Mailchimp Pricing – Cost-Effective for Small Businesses?

Mailchimp Pricing – Cost-Effective for Small Businesses?

Mailchimp is a major player in the email marketing space, offering scalable tools that cater to businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re just starting with a small mailing list or managing email campaigns for a large corporation, Mailchimp provides a solution that can grow with you. Their pricing strategy is structured across four key plans—Free, Essentials, Standard, and Premium—allowing businesses to choose a plan based on their specific needs. As your contact list expands, Mailchimp tiered system ensures you pay for what you need without unnecessary overhead costs.

Pricing Plans Overview

Overview of Mailchimp Pricing Plans

Mailchimp offers a flexible range of pricing tiers to suit different business needs. The Free Plan supports up to 500 contacts and 2,500 monthly emails—perfect for those just getting started. The Essentials Plan begins at $13/month, offering features like A/B testing and branding removal. For those with growing email needs, the Standard Plan starts at $20/month, while the Premium Plan targets large businesses with advanced automation and analytics at $350/month. Each plan is designed to provide value at different stages of business growth, from startups to large enterprises.

Comparison table based on the current Mailchimp pricing plans and features:

FeaturesFree PlanEssentials PlanStandard PlanPremium Plan
Monthly Price$0Starting at $13Starting at $20Starting at $350
Contact Limit500 contactsUp to 50,000 contactsUp to 100,000 contacts200,000+ contacts
Emails Per Month2,500Up to 500,000Up to 1.2 millionUnlimited
A/B TestingNoYesYesYes
Custom TemplatesBasicYesYesYes
Multi-step AutomationsSingle-stepYesYes with branching pointsAdvanced
Behavioral TargetingNoNoYesYes
Send Time OptimizationNoNoYesYes
Dynamic ContentNoNoYesYes
SupportEmail support (30 days)24/7 email & chat support24/7 email & chat support24/7 phone support
Advanced SegmentationNoNoYesYes
Predictive AnalyticsNoNoNoYes
Multivariate TestingNoNoNoYes
This table provides a quick comparison of Mailchimp price plans and their key features.

Pricing table for Mailchimp based on varying contact sizes across the different pricing plans:

Number of ContactsEssentials PlanStandard PlanPremium Plan
1,000 contacts$26.00$45.50$350.00
2,500 contacts$45$60$350.00
5,000 contacts$75$100$350.00
10,000 contacts$78.99$105.00$350.00
20,000 contacts$170.00$190.00$350.00
30,000 contacts$230.00$230.00$350.00
50,000 contacts$270.00$270.00$350.00
100,000 contacts$800.00$1025
This table provides a snapshot of the pricing for various contact list sizes across Mailchimp Essentials, Standard, and Premium Plans.

Mailchimp price plan table based on the number of emails sent per month across Mailchimp plans:

Emails Sent Per MonthEssentials PlanStandard PlanPremium Plan
1,000 emails
10,000 emails$26.50$45$350
50,000 emails$75$100$350
100,000 emails$110$135$350
500,000 emails$385$450$815
1,200,000 emails$800.00$1025
This table provides pricing for different monthly email volumes under Mailchimp Essentials, Standard, and Premium Plans.

Mailchimp Free Plan

Detail about Mailchimp Free Plan

The Mailchimp Free Plan is ideal for individuals or small startups dipping their toes into email marketing. With the ability to manage up to 500 contacts and send 2,500 emails per month, it offers basic but essential tools for those starting out. The plan includes simple, single-step automations—enough to send basic welcome emails or set up a simple drip campaign. You’ll also have access to basic templates that help you create professional-looking emails with minimal effort.

However, the Free Plan has limitations. You only get access to Mailchimp email support for 30 days, making it less suitable for businesses that might need ongoing help. Advanced features such as A/B testing, detailed analytics, and audience segmentation aren’t included, so as your needs grow, you’ll likely find yourself upgrading to a paid plan. Still, for a small project or personal use, it’s an affordable (as in, free!) way to get started with email marketing.

If your business has a modest email list and minimal campaign needs, this plan provides a great introduction to Mailchimp features without any financial commitment. Just keep in mind that as your email marketing strategy evolves, you may quickly outgrow its limitations.

