When it comes to email marketing, Mailchimp has long been a trusted name. But with its evolving pricing structure and a growing number of alternatives, choosing the right plan for your business can be challenging. In this blog, we’ll break down Mailchimp pricing comparison in 2025, explore which businesses or agencies can benefit from each plan, and provide tips on what to look for when selecting a pricing plan. We’ll also highlight some affordable alternatives to Mailchimp that might better suit your needs.
Mailchimp Pricing Comparison in 2025: A Detailed Comparison
Mailchimp offers several pricing tiers, each designed to cater to different business sizes and needs. Here’s a breakdown of their 2025 pricing structure:
1. Free Plan
- Price: $0/month
- Features:
- Up to 500 contacts
- 1,000 emails per month
- Basic templates
- Single audience
- Best For:
- Small businesses or startups with minimal email marketing needs.
- Freelancers or solopreneurs testing the waters of email marketing.
- Limitations: Limited features and branding, making it less ideal for scaling businesses.
2. Essentials Plan
- Price: Starts at $13/month (billed annually)
- Features:
- Up to 50,000 contacts
- 24/7 email and chat support
- Customizable templates
- A/B testing
- Best For:
- Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) looking to grow their email list.
- E-commerce stores needing basic automation and analytics.
- Things to Consider: Limited advanced features compared to higher-tier plans.
3. Standard Plan
- Price: Starts at $20/month (billed annually)
- Features:
- Up to 100,000 contacts
- Advanced audience insights
- Retargeting ads
- Custom branding
- Best For:
- Growing businesses with a need for advanced analytics and retargeting.
- Marketing agencies managing multiple clients.
- Things to Consider: Higher cost per contact compared to the Essentials plan.
4. Premium Plan
- Price: Starts at $350/month (billed annually)
- Features:
- Unlimited contacts
- Advanced segmentation
- Multivariate testing
- Phone support
- Best For:
- Large enterprises with extensive email marketing needs.
- Agencies handling high-volume campaigns for multiple clients.
- Things to Consider: High price point, making it less accessible for small businesses.
What to Look for When Choosing a Mailchimp Pricing Plan
- Number of Contacts: Mailchimp’s pricing is heavily based on the number of contacts. Ensure you choose a plan that accommodates your current list size and allows room for growth.
- Email Volume: Consider how many emails you send monthly. If you run frequent campaigns, a higher-tier plan may be more cost-effective.
- Features Needed: Evaluate the features you need, such as automation, analytics, or retargeting. Higher-tier plans offer more advanced tools.
- Budget: Mailchimp’s pricing can escalate quickly as your contact list grows. Ensure the plan aligns with your marketing budget.
- Scalability: Choose a plan that allows you to scale seamlessly as your business grows.
Which Mailchimp Plan is Right for You?
Mailchimp offers a range of plans to suit businesses of all sizes and needs. The Free Plan is perfect for startups and small businesses, while the Essentials and Standard Plans are ideal for growing businesses and marketing agencies. The Premium Plan is best suited for large enterprises with extensive email marketing needs. That’s why you need this mailchimp pricing comparison.
By understanding the benefits of each plan, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and budget. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your email marketing efforts, Mailchimp has a plan that can help you achieve your objectives.
Affordable Alternatives to Mailchimp in 2025
While Mailchimp is a powerful tool, its pricing may not suit everyone. Here are some budget-friendly alternatives:
1. MailerLite
- Price: Starts at $10/month for up to 1,000 contacts.
- Why Choose It: MailerLite is affordable, user-friendly, and offers advanced features like automation and landing pages.
2. Brevo
- Price: Free plan available; paid plans start at $25/month.
- Why Choose It: Brevo is excellent for businesses needing SMS marketing alongside email campaigns.
3. Moosend
- Price: Starts at $9/month for up to 500 contacts.
- Why Choose It: Moosend is affordable and packed with features like automation and analytics.
4. Benchmark Email
- Price: Starts at $13/month for up to 500 contacts.
- Why Choose It: Benchmark is great for small businesses with easy-to-use templates and automation.
5. Omnisend
- Price: Free plan available; paid plans start at $16/month.
- Why Choose It: Omnisend is ideal for e-commerce businesses with robust automation and segmentation tools.
