Mailchimp Review 2026
Turn emails into revenue.
The Verdict
Mailchimp is the most well-known email marketing platform in the world, and for many small businesses, it's the first (and only) email tool they'll ever use. The free plan, brand recognition, and ease of use make it an easy first choice.
For basic email marketing — newsletters, announcements, simple automations — Mailchimp is perfectly adequate. The template library is extensive, the drag-and-drop editor works well, and integrations with virtually every other business tool exist.
But Mailchimp has been trying to be more than email for years, adding websites, social media management, CRM, and more. This feature sprawl has made the platform feel bloated, and pricing has become increasingly confusing and expensive as you grow past the free tier.
✓Pros
- +Easy to start
- +Integrates with everything
- +Beautiful templates
✕Cons
- −Pricing gets steep
- −Interface has become cluttered
Pricing & Plans
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | 500 contacts · Email support |
Who Should Use Mailchimp
- →Small businesses sending monthly newsletters or promotional emails to modest subscriber lists.
- →Organizations already using Mailchimp who don't have a compelling reason to switch.
- →Users who need extensive third-party integrations — Mailchimp integrates with virtually everything.
- →Non-technical users who want familiar, intuitive email campaign building.
Who Should NOT Use Mailchimp
- ✕Growing businesses with 5,000+ subscribers — Mailchimp's pricing gets expensive and competitors offer better value.
- ✕Creators who need sophisticated automation — ConvertKit or ActiveCampaign are substantially more capable.
- ✕Anyone who needs advanced segmentation and personalization at scale.
What to Consider
- ●The free plan supports 500 contacts and 1,000 sends/month — significantly reduced from previous limits.
- ●Pricing jumps are steep: the Standard plan starts at $20/mo for 500 contacts but scales rapidly.
- ●Mailchimp's CRM, website builder, and social tools are mediocre — stick to it for email only.
- ●Importing contacts who haven't opted in can get your account suspended quickly.
Conclusion
Mailchimp is a solid email marketing platform that works well for basic needs. If you're sending monthly newsletters to a small list, it's a fine choice.
But if email marketing is a core growth channel for your business, you'll likely outgrow Mailchimp and want something more powerful and better priced.
Try Mailchimp →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mailchimp free?
At a Glance
- Free Plan
- Yes
- Skill Level
- Beginner
- Best For
- newsletterssmall businessecommerce