Mailchimp Free Plan Pro and Con

ProsCons
Free to useLimited to 500 contacts
Basic automation and templatesNo A/B testing
Ideal for small businesses or startupsLimited customer support (30 days)
Integrates with various toolsLacks advanced features like dynamic content
Mailchimp Free Plan Pro and Cons

Mailchimp Essentials Plan

Detail about Mailchimp Essentials Plan

The Mailchimp Essentials Plan is a step up from the free offering, designed for businesses that need more control and flexibility in their email marketing efforts. Starting at $13/month, the plan scales based on the size of your contact list, supporting up to 50,000 contacts and allowing you to send up to 500,000 emails per month. This plan offers key upgrades, such as the ability to use A/B testing to optimize email performance, and removes Mailchimp branding from your emails, giving your campaigns a more professional look.

The Essentials Plan also includes access to multi-step journeys, where you can build more sophisticated email automations to guide customers through different touchpoints based on their actions. It’s perfect for businesses wanting to engage with segmented audiences and nurture leads through various marketing funnels. You can also manage three audiences, making it easier to target different customer groups effectively.

For smaller businesses that need a robust but affordable email marketing solution, the Essentials Plan strikes a balance between cost and advanced functionality. There’s even an option for pay-as-you-go pricing, ideal for those with fluctuating email needs. This flexibility makes it a great choice for growing businesses looking to take their marketing strategy to the next level.

Mailchimp Essentials Plan Pro and Con

ProsCons
Affordable starting price ($13/month)Limited segmentation options
A/B testing and branding removal includedNo phone support
Scalable up to 50,000 contactsLacks advanced automation like branching points
Multi-step journeys for better automationFeatures like dynamic content only in higher tiers
Mailchimp Essentials Plan Pro and Con

Mailchimp Essentials Plan

Detail about Mailchimp Standard Plan

The Mailchimp Standard Plan is designed for businesses that have outgrown basic email marketing needs and require more sophisticated tools. Starting at $20/month, it scales up based on the number of contacts, supporting up to 100,000 subscribers. This plan allows you to send up to 1.2 million emails per month, making it perfect for medium-sized businesses with large marketing campaigns.

Key features include behavioral targeting and dynamic content, enabling you to personalize emails based on customer interactions. Additionally, send time optimization ensures your emails are delivered when recipients are most likely to engage. The Standard Plan also introduces more advanced automations, such as branching points in customer journeys, allowing for highly customized marketing funnels that adapt based on user actions.

Businesses looking to maximize their marketing performance will appreciate the ability to create customized templates and leverage detailed analytics. The combination of segmentation and dynamic content makes the Standard Plan ideal for businesses aiming to increase engagement and conversions by sending the right message at the right time. If your email marketing needs are growing and you need more advanced tools, the Standard Plan offers a strong balance between cost and functionality.

Mailchimp Standard Plan Pro and Con

ProsCons
Advanced automation and behavioral targetingCan get expensive with large contact lists
Send time optimizationLimited segmentation compared to competitors
Dynamic content and customizationAdvanced reporting only available in Premium
Ideal for medium-sized businessesPricing increases significantly with list growth
Mailchimp Standard Plan Pro and Con

Mailchimp Premium Plan

Detail about Mailchimp Premium Plan

The Mailchimp Premium Plan is built for large enterprises with advanced email marketing needs. Starting at $350/month, it supports up to 200,000 contacts and offers unlimited emails, making it the ideal choice for companies with large, complex campaigns. The Premium Plan goes beyond basic marketing automation by offering multivariate testing, which allows you to test multiple variables in your emails for deeper insights.

Key features include advanced segmentation and predictive analytics, which help you target specific audiences and predict customer behaviors. It also offers dedicated phone support, ensuring you get immediate help when needed. Additionally, the plan allows for unlimited audiences and users, perfect for larger teams managing multiple campaigns simultaneously.

This plan is tailored for businesses that require highly customized, data-driven marketing strategies. The advanced tools and support ensure you can scale your campaigns efficiently while improving engagement and conversions. If your business operates at an enterprise level and requires deep marketing automation, the Premium Plan delivers the flexibility and power you need.

