Kit (ConvertKit) vs Mailchimp
We put Kit (ConvertKit) and Mailchimp head to head across pricing, features, ratings and the type of team each one fits best.
Quick Answer
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is the better pick for creators, bloggers and newsletter publishers: top-tier deliverability, a generous 10,000-subscriber free plan and automation built for selling digital products. Mailchimp is the stronger choice for ecommerce stores and general small businesses that want the best drag-and-drop editor, a large template library and deep Shopify/WooCommerce integrations.
Winner
Best-in-class deliverability, a 10,000-subscriber free plan and creator-first automation make Kit the better choice for creators and newsletter publishers.
Pricing Comparison
| Kit (ConvertKit) | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free Plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Per-subscriber monthly subscription | Per-contact monthly subscription |
Kit has a free plan for up to 10,000 subscribers, with the Creator plan from about $25/month scaling with list size. Mailchimp has a free plan for only 500 contacts, with Essentials from $13/month and Standard from $20/month, also scaling with contact count. Kit's free tier is 20x larger, making it far more generous for creators; Mailchimp is cheaper at very small paid tiers but climbs steeply as your list grows. For creators, Kit delivers more for less; for stores, Mailchimp's ecommerce depth can justify the cost.
Feature Comparison
| Dimension | Kit (ConvertKit) | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Starting Price | Free (10,000 subscribers) | Free (500 contacts) |
| Ease of Use | 4.7 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Features | 4.1 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Integrations | 4.1 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 (Shopify, WooCommerce) |
| Email Editor | Simple, text-focused emails | Best-in-class drag-and-drop + 100+ templates |
| Automation | Creator workflows (delivery, sequences) | Customer Journey Builder automation |
| Reporting | Creator-focused analytics | Ecommerce and revenue reporting |
| Deliverability | Top-tier in the category | Standard |
| Ecommerce | Limited (digital products) | Deep Shopify/WooCommerce integrations |
| Support | 4.4 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Security | Standard cloud security | Standard cloud security |
| Best For | Creators, bloggers, newsletter publishers | Beginners, small businesses, ecommerce stores |
| Limitations | No built-in CRM, lighter ecommerce | Pricing climbs, 500-contact free limit |
Where Each One Wins
Kit (ConvertKit) Advantages
- Best-in-class deliverability
- Generous free plan for up to 10,000 subscribers
- Creator-first automation for content delivery and sequences
- Clean, personal, text-focused emails
Mailchimp Advantages
- Best-in-class drag-and-drop editor with 100+ templates
- Deep Shopify and WooCommerce integrations
- AI content and segmentation features
- Large template library and beginner-friendly UX
How to Choose
Choose Kit (ConvertKit) If…
- You are a creator, blogger or newsletter publisher
- You sell digital products or courses
- Deliverability is your top priority
- You want a large free plan (10,000 subscribers)
Choose Mailchimp If…
- You run a Shopify or WooCommerce store
- You are a beginner wanting the easiest editor
- You send simple, polished broadcast campaigns
- You want a large template library
Best For
Kit (ConvertKit)
Creators, bloggers and newsletter publishers monetizing an audience
Mailchimp
Beginners, small businesses and ecommerce stores sending polished campaigns
Value for Money
Kit delivers better value for creators: a 10,000-subscriber free plan and top-tier deliverability mean you can grow an audience for free for much longer. Mailchimp's free plan is limited to 500 contacts, and its pricing climbs steeply as your list grows, though its editor and ecommerce depth are worth the premium for stores. For creators and newsletter publishers, Kit is the better value; for ecommerce stores that rely on Shopify/WooCommerce automations, Mailchimp's deeper integrations can justify the higher cost.
Final Verdict
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) and Mailchimp both score 4.4 overall, but they serve different audiences. Kit is the better choice for creators, bloggers and newsletter publishers: its deliverability is consistently the strongest in the category, the free plan supports up to 10,000 subscribers (versus Mailchimp's 500), and its automation is tuned to creator workflows like content delivery, sequences and digital-product sales. Clean, personal, text-focused emails are a deliberate design choice that resonates with audiences. Mailchimp is the stronger pick for ecommerce stores and general small businesses: its drag-and-drop editor with 100-plus templates is best-in-class, its Shopify and WooCommerce integrations are deep, and it is the friendlier on-ramp for beginners at a 4.8 ease-of-use score. The trade-offs are clear — Kit lacks a built-in CRM and deeper ecommerce features, while Mailchimp's pricing climbs steeply as your list grows and its free plan is quite limited. Choose Kit if you monetize an audience as a creator; choose Mailchimp if you run a store or want simple, polished broadcast campaigns. The audience, more than the feature list, decides this one.
Explore Alternatives
Not sure which tool is the right fit? Compare each one against its top competitors:
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, ConvertKit or Mailchimp?
Is ConvertKit really free for 10,000 subscribers?
Which is better for ecommerce?
Why did ConvertKit change its name to Kit?
Which has better email deliverability?
Does Kit (ConvertKit) or Mailchimp offer a free trial?
Is there a free plan for Kit (ConvertKit) or Mailchimp?
Which is easier to use, Kit (ConvertKit) or Mailchimp?
Which is more affordable, Kit (ConvertKit) or Mailchimp?
Who should choose Kit (ConvertKit) over Mailchimp?
Keep Comparing
Some links on this website are affiliate links. If you purchase a product through our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.