Klaviyo vs Mailchimp
A side-by-side comparison of features and pricing to help you choose.
Klaviyo
Email & SMS built for ecommerce data
Free plan
Free up to 250 contacts; scales with list size + SMS
Mailchimp
Approachable email marketing for small businesses
Free plan
Free up to 250 contacts; Essentials from $13/mo
At a glance
| Spec | Klaviyo | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Budget tier | Mid-range | Budget-friendly |
| Complexity | Intermediate | Beginner-friendly |
| Primary category | Email Marketing | Email Marketing |
| Integrations | 350+ | 300+ |
| Founded | 2012 | 2001 |
Feature comparison
Klaviyo offers 9 of 9 tracked email marketing features; Mailchimp offers 8.
| Feature | Klaviyo | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Email campaigns | ||
| Automation workflows | ||
| Audience segmentation | ||
| A/B testing | ||
| SMS marketing | ||
| Template library | ||
| Free plan | ||
| API & webhooks | ||
| Priority / 24-7 support |
Klaviyo
Pros
- Unmatched ecommerce data model and segmentation
- Predictive analytics (CLV, churn risk) built in
- Email + SMS in one platform
Cons
- Pricing climbs sharply with list size
- Overkill for non-ecommerce senders
- Template editor less polished than rivals
Mailchimp
Pros
- Famously easy drag-and-drop editor
- Generous-enough free plan to get started
- Solid template library and content studio
Cons
- Automation is shallow versus dedicated platforms
- Pricing counts unsubscribed/archived contacts in some tiers
- Support is thin on lower plans
The verdict
The right pick depends on your priorities. Choose Klaviyo if you value ecommerce brands that want revenue-driven email & sms. Choose Mailchimp if you need small businesses and creators who want email that just works.
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