Klaviyo vs Mailchimp: Which Email Marketing Tool Is Better in 2026?

Klaviyo

From $20

Mailchimp

From $13

Quick verdict

Overall pick: Tie

Pick Klaviyo if you run an e-commerce store, especially on Shopify, and want email and SMS built around that use case; it costs more to start at $20 but includes automation flows, A/B testing, SMS, an AI assistant, and a public API. Pick Mailchimp if you are a small business or beginner watching entry cost and want landing pages, which Klaviyo does not offer; it starts lower at $13 and covers the same core features plus landing pages. Neither tool offers paid subscriptions, so that need is unmet by both.

Mailchimp's entry plan ($13) is 35% cheaper than Klaviyo's ($20).
Both offer a free plan, so you can test them side by side at no cost.
Only Mailchimp offers: landing pages.

Try Klaviyo →Try Mailchimp →

Cost calculator

Team size: 5 users

Tool	Monthly	Yearly
Klaviyo · flat	$20.00	$240
Mailchimp · flat	$13.00	$156

Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.

Which one should you choose?

If you need…	Pick	Why
E-commerce store needing email and SMS together	Klaviyo	Klaviyo is positioned for e-commerce brands and lists Shopify stores and e-commerce as best-for, with both ecommerce integrations and SMS enabled.
Beginner or small business on a tight starting budget	Mailchimp	Mailchimp starts at $13 versus Klaviyo's $20, and lists small businesses and beginners as best-for.
Buyer who needs landing pages	Mailchimp	Mailchimp includes landing pages; Klaviyo does not.
Buyer who needs paid newsletter subscriptions	Tie	Neither Klaviyo nor Mailchimp offers paid subscriptions.
Buyer wanting visual automation, A/B testing, AI writing, and an API	Tie	Both tools include automation flows, A/B testing, an AI assistant, and a public API.

Feature comparison: Klaviyo vs Mailchimp

Feature	Klaviyo	Mailchimp
Free plan	✅	✅
Starting price	$20 /mo	$13 /mo
Visual automation flows	✅	✅
Landing pages	—	✅
A/B testing	✅	✅
Paid subscriptions	—	—
E-commerce integrations	✅	✅
SMS marketing	✅	✅
AI writing assistant	✅	✅
Public API	✅	✅

Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.

Pros and cons

Klaviyo

Built for e-commerce, with Shopify stores and e-commerce listed as best-for
Combines email and SMS marketing in one platform
Includes automation flows, A/B testing, an AI writing assistant, and a public API
Offers a free plan

Starting price of $20 is higher than Mailchimp's $13
No landing pages
No paid subscription feature

Try Klaviyo →

Mailchimp

Lower starting price at $13
Includes landing pages, which Klaviyo lacks
Covers automation flows, A/B testing, SMS, an AI assistant, and a public API
Offers a free plan and is positioned for small businesses and beginners

No paid subscription feature
Starting price is lower but the platform is positioned for beginners and small businesses rather than dedicated e-commerce brands
Founded in 2001, it is a general all-in-one platform rather than an e-commerce specialist

Try Mailchimp →