Mailchimp Premium Plan Pro and Con

ProsCons
Unlimited audiences and contactsHigh starting price ($350/month)
Multivariate testing and predictive analyticsOverkill for small to medium businesses
Advanced segmentation and automationMore expensive compared to competitors
Dedicated phone supportFeatures may not justify the cost for smaller teams
Mailchimp Premium Plan Pro and Con

Comparison with other competitors

Comparison of Mailchimp Pricing with Competitors

When it comes to email marketing, Mailchimp is a well-known player, but how does it stack up against other platforms like Constant Contact, Brevo, and AWeber? Mailchimp flexibility with its free plan is hard to beat, but its pricing can get steep as your contact list grows. For instance, Brevo offers a lower-tier plan with unlimited contacts but limits the number of emails sent, making it a better option for businesses with large lists and low-frequency sends. Constant Contact tends to focus more on templates and customer service, offering more robust support for beginners but at a higher price point.

Mailchimp shines with its marketing automation and ease of use, but for budget-conscious users, platforms like AWeber may offer more competitive pricing with similar functionality. Ultimately, Mailchimp key strength lies in its scalability and advanced features, but it’s important to assess what fits your business needs best.

Here’s a pricing comparison table with Mailchimp and three other popular email marketing tools, using a range of contact sizes:

Number of ContactsMailchimp Essentials PlanConstant ContactBrevoAWeber
1,000 contacts$13.00$20.00Free (limited features)$19.99
2,500 contacts$30.99$45.00$25.00$29.99
5,000 contacts$52.99$65.00$39.00$49.99
10,000 contacts$78.99$95.00$59.00$69.99
20,000 contacts$170.00$195.00$79.00$149.00
50,000 contacts$270.00$335.00$229.00Custom Pricing
100,000 contacts$455.00Custom PricingCustom Pricing
This table provides a comparative look at how Mailchimp stacks up against competitors like Constant Contact, Brevo, and AWeber for different contact list sizes.
Add to compare
Intuit Mailchimp is a powerful marketing platform that offers small businesses an easy and effective way to connect with their customers through various engagement practices.
Deployment: Cloud Hosted, SaaS
More details +
Mailchimp is a powerful marketing platform that offers small businesses an easy and effective way to connect with their customers through various engagement practices.
Design
2.5
Easy to use
7.5
Price
9.5
Features
10
Email Delivery
9
PROS:
  • User-friendly interface
  • Customizable templates
  • Targeted campaigns
  • Affordable pricing
  • Analytics and insights
CONS:
  • Limited automation features
  • Email deliverability
  • Limited integration options
  • Design limitations
  • Support limitations

Add-Ons Pricing

Additional Costs and Add-Ons

While Mailchimp core plans provide a range of tools, there are additional costs to consider if your business requires more specialized features. For instance, transactional emails—important for sending order confirmations or receipts—come as an add-on. You’ll also need to pay extra for premium templates or dedicated IP addresses, both of which enhance branding and deliverability.

If you’re diving into e-commerce, features like domain registration or advanced integrations for platforms like Shopify might also incur additional fees. Keeping these in mind helps avoid unexpected costs.

Different Mailchimp pricing plans and the ideal user match for each:

Price PlanStarting PriceIdeal Users
Free Plan$0Startups, personal projects, or businesses with under 500 contacts.
Essentials Plan$13/monthSmall businesses needing A/B testing, no branding, and up to 50,000 contacts.
Standard Plan$20/monthMedium-sized businesses with growing email lists and need for segmentation and automations.
Premium Plan$350/monthLarge enterprises requiring advanced automation, predictive analytics, and unlimited emails.
This table helps identify the starting price and the type of user best suited for each Mailchimp pricing plan.

Choose Right Mailchimp Plan

Tips for Choosing the Right Mailchimp Plan

Selecting the right Mailchimp plan depends on the specific needs of your business. Start by assessing the size of your contact list and how often you plan to send emails. If you’re just starting out with fewer than 500 contacts and don’t need complex features, the Free Plan can be a great introduction. For small businesses with moderate needs, the Essentials Plan offers affordable email marketing with tools like A/B testing and automations.

