Mailchimp
The most recognisable name in email — and a solid starting point
Mailchimp's free plan for up to 500 contacts has made it the default first email tool for millions of small businesses. The drag-and-drop editor is intuitive, the templates are professional, and the automation builder covers common workflows without much configuration.
As your list grows, Mailchimp becomes notably more expensive than alternatives like Mailerlite or Brevo. The platform has also become significantly more complex since adding CRM and website builder features — it is no longer the simple tool it once was.
Where Mailchimp excels
Free plan for up to 500 contacts — genuine functionality, not a crippled trial.
Best-in-class email template library and drag-and-drop editor.
Integrates with virtually every e-commerce platform, CRM, and third-party tool available.
Strong reporting with industry benchmarking — useful for understanding what good looks like.
Where it falls short
Pricing escalates quickly as your list grows — significantly more expensive than Brevo or Mailerlite at scale.
Automation builder is functional but less powerful than ActiveCampaign or Klaviyo for complex sequences.
Phone and live chat support only available on Premium (£270/mo) — email support only on lower plans.
Pricing
Mailchimp prices by contact count. The Free plan covers 500 contacts and 1,000 sends/month. Essentials (from £9/mo) removes the Mailchimp branding and adds A/B testing. Pricing climbs steeply — at 10,000 contacts, Standard costs around £100/mo, which is more expensive than most alternatives at the same list size.
| Plan | Price | SMS Marketing | Email Automation | Landing Pages | A/B Testing | Advanced Segmentation | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | — | — | — | — | — | — | 500 contacts, 1,000 emails/month, basic templates |
| Essentials | — | — | — | — | — | — | 500 contacts (scales), A/B testing, remove branding, 24/7 email support |
| Standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | 500 contacts (scales), behavioural targeting, advanced automation |
| Premium | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10,000+ contacts, unlimited seats, phone support, advanced segmentation |
Features
- Email Automation
- Landing Pages
- A/B Testing
- Advanced Segmentation
About
Mailchimp is the world's most widely used email marketing platform, offering email campaigns, marketing automation, landing pages, and basic CRM in one tool. Its free plan and familiar brand make it the default starting point for small businesses.
- Founded
- 2001
- HQ
- Atlanta, GA, USA
- Support channels
- Email · Live chat · Knowledge base