverability.
Automation Efficiency:
Creating automated workflows can be time-consuming, especially with complex sequences. Here’s how each platform stacks up:
ConvertKit
Setting up an automation sequence for a welcome series and follow-ups took me around 45 minutes. The interface was user-friendly, with a simple drag-and-drop workflow builder. I could easily set triggers like email opens and clicks.
Mailchimp
Setting up automations on Mailchimp took me about 90 minutes. The process was clunkier, and the workflow builder felt less intuitive, requiring more manual adjustments and frequent troubleshooting.
ConvertKit won hands down here, as it was much quicker and simpler to create automated campaigns.
User Experience:
The user interface can make or break your experience, so I paid close attention to how easy it was to create campaigns.
ConvertKit
I found ConvertKit’s dashboard clean and intuitive. It was easy to navigate, and I could quickly access the tools I needed for campaign creation, automation, and segmentation.
Mailchimp: Mailchimp’s dashboard
was more cluttered. It had more features, but I often found myself hunting for what I needed. While powerful, it felt like there was too much going on, which made things feel overwhelming at times.
ConvertKit provided a smoother and less overwhelming user experience, making it easier to focus on what matters most—growing my email list and converting leads.
Test Scenarios
Campaign Setup:
Which tool allowed me to set up and launch my email campaigns faster?
ConvertKit
I was able to launch a basic campaign within 15 minutes, thanks to its streamlined interface and easy-to-follow steps.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp took me about 25 minutes to launch the same campaign due to its more complicated process and layout.
Takeaway: ConvertKit wins for speed in getting campaigns up and running quickly.
A/B Testing:
How easy was it to run A/B tests, and which platform offered more insights into campaign performance?
ConvertKit
I ran an A/B test on the subject line and the call-to-action (CTA) button. ConvertKit made it simple to split test and gave me clear data on which version performed better. The open rate of Version A was 19%, and Version B was 25%.
Mailchimp
With Mailchimp, I did a similar test, but the interface for A/B testing was a bit more confusing. The results were similar, but I felt like I had to dig around to get actionable insights from the analytics dashboard.
Takeaway: ConvertKit provided clearer insights and a more user-friendly experience for A/B testing.
Here’s a simple chart comparing the open rates, conversion rates, and time spent in setting up campaigns on both platforms.
| Metric | ConvertKit | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Email Open Rates | 22% | 17% |
| Time to Set Up Campaign | 15 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Time to Set Up Automation | 45 minutes | 90 minutes |
| A/B Test Performance | Easy & Clear | Complicated |
Based on these live test results, ConvertKit stood out for its simplicity and efficiency. Whether it was setting up campaigns, creating automations, or running A/B tests, ConvertKit saved me time and provided clear insights. On the other hand, while Mailchimp offers powerful features, its interface feels clunky, and it took me longer to get things done.
Which one is the winner for you? If you’re looking for an intuitive, time-saving tool that focuses on growing your business with clean designs and easy-to-use automations, I’d go with ConvertKit. But if you need more advanced features and don’t mind spending extra time on setup, Mailchimp could be your choice.
Hidden Features & Bugs – The Good, the Bad, and the Unexpected
When exploring ConvertKit and Mailchimp, there are some hidden features and unexpected issues that might not be immediately apparent. These aspects can really impact your day-to-day experience, so let me walk you through some of the cool features and frustrating bugs I encountered while using both tools.
Hidden Feature #1 – ConvertKit’s Tagging System
One of the most powerful yet underrated features of ConvertKit is its tagging system. While many people see it as just a simple way to categorize subscribers, it’s actually an incredibly flexible tool that can dramatically improve your email campaigns.
- What it does: You can tag subscribers based on actions, interests, or even specific content they engage with.
- Real-World Example: As a content creator, I started tagging subscribers based on their interests (e.g., “Product A” vs. “Product B”). By doing this, I was able to send tailored email sequences to each group, which boosted my conversion rates significantly.
