Last updated on April 19th, 2025 at
I started out with Mailchimp. It was simple, easy to use, and did the job. I stuck with it for a while because it just worked — and honestly, I didn’t think much about switching.
But as I learned more about email marketing and my goals started to grow, I kept hearing people talk about ConvertKit. Some said it was better for creators. Others swore by its automation. I was curious, but also unsure — was it really worth the switch?
So, I gave it a shot. And that’s when I realized something: both ConvertKit and Mailchimp have their own strengths and weaknesses. The “best” one really depends on what you need.
In this ConvertKit vs Mailchimp comparison, I’ll break down what it’s actually like to use both. What I liked. What I didn’t. And which one might be the better fit for you.
ConvertKit vs Mailchimp: Which One’s Right for You?
Contents
- 1 ConvertKit vs Mailchimp: Which One’s Right for You?
- 1.1 🔑 Key Differences:
- 1.2 ✅ ConvertKit – Pros & Cons
- 1.3 ✅ Mailchimp – Pros & Cons
- 1.4 🧠 Verdict:
- 1.5 Email Editor: Crafting Your Perfect Message
- 1.6 Mailchimp
- 1.7 ConvertKit
- 1.8 Design and Flexibility: Let Your Creativity Shine
- 1.9 ConvertKit
- 1.10 Mailchimp
- 1.11 ConvertKit
- 1.12 Mailchimp
- 1.13 Lists and Segmentation
- 1.14 Email Automations
- 1.15 ConvertKit
- 1.16 Mailchimp
- 1.17 Reports: Measuring Your Successs
- 1.18 ConvertKit
- 1.19 Mailchimp
- 1.20 Deliverability: Getting Your Emails Into the Inbox (Not the Spam Folder!)
- 1.21 ConvertKit
- 1.22 Mailchimp
- 1.23 Pricing: Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck
- 1.24 Mailchimp
- 1.25 💰 ConvertKit vs Mailchimp Pricing (2025)
- 1.26 Convertkit vs Mailchimp – Which One Should You Choose?
- 1.27 More Email Marketing resources
ConvertKit is perfect for creators, bloggers, and small business owners who want a simple, clean, and creator-focused tool. It has a generous free plan (up to 1,000 subscribers), easy-to-use automation, and strong deliverability — all with a user-friendly setup that doesn’t overwhelm you with unnecessary features.
Mailchimp, on the other hand, is more suited for small to mid-sized businesses or eCommerce brands looking for extra tools like advanced analytics, A/B testing, and deep segmentation. It offers more templates and customization, but the pricing can rise quickly as your list grows — and it may feel a bit complex for beginners.
🔑 Key Differences:
ConvertKit is simpler, easier to use, and better for creators or those just starting out.
Mailchimp has more features and design options but is more complex and gets expensive as you grow.
✅ ConvertKit – Pros & Cons
Pros:
Very easy to use — great for non-techy users
Clean interface focused on creators
Powerful automation with simple setup
Better deliverability (99.8%)
Free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers
Cons:
Fewer email templates and design options
Lacks some advanced reporting tools
✅ Mailchimp – Pros & Cons
Pros:
Lots of pre-made templates and design flexibility
Advanced features like A/B testing and in-depth analytics
Great for eCommerce businesses
Strong segmentation and audience targeting tools
Cons:
Free plan limited to 500 subscribers
Can feel overwhelming for beginners
Gets expensive as your list grows
Slightly lower deliverability (~91%)
🧠 Verdict:
If you’re a creator, blogger, or solopreneur who wants a simple, stress-free email tool that just works — ConvertKit is the way to go. It’s clean, reliable, and helps you grow without getting in your way.
But if you’re running a growing business or online store, and need advanced tools like A/B testing, detailed reports, and deeper segmentation — Mailchimp might be the better fit, as long as you’re okay with the learning curve and higher price tag.
A Quick Introduction to ConvertKit and Mailchimp
What is ConvertKit? (Kit)
I’ve used ConvertKit when I wanted something simple, clean, and focused on growing an audience through email. It’s built for creators — people who write, make content, or sell digital products. Setting up automated emails is super easy, and I didn’t have to mess around with complicated settings or designs. Just set it and go.
It helped me keep things organized and connect with my audience in a more personal way, without spending hours figuring things out.
✅ Who I Think Should Use It
ConvertKit is perfect for creators, bloggers, coaches, or anyone selling digital products. If you want a tool that’s simple to use but still powerful, especially for automating emails and sending content to the right people — ConvertKit is a great choice.
I’ve used Mailchimp for quite a while now, and it’s been fantastic for handling more than just email marketing. It’s an all-in-one platform that helps with everything from sending emails to creating landing pages and managing your eCommerce store. What I really like is how easy it is to manage multiple parts of my marketing in one place — without having to use different tools for each task.
But, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. The pricing can get a bit steep as your list grows, especially if you need access to some of the advanced features. Also, while it’s easy to use, it can feel a little overwhelming with all the options, especially if you’re just starting out.
