Mailchimp vs Mailerlite: Brand Recognition vs Budget Value

Overview

Mailchimp is the most recognized email marketing brand. Mailerlite offers similar features at a fraction of the cost. For budget-conscious startups, this comparison matters.

The quick answer: Mailerlite offers better value for most startups. Mailchimp makes sense only if you need its specific integrations or brand recognition matters.

Key Differences

Pricing

Mailerlite wins on pricing at every tier. The free tier includes 1,000 contacts vs Mailchimp's 500. At 5,000 contacts, you are paying $39/mo vs $69/mo with Mailchimp. The savings add up quickly.

Mailchimp used to have a generous free tier of 2,000 contacts. They reduced it to 500, making the free tier much less useful for growing startups.

User Experience

Mailerlite has a cleaner, more modern interface. Navigation is intuitive. For startups without a dedicated marketing person, Mailerlite is easier to learn.

Mailchimp has accumulated features over the years, making the interface feel cluttered. Finding specific settings can be frustrating.

Integrations

Mailchimp has the widest integration ecosystem. Nearly every tool connects with Mailchimp. If you need a specific integration, Mailchimp probably has it.

Mailerlite has fewer integrations but covers the essentials. For most startups, the integrations available are sufficient.

Pros and Cons

Who Should Choose What

Choose Mailchimp if:

• You need a specific integration only Mailchimp has
• Brand recognition matters for your use case
• You are already invested in the Mailchimp ecosystem
• Budget is not a primary concern

Choose Mailerlite if:

• Budget is a priority
• You want a cleaner interface
• You need a better free tier
• Essential integrations are sufficient

Consider Sequenzy Instead

If you are a SaaS startup, neither Mailchimp nor Mailerlite has native billing integration. Sequenzy offers what both lack: native Stripe, Polar, Creem, and Dodo integration with revenue attribution. For SaaS, Sequenzy is worth the comparison.

The Bottom Line

For most startups, Mailerlite offers better value than Mailchimp. The pricing difference is significant, and the features are comparable. Unless you have a specific reason to choose Mailchimp, Mailerlite is the smarter choice.

For SaaS startups specifically, consider Sequenzy for billing integration that neither platform offers.