MailchimpvsConvertKit

Mailchimp vs ConvertKit

General marketing vs creator-focused

TL;DR

Mailchimp is a full-featured marketing platform with landing pages, ads, and broad functionality. ConvertKit (now Kit) is built specifically for creators with simpler, more focused tools. Choose Mailchimp for general marketing; choose ConvertKit for creator businesses.

Key Differences

The main things that set these tools apart

Target Audience

ConvertKit is built for creators - bloggers, podcasters, course creators. Mailchimp is a general-purpose marketing platform for businesses of all types. ConvertKit's focused approach means simpler tools designed for creator workflows.

Free Plan Generosity
ConvertKit wins

ConvertKit's free plan supports up to 10,000 subscribers with basic features. Mailchimp's free plan caps at 500 contacts. For creators starting out, ConvertKit's free tier is significantly more generous.

Feature Breadth
Mailchimp wins

Mailchimp offers landing pages, social ads, CRM, postcards, and website building. ConvertKit focuses narrowly on email and creator commerce. Choose based on whether you need a marketing suite or focused email tools.

Creator Commerce
ConvertKit wins

ConvertKit has built-in commerce for digital products, paid newsletters, and tip jars. Mailchimp requires third-party integrations for selling. For creators monetizing directly, ConvertKit is more streamlined.

Pricing Comparison

At 10,000 subscribers

Mailchimp
$100/month

Standard plan with automation and A/B testing

Visit Mailchimp
ConvertKit
$139/month

Creator plan with automation, free plan available up to 10k

Visit ConvertKit
Sequenzy

The SaaS alternative

$49/month

Best for SaaS, Stripe integration, unified email platform

Feature Comparison

Side-by-side feature breakdown

Feature
Mailchimp
ConvertKit
Sequenzy
Email & Automation
Visual automation builder
Email sequences
Excellent
Tagging and segmentation
Tag-first approach
A/B testing
Subject lines only
Send time optimization
Creator Features
Digital product sales
Via integrations
Built-in commerce
Via Stripe
Newsletter monetization
Paid newsletters, tips
Sponsor network
Creator Network
Subscriber referrals
Tip jar
Marketing Features
Landing pages
Full builder
Simple pages
Social ads
Facebook, Instagram ads
CRM features
Basic CRM
Postcards
Website builder
Pricing & Plans
Free plan limit
500 contacts
10,000 contacts
14-day trial
Price at 10k
$100/month
$139/month (or free)
$49/month
E-commerce integrations
Shopify, WooCommerce
Limited
Deliverability reputation
Good
Excellent
Good

Best For

When to choose each tool

Choose Mailchimp if you...
  • Small businesses needing a full marketing suite
  • E-commerce stores with basic email needs
  • Teams wanting landing pages and ads in one platform
  • Businesses needing CRM functionality
  • Companies with diverse marketing needs
Choose ConvertKit if you...
  • Bloggers and content creators
  • Podcasters building audiences
  • Online course creators
  • Newsletter writers monetizing content
  • YouTubers and social media creators
Choose Sequenzy if you...
  • SaaS companies and software businesses
  • Founders building on Stripe
  • Teams needing transactional + marketing email
  • Startups wanting simpler pricing

When to Consider Sequenzy Instead

SaaS Focus

Sequenzy is built for SaaS companies, not creators or general marketing. If you run software with subscriptions, Sequenzy's Stripe integration and subscription automation are more relevant than either Mailchimp or ConvertKit.

Unified Email Platform

Both Mailchimp and ConvertKit focus on marketing email. Sequenzy handles transactional and marketing email in one platform, simplifying your email stack for software products.

Simpler Pricing

At $49/month for 10k subscribers, Sequenzy is more affordable than both Mailchimp ($100) and ConvertKit's paid plan ($139). But this only matters if you are building SaaS.

Overview

Mailchimp and ConvertKit (now called Kit) represent different philosophies in email marketing. Mailchimp is a comprehensive marketing platform trying to be everything for everyone. ConvertKit is focused specifically on creators - bloggers, podcasters, and course sellers.

The right choice depends on your business type and what features you actually need.

For Creators

ConvertKit was built by creators for creators. It includes features like paid newsletters, digital product sales, tip jars, and a creator network for sponsorships. The interface is simpler because it focuses on what creators need.

Mailchimp can work for creators but is not optimized for them. Selling digital products requires integrations, and there are no creator-specific monetization features.

For Businesses

Mailchimp is the better choice for general businesses. It offers landing pages, social media ads, basic CRM, e-commerce integrations, and even postcards. It is a marketing suite rather than just email.

