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Cheaper alternatives to Mailchimp
Updated September 30, 2026 · Researched by the SaveStack team
On this page: Shortlist · Quick comparison · FAQ
The shortlist
Brevo
Email + SMS platform priced per email volume, not contacts. Starter plan includes 5,000 emails/month and 500 contacts for $9/month.
- Pay per email, not per contact
- SMS and WhatsApp built in
- Generous free plan
- Template editor less refined
- Reporting simpler than Mailchimp
- Automation learning curve
KitBest valueFree plan
Creator-focused email platform (formerly ConvertKit). Free plan supports up to 10,000 subscribers; paid Creator plans add automations and monetization.
- Free up to 10,000 subscribers
- Visual automation builder
- Built-in paid newsletters and products
- Paid Creator plan ($33/mo) costs more than Mailchimp Essentials
- Fewer templates than Mailchimp
- No landing pages on free plan
MailerLite
Simple email marketing with a strong free plan (250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month). Paid Comfort plans start at $12/month with automation included.
- Clean, easy editor
- Free plan includes automation basics
- Good deliverability reputation
- Free plan limited to 250 subscribers
- No multivariate testing on lower plans
- Approval process for new accounts
Quick comparison
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | You save | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp (the expensive one) | $13/month (Essentials, 500 contacts) | — | — | Teams that need every bell and whistle |
| Brevo | $9/month (Starter) | — | Save $59/year | Senders who outgrow contact-based pricing. |
| Kit | Free plan ($0) | Yes | Save $156/year | Newsletter creators and bloggers. |
| MailerLite | Free plan ($0) | Yes | Save $156/year | Small lists that want automation cheap. |
Pricing sources: each vendor's official pricing page, last checked September 30, 2026.
FAQ
Why switch away from Mailchimp? Price. If you only use 20% of the features, paying the full sticker price rarely makes sense. For Mailchimp specifically, switching to Kit saves $156/year versus Mailchimp's sticker price.
Are cheaper tools worse? Not necessarily. Most alternatives above cover the core workflow; the Cons lists tell you exactly what you'd give up (usually enterprise extras like SSO, advanced admin, or dedicated support).
Can I switch back later? Yes. Most of these have free plans or trials, so you can test before committing.
Prices checked September 30, 2026 and may have changed. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page.