AWeber vs Mailchimp: Which Email Marketing Platform Fits Your Needs?
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Compare AWeber and Mailchimp Plans Side by Side
AWeber and Mailchimp both cover core email marketing needs but differ in structure. AWeber's Lite plan starts at $12.50/month and includes A/B testing and AI writing tools even at the entry tier, though automations and landing pages are capped at 3 until you move to Plus ($20/month) for unlimited automations, lists, and users. Mailchimp offers a genuine free plan for accounts under 250 contacts, making it a lower-risk starting point for very small lists, but its A/B testing requires Essentials ($13/month) and its generative AI content tools are withheld until Standard ($20/month) or higher. Teams that want AI assistance and split testing without paying for a higher tier may find AWeber's Lite/Plus structure more straightforward. Teams with a small contact list who want to test the waters at zero cost, and who don't need AI content tools right away, may prefer Mailchimp's free tier. Mailchimp's Premium plan ($350/month) also targets larger organizations needing unlimited contacts and users, a tier AWeber doesn't list an equivalent for.
Review the pricing tiers and feature details for AWeber and Mailchimp to find the plan that matches your list size, automation needs, and budget.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | AWeber | Mailchimp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing automation workflows | 4/5 | 3/5 | AWeber caps automations at 3 on Lite but offers unlimited automations on Plus/Done For You ($20/month). Mailchimp's Essentials plan is capped at 4 flow steps, with up to 200 flows unlocked on Standard and above. |
| A/B testing | 5/5 | 4/5 | AWeber lists email split testing and sign-up form split testing as a feature without a noted tier restriction. Mailchimp's A/B testing is only available on Essentials and above, not on the free plan. |
| AI content assistant | 4/5 | 3/5 | AWeber includes an AI Subject Line Assistant and AI Writing Assistant in its feature list with no tier restriction noted. Mailchimp's generative AI features are free of extra charge but only on Standard and Premium plans, not Essentials. |
| Free forever plan | 2/5 | 5/5 | AWeber shows a 'Get AWeber Free' CTA but no distinct free plan with limits is detailed in its pricing table, only a 14-day trial. Mailchimp offers a clearly defined free plan for accounts with under 250 contacts. |
Frequently asked questions
How does AWeber pricing compare to Mailchimp pricing?
AWeber's Lite plan starts at $12.50/month and Plus at $20/month (both with unlimited lists, landing pages, and users on Plus). Mailchimp starts free for under 250 contacts, then Essentials at $13/month, Standard at $20/month, and Premium at $350/month (with a promotional rate of $297.50/month for 12 months).
Does AWeber or Mailchimp have a free plan?
Mailchimp has a defined free plan for accounts with under 250 contacts, covering core features. AWeber displays a 'Get AWeber Free' call-to-action in its navigation, but its pricing table only details a 14-day trial rather than a distinct free plan with stated limits.
Can I switch from Mailchimp to AWeber or vice versa?
The provided data does not include details on migration tools or import processes for either platform, so check each vendor's current documentation for specifics on transferring contacts, automations, and templates.
Who is AWeber best suited for?
Based on the listed features, AWeber suits users who want A/B testing and AI writing/subject line assistance without needing to upgrade past its entry-level plans, and who need a self-serve setup, though a 'Done For You' plan is also offered with expert setup assistance at $20/month plus a setup fee.
Who is Mailchimp best suited for?
Mailchimp fits users with small contact lists (under 250) who want to start at no cost, and organizations needing to scale up to unlimited contacts and users on the Premium plan. Its AI content tools and full automation flows require the Standard plan or above.
Do both platforms support marketing automation and A/B testing?
Yes. AWeber includes automations (limited to 3 on Lite, unlimited on Plus/Done For You) and split testing for emails and sign-up forms. Mailchimp includes automation flows (4 steps on Essentials, up to 200 on Standard/Premium) and testing/scheduling features starting on Essentials.