ConvertKit intentionally does not include these features. It stays focused on email and creator commerce, which means less flexibility for traditional businesses.

Pricing Comparison

ConvertKit's free plan is remarkably generous - up to 10,000 subscribers for free (with limited automation). Mailchimp's free plan caps at 500 contacts.

On paid plans at 10k subscribers, Mailchimp costs $100/month while ConvertKit costs $139/month. However, many creators can use ConvertKit's free tier indefinitely if they do not need advanced automation.

Deliverability

ConvertKit has an excellent reputation for deliverability. Their focused approach and creator-centric user base help maintain clean sending practices. Mailchimp's deliverability is good but has faced some criticism as the platform has grown.

When Each Platform Shines

Choose Mailchimp when: You need a full marketing suite with landing pages, ads, and CRM. You run a traditional business or e-commerce store.

Choose ConvertKit when: You are a creator - blogger, podcaster, course seller. You want simple, focused tools and potentially want to monetize your newsletter directly.

For SaaS Companies

Neither Mailchimp nor ConvertKit is ideal for SaaS. Mailchimp is too broad; ConvertKit is too creator-focused. SaaS companies should consider Sequenzy for Stripe integration and subscription-aware automation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, ConvertKit is specifically built for bloggers and creators. It offers simpler tools, better deliverability, and creator monetization features that Mailchimp lacks.

ConvertKit rebranded to Kit in 2024 to reflect their broader creator platform vision. The product and features remain the same, just with a shorter name.

ConvertKit's free plan is much more generous - up to 10,000 subscribers versus Mailchimp's 500. For creators starting out, ConvertKit's free tier can last a long time.

Mailchimp requires third-party integrations like Shopify for selling. ConvertKit has built-in commerce for digital products and paid newsletters, making it simpler for creators.

ConvertKit is simpler because it does less. Mailchimp has more features but can feel overwhelming. For email-focused needs, ConvertKit's interface is cleaner.

Yes, but they are simple compared to Mailchimp's full landing page builder. ConvertKit focuses on functional landing pages for email signup, not complex marketing pages.

Both have visual automation builders. ConvertKit's is simpler and creator-focused. Mailchimp offers more complex automation options but requires higher-tier plans.

Neither is ideal for SaaS. Mailchimp is too general; ConvertKit is creator-focused. SaaS companies should consider Sequenzy for Stripe integration and subscription-focused automation.

Not sure which to pick?

If you're a SaaS founder who needs Stripe integration and unified email, try Sequenzy free. No credit card required.

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Sequenzy - Complete Pricing Guide

Pricing Model

Sequenzy uses subscriber-based pricing. You only pay for subscribers active in sequences (automations). Inactive subscribers are free to store.

All Pricing Tiers

  • 0-100 subscribers: Free (Free annually) - 2k emails/month
  • 101-1,000 subscribers: $19/month ($205/year annually) - 20k emails/month
  • 1,001-5,000 subscribers: $29/month ($313/year annually) - 125k emails/month
  • 5,001-10,000 subscribers: $49/month ($529/year annually) - 300k emails/month
  • 10,001-25,000 subscribers: $99/month ($1069/year annually) - 875k emails/month
  • 25,001-50,000 subscribers: $199/month ($2149/year annually) - 2M emails/month
  • 50,001-100,000 subscribers: $349/month ($3769/year annually) - 4.5M emails/month
  • 100,000+ subscribers: Custom pricing (Custom annually) - Unlimited emails/month

Yearly billing: All plans offer a 10% discount when billed annually.

Free Plan Features (0-100 subscribers)

  • Up to 100 subscribers in sequences
  • 2,000 emails/month
  • Email campaigns
  • Email sequences
  • Advanced analytics
  • Advanced segments
  • Stripe integration
  • API access
  • "Built by Sequenzy" branding

Paid Plan Features (1,000 - 100,000 subscribers)

  • Subscribers in sequences
  • Monthly email quota
  • Email campaigns
  • Email sequences
  • Advanced analytics
  • Advanced segments
  • Stripe integration (Segment by LTV & MRR)
  • API access
  • Priority support
  • No branding

Enterprise Plan Features (100,000+ subscribers)

  • Unlimited subscribers
  • Unlimited emails
  • Advanced analytics
  • Advanced segments
  • Stripe integration
  • Dedicated support
  • Custom integrations
  • SLA guarantee
  • No branding

Important Pricing Notes

  • You only pay for subscribers who are active in automations/sequences
  • Storing inactive subscribers is free
  • No hidden fees - all features included in the price
  • No credit card required for free tier

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