Mailchimp vs MailerLite: Which Email Marketing Platform Fits Your Team?
Last updated August 21, 2026
StackVersus may earn a commission from links on this page — see our affiliate disclosure. This never affects our verdict.
Still deciding between Mailchimp and MailerLite?
Mailchimp and MailerLite both offer free plans capped at 250 contacts, automation builders, and A/B testing, but they differ in cost structure and feature access. Mailchimp's paid tiers start at $13/month (Essentials) but limit automation to 4 flow steps until you reach Standard ($20/month), and generative AI content tools are withheld until Standard/Premium. MailerLite's Comfort plan ($12/month) already includes an AI writing assistant and 50 automations, and its Power plan ($25/month) offers unlimited automations and unlimited seats. Teams that need Mailchimp's higher-tier scale (unlimited contacts/users on Premium at $350/month) or its established add-on SMS marketing may prefer Mailchimp. Teams prioritizing lower entry pricing, earlier access to AI content assistance, and unlimited user seats on a mid-tier plan may find MailerLite's Comfort or Power plans a better fit. Neither vendor's data here indicates one is universally better; the right choice depends on which feature tier your budget and contact volume actually require.
Compare the free plans, automation limits, and AI content features side by side to match the platform to your contact list size and budget.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | MailerLite | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing automation workflows | 3/5 | 4/5 | Mailchimp's Essentials plan caps automation at 4 flow steps, requiring an upgrade to Standard for up to 200 flows. MailerLite includes automation on every plan, including Free (3 automations), scaling to unlimited on Power. |
| A/B testing | 3/5 | 4/5 | Mailchimp offers testing/scheduling features starting on Essentials. MailerLite lists email A/B testing plus multivariate, forms, and landing page A/B split testing, though plan-level availability isn't fully specified. |
| AI content assistant | 3/5 | 4/5 | Mailchimp includes generative AI at no extra cost only on Standard and Premium ($20+/month), not on Essentials. MailerLite includes an AI writing assistant starting on Comfort ($12/month), a lower entry point. |
| Free forever plan | 4/5 | 4/5 | Both offer a $0/month plan for under/up to 250 contacts. Mailchimp's free plan includes core features only; MailerLite's free plan specifies 2,500 monthly emails and 2 user seats. |
Frequently asked questions
How does Mailchimp pricing compare to MailerLite pricing?
Mailchimp's paid plans start at $13/month (Essentials), $20/month (Standard), and $350/month (Premium, with a promotional rate of $297.50/month for 12 months). MailerLite's paid plans start at $12/month (Comfort) and $25/month (Power), with annual billing equivalents of $10.80/month and $22.50/month respectively; MailerLite also has a custom-priced Enterprise plan for 200K+ subscribers.
Do both Mailchimp and MailerLite offer a free plan?
Yes. Mailchimp's Free plan is for accounts under 250 contacts with core features only. MailerLite's Free plan supports up to 250 subscribers, 2,500 monthly emails, and 2 user seats.
Can I switch from Mailchimp to MailerLite or vice versa?
The provided data doesn't include a specific migration tool or import feature for either platform, so switching details aren't listed by the vendors here. Check current documentation from each provider for migration support before switching.
Which platform includes AI content assistance at a lower price?
MailerLite includes an AI writing assistant starting on its Comfort plan ($12/month). Mailchimp reserves its generative AI features for Standard and Premium plans, meaning users on Mailchimp's $13/month Essentials plan do not get AI content tools.
Who is Mailchimp best suited for versus MailerLite?
Based on the listed data, Mailchimp may suit teams that expect to grow into its Premium tier for unlimited contacts and users, or that want SMS/MMS marketing add-ons. MailerLite may suit teams wanting automation and AI tools at a lower entry price point, or that need unlimited user seats on its Power plan.
Does either platform limit the number of users or automations on paid plans?
Yes. Mailchimp's Essentials plan allows 3 seats and up to 4 automation flow steps, while Standard allows 5 seats and up to 200 flows. MailerLite's Comfort plan allows 3 seats and 50 automations, while Power allows unlimited seats and unlimited automations.