Email Editor: Crafting Your Perfect Message
💬 Who win For Email Editor:
Mailchimp wins for Email editor if you want more options and control over your email design. ConvertKit is the better choice if you need something simple and easy to use.
Mailchimp
After using Mailchimp for a while, I can tell you it’s awesome if you love customizing everything. The drag-and-drop editor is easy to use, and there are so many templates to pick from. You can add text, images, buttons, and all sorts of things to make your emails look just how you want. Plus, you can test different versions of your emails to see what works best.
The downside? If you’re just starting out, it can feel a bit overwhelming because there are so many options. But, if you want control over every little detail and like to play around with designs, Mailchimp is a great choice.
ConvertKit
Now, ConvertKit is a whole different vibe. It’s simple and straightforward. If you’re not into complicated designs and just want to get your emails out fast, ConvertKit is perfect. The editor is clean, and you can quickly add text, images, and buttons without any hassle.
That being said, ConvertKit doesn’t offer as many templates or design options as Mailchimp, so if you’re looking for a lot of customization, it might not be the best fit. But for creators like me, who prefer to focus on the content rather than the design, ConvertKit gets the job done easily.
Design and Flexibility: Let Your Creativity Shine
💬 Who win For Design and Flexibility:
ConvertKit wins for simplicity and ease of use — perfect for creators who want straightforward designs without all the extra bells and whistles. Mailchimp offers more options, but it can feel overwhelming if you just want something quick and easy.
ConvertKit
If you’re looking for simple and clean designs, ConvertKit is the winner. The email editor is easy to use, with a focus on functionality. You can quickly add text, images, and buttons, and the templates are professional and mobile-friendly. For creators who don’t want to waste time on complicated designs, ConvertKit makes it super easy to get your emails looking great without the hassle.
It doesn’t offer as much flexibility as Mailchimp, but if ease of use and simplicity are what you need, ConvertKit has the edge here.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is great for design flexibility — you get a lot of templates and customization options. But, if you’re just getting started or don’t want to dive deep into design, it can feel a bit too much. The drag-and-drop editor is powerful, but you might spend more time tweaking than you want.
💬 Who win For Forms and Landing Pages:
If you’re looking for quick setup and ease of use, ConvertKit is your best bet. But if you’re seeking advanced customization and want to create complex, high-converting pages, Mailchimp is the winner.
ConvertKit
For creators who want to build and launch fast, ConvertKit’s forms and landing pages are incredibly user-friendly. You don’t have to worry about complicated design features or long setup times. The landing page builder is clean and offers just the right amount of flexibility to make a professional page that converts. It’s also easy to integrate with your email campaigns and automation, so once you create a landing page or form, it’s ready to go.
However, ConvertKit’s forms and landing pages might feel a bit basic if you’re looking for highly specific designs or want a lot of customization. It’s ideal for people who want simplicity without getting bogged down by extra features.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp provides a full suite of form and landing page tools, perfect for those who want to dive deeper into customization. With a drag-and-drop editor and more than 30+ templates, you have total control over the look and feel of your pages. You can easily create forms that match your brand and even customize the forms for specific campaigns or audiences.
But here’s the catch: Mailchimp’s advanced features come with a learning curve, and it might take more time to master the setup. While the customization options are amazing, they’re not as beginner-friendly as ConvertKit. Also, integrating the forms and landing pages into your email automation isn’t always as seamless.
Lists and Segmentation
💬 Who win For Lists and Segmentation:
ConvertKit wins for ease of use and its focus on tagging and simple segmentation, which is perfect for creators who need to organize their audience without complexity. Mailchimp takes the lead if you need advanced segmentation features and more control over list management.
ConvertKit
When it comes to lists and segmentation, ConvertKit makes things super simple. It doesn’t overcomplicate things with lists and tags; instead, it uses tags to organize subscribers, making segmentation clean and straightforward. You can create different groups based on your audience’s interests or behavior, and then send highly relevant content to them with just a few clicks.
One of the best things about ConvertKit is how automations work with tags — once you tag someone, it’s easy to trigger specific email sequences or content for them. However, if you need highly advanced segmentation features or need to manage large, complex lists, ConvertKit might feel a bit limiting.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is robust when it comes to lists and segmentation. It offers advanced segmentation tools, allowing you to create multiple audience groups, and you can segment based on data like location, behavior, and even purchase history. Mailchimp’s dynamic segmentation allows you to set up specific conditions that automatically categorize your subscribers.
The downside? Managing lists can get a bit more complicated, especially for beginners. You’ll have more control over segmentation, but the setup might take some time and might be overwhelming if you’re just starting out.
Email Automations
💬 Who win For Email Automation?
Mailchimp is better if you need more advanced options and want to create complex email sequences. ConvertKit wins for its simple and easy-to-set-up automations, perfect for creators who want to save time with minimal effort.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit is great for email automation because it’s so easy to use. You can quickly set up automated emails that send based on actions like someone signing up or clicking on a link. It uses tags to organize subscribers, and you can create simple email sequences that run automatically.
