Kit vs. Mailchimp: Pros, Cons and Costs

If you’re a creator trying to choose between Kit (formerly ConvertKit) and Mailchimp, you’re not alone. As someone who’s worked in the digital strategy space for over 20 years, I’ve tried and tested just about every email platform out there — and I’ve had this conversation more times than I can count.

The biggest issue I’ve seen over the years? If software feels too hard to use (or if you need to hire a specialist to use it), you’re probably not going to use it as much as you need to. And with email marketing, it’s usually a matter of sending more emails to generate more revenue.

Choosing the right email marketing platform isn’t just a simple tech decision — it’s a growth decision. The platform you pick will shape how you connect with your audience, how efficiently you run campaigns, and how much you pay as your list grows.

Two of the most talked-about tools in this space are Kit (formerly ConvertKit) and Mailchimp. Both help you send newsletters, automate follow-ups, and track engagement — but they’re built with very different users in mind.

In this guide, we’ll compare Kit vs Mailchimp feature by feature, break down the pros and cons of each, and give you a clear comparison for 2025. Whether you’re a creator, small business owner, solopreneur, or practitioner like a therapist, you’ll walk away knowing exactly which tool fits your needs.

TDLR: while both tools have their strengths, one of them stands out when it comes to ease of use, automation, and actually growing your business as a creator. (My recommendation is to use Kit, and yes, I’m an Kit affiliate — because I use it for myself and for many of my clients.)

What’s the best email platform for creators and solopreneurs?

Mailchimp has evolved into more of a general-purpose marketing platform, often geared toward small businesses, product-based shops, or companies with in-house marketing teams. It’s powerful, but it can also feel bloated and hard to use if all you really want to do is send emails, build an audience, and sell a few digital products.

Kit is made specifically for creators—people like writers, educators, coaches, and podcasters. If you’re building an audience around your content or want to sell digital products, online courses, or paid subscriptions, Kit is purpose-built for that. Kit positions itself as the email marketing platform designed specifically for creators, bloggers, and online course creators. Since rebranding from ConvertKit in 2023, Kit has maintained its focus on simplicity and creator-friendly features.

What’s the user experience like?

Mailchimp has a lot of bells and whistles, but the dashboard can feel a little overwhelming—especially when you’re just trying to set up a simple sequence or tag a subscriber. The constant upsells and layered menus can slow you down if you’re not using all of its features.

Kit keeps things clean and creator-friendly. The interface is easy to navigate, and I love how simple it is to tag subscribers, build automations, and create custom pathways based on what your audience actually wants. There’s less friction and more flow.

What’s it going to cost you?

While you may be tempted to choose on or the other tool because it has a lower cost plan, you’ll want to really consider how limited you may be in terms of sending the emails you need to send and the potential for growth.

Kit operates on a subscriber-based pricing model with three main tiers:

Kit Free Plan:
– Up to 10,000 subscribers
– Unlimited email sends
– Basic email templates
– Landing pages and forms
– Limited automation features

Kit Creator Plan: (I recommend starting with this one to have the most features while growing your list)
– Starts around $15-25/month for up to 1,000 subscribers
– Advanced automations
– Third-party integrations
– Commerce features
– Priority support

Creator Pro Plan: (this is the plan I use for myself – I love the advanced features and capabilites)
– Starts around $50+/month
– Advanced reporting and analytics
– Subscriber scoring
– Advanced segmentation
– Facebook custom audiences

Mailchimp Pricing Structure

Mailchimp’s pricing has become notably more expensive in recent years, with costs based on contact count:

Free Plan:
– Up to 500 contacts (reduced from previous limits)
– 1,000 email sends per month
– Basic templates and automation
– Limited support

Essentials Plan:
– Starts around $13/month for 500 contacts
– 24/7 support
– A/B testing

Standard Plan:
– Starts around $20/month for 500 contacts
– Advanced audience insights
– Retargeting ads
– Custom templates

Once you start adding more contacts, the cost quickly ramps up. 5000 contacts turns into $100 a month on the standard plan.

Strengths of Mailchimp and Kit

Kit Strengths:
– Clean, intuitive email editor optimized for content creators
– Strong focus on newsletter-style emails
– Excellent deliverability rates
– Simple automation workflows
– Built-in creator economy features

Mailchimp Strengths:
– Comprehensive template library
– Advanced design customization options
– Robust A/B testing capabilities
– Sophisticated segmentation tools
– Multi-channel marketing beyond email

Automation and Workflows

Kit’s Approach:
Kit excels in simplicity with its visual automation builder. The platform makes it easy to create sequences for welcome series, product launches, and subscriber nurturing. The automation focuses on creator-specific needs like course sales and content delivery.

