Mailchimp has long stood as a popular email marketing tool, often chosen for its ease of use and broad range of features. Yet, no one size fits all when selecting the right email marketing software.
While Mailchimp has been the go-to choice for many, there is a world of best Mailchimp alternatives that could be a better fit for your company. These alternatives offer a variety of features that range from unlimited contacts and unlimited emails to specialized tools like landing page builders and signup forms. They provide the flexibility to scale email campaigns, refine email sequences, and enhance email analytics—all without being tethered to contact limits or emails per month restrictions.
In this guide, we’ll explore these best Mailchimp alternatives by highlighting the options available. Whether you’re a content creator looking to sell more digital products, an e-commerce business aiming to send out more personalized product recommendations, or a growing enterprise in need of sophisticated automation tools, there’s a platform tailored to your needs.
What to look for in a Mailchimp alternative
As you evaluate the best Mailchimp alternative for your business, there are several key factors to consider. Your business’s unique needs will dictate the features you should prioritize.
Businesses focusing on e-commerce may be looking for robust automation capabilities to send out timely cart emails or personalized product recommendations.
A service-based enterprise might value better CRM capabilities to track client interactions more efficiently.
Advanced email marketing campaigns are the backbone of your marketing success. Here are a few features to look for when considering an email alternative:
- Versatile drag-and-drop email editor: This simplifies creating visually compelling emails, while a rich selection of landing page templates can help you capture more subscriber lists through effective sign-up forms. Content creators might find a robust visual builder essential for designing engaging content without needing a plethora of stock photos or a credit card to purchase extra features.
- Scalability: Your chosen email marketing solution should not only meet your current needs but also grow with your business. Look for options that offer a monthly subscription or an annual subscription that makes sense for your budget, with the ability to scale up to a standard plan or even an enterprise plan as your subscriber list expands.
- Split testing, drip campaigns, and comprehensive email analytics: These tools help fine-tune your strategies and understand your audience better, enabling you to craft email sequences that resonate with your users.
- Integrations: Your new platform should ideally offer native integrations with your existing tools or third-party integrations to connect with new services easily. E-commerce integrations, for example, allow you to seamlessly link with your online store to track customer behavior and send targeted email campaigns.
Remember, the goal here isn’t to prescribe a one-size-fits-all solution but to empower you with the knowledge to choose an email platform that serves as a catalyst for growth and innovation. Keep in mind that each feature should align with your overarching goals, helping you connect with your audience in the most effective and engaging way possible.
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign stands out as an alternative to Mailchimp because of its advanced automation. ActiveCampaign’s automation capabilities go beyond what’s typically expected in email marketing tools. Notably, its automation workflow builder allows businesses to create complex, multi-step automation sequences based on user actions, site visits, and more.
ActiveCampaign’s stand-out features:
- Omnichannel approach: ActiveCampaign’s automation feature doesn’t just apply to email either, it’s a strong player for omnichannel marketing. It encompasses SMS, a sales CRM, and site messages, ensuring a comprehensive and unified automation strategy.
- AI content creation: ActiveCampaign includes an AI content generator, which assists in predicting the ideal content for different customer segments, further amplifying your email automation efforts.
- Scalability: The platform is also designed with scalability in mind, making it an ideal choice for businesses anticipating growth. The CRM features of ActiveCampaign are more robust than Mailchimp’s, allowing for more nuanced customer tracking and lead scoring.
- Deliverability: In Emailtooltester’s 2024 deliverability test, ActiveCampaign came first among competitors with an average deliverability rate of 89.6%. If your emails aren’t landing in recipients’ inboxes, your marketing efforts are going to waste. Choose a platform that ensures your emails successfully land in recipients’ inboxes.
With these advanced automation features, ActiveCampaign is indeed a powerful choice for businesses seeking to elevate their email marketing strategy.
| Category | ActiveCampaign | Mailchimp |
| Best Feature | Advanced automation workflow builder | Email builder |
| Pros | 1. Multi-step automation based on user actions. 2. AI content generator and machine learning capabilities for automations 3. Robust CRM for nuanced customer tracking and lead scoring | 1. User-friendly interface 2. Wide array of integrations 3. Free tier offering |
| Cons | 1. Steeper learning curve 2. More expensive than some competitors 3. No free tier | 1. Limited automation capabilities 2. CRM lacks depth 3. Advanced features require higher-cost plans |
| Entry Price | $29/month for Marketing Teams $19/month for Sales CRM | Free, with paid plans starting at $9.99/month |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
Moosend
Moosend is an excellent alternative to Mailchimp, especially for businesses looking to streamline their email marketing efforts with advanced automation tools at a competitive price. Known for its intuitive user interface, Moosend allows even beginners to create effective campaigns quickly.
