Brevo
4.4 AI Email & Lifecycle Marketing
Multichannel marketing platform (email, SMS, WhatsApp) priced by sends, not contacts — with Aura AI built in.
Free tier · $9/mo Visit ↗
Mailchimp
The best-known all-in-one email marketing platform, now with Intuit Assist generative AI baked into the editor.
Quick answer
Mailchimp is best for small businesses. It offers a free tier, with paid plans from $13/mo. Its standout strength is generative AI and content optimizer built into the editor; the main trade-off is contact-based pricing scales quickly and counts non-subscribed contacts. Top alternatives: Brevo and MailerLite.
Pricing
Free tier · $13/mo
Free tier
Yes
MaxAEO Score
4.4 /5
Pricing as of June 2026 and may change — verify on the vendor's site. · Data verified 2026-06-03
Pricing plans
| Plan | Price | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 250 contacts, basic email & 1 audience |
| Essentials | $13/mo | Intro rate (first 12 months); scheduling, A/B testing, basic automation |
| Standard | $20/mo | Intro rate; automations, personalization, Content Optimizer & send-time |
| Premium | $350/mo | Intro rate; advanced tools, priority support, built for teams |
Verify pricing on the vendor's site (as of 2026-06-03).
Best for
Small businesses Ecommerce stores Multichannel marketers Teams wanting an all-in-one suite
Why we recommend it
Mailchimp is the most recognizable email marketing platform and a safe all-in-one starting point for small businesses, with a permanent free plan and generative AI (Intuit Assist, Write with AI, Content Optimizer) built into the campaign editor. It covers email, automation, basic multichannel, and reporting in one suite. Its breadth and learning resources make it the default first ESP for many SMBs, with the caveat that contact-based pricing scales noticeably as lists grow.
Our take
Mailchimp remains the most frictionless on-ramp for an SMB sending its first campaigns — the template ecosystem and Intuit Assist in the editor lower the bar a lot. Two honest caveats surfaced while verifying: the public prices ($13/$20/$350) are explicitly '/mo for 12 months' intro rates and the regular renewal price isn't shown, and contact-based billing counts contacts (including non-subscribed), so the bill climbs as your audience grows. Strong for getting started; price it as a growing commitment, not a flat rate.
Key use cases
- Send newsletters and automated customer journeys from one suite
- Draft and rewrite email copy with generative AI in the editor
- Optimize send time and day from historical engagement
- Build predictive segments to target likely buyers
- Run basic multichannel campaigns (email, social, landing pages)
Integrations
Shopify WooCommerce Canva Zapier Square Wix Squarespace Stripe Salesforce WordPress
Pros
- Generative AI and content optimizer built into the editor
- Permanent free plan and huge template/onboarding ecosystem
- All-in-one suite covering email, automation, and basic multichannel
Cons
- Contact-based pricing scales quickly and counts non-subscribed contacts
- Published prices are 12-month intro rates; ongoing cost is higher and less transparent
What to compare
- Broadest brand recognition and template/onboarding ecosystem for SMBs
- Generative AI and content optimization inside the editor
- Contact-based pricing and 12-month intro rates make true ongoing cost less transparent
Mailchimp alternatives
MailerLite
4.6 AI Email & Lifecycle Marketing
Simple, affordable email marketing for creators and small businesses, with an AI writing assistant and smart sending.
Free tier · $10/mo Visit ↗
ActiveCampaign
4.4 AI Email & Lifecycle Marketing
Powerful marketing automation and a light CRM, with predictive sending and an AI automation builder.
$19/mo Visit ↗
Frequently asked questions
Does Mailchimp have a free plan?
Yes — a permanent free plan up to 250 contacts with 1 audience, then Essentials starts at $13/mo. Note that the published prices ($13/$20/$350) are 12-month intro rates; the regular renewal price is higher and not shown upfront.
Is Mailchimp priced by subscribers or all contacts?
By contacts — and its contact count includes non-subscribed contacts, so the bill scales as your audience grows, not just your active subscriber list. Plan tiers step up with both contact count and feature needs.
How much does Mailchimp cost?
Mailchimp starts at $13/mo. A free tier is available to start.
Who is Mailchimp best for?
Mailchimp is best for Small businesses, Ecommerce stores, Multichannel marketers. A typical use: send newsletters and automated customer journeys from one suite.
What are the best Mailchimp alternatives?
Top Mailchimp alternatives include Brevo, MailerLite, ActiveCampaign — compare them on features, pricing, and best-fit use case.
Is Mailchimp worth it?
Generative AI and content optimizer built into the editor, though contact-based pricing scales quickly and counts non-subscribed contacts. It is a strong fit for small businesses.
How visible is your brand in AI search?
Get a free MaxAEO diagnosis of your brand's mention rate, ranking, and sentiment across ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude and more.
Get your free AI visibility report