If you want to save time and need easy-to-setup automation, ConvertKit is the way to go. It’s perfect for creators who don’t want to spend too much time figuring things out.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp gives you more advanced automation options, so you can create more detailed email sequences. You can set up emails based on things like how people interact with your website, or even send reminders if someone leaves something in their shopping cart. It lets you customize how and when emails are sent.
But, it can be trickier for beginners to set up, especially if you’re not familiar with email marketing. There’s a lot you can do, but it takes more time to learn.
Reports: Measuring Your Successs
💬 Who win For Reports?
Mailchimp wins for reports. It gives you more detailed insights into how your emails are doing. ConvertKit offers basic reports that are easy to understand, but may not go deep enough if you want advanced tracking.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit gives you the essentials — open rates, click rates, unsubscribes, and how your email sequences are performing. The dashboard is clean and simple, which is great if you just want to know what’s working without getting lost in numbers.
But if you’re looking for deeper data like what time people open your emails, or detailed click maps, ConvertKit might feel a bit limited.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp gives you a lot more when it comes to reporting. You can see detailed stats on open rates, clicks, what devices people are using, and even where they are located. You can also compare the performance of different campaigns and get suggestions to improve.
The only downside is — it might be too much for beginners at first. But if you love digging into the data and improving your strategy, Mailchimp gives you the tools.
Deliverability: Getting Your Emails Into the Inbox (Not the Spam Folder!)
💬 Who win For Email Deliverability?
ConvertKit offers exceptional deliverability, with a reported 99.8% delivery rate, ensuring your emails reach subscribers’ inboxes reliably.
Mailchimp provides a solid deliverability rate, averaging 91.18% over recent tests, indicating that most of your emails will be successfully delivered.
ConvertKit
In recent tests, ConvertKit had a deliverability rate of 99.8% — that means almost every email sent gets delivered properly. This is really important if you don’t want your emails ending up in spam folders. It shows ConvertKit is very trustworthy when it comes to getting your emails to the right place.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp had a deliverability rate of around 91% in tests. That’s still good, but not as high as ConvertKit. Most of your emails will still get through, but a few might miss the inbox or go to the spam folder.
Pricing: Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck
💬 Who win For Pricing?
If you’re on a tight budget or just getting started, Mailchimp might seem cheaper at first. But if you’re a creator who needs automation and wants to grow your list without surprise limits, ConvertKit gives you better value in the long run.
Convertkit
ConvertKit’s pricing is simple and made for creators. You can use it for free if you have under 1,000 subscribers. The free plan includes landing pages, email sign-up forms, and some basic email features.
If you want to unlock full automation and better tools, paid plans start at around $15/month (for under 300 subscribers). As your list grows, the price goes up — but you’re not limited by things like how many emails you send.
✅ Best for: Creators and bloggers who want simple pricing, strong automation, and no weird limits.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp has a free plan too (up to 500 contacts), but it comes with more limits — like fewer automation options and a cap on how many emails you can send per month.
Paid plans start at about $13/month, but as you add more contacts or need advanced features, the price can climb quickly. Some users also find Mailchimp’s pricing a bit confusing, especially when upgrading or adding features.
✅ Best for: Small businesses or beginners who just need the basics and don’t send a lot of emails.
💰 ConvertKit vs Mailchimp Pricing (2025)
| Plan | ConvertKit | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ $0/month for up to 1,000 subscribers Includes landing pages, forms, and basic email tools | ✅ $0/month for up to 500 subscribers Limited features and email sends |
| Basic Paid Plan | 💸 $29/month (Creator) Full email automation, sequences, tagging | 💸 $13/month (Essentials) More templates and A/B testing |
| Advanced Plan | 💼 $59/month (Creator Pro) Priority support, advanced reporting, subscriber scoring | 💼 $20/month (Standard) Automation, dynamic content, better insights |
| High-Level Plan | — (no enterprise plan listed) | 🚀 $350+/month (Premium) Advanced segmentation, multivariate testing |
- 👉Go with ConvertKit if you’re a creator who wants clear pricing and powerful tools as you grow.
Pick Mailchimp if you’re just starting out and need something free for light use — but watch out for limits as you grow.
Convertkit vs Mailchimp – Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing between ConvertKit vs Mailchimp really comes down to what kind of user you are and what your email marketing needs look like.
✅ Pick ConvertKit if:
You’re a creator, blogger, or solo business owner who wants something easy to use.
You care about clean design, simple automation, and better deliverability.
You want a free plan that gives you more room to grow (up to 1,000 subscribers).
You prefer a tool that’s built with creators in mind — no fluff, just what you need.
✅ Pick Mailchimp if:
You run a small business or eCommerce shop and need more advanced features.
You want detailed analytics, A/B testing, and deeper segmentation tools.
You’re okay with a bit of a learning curve in exchange for more control and options.
👉 My Suggestion:
If you’re just starting out or want to keep things simple and creator-friendly, go with ConvertKit. It does everything most people need — and does it well, without being overwhelming.
But if you’re scaling a business and need lots of advanced tools, Mailchimp might be worth the extra cost and complexity.
