Email marketing · Head to head
MailerLite vs Mailchimp: which is better?
Short answer
MailerLite costs less in the first year ($144 vs $240). Pick MailerLite for low-cost email for creators; pick Mailchimp for all-in-one email for small businesses.
| Fact | MailerLite | Mailchimp | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Low-cost email for creators | All-in-one email for small businesses | — |
| Free plan | Yes, 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month | No, 14-day trial | MailerLite |
| Entry plan | Comfort: $12 / mo | Standard: $20 / mo | MailerLite |
| Mid plan | Power: $25 / mo | Standard: $20 / mo | Mailchimp |
| Top plan | Power: $25 / mo | Standard: $20 / mo | Mailchimp |
| 1st year | $144 | $240 | MailerLite |
| Platforms | Web | Web | Tie |
Edge = the better published number or limit; we do not test the tools hands-on.
Which is cheaper, MailerLite or Mailchimp?
MailerLite costs less in the first year ($144 vs $240).
| 1st year | MailerLite | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $144 | $240 |
| Mid | $300 | $240 |
| Top | $300 | $240 |
Which has the better free plan, MailerLite or Mailchimp?
MailerLite: Yes, 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month.
Should you pick MailerLite or Mailchimp?
Pick MailerLite if
- you want low-cost email for creators
- the free plan is enough (250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month)
Pick Mailchimp if
- you want all-in-one email for small businesses
- you can pay $20 / mo from day one
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| MailerLite pricing | mailerlite.com/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Mailchimp pricing | mailchimp.com/pricing/marketing/ | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare