Mailchimp vs Substack
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Still deciding between Mailchimp and Substack?
Mailchimp and Substack solve different problems. Mailchimp is built for marketing teams that need audience segmentation, A/B testing, SMS add-ons, and multi-step automation flows, with paid plans starting at $13/month and scaling to $350/month for unlimited contacts and users. Its free plan caps out at 250 contacts and offers only core features. Substack is built around free and paid newsletter publishing, with a free-to-start, free-to-leave model with no platform fees or contact tiers, plus built-in automation like welcome sequences and win-back campaigns for subscriber revenue. Choose Mailchimp if you need robust marketing automation, testing tools, and multi-channel campaigns (email plus SMS) across a growing contact list. Choose Substack if you want a no-cost way to start a newsletter with built-in monetization and simple automated subscriber sequences, without managing contact-based pricing tiers.
Compare the plans and automation features that matter most to your contact list size and publishing goals before you commit.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | Substack | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing automation workflows | 4/5 | 3/5 | Mailchimp offers automation starting on Essentials (limited to 4 flow steps), expanding to up to 200 flows on Standard and Premium. Substack includes automation in the form of welcome sequences and win-back campaigns, but no flow-builder or step-limit details are provided. |
| Free forever plan | 3/5 | 5/5 | Mailchimp's free plan is limited to accounts under 250 contacts and includes only core features. Substack's free plan has no stated contact limits, platform fees, or tiers, and is free to leave at any time. |
Frequently asked questions
How does Mailchimp pricing compare to Substack?
Mailchimp uses tiered paid plans: Essentials starts at $13/month, Standard at $20/month, and Premium at $350/month (with a promotional rate of $297.50/month for 12 months), each with different seat, audience, and automation limits. Substack's core plan is free with no platform fees, tiers, or contracts; it also lists an Enterprise plan without published pricing.
Does Mailchimp or Substack have a free plan?
Both offer free plans. Mailchimp's free plan is available for accounts with under 250 contacts and includes only core features. Substack's free plan has no stated contact caps, platform fees, or tiers, and is described as free to start and free to leave.
Can I migrate from Substack to Mailchimp or vice versa?
The provided data doesn't include specific migration tools or import features for either platform, so switching details such as contact list transfer or content migration aren't confirmed by the vendors here. Check current documentation from each provider before migrating.
Who should use Mailchimp instead of Substack?
Mailchimp fits teams that need structured marketing automation (available from the Essentials plan up, with expanded flow limits on Standard and Premium), A/B testing, and SMS/MMS add-ons across growing contact lists and multiple team seats.
Who should use Substack instead of Mailchimp?
Substack fits creators or publishers who want a no-cost way to start a newsletter without contact-based pricing tiers, and who want built-in revenue-focused automation like welcome sequences and win-back campaigns.
What marketing automation features does each platform include?
Mailchimp's automation is tiered: Essentials is limited to 4 flow steps, while Standard and Premium support up to 200 flows. Substack's automation is described only as welcome sequences and win-back campaigns for subscriber revenue, without flow-count details.