Email marketing in 2025 remains one of the most powerful digital marketing tools. Whether a blog, an online store, or small business, an email list can be a powerful resource. Two of the most recognizable brands in the email marketing industry are ConvertKit and Mailchimp. So, how do you know what one is right for your business?
In this comprehensive review, we’ll be comparing ConvertKit vs Mailchimp: Which Email Marketing Platform Best Suits You in 2025?, comparing features, pricing, ease of use, automation, integration, analytics, customer service, and value in providing you with the perfect choice.
Introduction
Email marketing is no longer about blasting out a weekly or monthly newsletter. It’s now about segmenting audiences, personalizing messages, building relationships, and conversion-driving. Both ConvertKit and Mailchimp have been around for years as leading industry options, but they appeal to somewhat different audiences and requirements.
By the time you complete this article, you will have a clear idea of what platform suits your business objectives in 2025.
Overview of ConvertKit
ConvertKit was built for creators — bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, and online educators — with a focus on simplicity and automation, allowing creators to cultivate meaningful subscriber connections.
Key Features
- Subscriber list based on tags
- Sophisticated workflow automation
- Landing page and form builder
- Creator-focused Integrations (Teachable, Patreon, Podia)
- Basic email designer dedicated to text-based emails
- Subscriber segmentation and tagging
- Commerce capabilities (offer digital items, memberships)
Strengths
- Intuitive automation
- Simple, clean interface
- Strong emphasis on creators
- Unrestricted emails on every plan
Weaknesses
- Not ideal for big e-commerce businesses
- Less variety of templates than Mailchimp
Overview of Mailchimp
Mailchimp has existed since the year 2001 and is one of the most established names in the business of email marketing. It caters to a broad business spectrum, from enterprises up to and beyond startup level, with powerful e-commerce, marketing automation, and analysis tools.
Main Features
- List-based subscriber system
- Drag-and-drop email builder
- Large library of templates
- Advanced A/B testing
- Marketing CRM and customer journey builder
- Website building and commerce tools
- Social media and ad integrations
Strengths
- Broad feature set for a range of business types
- Strong e-commerce integrations (BigCommerce, Shopify, WooCommerce)
- Strong reporting and analysis
- Range of design templates
Weaknesses
- May be overwhelming for beginners
- Costs climb as your list increases
Pricing Comparison
ConvertKit Pricing (2025)
- Free Plan: 1,000 subscribers or less, unlimited emails, basic sequences
- Creator Plan: $15/month for up to 300 subscribers, advanced automation, integrations, reporting
- Creator Pro: $29/month, advanced reporting, referral system for newsletters, subscriber scoring
Mailchimp Pricing (2025)
- Free Plan: 500 or fewer subscribers, 1,000 emails/month, basic templates, one-step automation
- Essentials: $13/month for up to 500 contacts, A/B testing, custom branding
- Standard: $20/month, advanced automations, behaviorally targeted, customized templates
- Premium: $350/month, advanced segmenting, multivariate testing, phone support
Winner on Pricing
For small businesses and automation creators, however, especially with the new upgrades, ConvertKit provides better value at the lower prices. Larger businesses, with advanced functionality and e-commerce features, might justify the expense for Mailchimp, though.
Email Designs and Templates
ConvertKit
ConvertKit values simplicity, preferring plain-text and no-fuss designs in order to boost deliverability and sincerity. You’ll not discover over-the-top templates, but clean, mobile-optimized designs for the job instead.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp has exceptional design capabilities with hundreds of templates and a drag-and-drop editor. It’s ideal for companies who desire eye-catching, branded emails.
Winner in Design
Mailchimp are the winners when design flexibility trumps everything else, while ConvertKit are yours if text-heavy communication and minimalism are your priorities.
Automation Features
ConvertKit
- Visual automation designer
- Event-based triggers and actions
- Branching conditionally
- Sophisticated segmentation
- Creator tool integrations (Teachable, Podia, etc.)
Mailchimp
- Customer journey builder
- Behavioural targeting
- Abandoned shopping cart emails
- Product recommendations
- Multichannel automations (email, advertisements, social)
Winner on Automation
For creators, the simplicity and singular focus of ConvertKit cannot be matched. For companies with intricate sales funnels, Mailchimp provides more advanced, cross-channel automation.
Integrations
ConvertKit Integrations
- Teachable, Podia, Thinkific
- Shopify (through Zapier)
- Stripe, PayPal (direct sales)
- Zapier for integrating with thousands of applications
Mailchimp Integrations
- Native Integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce
- Social Media Marketing, Instagram, Google Ads
- Salesforce, HubSpot, Magento
- Large marketplace of third-party tools
Winner on Integrations
Mailchimp has a greater number of direct integrations, primarily for paid media and e-commerce.
Analytics and Reporting
ConvertKit
- Initial open and clicking rates
- Subscriber growth tracking
- Tag and segment performance
- Restricted A/B testing (only subject lines)
Mailchimp
- Advanced email analytics
- A/B testing and multivariate testing
- Revenue tracking for online commerce
- Audience insights and engagement metrics
- Detailed reporting dashboards
Winner in Analytics
Mailchimp offers richer, more advanced analytics, especially for larger businesses.
Customer Support
ConvertKit Support
- Email and live chat assistance
- Extensive knowledge base
- Workshops and community forums
- Personalized assistance for Creator Pro users
Mailchimp Support
- Live chat and email (paid subscriptions)
- Phone assistance (Premium subscription only)
- Extensive help desk and knowledge base
- Onboarding resources and tutorials
Winner on Support
Both have good support, but ConvertKit tends to be more personal, particularly for creators, while Mailchimp supports larger businesses on a larger scale.
Who Should Opt for ConvertKit?
Select ConvertKit if you are:
- Content creator, blogger, or online instructor
- Dedicated to content marketing and building a community
- Interested in offering digital products or memberships
- Seeking straightforward, effective automation with a low learning curve
- Desiring open, fair prices as you develop
Who Should Use Mailchimp?
Select Mailchimp if you are:
- An online business or online store
- Interested in multi-channel marketing (email & ads & social)
- Require advanced design flexibility and A/B testing
- Seeking solid analytics and e-commerce reporting
- Desiring wide-ranging integrations with leading platforms
Conclusion: ConvertKit vs Mailchimp: What Email Marketing Tool Suits You Best in 2025?
The best platform depends on your specific needs:
- For bloggers, digital entrepreneurs, and creators, ConvertKit provides a straightforward, streamlined platform designed to assist you in building your audience and income without unnecessary complexity.
- For larger businesses and marketing agencies, as well as for e-commerce brands, Mailchimp offers a feature-packed environment with advanced analytics, design freedom, and multichannel marketing capabilities.
In most scenarios, the perfect solution may indeed be combining the two tools strategically, based on your campaigns and audience segments.
Closing Tip
Whether the tool used, always keep in mind that success relies on providing value for your subscribers. Prioritize building a relationship, providing relevant content, and optimally utilizing emails based on insights gleaned from data.