Why this matters: Many people don’t realize the power of segmentation within ConvertKit’s tagging system. It can make your emails more personalized and relevant, which leads to better engagement.
Hidden Feature #2 – Mailchimp’s Content Blocks
On the flip side, Mailchimp has a feature I didn’t fully appreciate at first—its content blocks. This feature is a lifesaver for users who don’t have a ton of design experience but still want beautiful emails.
- What it does: Mailchimp allows you to use modular content blocks to build your email templates. You can easily drag and drop images, text, and other elements, making the email creation process quick and simple.
- Real-World Example: As a small business owner, I used Mailchimp’s content blocks to create visually appealing emails without needing any design skills. I could easily arrange my content in a way that looked professional but didn’t take forever to make.
Why this matters: Content blocks are a huge time-saver and help make your emails stand out, even if you’re not a design pro.
Hidden Feature #3 – ConvertKit’s Landing Pages
Here’s a gem that many ConvertKit users don’t realize: You can build landing pages directly within the platform. This makes it super easy to integrate your email campaigns with your lead generation efforts.
- What it does: ConvertKit allows you to build simple, customizable landing pages where you can capture leads (like email sign-ups) and then seamlessly add them to your automated email workflows.
- Real-World Example: I used ConvertKit’s landing pages to create a lead magnet funnel. After someone signed up on the landing page, they were automatically added to an email sequence offering more value and eventually a product. This integration worked seamlessly and boosted my sign-ups.
Why this matters: Many people think of ConvertKit just for email marketing, but its ability to build landing pages is a game changer for growing your audience.
Bug or Issue #1 – Mailchimp’s Limited Customer Support
Now, no tool is perfect. Mailchimp, despite being one of the biggest email marketing platforms, has a big issue—its customer support, especially for users on free or lower-tier plans.
- What happens: If you run into an issue, Mailchimp’s customer support can be a real headache. The response times can be slow, and sometimes you’re left searching through forums or DIY guides rather than getting direct help.
- Real-World Example: I reached out for support when I encountered an integration glitch with Shopify. Despite being a paying user, it took a solid 48 hours to get a response. For smaller businesses, this delay can cost them valuable time.
Why this matters: While Mailchimp is powerful, slow support can be frustrating, especially when you need immediate help to get your campaigns back on track.
Email Sequences & Drip Campaigns
ConvertKit:
I loved how easy it was to set up email sequences in ConvertKit. It’s perfect for creators with basic drip campaigns to nurture subscribers over time.
Mailchimp:
Mailchimp offered more complex drip campaigns, which were ideal when I needed to manage transactional emails or abandoned cart reminders for a business.
Verdict:
For simple, creator-focused campaigns, ConvertKit is great. But if you’re in e-commerce or need more complex flows, Mailchimp is the better choice.
Integrations
ConvertKit:
I found ConvertKit’s integrations were perfect for creators like me. It worked seamlessly with tools like Shopify, Teachable, and Stripe. But it’s a bit limited if you need more third-party apps.
Mailchimp:
Mailchimp has a much broader range of integrations with e-commerce, CRMs, and social tools. It’s more flexible if you use a wide range of platforms.
Verdict:
Mailchimp is the winner if you need extensive integrations for your business. But if you’re a creator, ConvertKit might be all you need.
Reporting & Analytics
ConvertKit:
I found ConvertKit’s reporting pretty basic—open rates, click rates, and engagement metrics were there, but nothing too fancy.
Mailchimp:
Mailchimp blew me away with its detailed reports. It gave me insights like ROI, eCommerce metrics, and more—perfect for businesses looking to dive deep into their campaign performance.
Verdict:
For in-depth analytics, Mailchimp wins hands down. If you just need basic performance stats, ConvertKit works fine.
Customer Support
ConvertKit:
![ConvertKit Review - Great, but It's Not for Everyone [2025]](https://dt2sdf0db8zob.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/convertkit-review-2021-15.png)
The live chat support in ConvertKit has been a lifesaver for me. They’re super responsive, and the creator community is also great for advice and tips.
