Moosend vs Mailchimp: Budget Automation vs Brand Recognition

Overview

Moosend offers solid email marketing with automation at competitive prices. Mailchimp is the most recognized brand but costs more. For budget-conscious startups, Moosend is worth comparing.

The quick answer: Moosend offers better value for startups wanting automation on a budget. Mailerlite is another strong budget option. Neither is ideal for SaaS without workarounds.

Key Differences

Pricing

Moosend is significantly cheaper at every tier. At 5,000 contacts, you pay $32/mo vs Mailchimp's $69/mo. The free tier includes 1,000 contacts vs Mailchimp's 500. The savings compound as you scale.

Mailchimp used to compete better on price before reducing their free tier. Now Mailchimp is one of the more expensive options.

Automation

Moosend has solid automation that punches above its price point. Visual workflow builder, triggered sequences, conditional logic. For most startup needs, Moosend automation is sufficient.

Mailchimp automation is adequate but not better than Moosend despite the higher price.

Ecosystem

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

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

Pros and Cons

Who Should Choose What

Choose Moosend if:

• Budget is a primary concern
• You want good automation at low cost
• Essential integrations are sufficient
• You prefer modern interfaces
• You need a generous free tier

Choose Mailchimp if:

• You need specific integrations
• Brand recognition matters
• You are already in the Mailchimp ecosystem
• Budget is not a concern

Consider Sequenzy for SaaS

Neither Moosend nor Mailchimp has native billing integration for SaaS. For startups using Stripe, Polar, Creem, or Dodo, Sequenzy offers automatic billing data sync and revenue attribution that both lack. The pricing is competitive with Moosend while offering SaaS-specific features.

The Bottom Line

Moosend offers better value than Mailchimp for most startups. The pricing difference is significant, and automation is comparable or better. Unless you need Mailchimp's specific integrations, Moosend is the smarter choice.

For SaaS startups, Sequenzy provides billing integration that both platforms lack. Consider your actual needs before defaulting to brand recognition.