Overview
Mailchimp and MailerLite are both popular email marketing platforms aimed at small businesses. The key difference is pricing: MailerLite offers similar core features at significantly lower prices. Mailchimp has more marketing features, but many businesses do not need them.
The choice comes down to whether you need Mailchimp's extras or prefer MailerLite's value.
Core Email Features
Both platforms offer what most businesses need: drag-and-drop email builder, automation workflows, A/B testing, landing pages, and signup forms. For core email marketing, they are comparably capable.
MailerLite has a few unique features like auto resend (automatically resending to non-openers) and built-in digital product sales. Mailchimp has more templates and design options.
Pricing Comparison
At 10,000 subscribers, MailerLite costs $73/month while Mailchimp costs $100. That is $324 per year in savings with MailerLite for similar functionality.
Both have free plans, but MailerLite's is more generous with features. Mailchimp's free plan has become more restricted over time.
Where Mailchimp Adds Value
Mailchimp includes social advertising integration, basic CRM functionality, and physical postcards. These features justify the higher price for businesses that use them.
If your marketing strategy relies on Facebook/Instagram ads managed in the same platform, or you need CRM features, Mailchimp provides value MailerLite does not.
Where MailerLite Adds Value
MailerLite includes digital product sales and paid newsletter subscriptions built-in. Creators can monetize directly without third-party integrations.
For bloggers, newsletter writers, and course creators, MailerLite's creator features plus lower pricing make it attractive.
When Each Platform Shines
Choose Mailchimp when: You need social ads, CRM features, or the broadest marketing suite. You value having more template options and brand recognition.
Choose MailerLite when: You want similar core features at lower prices. You are a creator wanting to sell products or paid newsletters directly.
For SaaS Companies
Neither platform is designed for SaaS. Both focus on general email marketing without subscription-specific features. SaaS companies should consider Sequenzy for Stripe integration and subscription-aware automation.