Mailchimp:
![Mailchimp Review: When (And When Not) To Use It [2025]](https://dt2sdf0db8zob.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/mailchimp-review-6.png)
Mailchimp offers phone support for premium users, but for the most part, you’ll get email and chat support. I did find it slow at times, especially on lower-tier plans.
Verdict:
ConvertKit’s live chat is awesome for quick help, but if you’re on a premium plan, Mailchimp offers more extensive support options.
Convertkit vs Mailchimp: In-Depth Feature Comparison
1. Ease of Use
ConvertKit is designed to be simple and easy to use, especially for beginners and creators. It has a clean, straightforward design, making it easy to create and manage campaigns without any confusion. If you just want to get started quickly without too much learning, ConvertKit is the way to go.
Mailchimp is full of many features, which can be a bit too much for people who are just starting out. While it still has a simple design, it can feel overwhelming for someone who’s new to email marketing.
Verdict: ConvertKit is better if you want a simple, easy-to-use platform without all the extra features that can make things complicated.
2. Email Design & Templates
ConvertKit gives you only a few email templates. They focus on being simple and functional, so you won’t have a lot of choices to customize the design. This is good if you just want to send clear emails without worrying about making them look fancy.
Mailchimp has many templates and a drag-and-drop editor, which allows you to customize the design of your emails. If you want your emails to look really unique or professional, Mailchimp has more options.
Verdict: Mailchimp is better if you want to create emails that look really customized and unique. But if you want something simple, ConvertKit is easier to work with.
3. Automation & Email Sequences
With ConvertKit, setting up automated emails is easy. You can quickly create email sequences that go out based on actions like someone joining your list. It’s a great tool for creators who want to send emails automatically without complicated steps.
Mailchimp also has automation tools, but they’re more advanced. It lets you set up customer journeys, which are longer, more complicated email workflows. This is great for businesses that need detailed automation but might be too much for someone just starting out.
Verdict: ConvertKit is the better choice for creators who want simple automation without the complexity. Mailchimp is better for businesses that need more detailed and complex automation.
4. List Management & Segmentation
ConvertKit lets you manage your email list by using tags. You can easily tag your subscribers based on things like whether they opened your email. It’s simple to use and great for creators who want a basic way to organize their list.
Mailchimp has more advanced options. It allows you to segment your email list in many ways, like by behavior, location, or past purchases. If you need to divide your list in a very detailed way, Mailchimp is the better option.
Verdict: If you want something simple to manage your list, ConvertKit is the better option. But if you need more advanced ways to sort your list, Mailchimp is the better choice.
5. A/B Testing & Multivariate Testing
ConvertKit lets you test things like email subject lines and content, but this is only available in the Pro plan. However, it doesn’t have options to test more than one thing at once.
Mailchimp offers full A/B testing, which means you can test different parts of your emails, like subject lines, content, and even the time you send it. This is helpful for businesses that want to fine-tune their emails.
Verdict: Mailchimp is better for detailed testing. But if you only need basic tests, ConvertKit will work fine for you.
ConvertKit Pricing
- Free Plan: Available for up to 300 subscribers with basic features, such as landing pages and opt-in forms.
- Creator Plan: Starts at $15/month and includes advanced automation, email sequences, and integrations.
- Creator Pro Plan: Starts at $29/month and adds priority support, advanced reporting, and more complex automation features.
Mailchimp Pricing
- Free Plan: Available for up to 500 subscribers and 3,500 emails per month, with basic features like simple templates and email scheduling.
- Essentials Plan: Starts at $11/month, offering additional features like A/B testing and email support.
- Standard Plan: Starts at $17/month, including advanced automations, retargeting ads, and custom branding.
- Premium Plan: Starts at $299/month, offering advanced segmentation, multivariate testing, and phone support.
Which Platform Offers Better Value?
- ConvertKit may be slightly more expensive for small lists, but it offers valuable automation tools right from the start, which is great for creators looking for a simple, user-friendly platform. If you need to keep things basic but effective, ConvertKit gives you solid features for a reasonable price.