Here’s a review table for each Mailchimp pricing plan based on personal experience, along with feedback for improvements and comparisons with other email marketing tools:

PlanReview & ExperienceComparison with Other ToolsImprovement Suggestions
Free PlanGreat for beginners, but limited automation and lacks A/B testing. Ideal for small lists.Compared to Brevo free plan, Mailchimp offers fewer contacts but better automation options.Adding more templates and analytics for free users would be helpful.
Essentials PlanAffordable for growing businesses, good automation features, and A/B testing, but still basic.AWeber offers similar pricing but includes phone support, which Mailchimp Essentials lacks.Improving customer support options (like phone) could be beneficial.
Standard PlanPowerful features like behavioral targeting and dynamic content, well-suited for medium businesses.More cost-effective than Constant Contact but lacks advanced segmentation at this price point.Offering more advanced segmentation and multivariate testing would elevate this plan.
Premium PlanExcellent for enterprises, with multivariate testing, advanced analytics, and predictive features.More expensive than competitors like ActiveCampaign but offers predictive analytics that others don’t.Lowering the entry price for Premium would attract more users.
This table provides quick insights into each plan’s strengths, comparisons, and potential areas for improvement.

If your business is scaling, consider how features like send time optimization or advanced segmentation in the Standard Plan can boost engagement. Larger enterprises with complex marketing strategies should look into the Premium Plan for its predictive analytics and multivariate testing.

Don’t forget about list hygiene—keeping your contact list clean helps avoid paying for inactive subscribers. Always match your plan to your marketing goals and future growth to get the most value.

Add to compare
Intuit Mailchimp is a powerful marketing platform that offers small businesses an easy and effective way to connect with their customers through various engagement practices.
Deployment: Cloud Hosted, SaaS
More details +
Mailchimp is a powerful marketing platform that offers small businesses an easy and effective way to connect with their customers through various engagement practices.
Design
2.5
Easy to use
7.5
Price
9.5
Features
10
Email Delivery
9
PROS:
  • User-friendly interface
  • Customizable templates
  • Targeted campaigns
  • Affordable pricing
  • Analytics and insights
CONS:
  • Limited automation features
  • Email deliverability
  • Limited integration options
  • Design limitations
  • Support limitations

FAQs

Questions to ask while choosing the best plan

What is the cheapest Mailchimp plan?

The cheapest plan is the Free Plan, which allows up to 500 contacts and 2,500 emails per month, perfect for individuals or startups.

How does Mailchimp calculate pricing?

Mailchimp pricing is based on the number of contacts in your list and the plan you choose. More contacts or features increase the monthly cost.

Can I change my Mailchimp plan later?

Yes, Mailchimp allows you to upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time based on your needs.

Is Mailchimp pay-as-you-go option worth it?

For businesses with inconsistent email sending patterns, the pay-as-you-go option can be more cost-effective than a monthly subscription.

What is the difference between Mailchimp Essentials and Standard plans?

The Essentials Plan offers basic automations and A/B testing, while the Standard Plan includes advanced features like behavioral targeting and dynamic content.

How does Mailchimp handle unsubscribed contacts?

Unsubscribed contacts remain in your list but do not count towards your billable contacts.

What are the key differences between Mailchimp and Constant Contact?

Mailchimp is generally more affordable and offers better automation, while Constant Contact is known for stronger customer support and template designs.

Does Mailchimp offer non-profit discounts?

Yes, Mailchimp provides discounted rates for qualifying non-profits.

How do I upgrade to a premium plan?

You can easily upgrade via your account dashboard by selecting the Premium Plan and confirming the payment details.

Can I get a refund for unused credits?

No, Mailchimp does not offer refunds for unused credits. Be sure to purchase only what you need.

Ankit Prakash
Ankit Prakash

Ankit is a seasoned technology entrepreneur and founder of Aritic and EasySendy. With over 10 years of experience building product-led B2B SaaS companies, he is focused on ambitious goals and bringing innovative platforms to market. As a Principal Founder, Ankit leads product, engineering, marketing, and strategic partnerships for Aritic's suite of sales and marketing automation tools. He has grown the brand to over $120M valuation and $8M+ in revenue since 2015. Ankit is passionate about analyzing and reviewing software to provide readers with authoritative, in-depth insights. His articles cover martech, SaaS, entrepreneurship, and other technologies based on his hands-on expertise. He stays on top of industry trends and best practices in product marketing, performance marketing, inbound marketing, and content marketing. His work has been featured in leading publications including G2Crowd, Scoop.It, Brandvertisor, Martech Advisor, Smart Insights, and more. Driven by a dedication to shaping the future of B2B SaaS, Ankit enjoys translating his experiences building, marketing, and scaling companies into actionable thought leadership.

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