Mailchimp’s Approach:
Mailchimp offers more complex automation possibilities with its Customer Journey Builder. While powerful, it can be overwhelming for beginners but provides advanced marketers with extensive customization options.

Integration Capabilities

Kit Integrations:
– Strong integrations with creator-focused tools
– Seamless WordPress integration
– E-commerce platforms like Shopify
– Course platforms and membership sites
– Limited third-party app ecosystem compared to Mailchimp

Mailchimp Integrations:
– Extensive app marketplace with 300+ integrations
– Deep integration with major e-commerce platforms
– CRM and sales tools
– Social media platforms
– Advanced API capabilities

Target Audience Analysis

Choose Kit If You Are:
– A blogger, podcaster, or content creator
– Selling digital products or online courses
– Building a newsletter-focused business
– Preferring simplicity over advanced features

Choose Mailchimp If You Are:
– Running an e-commerce business
– Need advanced segmentation and targeting
– Requiring multi-channel marketing capabilities
– Managing complex customer journeys

Pros and Cons of Kit (ConvertKit)

Pros
– Creator-focused design.
– Simple, clean interface.
– Flexible tagging system.
– Strong automation builder.
– No send limits.

Cons
– Limited design templates.
– Fewer native integrations.
– Basic analytics.

Pros and Cons of Mailchimp

Pros
– Large template library.
– Broad integrations.
– Advanced analytics.
– Robust automation (higher tiers).
– Scalable for multi-channel marketing.

Cons
– List-based billing increases costs.
– Steeper learning curve.
– Advanced features locked behind higher plans.
– Send limits on lower tiers.

Performance and Deliverability

Both platforms maintain strong deliverability rates, though Kit has built a particular reputation for excellent inbox placement. Kit’s focus on creator content often results in higher engagement rates, while Mailchimp’s advanced features can help optimize delivery for larger, more complex campaigns.

User Experience and Learning Curve

Kit prioritizes user-friendliness with a clean, straightforward interface that most users can master quickly. The platform’s creator-focused design makes common tasks intuitive.

Mailchimp offers more powerful features but comes with a steeper learning curve. While the interface has improved over time, new users often find it overwhelming initially.

Making Your Decision: Cost-Benefit Analysis

For Small Creators (Under 5,000 Subscribers):
Kit offers better value with its generous free plan and creator-focused features. The platform’s simplicity and fair pricing make it ideal for growing creators.

For Medium Businesses (5,000-25,000 Subscribers):
The choice depends on your needs. Kit remains cost-effective for content-focused businesses, while Mailchimp may justify its higher costs if you need advanced segmentation and multi-channel marketing.

Final Recommendation

Choose Kit if: You’re a creator, blogger, or online course seller who values simplicity, fair pricing, and creator-focused features. Kit excels for businesses built around content and community.

Choose Mailchimp if: You need comprehensive marketing automation, advanced segmentation capabilities, or multi-channel marketing features. It’s ideal for e-commerce businesses and companies requiring complex customer journey mapping.

Both platforms serve their target audiences well, but the key is understanding which audience you belong to. Consider starting with free trials of both platforms to experience their interfaces and features firsthand before making your final decision.

Remember that your choice isn’t permanent—both platforms offer migration services to help you switch if your needs change as your business grows.

*This comparison is based on current pricing and features as of 2025. Both platforms regularly update their offerings, so verify current details on their official websites before making your final decision.*

• Is Kit better than Mailchimp?
  It depends on your needs. Kit is better for creators, coaches, and service providers who want simple email automation, flexible tagging, and unlimited sends. Mailchimp is better for small businesses and e-commerce brands that need advanced templates, broad integrations, and detailed analytics.
• Can you migrate from Mailchimp to Kit?
  Yes. Both platforms allow you to export your subscriber list from Mailchimp and import it into Kit. You can also recreate your email sequences in Kit’s automation builder. To ensure a smooth migration, clean your list first to avoid transferring inactive subscribers.
• Which is cheaper, Kit or Mailchimp?
  For lists over 1,000 subscribers, Kit often offers more predictable pricing, especially if you send frequent campaigns. Mailchimp can be cheaper for small lists but becomes more expensive at higher subscriber counts — particularly on higher tiers
• Does Kit have more automation than Mailchimp?
  Kit’s automation builder is easier to use and unlimited on all paid plans, making it a great choice for creators. Mailchimp has more advanced automation triggers, but these are only available on higher-priced plans.
• Can small businesses use Kit or Mailchimp?
  Both platforms work well for service providers, therapists, coaches, and other practitioners. Kit is ideal for building trust through simple, personal emails, while Mailchimp is better if you need professional, branded designs and appointment booking integrations.

Heads up – I’m a long-time happy user and affiliate for Kit*. As an affiliate, I will earn a referral fee if you purchase it through my link. This has no extra cost for you. I only recommend those services that I actually use in my own business.