Mailchimp vs MailerLite: Which Email Marketing Tool Is Better in 2026?
Mailchimp
From $13MailerLite
From $10Quick verdict
Overall pick: Tie
Pick MailerLite if you want the lower starting price ($10 vs $13), need paid newsletter subscriptions, or are a budget-conscious team focused on newsletters. Pick Mailchimp if SMS marketing matters to you, since MailerLite does not offer it, or if you prefer a longer-established platform (founded 2001 vs 2010). Both are flat-priced with free plans and match on automation, landing pages, A/B testing, e-commerce, AI writing, and API access, so the decision comes down to SMS versus paid subscriptions and the $3 starting-price gap.
- MailerLite's entry plan ($10) is 23% cheaper than Mailchimp's ($13).
- Both offer a free plan, so you can test them side by side at no cost.
- Only Mailchimp offers: sms marketing.
- Only MailerLite offers: paid subscriptions.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp · flat | $13.00 | $156 |
| MailerLite · flat | $10.00 | $120 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer who needs SMS marketing alongside email | Mailchimp | Mailchimp lists SMS marketing as a feature; MailerLite does not. |
| Publisher selling paid newsletter subscriptions | MailerLite | MailerLite supports paid subscriptions; Mailchimp does not. |
| Budget-conscious team minimizing starting cost | MailerLite | MailerLite starts at $10 versus Mailchimp's $13, both flat-billed with free plans. |
| Beginner small business wanting a well-known all-in-one tool | Mailchimp | Mailchimp is positioned for small businesses and beginners and includes SMS on top of the shared feature set. |
| Team needing automation, landing pages, A/B testing, and API | Tie | Both tools list all four of these features. |
Feature comparison: Mailchimp vs MailerLite
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✅ | ✅ |
| Starting price | $13 /mo | $10 /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
Mailchimp
- Includes SMS marketing, which MailerLite lacks
- Free plan plus flat-rate pricing starting at $13
- Covers automation flows, landing pages, A/B testing, e-commerce, AI assistant, and API
- Long-established platform founded in 2001, positioned for small businesses and beginners
- No paid newsletter subscriptions
- Starting price is $3 higher than MailerLite
MailerLite
- Lower starting price at $10 with a free plan and flat billing
- Supports paid newsletter subscriptions, which Mailchimp does not
- Matches Mailchimp on automation flows, landing pages, A/B testing, e-commerce, AI assistant, and API
- Positioned for budget-conscious teams and newsletters
- No SMS marketing
- Founded in 2010, later than Mailchimp's 2001
At a glance
Well-known all-in-one email marketing platform.
Founded 2001 · From $13 · 7/8 tracked features
Best for: small businesses, beginners
See Mailchimp alternatives →Affordable, clean email marketing.
Founded 2010 · From $10 · 7/8 tracked features
Best for: budget-conscious teams, newsletters
See MailerLite alternatives →FAQ
Is Mailchimp cheaper than MailerLite?
No. Mailchimp starts at $13 and MailerLite at $10; both are flat-billed and offer a free plan.
Does MailerLite offer SMS marketing?
No. SMS marketing is listed for Mailchimp but not for MailerLite.
Which tool supports paid newsletter subscriptions?
MailerLite supports paid subscriptions; Mailchimp does not.
Do both tools include automation, landing pages, and A/B testing?
Yes. Both list visual automation flows, landing pages, and A/B testing.
Do both have a free plan and a public API?
Yes. Both offer a free plan and a public API.
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Data last reviewed: pending verification. All Email Marketing tools →