Contents
- Free plans
- Mailchimp vs Klaviyo pricing by list size
- Mailchimp in detail
- Klaviyo in detail
- SMS costs
- Feature comparison
- Which should you choose?
- FAQ
Mailchimp vs Klaviyo free plans
Both platforms let you start without paying, and the limits are almost identical, so the free plan rarely decides Mailchimp vs Klaviyo. Mailchimp Free covers up to 250 contacts and 500 monthly sends (250 a day), with 1 user and 1 audience, no automation flows, and email support for the first 30 days. Klaviyo Free covers up to 250 active profiles and 500 email sends a month, plus $5 of mobile messages and $5 of Composer usage, with built-in reporting, web forms, basic segmentation and email support for the first 60 days.
Mailchimp vs Klaviyo pricing by list size
Both tools price by audience size, so cost rises as your list grows. Klaviyo’s own pricing page we could read showed only the Free plan, and Mailchimp’s showed discounted figures tied to 10,000+ contacts, so the list-size table below uses Kanal’s October 2026 comparison. Treat it as indicative and confirm in each vendor’s calculator.
| List size | Klaviyo Email | Mailchimp Essentials | Mailchimp Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | $20 | $13 | $20 |
| 1,000 | $30 | $26.50 | $45 |
| 5,000 | $100 | $75 | $100 |
| 10,000 | $150 | $110 | $135 |
Mailchimp Premium starts at $350 a month per Mailchimp’s page. A separate source (Automation Atlas, updated July 2026) also gives about $20 at 500 and $100 at 5,000 profiles for Klaviyo Email, which agrees with the table. Mailchimp’s page also shows first-12-month discounts (15% off for 10,000+ contacts), so compare renewal prices as well.
Mailchimp in detail
Mailchimp’s plans from its pricing page: Essentials (3 users, 3 audiences, up to 4 flow steps, sends up to 10x contacts), Standard (5 users, up to 200 automation flows, sends 12x contacts, scheduling, branded templates, custom reports and dynamic content) and Premium (unlimited users and audiences, sends 15x contacts, phone and priority support, SSO). Generative AI is a no-cost add-on on Standard and Premium. Essentials and Standard offer a 14-day trial with a payment method required.
Pros
- Lower price on Essentials and Standard at most list sizes.
- Easy for beginners, with broad template and integration coverage.
Cons
- Essentials limits automation to 4 flow steps.
- Overages are charged if you exceed contact or send limits.
Choose Mailchimp if you run newsletters and basic automations. Skip it if you need purchase-level segmentation.
Klaviyo in detail
Klaviyo is built around customer data and ecommerce events. Its Free plan includes web forms, a drag-and-drop editor, basic segmentation and an AI subject line generator, and its page lists product options such as Marketing, Data + Analytics, Service, Composer and Customer Agent. Paid price tiers vary by active profiles and SMS use. Pair it with a store such as Shopify or WooCommerce to use purchase history in segments and flows. If you are weighing it against other tools, see our Klaviyo alternatives guide.
Pros
- Strong ecommerce segmentation and flows.
- Email and SMS under one profile model.
Cons
- Costs climb with active profiles ($100 at 5,000, $150 at 10,000 per the comparison).
- Klaviyo’s own page did not show paid prices when checked.
Choose Klaviyo if you run an online store and revenue per recipient matters. Skip it if you only send newsletters.
SMS costs in Mailchimp vs Klaviyo
Klaviyo’s calculator, as reported by Kanal, showed about $15 a month for 1,000 US SMS from a toll-free number, $70 for 5,000 and $125 for 10,000, including provider fees. Mailchimp lists SMS and MMS as an add-on on paid plans in select countries, and the comparison found no per-message rate on its plan table, so check your account. SMS is where Mailchimp vs Klaviyo bills can diverge most, so price it separately.
Mailchimp vs Klaviyo: key features
| Feature | Mailchimp | Klaviyo |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 250 contacts, 500 sends | 250 profiles, 500 sends |
| Automation | None on Free; 4 steps on Essentials; up to 200 flows on Standard | Ecommerce flows built on event data |
| Segmentation | Standard and up | Core strength, purchase-based |
| Trial | 14 days (Essentials, Standard) | Free plan instead of a trial |
| Support | 24/7 chat and email on paid plans | Email for the first 60 days on Free |
| Best for | Newsletters and small business | Online stores |
Which should you choose in Mailchimp vs Klaviyo?
- Newsletter or service business: Mailchimp Essentials or Standard.
- Online store with repeat customers: Klaviyo, especially if you use SMS and segmentation.
- Tiny list, testing the idea: start on either free plan.
- Looking for other options: see our Klaviyo alternatives and the best email marketing software for small business.
Common Mailchimp vs Klaviyo mistakes
- Comparing first-year promotional prices to full prices.
- Ignoring SMS costs, which can rival the email bill.
- Not counting inactive or unsubscribed profiles when estimating cost.
- Migrating the whole list at once instead of warming up sending.
Related guides: Klaviyo alternatives · Best email marketing software for small business · Marketing and SEO tools
Sources, as read in October 2026: Mailchimp pricing, Klaviyo pricing, Kanal Klaviyo vs Mailchimp comparison and Automation Atlas Klaviyo pricing.
Mailchimp vs Klaviyo: frequently asked questions
Is Mailchimp or Klaviyo better?
In Mailchimp vs Klaviyo, Mailchimp is better for newsletters and simple automations at a lower price, while Klaviyo is better for ecommerce stores that need purchase-based segmentation and SMS.
Is Klaviyo more expensive than Mailchimp?
At the list sizes compared, Klaviyo Email ($20 at 500, $100 at 5,000) costs about the same as Mailchimp Standard and more than Essentials ($13 at 500, $75 at 5,000), per Kanal’s October 2026 comparison.
Do Mailchimp and Klaviyo have free plans?
Yes. Mailchimp Free allows 250 contacts and 500 sends a month, and Klaviyo Free allows 250 active profiles and 500 email sends a month.
How much does Mailchimp Premium cost?
Premium starts at $350 a month according to Mailchimp’s pricing page, with unlimited users, SSO and priority support.
Does Klaviyo include SMS?
Klaviyo’s Free plan includes $5 of mobile messages, and paid SMS is billed by usage. One source reports about $70 for 5,000 US SMS.
Which is better for Shopify stores?
Klaviyo is generally the stronger fit for stores because its flows and segments use purchase data, though Mailchimp also integrates with ecommerce platforms.
Can I switch from Mailchimp to Klaviyo?
Yes. Export your contacts with consent status, rebuild flows one at a time, and warm up sending gradually to protect deliverability.
Does Mailchimp have a free trial?
Essentials and Standard offer a 14-day trial with a payment method required, and Premium offers a one-month trial to qualified customers through sales.
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