Moosend’s stand-out features:
- Advanced automation workflows: Automate repetitive tasks and tailor your messages based on user behavior, enhancing engagement and conversion rates without constant manual intervention.
- Segmentation capabilities: Easily segment your audience based on their interactions, preferences, and data to send highly personalized and targeted emails that resonate with your subscribers.
- Detailed reporting: Gain insights into your campaigns with comprehensive analytics that track opens, clicks, and conversions. Use this data to refine your strategies and improve results.
Moosend is particularly advantageous for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable yet robust email marketing solution. Its platform combines ease of use with powerful features that rival more expensive alternatives.
| Category | Moosend | Mailchimp |
| Best Feature | Precision audience segmentation | User-friendly Email Builder |
| Pros | 1. User-friendly platform ideal for beginners 2. Powerful automation and segmentation tools 3. Competitive pricing with a generous free plan | 1. Easy-to-use interface 2. Broad array of integrations 3. Free tier offering |
| Cons | 1. Limited template designs 2. No native CRM integration 3. Less extensive third-party integrations | 1. Limited SMS capabilities 2. CRM lacks depth 3. Advanced features require higher-cost plans |
| Entry Price | $7/month billed annually | Free, with paid plans starting at $13/month |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
Brevo
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is a compelling alternative to Mailchimp, particularly when it comes to SMS marketing. As an email marketing tool, Brevo is robust and comprehensive. However, its integrated SMS marketing capabilities set it apart from many competitors.
Brevo’s stand-out features:
- SMS marketing: Send transactional messages, marketing campaigns, and personalized SMS to customers globally. This can help businesses connect with their customers instantly, fostering engagement and driving customer action.
- Automation support: You can send trigger-based SMS messages to your customers, taking your multi-channel marketing to the next level. You can use an existing text messages template to even further streamline your SMS efforts.
- Detailed analytics: Brevo offers detailed analytics for SMS campaigns, including delivery, open, and click-through rates, helping businesses monitor their campaigns’ performance and make data-driven decisions.
Considering these strengths, Brevo is a superior choice for companies seeking advanced SMS marketing capabilities.
| Category | Brevo (Sendinblue) | Mailchimp |
| Best Feature | Integrated SMS Marketing | User-friendly Email Builder |
| Pros | 1. Integrated SMS marketing capabilities 2. Automation for SMS marketing 3. Detailed analytics for SMS campaigns | 1. Easy-to-use interface 2. Broad array of integrations 3. Free tier offering |
| Cons | 1. Email template designs are not as polished 2. Interface can be unintuitive at times 3. SMS feature comes with an additional cost | 1. Limited SMS capabilities 2. CRM lacks depth 3. Advanced features require higher-cost plans |
| Entry Price | Free, with paid plans starting at $25/month | Free, with paid plans starting at $13/month |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
ConvertKit
One of ConvertKit’s core strengths lies in its intuitive and user-friendly interface, which allows even those with minimal technical knowledge to design beautiful emails and newsletters. ConvertKit is an ideal choice for creative professionals who want to focus more on their content rather than struggling with complicated software.
ConvertKit’s stand-out features:
- Powerful automation and segmentation tools: This allows creators to send highly personalized content to their audience, resulting in more effective communication and a better conversion rate. The emphasis on segmentation means that bloggers can target their audience more precisely, tailoring their message to each subscriber’s interests.
- Great customer service: Mailchimp often receives criticism for its slow response times. With a more hands-on approach to helping its customers, ConvertKit shows why it’s a reliable Mailchimp alternative for creators and bloggers.
While ConvertKit doesn’t yet have a robust SMS marketing feature like Mailchimp, its other superior features make it a more suitable choice for creators and bloggers who prioritize easy-to-use email marketing tools, advanced segmentation, and responsive customer service.
| Category | ConvertKit | Mailchimp |
| Best feature | Powerful automation and segmentation | Comprehensive email design tools |
| Pros | 1. User-friendly interface 2. Advanced segmentation 3. Excellent customer service | 1. Wide range of templates 2. Large user base 3. Multichannel capabilities |
| Cons | 1. Limited free plan 2. Fewer template options 3. SMS marketing not as developed | 1. Can be complicated for brand-new users 2. Slow customer service response 3. Less effective segmentation |
| Entry price | Free for 300 subscribers $9/month for automation capabilities | Free, with paid plans starting at $13/month |
| Free trial? | Yes | Yes |
AWeber
AWeber is an excellent alternative to Mailchimp, mainly when focusing on customer support. One of AWeber’s defining strengths is its stellar customer service, a crucial asset in the fast-paced world of digital marketing. They provide 24/7 customer support with real, live human beings, ready to assist you with any problems.
