Mailchimp Review and verdict 2026

Mailchimp is often the first email marketing tool you come across: visual interface, ready-made templates, drag-and-drop editor. To launch a newsletter, send a campaign or automate a few welcome emails, it's simple and reassuring. The free tier up to 500 contacts lets you start without paying anything.

The problem comes with growth. Pricing is indexed on the number of contacts, and it climbs fast: what seemed affordable at 500 subscribers becomes expensive at a few thousand, especially since Mailchimp also counts unsubscribed contacts on some plans. For many, the value for money degrades beyond a small list.

Who it suits: someone starting out who wants a simple tool for a modest list. Once you grow or do serious automation, alternatives like Brevo (more generous free tier) or Kit (formerly ConvertKit, built for creators) often offer better value. Mailchimp remains a good starting point, rarely the finish line.