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MailerLite vs Mailchimp for Agencies (2026): Which Is Better?
By Red Kite Search Agency Created Updated 7 min read
Summary
Choose MailerLite for simplicity and price. Choose Mailchimp for the larger ecosystem. Prices and ratings were checked in October 2026.
MailerLite vs Mailchimp: which is better for agencies in 2026?
MailerLite and Mailchimp are two of the most popular email tools for small businesses. MailerLite is simpler and cheaper. Mailchimp has the larger ecosystem and review base.
We compared price, agency fit, and evidence.
| Tool | Editorial score | Review-site ratings | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MailerLite | 4.2 / 5 | No review-site rating found | Prices at 500 subscribers. Free $0 for 250 subscribers. Growing Business $12 monthly or $10.80 billed yearly. Advanced $25 monthly or $22.50 billed yearly. Enterprise is custom. Each account needs its own plan and billing. | Freelancers to small agencies |
| Mailchimp | 4.1 / 5 | G2 4.4 | Free for 250 contacts. Essentials $13, Standard $20 and Premium $350 a month at the smallest contact tier (500 contacts, 10,000 for Premium); prices rise with contacts. | Small teams to mid-size |
How do MailerLite and Mailchimp compare on price?
MailerLite costs $12 on Growing Business and $25 on Advanced a month at 500 subscribers. Mailchimp costs $13 on Essentials and $20 on Standard a month.
| Tool | Plan | Price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| MailerLite | Free | $0 per month at 500 subscribers (monthly billing) | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails a month, 2 seats |
| MailerLite | Growing Business | $10.80 per month at 500 subscribers (annual billing); $12 monthly | At 500 subscribers, 5,000 emails a month, 3 seats |
| MailerLite | Advanced | $22.50 per month at 500 subscribers (annual billing); $25 monthly | At 500 subscribers, unlimited emails and seats |
| MailerLite | Enterprise | Custom | Custom sending volume, unlimited seats |
| Mailchimp | Free | $0 per month (monthly billing) | 250 contacts, 500 sends a month, 1 seat, 1 audience, no automation |
| Mailchimp | Essentials | $13 per month (monthly billing) | Starts at 500 contacts; 3 seats, 3 audiences, 24/7 email and chat support, flows up to 4 steps |
| Mailchimp | Standard | $20 per month (monthly billing) | Starts at 500 contacts; 5 seats, 5 audiences, 200 flows with branching, dynamic content, custom reports |
| Mailchimp | Premium | $350 per month (monthly billing) | Starts at 10,000 contacts; unlimited seats and audiences, enterprise SSO, phone support, onboarding specialist |
Which costs less?
Both have free plans. At 500 subscribers MailerLite Growing Business is close to Mailchimp Essentials, and prices diverge as lists grow.
Compare the same list size on both before you decide.
Run a short side-by-side test before you decide. Give both tools the same real list and campaign, time how long each takes, and ask a colleague who did not set them up to review the result. The result is usually clearer than any feature table.
Also check how each vendor handles renewal. Yearly plans are often billed in advance, price rises are common at renewal, and cancelling late can lock you into another term. Put the renewal date in the team calendar the day you buy.
Which is better for agencies?
Neither has a dedicated agency plan: MailerLite says each account needs its own plan and billing. Mailchimp has a larger ecosystem of integrations and templates.
Choose by what your clients can run themselves.
Ask for a written statement of plan limits when you buy, because caps on contacts, sends, and seats change from time to time, and a record of what you were promised is useful if a limit moves.
Remember that you can start small. Most vendors offer a free plan or trial, so begin with the cheapest plan that covers your real work, and upgrade only when a specific limit blocks you.
A useful habit is to record each trial in one short note: the list used, the setup time, and the main frustration. Comparing two notes is far easier than comparing two memories.
Which has stronger evidence?
Mailchimp has 4.4 on G2 from 5,436 reviews. MailerLite lists 1,115 reviews with no score in the snippet we read.
Neither stated security certifications on the pages we read.
Finally, think about exit costs. Check how easily you can export your lists, templates and reports, and keep notes on how your automations are built, so a later switch does not mean starting from scratch.
Keep the client in the loop on billing. Whether the client pays the vendor directly or you resell the tool, agree who owns the account and the data in writing.
How do MailerLite and Mailchimp compare on integrations, security, and support?
Beyond price, agencies ask about connections to their other tools, what to tell clients about security, and how quickly they can get help. This is what each vendor states publicly, as checked in October 2026.
| Area | MailerLite | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | Limited API and MCP access on Free (without sending); a full integrations list was not read | More than 300 integrations |
| Security | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR certification and SSO were not stated on the pages we read | SOC 2 reports and ISO 27001 certification, with documents through the Intuit compliance portal; 2FA can be enabled; enterprise SSO on Premium; Servers are in US data centers; GDPR information is available |
| Support | Knowledge base support on Free; other support channels were not stated | Free: email for 30 days; Essentials and Standard: 24/7 email and chat; Premium: priority 24/7 email and chat plus phone in business hours |
| Apps | A mobile app was not stated | A mobile app was not stated |
What are the pros and cons of MailerLite and Mailchimp?
