Updated October 13, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team
Klaviyo vs Mailchimp
Klaviyo
Higher score in this comparison
Mailchimp
What sets them apart
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | 350Higher | 300 |
| Price at 1,000 contacts | $30 | Not confirmed |
| Price at 10,000 contacts | $150 | Not confirmed |
| Free plan limits | Up to 250 profiles, 500 emails/month, $5 mobile messages/month, $5 Composer usage/month | Not confirmed |
| Free trial length | Not confirmed | 14 days |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Integrations is higher at Klaviyo: 350 vs 300.
- Support channels: only Klaviyo offers Email, Chat, Community.
- Audience: only Klaviyo offers Enterprise.
- Pricing model: only Klaviyo offers Free plan.
- Pricing model: only Mailchimp offers Free trial.
Our verdict on each
Klaviyo
Klaviyo costs more per list than the transactional senders beside it, and the free tier is small. It suits small businesses that want email and social automation in the same place rather than cheap bulk delivery, with the lower contact tier priced at $30.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp provides email and SMS marketing with automations, analytics and templates that turn behavior signals into audience growth and repeat sales. It supports small businesses building contact lists with guided creation, testing options and enhanced automation flows for personalized campaigns.
Score breakdown
| Area | Klaviyo | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.5Free plan listed, and $30 and $150 both sit above Mailjet and Postmark on the same measures. | 8.7Higher |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 8.9 |
| Trust | 8.7 | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | Klaviyo | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Email marketing software | 11 of 100 | 76 of 100 |
| Workflow automation tools | 14 of 231 | 202 of 231 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Klaviyo | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Beginners, Small business, EnterpriseCovers more | Beginners, Small business |
| Pricing model | Free plan | Free trial |
| Legal entity | Klaviyo | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2012 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Help centre |
Business tools
| Fact | Klaviyo | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | $13 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Usage limits | Not confirmed | 500 contacts, 1000 sends per month |
| Tool type | Automation, Social | Social, Automation |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Klaviyo | Mailchimp | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price at 1,000 contacts | $30below the median | Not confirmed | $31.50 |
| Price at 10,000 contacts | $150highest quarter | Not confirmed | $99 |
| Free trial length | Not confirmed | 14 daysat the median | 14 days |
| Integrations | 350highest quarter | 300highest quarter | 150 |
Median across 30 listed software products.
Pros and cons
Klaviyo
Pros
- A free plan is listed, so a small list can be built at no cost
- Email and social sit in the same place, per automation and social
- 350 integrations are listed for connecting the stack
Cons
- The lower contact tier price is $30, above Mailjet's $9
- The larger contact tier price is $150, above Postmark's $15
- The free plan limits keep profiles, monthly emails, mobile messages and Composer usage tight
Mailchimp
Pros
- Uses real time behavior data to guide automations toward conversion and repeat purchases
- Offers intuitive analytics covering audience growth and conversion funnels for clearer decisions
- Provides custom coded and prebuilt templates plus multivariate and A/B testing options
Cons
- Feature availability varies by plan type, with advanced functions reserved for higher tiers
- Larger contact needs require custom plans arranged through sales discussion
Who each suits
Klaviyo
Who it suits
- Small businesses already built around email, per beginners, small business and enterprise
- Teams that want email and social handled together, per automation and social
- Beginners who want a free plan to test flows on, per free plan
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who only need transactional delivery, where Postmark lists $15
- Shoppers optimising on unit price, since Mailjet lists $9
- Buyers wanting a free tier that also covers sales and service, the wider free offer HubSpot describes
Mailchimp
Who it suits
- Small businesses building email and SMS programs
- Teams wanting automation with guided templates and testing
- Stores linking commerce and audience data for campaigns
Who should look elsewhere
- Senders needing every feature in one entry tier
Current offers
Mailchimp
Current offer
Free trial
14-day free trial: 14 days
no credit card required
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Klaviyo
Does Klaviyo have a free plan?+
Yes. A free plan is listed, and the pricing model here is free plan. The free plan limits stay modest: a small profile allowance, a monthly email cap, and tight budgets for mobile messages and Composer usage. Enough to test flows, not enough for a list that has grown.
What does Klaviyo cost on a smaller contact list?+
On the smaller contact tier the price is $30. Mailjet lists $9 on the same measure, so Klaviyo sits at the dearer end of this group. Budget that gap before the list keeps growing.
Mailchimp
What does Mailchimp sell?+
Mailchimp sells email and SMS marketing with automations, analytics and templates for audience growth. It helps businesses turn behavior signals into campaigns that encourage repeat engagement and conversion.
What templates and testing options are included?+
Mailchimp includes custom coded and prebuilt email templates for campaign creation. It also supports multivariate and A/B testing, plus enhanced automation flows that help refine messages and engage audiences.
Other options to compare
Klaviyo
Mailchimp