{"id":73913,"date":"2025-11-26T14:55:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T13:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.emailvendorselection.com\/?p=73913"},"modified":"2025-12-04T11:30:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T10:30:43","slug":"mailerlite-vs-mailchimp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.emailvendorselection.com\/mailerlite-vs-mailchimp\/","title":{"rendered":"MailerLite vs Mailchimp: Which is Best in 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mailchimp is one of the best-known email marketing tools in the business. But best-known doesn\u2019t always mean the best. There is plenty of rival email marketing software to choose from. Like MailerLite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MailerLite an email marketing tool you may not know so well. So in this article, I am giving you the full MailerLite vs Mailchimp comparison. How MailerLite compares to its better-known rival on creating and sending emails. On automation. On finding and managing contacts. And, of course, how it compares on cost and value for money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the end you\u2019ll have a very clear idea of which email marketing software is the best for you. MailerLite vs Mailchimp – let the battle commence!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Summary: MailerLite vs Mailchimp<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pressed for time and want the short version? No problem! Both Mailchimp and MailerLite are easy to use and it is easy to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main difference between MailerLite<\/a> and Mailchimp<\/a> is value for money<\/strong>. MailerLite wins hands down. On normal plans, Mailchimp and MailerLite features are very similar. But MailerLite gives you more contacts, unlimited emails and costs less. It\u2019s one of the best value-for-money email marketing tools around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/td>Mailchimp<\/strong><\/td>MailerLite<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Ease of Use<\/strong><\/td>4\/5<\/td>5\/5<\/td><\/tr>
Sending Emails<\/strong><\/td>3.5\/5<\/td>4\/5<\/td><\/tr>
Automation<\/strong><\/td>4\/5<\/td>3\/5<\/td><\/tr>
Lead Generation<\/strong><\/td>3\/5<\/td>4\/5<\/td><\/tr>
Contact Management<\/strong><\/td>3.5\/5<\/td>4\/5<\/td><\/tr>
Integrations<\/strong><\/td>4\/5<\/td>3.5\/5<\/td><\/tr>
Support<\/strong><\/td>3.5\/5<\/td>3.5\/5<\/td><\/tr>
Pricing<\/strong><\/td>3\/5<\/td>5\/5<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And the user interface is slick. But, as far as marketing tools go, Mailchimp is a big beast. It tries to offer a bit of everything, not just email marketing. That\u2019s great if you want social posting and ads in your email marketing tool. But you are a bit spoiled for choice and certain things are hard to find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MailerLite<\/a> is simple, stripped back and laser-focused on email marketing. Perfect for beginners and anyone who values speed and simplicity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both MailerLite and Mailchimp have solid, user-friendly drag-and-drop email editors. Neither has the biggest selection of templates I\u2019ve ever seen. I prefer MailerLite\u2019s templates for quality, though. And it is easier to play around with layouts in its editor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MailerLite\u2019s simplicity means it wins out in other categories, too. Mailchimp has more automation options, but they are pretty complicated. If advanced automated marketing journeys really matter to you, then rather go for a tool like ActiveCampaign<\/a>. If you want to send out emails, with a bit of relatively simple automations MailerLite is a lot more straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Same story with sign-up forms. Mailchimp usability suffers. I have an issue with needing three different form builders, none of which are that great. MailerLite does this simple job well. As it does with contact management. Easy grouping and segmenting options. And I prefer MailerLite\u2019s master list model to Mailchimp\u2019s separate \u2018audiences\u2019. That\u2019s asking for unnecessary duplication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where Mailchimp does win out is the number of integrations on offer with other platforms. MailerLite can’t compete with the 300+ Mailchimp has. And Mailchimp\u2019s customer support.. well it\u2019s there, but don’t expect too much. They both only offer email support for a brief period on their Free plans, which is less than ideal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try Mailerlite for free here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Detailed MailerLite vs Mailchimp Comparison<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So on to the details. Both Mailchimp and MailerLite offer free trials when you sign up. I used both to explore and compare all the main email marketing features. This is what I found out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Sending emails<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"options<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

MailerLite<\/strong> has all the expected options for creating and sending emails. There\u2019s a drag-and-drop editor for building no-code HTML emails. Or if you prefer, a basic text editor like you get in standard email platforms. If you know how to code, you can import HTML emails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you set up a campaign in MailerLite, you can choose from standard sending, or A\/B split testing. You can also set up an RSS feed to automatically turn new content on your blog into an email. Or set up auto-resend emails resend if contacts don\u2019t open an email the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"MailerLite<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

MailerLite has 90 pre-made email templates for its drag-and-drop editor. Sorted into 12 categories. You don\u2019t get any templates on the Free plan. The choices in some categories are better than others. For example, I found 4 newsletter templates, and they were all pretty ordinary. For ecommerce, the 18 available templates were much brighter and more professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pre-formatted<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The best thing about MailerLite\u2019s drag-and-drop editor is the pre-formatted blocks. You can drop straight into any template. They make customizing your own layouts very quick and simple. Another highlight of MailerLite\u2019s email builder is the AI writing assistant. This helps you write headlines, product descriptions, and even full newsletters. What isn\u2019t so great is the fact that you can\u2019t change templates once you have started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mailchimp <\/strong>gives you two email creation options up front. A \u2018Classic\u2019 drag-and-drop editor, and a new AI-powered builder. This pulls in visuals from your own website to create custom graphics. Great for consistent branding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"email<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can send plain text emails in Mailchimp if you prefer. Or code your own designs. But these options are buried in the process and not obvious. For example, to use your own HTML, there\u2019s a Code Your Own tab. To find this you have to start a campaign and then hunt through the Content options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mailchimp doesn\u2019t have the greatest selection of templates in the world. I counted 84 pre-designed \u2018themed\u2019 templates in total. There are fewer on Mailchimp\u2019s Free plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mailchimp<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t like any of the pre-made designs, you can choose from 14 basic templates. Or check out the 99+ best free Mailchimp templates<\/a> for professional designs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mailchimp<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mailchimp\u2019s email editor itself is basic but easy to use. What you can\u2019t do easily is play with different layouts once you\u2019ve chosen your template or outline. It\u2019s all pretty fixed. I do like the fact you can change templates halfway through a design, though. Check out our full Mailchimp review<\/a> to learn more about its email editor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The verdict: MailerLite vs Mailchimp for sending emails<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s little to choose between MailerLite and Mailchimp on sending emails. But MailerLite edges it for me. MailerLite has better-quality templates. But the choice isn\u2019t great on either platform. And I prefer MailerLite\u2019s editor, especially for those handy layout blocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get started with Mailerlite for free<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Automating workflows<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"workflow<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Every MailerLite<\/strong> user can build automated workflows. Even on the Free plan. The workflow editor is basic but easy to use. On the highest tier, you can set up to three triggers or starting points for each workflow. Otherwise, it\u2019s one trigger per automation, which keeps things pretty basic. The triggers available are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n