Hootsuite vs Mailchimp — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
Hootsuite starts at $99/mo. Mailchimp starts at $13/mo. Mailchimp is $86/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Hootsuite.
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.
- Hootsuite (Unknown model) — Hootsuite bills on a fixed plan from $99/mo, so the listed price is what you pay regardless of volume.
- Mailchimp (Per Usage) — Mailchimp bills on usage — contacts on top of a paid plan starting at $13/mo. The plan includes an allowance; anything beyond it is metered.
Per-minute, per-credit and per-token rates exclude any downstream model, speech or telephony costs unless the vendor states otherwise.
The category-defining social media management platform, founded 2008 in Vancouver. Positioned as the enterprise-grade alternative to Sprout Social with deeper analytics + governance for regulated industries (banks, government, healthcare). Restructured 2026 into 'Hootsuite Social OS' with 5 modular products (Perch/Nest/Lumen/Wisdom/Parliament) and 4-tier subscription (Standard/Professional/Advanced/Enterprise). Wisdom AI included in every plan. Priced $99-$399/user/mo published, Enterprise custom. Under private equity ownership since 2019 (Vector Capital majority stake since 2024).
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 | Hootsuite monthly | Hootsuite annual | Mailchimp monthly | Mailchimp annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free / starter | — / Free | — | — | Free | — |
| Entry paid | Standard / Essentials | $99 | $99 | $13 | — |
| Mid tier | Professional / Standard | $199 | $199 | $20 | — |
| Pro / power | Advanced / Premium | $399 | $399 | $350 | — |
| Enterprise | Enterprise / — | Custom | Custom | — | — |
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
Hootsuite is worth it if… marketing teams (3-100 people) managing 10+ social accounts across multiple brands or regions — particularly if you need approval workflows, compliance controls, or deep listening. Standard covers solo social managers (10 accounts); Professional unlocks unlimited accounts + trend forecasting; Advanced adds team collaboration + approvals; Enterprise adds SSO + compliance.
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 Hootsuite over Mailchimp if…
Choose Hootsuite if…
- You're comfortable with Hootsuite's from $99/mo entry point.
- You match the profile Hootsuite is built for: marketing teams (3-100 people) managing 10+ social accounts across multiple brands or regions — particularly if you need approval workflows, compliance controls, or deep listening.
- You're building for healthcare.
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
| Hootsuite | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Entry price | $99/mo | $13/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | — | Per Usage |
| Verification | Pricing under review | Pricing under review |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified September 28, 2026. Tracked daily.
Frequently asked questions
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Common questions about Hootsuite and Mailchimp
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- How much does Mailchimp cost in 2026?
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