Here is where each tool helps agencies and where it can get in the way, based on plan details and public feedback.
MailerLite pros
- Free costs $0 for 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails a month and 2 seats.
- Growing Business costs $12 a month, or $10.80 billed yearly, at 500 subscribers with 3 seats.
- Advanced costs $25 a month, or $22.50 billed yearly, at 500 subscribers with unlimited emails and seats.
- A referral programme and an affiliate programme are offered to agencies and freelancers.
MailerLite cons
- No agency plan, sub-accounts or multi-account discounts: each account needs its own plan and billing.
- Prices rise with subscriber count, so each client list is priced separately.
- Free plan limits are tight: 1 website, 1 landing page and 3 active forms.
- Security certifications and a mobile app were not stated.
Mailchimp pros
- A free plan for up to 250 contacts and 500 sends a month.
- Entry paid plans from $13 a month for 500 contacts, with 24/7 email and chat support.
- More than 300 integrations and 100+ pre-built templates.
- SOC 2 reports, ISO 27001 and 2FA; enterprise SSO on Premium.
Mailchimp cons
- Prices scale with contacts and the stated figures are for the smallest tier.
- Free has no automation, and Essentials limits flows to 4 steps.
- Premium costs $350 a month from 10,000 contacts.
- Data is hosted in US data centers, and client accounts for agencies were not stated.
What do reviewers say about MailerLite and Mailchimp?
G2 shows Mailchimp at 4.4 from 5,436 reviews. MailerLite lists 1,115 reviews with no overall score in the snippet we read.
| Tool | Source | Rating | Number of reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | G2 | 4.4 / 5 | 5,436 |
Reviewer themes for MailerLite
- G2 lists 1,115 reviews for MailerLite; the snippet we read showed no overall score.
- Reviewers say it is easy to use, intuitive, and good value for what you get.
- One reviewer notes it feels more organised and easier to navigate than most email software.
Reviewer themes for Mailchimp
- G2 shows Mailchimp at 4.4 from 5,436 reviews.
- G2 data shows 30% of reviewers give four stars.
- Reviewers value ease of use for campaigns and newsletters.
How does setup differ between MailerLite and Mailchimp?
Getting value from either tool depends on how you set it up, and the first steps differ. Here is the practical starting point for each.
MailerLite: Start on the Free plan with one client list.
Mailchimp: Start on the free plan with one client list, build a template, and send one campaign.
What should agencies check before choosing between MailerLite and Mailchimp?
Small details in plans and limits decide whether a tool works in practice. Check these points for each tool during a trial on a real client account.
Before you buy MailerLite
- Count client accounts.
- Check subscriber tiers.
- Decide who owns billing.
- Start on the Free plan.
Before you buy Mailchimp
- Price your real contact count.
- Check send limits against your list.
- Decide how to separate clients.
- Use the 14-day trial.
How should you test MailerLite and Mailchimp before deciding?
The fairest test is to run both tools on the same real client account for two weeks, with the same people, and compare the results rather than first impressions.
What to measure
- How long it takes a new team member to be productive in MailerLite versus Mailchimp.
- How often people open each tool without being reminded.
- Whether the plan you need includes the features you tested, not just the entry price.
- How a client reacts if you invite them to either tool.
- How much time the team spends on notifications, setup, and cleanup each week.
Which should you choose: MailerLite or Mailchimp?
Choose MailerLite for simplicity and price. Choose Mailchimp for the larger ecosystem.
Trial both on one client list.
Choose MailerLite if
- Your clients own their email accounts.
- You want a free plan and low prices.
- You want a simple editor.
Skip MailerLite if
- You want sub-accounts and white label.
- You want to bill clients through the tool.
- You need stated security certifications.
Choose Mailchimp if
- You run simple newsletters for small clients.
- You want a free plan to start.
- You want 24/7 email and chat support on paid plans.
Skip Mailchimp if
- You need deep automation on a low plan.
- You need EU data hosting.
- You need agency client accounts.
Frequently asked questions
- Is MailerLite or Mailchimp better?
- MailerLite for simplicity, Mailchimp for ecosystem.
- Which is cheaper?
- MailerLite, as lists grow.
- Do both have free plans?
- Yes.
- Which has agency accounts?
- Neither has a dedicated agency plan.
- Which has more G2 reviews?
- Mailchimp.
Sources
Prices, plan limits, and ratings were gathered in October 2026 from:
- MailerLite pricing page
- Mailchimp pricing page
- G2