Mailchimp vs Klaviyo
Last updated July 6, 2026
Deciding between Mailchimp and Klaviyo? Here's how they stack up on price, fit and migration effort — so you can pick the right email marketing tool without second-guessing.
Pricing disclaimer: All prices are list prices in USD, shown for general information only as of July 6, 2026, and may have changed since. Plans, tiers and features vary by region and are frequently updated by each vendor. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice — always confirm current pricing and terms on the provider's official website before you buy.
| Mailchimp | Klaviyo | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free (paid from ~$13/mo) | Free |
| Free tier | — | Yes |
| Best for | Established users on its plans | E-commerce brands (Shopify, etc.) that live and die by email/SMS revenue. |
| Migration effort | — | Moderate |
| Rating | — | 4.4 ★ |
Why teams switch from Mailchimp
- ✕Pricing is billed by number of contacts — costs balloon as your list grows, even if you email rarely.
- ✕It counts unsubscribed and inactive contacts toward your paid limit on some plans.
- ✕Repeated price increases and feature gating into higher tiers.
- ✕The free plan was cut back, and automation depth trails specialists.
Where Klaviyo wins
- ✓Best-in-class for online stores
- ✓Powerful behavioral data & segmentation
- ✓Strong revenue tracking
…and where it doesn't
- ✕Gets expensive as profiles grow
- ✕Overkill for non-e-commerce
- ✕Steeper to learn
The verdict on Klaviyo
Klaviyo is the specialist for one specific Mailchimp refugee: the e-commerce store. Its deep integrations with Shopify and other platforms, behavioral segmentation, and revenue attribution are built around driving store sales through email and SMS — far beyond what Mailchimp offers online sellers. There's a free tier up to 250 profiles, but costs climb as your profile count grows, and it's overkill (and pricey) for anyone not running a store. For an online brand whose email is a revenue engine, though, Klaviyo is the clear step up from Mailchimp, and it imports contacts and integrates with your store quickly.
Try Klaviyo freeWhat real users say: Mailchimp vs Klaviyo
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Frequently asked questions
Is Klaviyo cheaper than Mailchimp?
Klaviyo starts at Free, including a free tier, compared with Mailchimp from Free (paid from ~$13/mo). Free up to 250 profiles. Email plan from $20/mo, Email + SMS from $35/mo (verified Jul 6, 2026), scaling with profiles.
Is it hard to migrate from Mailchimp to Klaviyo?
Migration difficulty is rated Moderate. For an online brand whose email is a revenue engine, though, Klaviyo is the clear step up from Mailchimp, and it imports contacts and integrates with your store quickly.
Who should choose Klaviyo over Mailchimp?
Klaviyo is best for: E-commerce brands (Shopify, etc.) that live and die by email/SMS revenue. If that describes your situation, it's a strong Mailchimp alternative.
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