AWeber’s stand-out features:
- Powerful email marketing features: AWeber’s user-friendly interface and a wide range of pre-designed email templates enable businesses to get their marketing campaigns up and running in no time.
- Excellent deliverability rates: This ensures that your emails don’t get stuck in your customers’ spam folders. For businesses that want reliable email delivery combined with solid customer support, AWeber offers a promising alternative to Mailchimp.
While AWeber does not yet offer SMS marketing like Mailchimp, its superior customer support, high deliverability rates, and overall ease of use make it a prime choice for businesses seeking a reliable and supportive email marketing platform.
| Category | AWeber | Mailchimp |
| Best feature | Excellent 24/7 customer support | Comprehensive email design tools |
| Pros | 1. User-friendly interface 2. High email deliverability rates 3. Comprehensive support resources | 1. Wide range of templates 2. Large user base 3. Multichannel capabilities |
| Cons | 1. Limited free plan 2. Fewer integration options 3. No SMS marketing | 1. Slow customer service response 2. High pricing for advanced features 3. Send limits |
| Entry price | Free, with paid plans starting at $12.50/month | Free, with paid plans starting at $13/month |
| Free trial? | Yes | Yes |
GetResponse
GetResponse is a great Mailchimp alternative when it comes to webinar marketing. A standout feature of GetResponse is its integrated webinar platform, a tool not available in Mailchimp. This enables you to conduct webinars directly from your GetResponse dashboard without needing a third-party app. By integrating email marketing and webinars, GetResponse facilitates seamless, end-to-end marketing funnels that can drive engagement and conversions more effectively.
GetResponse’s stand-out features:
- Email marketing features: GetResponse’s responsive email design, automated funnels, and advanced analytics are particularly impressive. Unlike Mailchimp, GetResponse’s automation is user-friendly and requires no coding skills, making it easier for marketers to build sophisticated marketing funnels.
- Responsive customer service: GetResponse’s customer service is slightly more affordable than Mailchimp, solidifying its position as a worthwhile alternative for businesses looking for fast feature help (this can be especially helpful for hosting live webinars).
While GetResponse has a slightly higher learning curve than Mailchimp, its integrated webinar platform, user-friendly automation, and responsive customer service make it a compelling choice for those who prioritize webinar marketing.
| Category | GetResponse | Mailchimp |
| Best feature | Integrated webinar platform | Comprehensive email design tools |
| Pros | 1. Seamless webinar-email integration 2. User-friendly automation 3. Superior customer service | 1. Wide range of templates 2. Large user base 3. Multichannel capabilities |
| Cons | 1. Limited free plan 2. Fewer template options 3. Slightly higher learning curve | 1. No webinar integration 2. Complex automation features 3. Slow customer service response |
| Entry price | $16/month | Free, with paid plans starting at $13/month |
| Free trial? | Yes | Yes |
How to pick the best Mailchimp alternative: Features that matter
With many email marketing platforms available, it’s essential to focus on key features that align with your business goals. A platform’s user experience and interface can greatly impact your efficiency, while robust customer support ensures you get the most out of your service.
Deliverability rates are fundamental to your campaign’s success, and the pricing and value of the service must balance with your budget and the growth trajectory of your business.
For anyone considering ActiveCampaign as a Mailchimp alternative, let’s take a closer look at how ActiveCampaign’s offerings measure up.
User experience and interface
Platforms equipped with a drag-and-drop editor offer a visual and tactile approach to creating emails, which can be particularly advantageous for content creators who rely on agility and responsiveness to market demands. The right interface can transform the complex email design process into a seamless experience that creates an environment where ideas flourish without the hindrance of cumbersome tools.
How ActiveCampaign shines
ActiveCampaign distinguishes itself with an email editor that champions ease of use without sacrificing depth and functionality. It caters to the modern marketer, from crafting simple informational emails to developing intricate personalized emails that resonate with various segments of an email list.
With tools designed to integrate with e-commerce businesses, manage contact lists, and automate workflows, ActiveCampaign streamlines the operational aspect of email marketing. This thoughtful approach to design ensures that businesses can maintain their branding consistency across campaigns with minimal effort.
Customer support: The backbone of your marketing efforts
The value of customer support in email marketing platforms extends beyond troubleshooting—it’s about ensuring a seamless, continuous marketing operation. For e-commerce businesses and content creators, this means having the reassurance that, should any issue arise, there’s a dedicated team ready to assist.
How ActiveCampaign shines
Our commitment to customer support is evident in our multiple channels of assistance, including live chat, email support, and a resource-rich knowledge base. This multi-tiered approach allows users to find help that matches the urgency and complexity of their needs, whether it’s a quick fix or a deep dive into automation strategy.
