Mailchimp vs MailerLite: Which Should You Choose?
Mailchimp and MailerLite are both beginner-friendly but have different pricing and strengths. Here's how they compare for UK small businesses and creators.
Quick verdict
MailerLite offers better value and a cleaner editor for most UK creators and small businesses, with a generous 1,000-subscriber free tier. Mailchimp is the more full-featured, famous platform, but its pricing and feature-gating can frustrate. Choose MailerLite for value and simplicity; choose Mailchimp if you want its ecosystem and familiarity.
Feature and pricing details change; check each provider's website for current information.
Mailchimp is best for
- Teams wanting a large template library and app marketplace
- Non-profits and businesses on a permanent free plan
- Those who value brand familiarity
MailerLite is best for
- Creators, bloggers and consultants wanting value
- Anyone who wants a genuinely easy editor
- Small businesses on a budget
Detailed comparison
| Aspect | Mailchimp | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | Very easy to learn, though the expanded all-in-one interface can feel busy. | MailerLite's drag-and-drop editor is consistently rated among the easiest and fastest to use. |
| Pricing | Per-contact pricing with a permanent free plan; costs rise as the list grows. | Free up to 1,000 subscribers, then per-subscriber paid plans that are usually more affordable at small scale. |
| Automation | Journeys visual builder, with some advanced features gated by plan. | Visual automation builder with welcome/drip sequences; automation steps count separately. |
| Templates | Large template library and drag-and-drop editor. | Clean, responsive template library with an excellent editor. |
| Integrations | Extensive marketplace plus native ecommerce sync. | Central integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce, WordPress) plus API and Zapier. |
| UK suitability | Widely used in the UK with GDPR consent tooling. | GDPR-friendly with consent tools; popular with UK creators. |