Top Mailchimp Alternatives (with Features & Pricing)

Mailchimp is often the first email marketing tool businesses try — and for good reason. It's user-friendly, well-known, and has a generous free tier for beginners.

But as your business grows, so do your needs. More contacts. More automation. Better deliverability. Greater control over domains. And that’s when Mailchimp can start to feel… limiting.

If you're wondering whether it's time to explore other tools, this guide will walk you through the best alternatives — their pricing, features, and tradeoffs — so you can make an informed decision based on your goals, not just hype.

Why Businesses Move Away From Mailchimp

Before diving into the alternatives, it’s worth quickly covering the common reasons businesses start looking elsewhere:

• Rising costs — especially once you cross the free tier

• Limited automation on lower plans

• Paying for inactive or unsubscribed contacts

• Shared domain reputation affecting deliverability

• Lack of multichannel tools (SMS, WhatsApp, voice)

• Limited CRM integration or segmentation

If you’re hitting one or more of these roadblocks, you’re not alone — and there are some great platforms out there.

11 Alternatives to Mailchimp Worth Considering

Here’s a comparison of leading email marketing platforms (including newer tools and all-in-one systems), with honest pros, cons, and transparent pricing.

💡 Note: Pricing and features are accurate at time of writing (Oct 2025) — always check the vendor’s website for current details.

How to Choose the Right Mailchimp Alternative

The “best” alternative depends entirely on your situation. Here are some questions to guide your thinking:

1. How many contacts do you have now (and expect to have)?

Some platforms charge by contacts, others by email volume. If you’re growing quickly, that affects cost.

2. Do you need more than email?

If you're also planning to use SMS, WhatsApp, or even voice messages, look for platforms that include those (like Brevo or MarketerM8).

3. Do you need a CRM or sales pipeline?

If you're running follow-up campaigns or managing deals, tools like ActiveCampaign or MarketerM8 offer a built-in CRM.

4. How important is design simplicity?

If your focus is beautiful emails without complexity, Flodesk or MailerLite might be enough.

5. Do you sell products online?

Klaviyo and Omnisend shine for eCommerce — with flows like cart abandonment, product recommendations, and order updates.

Pros and Cons of a Few Standouts

Final Thoughts

There’s no universal “best Mailchimp alternative.” Instead, there are different tools for different stages and priorities.

• If you're just starting out or sending a monthly newsletter: MailerLite or Flodesk might be all you need.

• If you’re running a Shopify store or eCommerce brand: Klaviyo or Omnisend is worth exploring.

• If you want powerful automation and CRM in one place: ActiveCampaign or MarketerM8 is worth your time.

• If you're focused on SMS, WhatsApp, and all-in-one simplicity: Brevo or MarketerM8 covers a lot.

You don’t have to rush the decision. What matters is understanding your current needs, your growth goals, and what you’re willing to pay (in both time and money).

👉 Want to See How MarketerM8’s Email & SMS System Actually Works?

If you’re curious about how MarketerM8 (built on HighLevel) handles email marketing, automation, and multichannel campaigns…

Click here to watch our recent HighLevel Simple Email Marketing Workshop »

It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the real platform in action — no sales pitch, just useful insights and live examples.