By Farhan Hirsi · Updated October 2026 · This article may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Mailchimp is the most famous name in email marketing, used by millions of businesses. But is it still worth it in 2026, after big changes to its free plan and pricing? In this Mailchimp review we cover current prices, features, pros and cons, and the best alternatives.
Quick verdict
Mailchimp is a powerful, polished all-in-one platform with great templates, integrations and reporting. However, it has become expensive, it counts unsubscribed contacts toward your bill, and the free plan is now very limited. Small businesses on a budget often get better value elsewhere.
| Best for | Growing businesses that want polished design, integrations and reporting |
| Free plan | Yes: 250 contacts, 500 emails/month |
| Paid plans | Essentials from $13/month, Standard from $20/month, Premium from $350/month |
| Standout features | Templates, integrations, analytics, AI tools |
| Main drawback | High price as lists grow; unsubscribed contacts count toward billing |
What is Mailchimp?
Mailchimp, owned by Intuit, is an all-in-one marketing platform for email, automation (“Customer Journeys”), landing pages, forms, social ads and basic CRM features. It’s known for its friendly design and huge library of integrations.
Mailchimp pricing 2026
Mailchimp prices depend on your plan and number of contacts. According to the official pricing page and EmailToolTester’s price analysis (monthly billing):
| Plan | 500 contacts | ~5,000 contacts | Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 (250 contacts) | – | 1 |
| Essentials | $13/month | $75/month | 3 |
| Standard | $20/month | $100/month | 5 |
| Premium | $350/month | $350/month | Unlimited |
- Free plan reduced in 2026: now 250 contacts and 500 emails per month (max 250 per day), without scheduling or automated campaigns.
- Unsubscribed contacts count: Mailchimp bills based on all contacts in your audience, so clean your list regularly to control costs.
- Send limits: Essentials allows 10× your contact count per month, Standard 12× and Premium 15×.
- Discounts: introductory and annual discounts are sometimes offered; nonprofits may qualify for a discount.
Key features
Email editor and templates
Mailchimp’s editor and template library are among the best: modern, mobile-friendly and easy to brand. Standard adds custom-coded templates and dynamic content.
Automation (Customer Journeys)
A visual builder for welcome series, abandoned carts, re-engagement and date-based emails. Essentials is limited to a few steps per flow; Standard unlocks up to 200 flows and more complex journeys.
Integrations and ecommerce
With hundreds of integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce, WordPress, Canva, Zapier and more), Mailchimp fits into almost any tech stack, with product recommendations and purchase tracking.
AI and analytics
Mailchimp includes AI tools for content and subject lines, send-time optimization on higher plans, and some of the best reporting in its class, including benchmarking against your industry.
Landing pages, forms and SMS
Create forms and landing pages to grow your list (see our list-building guide), and add SMS marketing on paid plans in supported countries.
Ease of use and support
Mailchimp is easy to start with and well designed, though its many features can feel overwhelming. Support is limited on the free plan; paid plans get email and chat support, and Premium includes phone and priority support.
Mailchimp review: pros and cons
Pros
- Excellent templates and editor
- Huge integration library
- Strong reporting and AI tools
- Well-known, reliable platform
- Free plan to get started
Cons
- Expensive as your list grows
- Unsubscribed contacts count toward billing
- Free plan heavily reduced
- Advanced automation needs Standard or higher
- Phone support only on Premium
Who should use Mailchimp?
Choose Mailchimp if you want a polished, well-known platform with great design, lots of integrations and detailed reporting, and your budget can handle the price.
Look elsewhere if you are on a tight budget or have a large list (try Brevo or MailerLite), or you need advanced CRM automation (try ActiveCampaign).
Mailchimp alternatives
- MailerLite: similar ease of use at a much lower price.
- Brevo: pay per email sent; ideal for big lists.
- Constant Contact: phone support on all plans and event tools.
- GetResponse: email plus webinars, funnels and courses.
Compare them all in our email marketing software reviews.
Mailchimp FAQ
Is Mailchimp still free?
Yes, but the free plan is small: up to 250 contacts and 500 emails per month (250 per day), without scheduling or automated campaigns.
How much does Mailchimp cost?
Essentials starts at $13/month and Standard at $20/month for 500 contacts; at around 5,000 contacts they cost about $75 and $100 per month. Premium starts at $350/month.
Does Mailchimp charge for unsubscribed contacts?
Yes. Mailchimp counts all contacts in your audience, including unsubscribed ones, toward your plan, so it’s worth archiving or removing them regularly.
Is Mailchimp good for beginners?
Yes. It’s easy to learn and well designed, but beginners on a budget may find cheaper alternatives such as MailerLite or Brevo better value.
Final verdict: is Mailchimp worth it in 2026?
To sum up this Mailchimp review: Mailchimp is still one of the most capable and polished email platforms, with standout templates, integrations and analytics. But for many small businesses it’s no longer the best value. Compare its price at your list size with MailerLite and Brevo before you commit.
See Mailchimp’s current pricing →
Pricing and features were checked against Mailchimp’s official website and independent sources in October 2026 and may change. Always confirm current prices before buying.
