In this detailed comparison, we put ConvertKit and Mailchimp head-to-head. Our table gives you a side-by-side overview of these two platforms, so you can see how each stacks up in terms of features, usability and overall value.
Pricing
Both ConvertKit and Mailchimp offer flexible pricing structures that start with free options, making them accessible for new users or small projects without the need for any initial investment. However, as your audience grows, so will your expenses on both platforms.
ConvertKit provides pricing for up to 400,000 subscribers, after which you’ll need to contact the company for a custom price; with Mailchimp, pricing is provided for up to 200,000 contacts before entering custom price territory. While Mailchimp’s higher-tier plans are more costly at a glance, they do include a broader range of advanced marketing tools than those offered by ConvertKit, which, depending on your needs, may justify the higher cost.
Email Automation and Personalization
ConvertKit’s Visual Automations tool lets you automate your email sequences, so you can send out emails based on subscriber activities such as joining your email list or purchasing a product. The platform also supports A/B testing, enabling you to send or use two variants (for example, in an email or on a landing page) to see which variant performs better.
With Mailchimp, you get a more comprehensive set of automation features that let you build unique customer journeys, send personalized emails based on account and transaction activities and retarget ads. The platform supports both A/B testing and multivariate testing (which lets you test multiple elements at once), for more in-depth performance analytics.
Segmentation
ConvertKit lets you organize and sort your subscribers with an easy-to-use tagging and segmenting system. By tagging subscribers when they interact with your content, make a purchase or sign up for your newsletter, you can send more targeted emails that better match subscriber interests.
Mailchimp offers more feature-rich segmentation tools that let you go deeper by analyzing your audience’s behavior through advanced data, such as their past purchase behavior and predictions about what they might do or purchase next. This level of segmentation can be particularly useful if you have varied audiences and want to send very specific marketing messages.
Integrations
With ConvertKit, you get access to integrations that let you smoothly integrate your email marketing with platforms such as Shopify and Teachable, so you can manage your products and subscriber lists all in one place. The platform also offers an API for custom integrations, which can be particularly useful if your specific need isn’t covered by one of their off-the-shelf integrations.
Mailchimp boasts a broader range of integrations, with support for over 300 apps and services. It’s an extensive network that includes major CRM systems, social media platforms, e-commerce solutions and analytics services, making it a good fit if you’re implementing varied marketing strategies involving multiple platforms.
Analytics and Reporting
ConvertKit keeps analytics simple and straightforward with essential metrics such as open rates and engagement, so you can track the effectiveness of your campaigns and adjust your strategies as needed. Advanced reports such as email deliverability are also available, so you can monitor how well your emails are reaching subscribers’ inboxes.
With Mailchimp, you get a more advanced suite of analytics tools, giving you access to insights that include not just basic performance metrics but also a detailed analysis into campaign performance, behavioral targeting and subscriber preferences. This makes it a good option if you’re looking to use your data as a tool to optimize your marketing strategies.
Marketing Channels
ConvertKit lets you easily manage email campaigns and create landing pages, making it a solid choice if you’re focused on growing your subscriber list or promoting products with webpage content.
Mailchimp, on the other hand, equips you for broader marketing efforts, letting you adopt a multichannel approach that includes not only emails and landing pages, but also social media, online ads and direct mail postcards, so you can connect with your audience across a wide variety of marketing channels.
