If you’re choosing between Mailchimp and ConvertKit, you’ve probably already noticed there’s no clear winner. Both have passionate fans, both have been around for years, and both will get your emails delivered. So which one should you actually use?
After testing both extensively for different projects, here’s my honest take.
The Short Answer
ConvertKit is better for creators. If you’re a blogger, podcaster, course creator, or solopreneur building an audience, ConvertKit is designed for you. The interface is cleaner, the automation makes sense, and it doesn’t overwhelm you with features you’ll never use.
Mailchimp is better for generalists. If you’re running an e-commerce store, need complex integrations with other tools, or want a free option to start, Mailchimp has more flexibility—even if it’s more complicated.
That’s the quick version. But let me dig into the specifics so you can make an informed decision.
Pricing: What You’re Actually Paying
This is where people get surprised, so let me be straightforward.
Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels
ConvertKit pricing is simple: free up to 1,000 subscribers, then it starts at $9/month. But—and this is a big but—that $9 plan is for email only. Add on landing pages, forms, and automation, and you’re looking at $15-25/month pretty quickly. There’s no traditional pricing tier based on list size once you pass the free threshold—you pay for the features you need.
Mailchimp has a confusing pricing structure. The free plan covers up to 500 contacts and includes basic features. But here’s the catch: Mailchimp charges based on list size, and prices jump significantly as you grow. The free plan is genuinely useful, which is why so many people start there. But once you hit 2,500 contacts, you’re looking at $20-30/month, and it goes up from there.
The honest truth: both are affordable for solopreneurs. ConvertKit feels cheaper initially because the interface is simpler, but Mailchimp’s free plan is hard to beat if you’re just starting out and want to experiment.
Email Builder: Ease of Use
This is where ConvertKit wins, and it’s not close.
ConvertKit’s email editor is straightforward. You pick a template (or start blank), drag and drop elements, and you’re done. There aren’t a hundred different options to get lost in. For most people writing a weekly newsletter or promotional email, this is perfect.
Mailchimp’s builder is more powerful but also more confusing. They’ve added a lot of features over the years, which means there are multiple ways to do the same thing. The classic builder, the new builder, different template types—it can feel overwhelming. That said, if you want precise control over design, Mailchimp gives you more flexibility.
For me, the question is: do you want to spend time tweaking emails, or do you want to write them and move on? ConvertKit optimizes for the latter.
Automation: Getting Things Running on Autopilot
Here’s where I have some strong opinions.
ConvertKit’s automation is creator-focused. The visual automation builder is clean—you can see your entire flow at a glance. It integrates naturally with the idea of sending content to subscribers, tagging people based on their actions, and moving them through sequences. If you’ve read my article on building email funnels, ConvertKit makes implementing those strategies straightforward.
The triggers and actions are logical. Someone subscribes → add to welcome sequence. Someone clicks a link → tag them as interested. It’s intuitive without being simplistic.
Mailchimp’s automation is more powerful but harder to navigate. You can do incredible things with Mailchimp’s automation—complex branching logic, advanced scoring, behavioral targeting. But you’ll probably need to watch some tutorials first. The interface isn’t as intuitive, and it’s easy to build something that looks right but doesn’t actually fire correctly.
For most solopreneurs, ConvertKit’s automation will do everything you need. Mailchimp’s extra power only matters if you have a specific use case that requires it.
Landing Pages: Building Pages That Convert
This matters more than you might think. If you’re driving traffic to your emails, you need somewhere for people to land.
ConvertKit includes landing pages with every plan. They’re not the flashiest, but they work well. The templates are clean, the forms integrate automatically, and you can publish a page in under 10 minutes. For creators selling courses, newsletters, or digital products, this is a huge time-saver.
Mailchimp’s landing pages are solid but come with a caveat. They’re included, but the design options feel a bit dated compared to dedicated tools like Leadpages or ClickFunnels. Still, they’re functional, and the integration with your email list is seamless.
If landing pages are important to your strategy and you don’t want to pay for a separate tool, ConvertKit has a slight edge here. Both will get the job done, but ConvertKit’s feel more purpose-built for creators.