Which Businesses or Agencies Benefit Most from Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is one of the most popular email marketing platforms, offering a user-friendly interface, automation, analytics, and integrations with various tools. While it caters to almost any business, certain types of businesses and agencies benefit the most from Mailchimp’s features.
1. E-commerce Stores
Why Mailchimp Works for E-commerce?
- Automated Email Sequences: Welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, and post-purchase follow-ups.
- Product Recommendations: Mailchimp uses AI to suggest products based on customer behavior.
- Customer Segmentation: Easily segment your audience based on purchase history, location, or behavior.
- E-commerce Integrations: Works with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and other platforms.
Example Use Case
A Shopify store selling fitness apparel can use Mailchimp to send automated abandoned cart emails, promoting urgency with discount offers and reminders.
2. Digital Marketing Agencies
Why Mailchimp Works for Marketing Agencies?
- Client Campaign Management: Handle multiple client accounts under one platform.
- A/B Testing: Test subject lines, content, and designs to optimize conversions.
- Analytics & Reporting: Detailed insights on email performance and engagement.
- Pre-built Templates: Ready-to-use email designs for quick campaign execution.
Example Use Case
A marketing agency managing email campaigns for local restaurants can automate promotions, newsletters, and event announcements to boost customer engagement.
3. Coaching & Consulting Businesses
Why Mailchimp Works for Coaches & Consultants?
- Lead Nurturing: Send automated sequences to onboard and educate leads.
- Personalized Emails: Tailor content based on client interests and progress.
- Webinar & Event Promotion: Easily promote upcoming coaching sessions.
- Drip Campaigns: Keep potential clients engaged with value-driven content.
Example Use Case
A business coach can set up a free email course, delivering valuable business growth strategies over a few days, gradually leading subscribers to book a paid session.
4. SaaS & Tech Companies
Why Mailchimp Works for SaaS & Tech?
- Onboarding Sequences: Guide new users through features and best practices.
- Customer Retention Campaigns: Re-engage inactive users with special offers.
- Feature Announcements: Keep subscribers updated on new tools and updates.
- Subscription-Based Emails: Segment users based on free vs. paid plans.
Example Use Case
A project management SaaS platform can use Mailchimp to automate trial expiration reminders, nudging users to upgrade to a paid plan.
5. Local Businesses & Brick-and-Mortar Stores
Why Mailchimp Works for Local Businesses?
- Loyalty Campaigns: Reward returning customers with exclusive offers.
- Event Invitations: Promote store openings, sales, and special events.
- Geo-Targeted Campaigns: Send location-based promotions.
- Seasonal Promotions: Automate holiday and seasonal email blasts.
Example Use Case
A local bakery can send automated birthday discounts to customers based on their sign-up date.
6. Nonprofits & Charities
Why Mailchimp Works for Nonprofits?
- Donation Campaigns: Easily create fundraising email sequences.
- Volunteer Recruitment: Automate emails for event sign-ups and onboarding.
- Impact Reports: Share stories and progress updates with donors.
- Event Promotion: Send reminders for charity events and campaigns.
Example Use Case
A nonprofit supporting underprivileged children can send personalized donor appreciation emails along with impact reports to increase retention.
7. Real Estate Agencies
Why Mailchimp Works for Real Estate?
- Property Listings: Automatically send new listings to potential buyers.
- Open House Invites: Promote upcoming open house events.
- Lead Nurturing: Send drip email campaigns to educate buyers.
- Client Follow-ups: Stay in touch with past clients for referrals.
Example Use Case
A real estate agent can create a segmented email list of first-time homebuyers and send them a weekly newsletter with mortgage tips and new listings.
Final Thoughts: Is Mailchimp Worth It in 2025?
Mailchimp remains a strong contender in the email marketing space, but its pricing may not be suitable for everyone. Small businesses and startups may find better value in affordable Mailchimp alternatives like MailerLite or Moosend, while larger enterprises may benefit from Mailchimp’s advanced features.
When choosing a pricing plan, consider your business size, email volume, and feature requirements. Exploring a Mailchimp alternative could help you find a solution that better fits your budget and needs while still offering essential email marketing tools.
By understanding Mailchimp’s pricing structure and comparing it with other options, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and budget.
