MailerLite and Mailchimp are two of the most common choices for small businesses starting email marketing. They look similar at first. Both have drag and drop editors, signup forms, landing pages and automations. The differences show up in pricing, how they count contacts and how much you get on each plan.
Plans change often, so treat the numbers below as a snapshot and check each website before you decide.
The free plans
Both free plans have become smaller in 2026.
- MailerLite free: up to 250 active subscribers and 2,500 emails per month, with a small number of automations and forms. Since June 2026, free plan emails carry MailerLite branding.
- Mailchimp free: up to 250 contacts and 500 emails per month, with a daily limit. No automations, no scheduling, and Mailchimp branding in your emails.
If you want to test automations, like a welcome email that sends by itself, MailerLite's free plan gives you more to work with.
Paid plans
At the time of writing, MailerLite's paid plans start at around $12 per month for a small list, and Mailchimp's entry plan starts at around $13 per month. The real difference appears as your list grows. Compare the price for the list size you expect in a year, not just today.
How they count your contacts
This matters more than most people realise.
MailerLite charges based on active subscribers. People who unsubscribe do not count towards your plan.
Mailchimp charges based on contacts in your account, and has historically counted people who unsubscribed too, unless you archive or remove them. If you use Mailchimp, get into the habit of archiving contacts who have left, so you are not paying for them.
Ease of use
Both are beginner friendly. MailerLite's screens are clean and calm, with fewer menus to dig through. Mailchimp has more features, which means more places to look, but its help guides and templates are excellent.
If you want the quickest path from sign up to first email, many people find MailerLite simpler. If you want lots of templates and integrations, Mailchimp has the edge.
Features worth comparing
- Automations: both have visual automation builders on paid plans. MailerLite includes some on its free plan. Mailchimp does not.
- Websites and landing pages: MailerLite includes a simple website builder, which is handy if you do not have a site yet. Mailchimp also offers landing pages and a basic website option.
- Online shops: Mailchimp has strong ecommerce features, including product recommendations and abandoned cart emails for connected stores. MailerLite also connects to popular shop platforms.
- Integrations: Mailchimp connects with a very large number of apps. MailerLite covers the popular ones.
Who should pick MailerLite
- You want simple, clean screens and a fair price as you grow.
- You want to test automations without paying straight away.
- You prefer to only pay for people who are actually subscribed.
Who should pick Mailchimp
- You run an online shop and want its ecommerce tools.
- You rely on lots of other apps and want the widest range of integrations.
- You value a large library of templates and tutorials.
The bottom line
Neither is a wrong choice. MailerLite is often the better value for small lists and simple needs. Mailchimp is the more complete marketing platform, especially for online shops. Pick the one that fits your list size and budget for the next year, and know that you can move later. Our guide to moving your email list explains how.
Email tools change their plans and screens often. If something here no longer matches what you see,let us know and we will check it.