Plus, we recognize that effective support must be proactive as well as reactive. Our educational resources, including webinars and tutorials, serve to pre-empt common queries, empowering users to build expertise in using the platform.
We also offer strategic advice, helping users optimize their contact lists and improve campaign performance. The quality of this support often translates into direct marketing successes for users, enabling them to leverage the platform’s full potential.
Deliverability
Securing a high email deliverability rate is a critical aspect of any email marketing strategy and is pivotal to the success of reaching your audience. When considering a Mailchimp alternative, it’s vital to assess the platform’s infrastructure and its capacity to bypass spam filters, thereby ensuring that your audience sees your emails.
How ActiveCampaign shines
ActiveCampaign invests in strong relationships with internet service providers (ISPs) and continuously updates their compliance with changing email standards. This attention to detail in maintaining email lists and sender reputations allows businesses to trust that their email editor’s work results in successful inbox placement.
As we mentioned before, ActiveCampaign is #1 in email deliverability among competitors in Emailtooltester’s 2024 deliverability test, with an average deliverability rate of 89.6%
The consequences of poor deliverability go beyond unopened emails; it affects customer trust and, ultimately, the bottom line. ActiveCampaign’s analytics and reporting tools help users monitor their deliverability and engagement metrics, guiding them to make data-informed adjustments.
Pricing and value
It’s a delicate balancing act to find a service that doesn’t just fit your current budget but also aligns with long-term value. ActiveCampaign stands out by offering various tiered pricing options designed to accommodate the evolving needs of businesses, from startups to established enterprises. Each level adds more sophisticated features, such as advanced automation, segmentation, and CRM capabilities, ensuring the investment scales with your business’s growth.
ActiveCampaign pricing also reflects an understanding of different business needs. For smaller operations or those just starting, the essentials are packed into more affordable plans, ensuring access to quality email marketing tools. As companies grow, they can transition to more expansive plans, gaining deeper insights into customer behaviors, automating more complex sequences, and integrating with a multitude of third-party applications.
ActiveCampaign’s advanced automation and scalability: A leader among alternatives
When it comes to elevating your email marketing strategy, ActiveCampaign presents itself as a powerhouse of advanced automation and scalability, qualities that are essential for businesses aiming to expand and refine their marketing efforts.
ActiveCampaign’s platform is built on the foundation of powerful automation capabilities that allow businesses to create sophisticated, multi-step campaigns with ease. These tools are designed to move beyond the basic autoresponders, offering a level of personalization and timing precision that can drastically increase engagement and conversion rates.
Harnessing the power of automation and CRM integration
ActiveCampaign differentiates itself with a blend of automation and CRM that seamlessly enriches customer relationships. The platform enables you to automate not just email campaigns but also to manage and segment contact lists, score leads, and track customer behaviors across your website. This level of integration ensures that every communication is tailored and relevant, nurturing leads through the sales funnel more effectively.
The practical application of these features is what sets ActiveCampaign apart. Imagine being able to automate a welcome series for new subscribers, follow up on abandoned carts with personalized messages, or trigger emails based on specific customer actions—all within a single platform. These are not just theoretical benefits; they are real strategies that businesses use every day to connect with their audience and drive sales.
Embracing AI for smarter email marketing
ActiveCampaign’s cutting-edge AI capabilities offer another layer of sophistication to its automation features. The platform’s machine learning algorithms help optimize send times and predict the likelihood of customer engagement, allowing businesses to dispatch emails when recipients are most likely to open and interact with them. This intelligent use of data ensures that every email campaign has the best chance to succeed, thus enhancing the overall ROI of your email marketing efforts.
ActiveCampaign versus MailChimp: Making the right choice
For businesses contemplating a switch from Mailchimp or those starting their email marketing journey, ActiveCampaign is a compelling choice. Visit our ‘ActiveCampaign vs. MailChimp’ comparison page for a transparent, feature-by-feature showdown that underscores ActiveCampaign’s commitment to providing superior automation, comprehensive CRM integration, and exceptional customer experiences.
The decision is yours
Choosing the right email marketing platform is a decision that holds significant weight for any business. It’s not just about replacing Mailchimp; it’s about selecting a service that resonates with your business’s unique needs and growth trajectory.
We encourage you to reflect on what you’ve learned, consider the potential for your business, and take the next step by exploring the platform that feels right for your business.
And if you do choose to explore ActiveCampaign as an option, you’ll begin to embrace the future of email marketing with a platform that scales with your ambitions and turns your email campaigns into a driving force for business growth.
Sign up for a free trial to experience the ActiveCampaign difference yourself.
