Mailchimp vs Kit (ConvertKit)
Mailchimp and Kit (ConvertKit) are two of the email marketing tools people compare most — but they're built for different users. Mailchimp starts at $13 USD/mo and is best for beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns, while Kit (ConvertKit) has a free plan (paid from $33 USD/mo) and suits creators, bloggers, newsletter writers and course sellers.
The main trade-offs: Mailchimp covers more of the features we track (6 of 10 vs 5), Mailchimp is cheaper to start. They end up closely matched overall, so your best pick depends on which of those matters most to you.
Mailchimp
★★★★★★★★★★4.130,515+ reviews · G2 & CapterraThe most popular email tool, beginner-friendly with a free starter plan.
USD/mo
Kit (ConvertKit)
★★★★★★★★★★4.5458+ reviews · G2 & CapterraEmail marketing built for creators, with simple automation and a free tier.
USD/mo
Mailchimp and Kit (ConvertKit) are closely matched — your best pick comes down to what you need most.
Key differences
- Mailchimp is cheaper to start ($13 USD/mo vs $33 USD/mo).
- Kit (ConvertKit) is notably stronger on value for money (8.3 vs 6.9).
- Mailchimp covers more of the tracked features (6 vs 5).
Full comparison
The winning option in each row is highlighted in green.
| Criteria | Mailchimp | Kit (ConvertKit) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | ★★★★★★★★★★4.1 | ★★★★★★★★★★4.5 |
| Starting price | $13 USD/mo | $33 USD/mo |
| Free trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Integrations | 300+ native integrations | 100+ native integrations |
| Affiliate commission | Varies (partner program) | 30% recurring |
| Best for | Beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns | Creators, bloggers, newsletter writers and course sellers |
| Ease of use | 8.8 | 8.9 |
| Value for money | 6.9 | 8.3 |
| Features | 7.4 | 7.8 |
| Support | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| CRM | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Email Marketing | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Funnel / Landing Builder | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Automation / Workflow | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| SMS Marketing | — No | — No |
| Booking / Scheduling | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Membership / Courses | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Built-in Affiliate Program | — No | — No |
| White-label | — No | — No |
| Mobile App | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Pricing plans
The main paid tiers for each tool (billed annually where applicable).
Mailchimp
✅ Verified from the vendor's pricing page · checked June 2026. View official pricing →
Kit (ConvertKit)
✅ Verified from the vendor's pricing page · checked June 2026. View official pricing →
Pros & cons
Mailchimp
- Very easy to start, polished templates
- Free plan for small lists
- Recognized brand with broad integrations
- Gets expensive as your list grows
- Automation is weaker than ActiveCampaign
Kit (ConvertKit)
- Creator-first features (paid newsletters, tip jar)
- Generous free plan up to 10k subscribers
- Simple, visual automation
- Fewer design options than Mailchimp
- Not built for e-commerce-heavy stores
Which one should you pick?
Choose Mailchimp if…
Best for beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns. The friendliest on-ramp to email marketing. Great templates and a free tier, but value erodes as your list grows and advanced automation lags rivals.
Choose Kit (ConvertKit) if…
Best for creators, bloggers, newsletter writers and course sellers. The creator's email tool. Clean automation, a generous free plan and creator-friendly features like paid newsletters make it a top pick for solo audiences.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mailchimp or Kit (ConvertKit) better?
They're closely matched. Mailchimp is best for beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns, while Kit (ConvertKit) suits creators, bloggers, newsletter writers and course sellers.
Which is cheaper, Mailchimp or Kit (ConvertKit)?
Mailchimp is cheaper to start at $13 USD/mo, compared with $33 USD/mo for Kit (ConvertKit).
Which is easier to use for beginners?
Kit (ConvertKit) scores higher on ease of use (8.9/10), making it the friendlier choice if you're just getting started.
Can I try Mailchimp and Kit (ConvertKit) before paying?
Mailchimp: 14 days. Kit (ConvertKit): 14 days. We recommend trialling your top pick before committing.
Does Mailchimp or Kit (ConvertKit) have a free plan?
Kit (ConvertKit) has a free plan, making it the lower-risk way to start. The other relies on a time-limited free trial rather than a permanent free tier.
Which is better value for money, Mailchimp or Kit (ConvertKit)?
Kit (ConvertKit) scores higher on value in our review (8.3/10) — it gives you more for what you pay. Weigh that against the features you'll actually use.
Is Mailchimp still worth it in 2026?
For simple newsletters and beginners, yes. For advanced automation or large lists, cheaper and more powerful options exist.
Is Kit the same as ConvertKit?
Yes — ConvertKit rebranded to Kit. Same product, focused on creators and newsletter businesses.
The bottom line
Mailchimp and Kit (ConvertKit) are genuinely close, so you won't go far wrong either way. Lean toward Mailchimp for beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns, or Kit (ConvertKit) for creators, bloggers, newsletter writers and course sellers. You can try it free with Mailchimp and start free with Kit (ConvertKit), so shortlist both and test them before you commit.
→ See Mailchimp alternatives→ Read the full Mailchimp review