MailerLite vs Mailchimp: Is MailerLite Really Cheaper in 2026?

MailerLite is one of the best-kept secrets in email marketing. It's significantly cheaper than Mailchimp at almost every list size — while covering all the features most small businesses actually need. Here's the full breakdown.

The Short Version

If you're currently on Mailchimp and sending a basic newsletter to a few thousand subscribers, switching to MailerLite could cut your bill by 50–70%. The main reason to stay with Mailchimp is if you rely on specific integrations or are deeply embedded in their ecosystem.

Price Comparison by List Size

Prices approximate. MailerLite free plan covers up to 1,000 contacts and 12,000 emails/month.

Free Plans Compared

MailerLite Free: Up to 1,000 contacts, 12,000 emails/month. Includes automation, landing pages, and pop-ups — features Mailchimp locks behind paid plans.

Mailchimp Free: Up to 500 contacts, 1,000 emails/month. Very limited since they cut the contact limit from 2,000 to 500.

What MailerLite Does Better

• Price: Consistently 50–70% cheaper than Mailchimp at every list size
• Free plan: More generous — higher contact limit and includes automation
• Interface: Cleaner and easier to navigate, especially for beginners
• EU data hosting: Lithuania-based, GDPR compliant with DPA — better for European businesses
• Landing pages: Included on all plans, including free

What Mailchimp Does Better

• Integrations: 300+ native integrations vs MailerLite's smaller library
• eCommerce: Deeper Shopify/WooCommerce integration with purchase-based segments
• Brand recognition: Most third-party tools "officially support" Mailchimp first
• Templates: Larger template library with more design variety
• Advanced reporting: More detailed analytics on paid plans

Who Should Use MailerLite?

MailerLite is ideal for:

• Bloggers and newsletter creators on a budget
• European businesses that need GDPR-compliant EU data hosting
• Small businesses sending weekly or monthly campaigns
• Anyone starting out who wants automation without paying for it

Who Should Stick with Mailchimp?

• eCommerce businesses with complex Shopify/WooCommerce workflows
• Teams already deeply integrated with Mailchimp's ecosystem
• Businesses that need a specific integration only Mailchimp supports

Verdict

For the vast majority of small businesses and newsletter creators, MailerLite is the better choice — it's cheaper, easier to use, and more generous with features on the free plan. Mailchimp's higher price buys you a wider integration library, which only matters if you actually need those integrations.