The Quick Verdict
MailerLite has quietly become the most compelling Mailchimp alternative for cost-conscious small businesses. At comparable contact counts, MailerLite costs 30–50% less, includes automation and landing pages at lower tiers, and has a cleaner interface. Mailchimp’s advantage is its 300+ native integrations, stronger brand recognition (customers trust the unsubscribe link), and a longer track record. For most small businesses, MailerLite delivers better value per dollar.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (500 contacts) / $13/mo | Free (1,000 contacts) / $10/mo |
| Free Plan Contacts | 500 contacts | 1,000 contacts |
| Free Plan Features | Basic email only | Automation, landing pages included |
| Automation | Standard plan ($20/mo+) | Free plan and above |
| Landing Pages | Standard plan+ | Free plan and above |
| Integrations | 300+ native | 150+ native |
| Ease of Use | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Deliverability | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Best For | Teams needing broadest integrations | Budget-conscious SMBs wanting more features |
| Our Score | 8.4 / 10 | 9.0 / 10 |
Pricing Comparison
MailerLite is consistently cheaper. At 1,000 contacts, MailerLite charges $10/mo vs Mailchimp’s $26/mo. The gap compounds at higher contact counts.
| Scenario | Mailchimp | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| 500 contacts | $13/mo | $10/mo (or free) |
| 1,000 contacts | $26/mo | $10/mo |
| 5,000 contacts | $75/mo | $32/mo |
| 20,000 contacts | $299/mo | $109/mo |
What MailerLite includes for free that Mailchimp paywalls
MailerLite’s free plan includes automation workflows, landing pages, and embedded signup forms. Mailchimp’s free plan is email only — automation and landing pages require the Standard plan at $20/mo. For a small business starting out, MailerLite gives access to the tools that actually grow your list and nurture subscribers without paying anything.
Mailchimp's integration advantage
Mailchimp’s 300+ native integrations are a genuine differentiator for businesses with complex tech stacks. If you need Mailchimp to connect to a specific industry tool — accounting software, booking systems, specialized CRMs — the probability of a native integration is higher with Mailchimp. MailerLite covers the most common integrations and Zapier handles the rest, but direct native integrations are fewer.
The switching cost question
If you’re already on Mailchimp with a working setup, the switching cost needs to justify the savings. Migrating contacts, rebuilding automations, and reconfiguring integrations takes time. Calculate your annual savings at your current contact count (often $300–$1,500/year for SMBs) against the migration effort. For most businesses switching at migration points (when facing a Mailchimp price increase), the math clearly favors MailerLite.
Who Should Choose Which?
- You need 300+ native integrations for a complex or niche tool stack
- Your subscribers are more likely to recognize and trust the Mailchimp unsubscribe footer
- You're already set up on Mailchimp and the switching cost outweighs the savings
- You use Mailchimp's website builder or advanced audience segmentation tools
- Budget is the primary constraint and you want the best email features per dollar
- You want automation and landing pages without paying for a higher plan tier
- You're starting fresh and want 1,000 free contacts vs Mailchimp's 500
- You want a cleaner, more modern interface for creating email campaigns