Updated June 30, 2026 · Pricing and features verified 2026
Key takeaways
- Brevo is our top Mailchimp alternative for value, with email-volume pricing and unlimited contacts.
- Teams leave Mailchimp over rising contact-based costs and shallow automation.
- ActiveCampaign suits automation; Klaviyo suits ecommerce; HubSpot suits all-in-one.
- Match the alternative to your reason for leaving: cost, automation, or ecommerce.
Mailchimp is a great starting point, but many teams outgrow it. The most common reasons to look elsewhere are contact-based pricing that climbs as your list grows (and counts unsubscribed contacts), shallow automation compared with dedicated tools, and a 2026 free-plan cut to 250 contacts. Here are the six best Mailchimp alternatives for 2026.
1. Brevo - best Mailchimp alternative for value
Brevo is our top pick for teams leaving Mailchimp over cost. It prices by emails sent rather than contacts stored, with unlimited contacts, so a large list you email occasionally stays cheap. It bundles email, SMS, automation, and a light CRM, with a free plan of 300 emails per day.
Best for: Teams that want value and unlimited contacts.
- Strengths: Email-volume pricing; unlimited contacts; SMS and CRM included.
- Limitations: Daily send caps on free; editor less polished than Mailchimp.
See the matchup in Brevo vs Mailchimp.
2. ActiveCampaign - best for automation
ActiveCampaign is the alternative if you left Mailchimp for its shallow automation, offering a best-in-class visual builder and a built-in CRM.
Best for: Senders who need deep automation.
- Strengths: Deep automation; CRM; strong segmentation.
- Limitations: No free plan; steeper learning curve.
3. Klaviyo - best for ecommerce
Klaviyo is the alternative for ecommerce brands that need deep store data, behavioral segmentation, and revenue flows, with native SMS.
Best for: Ecommerce stores.
- Strengths: Ecommerce data and flows; email plus SMS.
- Limitations: Active-profile pricing scales; overkill for simple newsletters.
4. HubSpot - best all-in-one
HubSpot is the alternative if you want email inside a full CRM and growth platform, with a free CRM to start.
Best for: Teams that want a unified platform.
- Strengths: Full CRM; platform-wide automation; reporting.
- Limitations: Costs scale steeply with marketing contacts.
Other options to consider
For simple, affordable newsletters, MailerLite and Constant Contact are also popular Mailchimp alternatives; verify current pricing and features on each vendor’s site.
Mailchimp alternatives compared
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brevo | Value, large lists | $9/mo | Yes (300/day) |
| ActiveCampaign | Automation | $15/mo | Trial only |
| Klaviyo | Ecommerce | $20/mo | Yes (250 profiles) |
| HubSpot | All-in-one + CRM | Free, then ~$15/seat/mo | Yes (free CRM) |
How to choose a Mailchimp alternative
If cost drove you away, Brevo’s email-volume pricing is the most direct fix. If you needed deeper automation, ActiveCampaign is the value leader. If you are ecommerce, Klaviyo’s data is hard to beat. And if you want a full platform, HubSpot unifies email with CRM. Model pricing at your real list size and confirm current rates on each vendor’s site before committing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Mailchimp? For value, Brevo is the best alternative, thanks to email-volume pricing and unlimited contacts. For automation, ActiveCampaign; for ecommerce, Klaviyo.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Mailchimp? Yes. Brevo is typically cheaper for large lists because it prices by emails sent rather than total contacts.
Why switch from Mailchimp? Common reasons are rising contact-based costs, shallow automation, and the reduced free-plan limit.