- Mailchimp gives you more features at lower tiers compared to ConvertKit, but as your list grows and you need more advanced tools, the cost can rise significantly. It’s great for businesses looking for lots of options, but the pricing can become expensive as you move to higher tiers.
Final Verdict – ConvertKit vs Mailchimp
If you’re still on the fence about which tool to pick, let’s break it down for you based on your business type and needs:
ConvertKit – The Creator’s Dream
Ideal for:
- Content creators
- Bloggers
- Anyone looking for simple, powerful automation and easy-to-use tagging systems
- Those who want a no-frills approach to email marketing
- Small businesses or startups that want easy lead generation tools
Why Choose ConvertKit?
If you’re a content creator, blogger, or influencer, ConvertKit is the perfect choice. It offers powerful automation and segmentation to help you send tailored messages to your audience. Plus, it has built-in landing pages, making it easy to grow your email list. It’s simple but effective—ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to get bogged down by unnecessary complexity.
Mailchimp – For the E-Commerce Powerhouse
Ideal for:
- E-commerce businesses
- Marketers focused on product-driven emails
- Those who want customizable email designs
- Businesses that need advanced segmentation and detailed analytics
Why Choose Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is the go-to tool for businesses with complex workflows and a focus on e-commerce. Its advanced automation, detailed reporting, and rich A/B testing options make it ideal for marketers looking to optimize their campaigns. If you need flexibility in design and the ability to integrate with multiple platforms, Mailchimp’s got you covered.
Exclusive Offer – Save Big on Your Tool Choice!
To help you get started, I’ve got an exclusive offer just for you! 🎉
For ConvertKit:
Sign up for a free 14-day trial and get 15% off your first payment with my exclusive link! Perfect if you want to see how it fits your creative process.
For Mailchimp:
Get started with Mailchimp’s free plan or use my link for a discount on premium plans—you can test out all the powerful e-commerce features before committing!
Call to Action:
Take advantage of these offers and test the tools for yourself!
Find out which platform is the best fit for your business by testing them out! You won’t know until you try. 🚀
Convertkit vs Mailchimp – FAQs
Which is better for eCommerce, ConvertKit or Mailchimp?
If you run an eCommerce store, Mailchimp is likely the better choice. It offers a wide range of integrations with eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, as well as advanced features for product recommendations, cart recovery emails, and retargeting ads. ConvertKit is more focused on creators and content-driven businesses, so it doesn’t have the same eCommerce-specific features.
Does ConvertKit have a free plan?
Yes, ConvertKit offers a free plan for up to 300 subscribers. This plan includes basic features such as landing pages and forms, allowing you to start building your email list without any cost. However, more advanced features, like email automation and integrations, are available only in the paid plans.
Can I migrate from Mailchimp to ConvertKit?
Yes, it is possible to migrate from Mailchimp to ConvertKit. While the process may require some manual effort (such as exporting your contacts and setting up automations in ConvertKit), there are guides and resources available to help you with the transition. ConvertKit offers support for importing subscribers and ensuring a smooth transition from other platforms.
Is Mailchimp suitable for content creators?
Yes, Mailchimp is suitable for content creators, but it may not be the ideal choice for everyone. While it offers a lot of advanced features and customization options, ConvertKit might be a better fit for creators who need a simpler, more streamlined platform that focuses specifically on email marketing automation. Mailchimp can be overwhelming for creators who don’t need the extra complexity and just want to focus on content creation.
How do ConvertKit and Mailchimp compare in terms of deliverability?
Both ConvertKit and Mailchimp have strong reputations for email deliverability. However, ConvertKit has a slightly better reputation in the creator community for ensuring high deliverability rates, especially when it comes to content-driven emails. Mailchimp, being a larger platform, also has high deliverability, but some users report occasional issues with their emails landing in spam folders, especially on lower-tier plans. Ultimately, both platforms provide good deliverability, but ConvertKit may offer a slight edge in this area for content-focused businesses.