Deliverability: Will Your Emails Actually Land?
This is the most important technical factor, and it’s worth discussing honestly.
Both Mailchimp and ConvertKit have improved significantly over the years. In 2026, deliverability is good for both platforms—but there are differences.
ConvertKit tends to perform slightly better with inbox rates for creator-style emails (newsletters, course updates, community emails). This is partly because their infrastructure is optimized for that type of sending, and partly because their sender reputation is strong in the creator space.
Mailchimp has had some rocky years with deliverability—some users reported issues a few years back, though they’ve made improvements. For e-commerce and promotional emails, Mailchimp performs well, especially when you’re sending to engaged segments.
If I’m being honest: for most solopreneurs, you won’t notice a meaningful difference. Both will get your emails to the inbox most of the time. The bigger factor is your own list hygiene and email content, not the provider.
Integrations: Connecting to Your Stack
This is where Mailchimp has a clear advantage.
Mailchimp integrates with almost everything. Shopify, WordPress, Zapier, Salesforce, Slack—name a tool, and Mailchimp probably connects to it. If you’re running a complex tech stack with multiple automations, Mailchimp offers more flexibility.
ConvertKit’s integrations are more focused. They’ll connect to the tools most creators use—WordPress, Shopify, Zapier, Squarespace, Teachable. But if you need something niche, you might hit a wall. That said, their API is solid if you’re comfortable with developer tools.
For most solopreneurs, ConvertKit’s integrations cover what you need. If you’re running something more complex with enterprise tools or need deep custom integrations, Mailchimp is the safer bet.
Who Should Use What
Let me be direct:
Use ConvertKit if:
- You’re a blogger, podcaster, or YouTuber building an audience
- You’re selling online courses, coaching, or digital products
- You want something simple that doesn’t require a learning curve
- You care more about writing emails than designing them
- You want landing pages included without extra cost
Use Mailchimp if:
- You’re running an e-commerce store
- You need the free plan to start
- You want more design control over your emails
- Your tech stack requires specific integrations
- You’re comfortable with a steeper learning curve for more power
My Honest Opinion
I’ve used both tools extensively. What I’ve found is that the “best” tool is the one you’ll actually use consistently.
ConvertKit feels like it was built by people who understand creators. The interface doesn’t fight you. The features make sense for how solopreneurs actually work. I recommend it to most people building an audience-based business.
Mailchimp is the safer choice if you’re not sure what you need yet. The free plan lets you experiment without spending money, and you’ll outgrow it less quickly if your business evolves in unexpected directions.
But here’s what I’d avoid: going back and forth between tools. Pick one, commit to learning it, and focus on the actual work of building your list and sending valuable emails. The tool doesn’t make the difference—the effort you put in does.
Need help choosing your email platform? I broke down more options in my guide to the best email marketing tools for small business in 2026. And if you’re wondering whether you need a full CRM alongside your email tool, I wrote about that too: CRM vs Marketing Automation – What’s the Difference and Do You Need Both?.
FAQ
Can I switch from Mailchimp to ConvertKit (or vice versa) easily?
Yes. Both platforms let you export your list and import it elsewhere. There’s some manual work in recreating automations, but the emails themselves transfer fine. Just make sure to clean your list first—export only engaged subscribers.
Which one is better for selling products directly?
ConvertKit is simpler for selling digital products, courses, or services. Their checkout features are straightforward and integrate well with creator businesses. Mailchimp has more e-commerce features but can feel overkill for simple product sales.
Do I need coding skills to use either platform?
No. Both are designed for non-technical users. You’ll be fine with either one if you can use a website builder.
Which has better support?
ConvertKit generally gets praise for responsive, helpful support. Mailchimp’s support can be inconsistent—sometimes fast, sometimes frustrating. Both have extensive knowledge bases if you prefer self-serving.
Will I outgrow either one?
You might outgrow ConvertKit if your business becomes highly complex with advanced automation needs. You might outgrow Mailchimp if you want a simpler, more focused tool. In either case, you’re likely to need something more robust eventually—but by then, you’ll know what you actually need.