ConvertKit vs Mailchimp — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
ConvertKit starts at $39/mo. Mailchimp starts at $13/mo. Mailchimp is $26/mo cheaper on the entry tier than ConvertKit.
See price history: ConvertKit · Mailchimp
How pricing works
These two tools don't price the same way, so the headline numbers below aren't directly comparable until you plug in your own volume.
- ConvertKit (Per Usage) — ConvertKit bills purely on usage — Subscribers. There is no fixed per-seat fee, so the monthly cost depends entirely on how much you consume.
- Mailchimp (Per Usage) — Mailchimp bills purely on usage — contacts. There is no fixed per-seat fee, so the monthly cost depends entirely on how much you consume.
Per-minute, per-credit and per-token rates exclude any downstream model, speech or telephony costs unless the vendor states otherwise.
Email platform built specifically for creators and course sellers, rebranded from ConvertKit to Kit in 2024. Distinctive for tag-based (not list-based) subscriber management, which fits how creators segment audiences. Popular with newsletter operators, course creators, and one-person media businesses. Free plan up to 10K subscribers, paid plans add automation and commerce features. Facing pressure from Beehiiv (creator-native) and Substack (built-in monetization).
The original email marketing platform for SMBs, now owned by Intuit ($12B acquisition, 2021). Distinctive for pricing per subscriber rather than per email sent — which surprises teams with large-but-inactive lists. Free tier up to 500 contacts. Paid tiers get expensive fast as your list grows ($350/mo Premium at 10K+ contacts). Losing SMB share to Beehiiv (creators) and Klaviyo (e-commerce) but still the default for non-technical marketers.
All plans compared
| Tier role | Plan | ConvertKit monthly | ConvertKit annual | Mailchimp monthly | Mailchimp annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free / starter | Free | Free | Free | Free | — |
| Entry paid | Creator / Essentials | $39 | $33 | $13 | — |
| Mid tier | — / Standard | — | — | $20 | — |
| Pro / power | Creator Pro / Premium | $79 | $66 | $350 | — |
Tier names differ across vendors. Rows are aligned by tier role, not name. Full tier structures on each tool's page.
What each is best for
ConvertKit is worth it if… ConvertKit (now Kit) is worth it for creators — authors, coaches, course sellers, newsletter operators — who need subscriber-first email marketing with strong tagging, landing pages, and one-click resends. Free covers up to 10K subscribers; Creator adds automations; Creator Pro adds Facebook custom audiences and referral tracking.
Mailchimp is worth it if… SMBs and solo creators who want email marketing + light e-commerce + landing pages — the household-name option with generous templates and easy setup. Free covers up to 500 contacts; Essentials adds automations; Standard adds journeys and A/B testing; Premium adds advanced segmentation.
Bottom line: Similar positioning, closer to a preference call than a strategic one.
Choose ConvertKit over Mailchimp if…
Choose ConvertKit if…
- You want to pay only for actual usage (per usage, from $39/mo).
- You match the profile ConvertKit is built for: ConvertKit (now Kit) is worth it for creators — authors, coaches, course sellers, newsletter operators — who need subscriber-first email marketing with strong tagging, landing pages, and one-click resends.
- You need a general-purpose marketing & email option rather than a vertical-specific one.
Choose Mailchimp if…
- You want to pay only for actual usage (per usage, from $13/mo).
- You match the profile Mailchimp is built for: SMBs and solo creators who want email marketing + light e-commerce + landing pages — the household-name option with generous templates and easy setup.
- You need a general-purpose marketing & email option rather than a vertical-specific one.
At a glance
| ConvertKit | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Entry price | $39/mo | $13/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Per Usage | Per Usage |
| Last verified | September 14, 2026 | September 17, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified September 17, 2026. Tracked daily.
Frequently asked questions
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Common questions about ConvertKit and Mailchimp
- How much does ConvertKit cost in 2026?
- Does ConvertKit have a free plan?
- How often does ConvertKit change prices?
- What are the best ConvertKit alternatives in 2026?
- How much does Mailchimp cost in 2026?
- Does Mailchimp have a free plan?
- How often does Mailchimp change prices?
- What are the best Mailchimp alternatives in 2026?