Mailchimp vs MailerLite: Which Is Better for Small Business?
Both are popular email marketing tools but they've gone in very different directions. Here's an honest comparison in 2026.
2 min read · Updated 2026-04-15
Short answer
MailerLite wins for most small businesses — better free plan, simpler interface, and lower pricing as you grow. Mailchimp's free plan is now very restrictive and their pricing has become expensive.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | MailerLite | |---------|-----------|------------| | Free plan contacts | 500 | 1,000 | | Free plan sends/month | 1,000 | 12,000 | | Automation on free plan | No | Yes (basic) | | Landing pages on free plan | No | Yes | | Price at 5,000 contacts | $75/month | $25/month | | Ease of use | Medium | Easy | | Template quality | Good | Good |
When Mailchimp is still worth it
- You need advanced e-commerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce reporting)
- Your team is already trained on Mailchimp
- You need predictive analytics or advanced segmentation at scale
When to choose MailerLite
- You're just starting out
- Budget matters
- You want automation without paying for it
- You want landing pages included
Migration: can you switch from Mailchimp to MailerLite?
Yes — export your list from Mailchimp as a CSV and import into MailerLite. Your subscribers, tags, and segments transfer easily. MailerLite has a dedicated migration guide.
Other alternatives worth considering
- Brevo — unlimited contacts on free plan (300 emails/day limit)
- ConvertKit — best for creators and bloggers
- Klaviyo — best for eCommerce with Shopify