Klaviyo vs Mailchimp
Klaviyo and Mailchimp are two of the most popular email marketing tools, so choosing between them is a common dilemma. Klaviyo is best known for email automation and suits e-commerce, retail, dtc brands teams, while Mailchimp stands out for email campaigns and is a strong fit for small business, content, e-commerce. Below we break down pricing, features, pros and cons so you can decide quickly.
Quick verdict
If budget is the priority, Mailchimp is the more accessible option ($0-$350/mo). For overall user satisfaction, Klaviyo edges ahead with a 4.7/5 rating. Most teams should pick Klaviyo for e-commerce use cases and Mailchimp for small business use cases — and many growing companies end up running both together.
| Feature | Klaviyo | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Price range | $0-$500/mo | $0-$350/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Category | Email Marketing | Email Marketing |
| Best for | E-commerce, Retail, DTC Brands | Small Business, Content, E-commerce |
| Key features |
|
|
| User rating | ★ 4.7 (4,100) | ★ 4.2 (8,500) |
Choose Klaviyo if…
- ✓You're focused on e-commerce, retail, dtc brands
- ✓Deep e-commerce/Shopify integration
- ✓Revenue-based reporting
- ✓Powerful segmentation & flows
- ✓You want to start on a free plan
Choose Mailchimp if…
- ✓You're focused on small business, content, e-commerce
- ✓Beginner-friendly editor
- ✓Generous free plan
- ✓All-in-one marketing suite
- ✓You want to start on a free plan
Klaviyo vs Mailchimp: pros & cons
Klaviyo
Pros
- ✓Deep e-commerce/Shopify integration
- ✓Revenue-based reporting
- ✓Powerful segmentation & flows
Cons
- ✕Pricing scales with list size
- ✕Overkill for non-e-commerce
- ✕Learning curve for flows
Mailchimp
Pros
- ✓Beginner-friendly editor
- ✓Generous free plan
- ✓All-in-one marketing suite
Cons
- ✕Gets pricey as lists grow
- ✕Weaker e-commerce automation than Klaviyo
- ✕Contact-based billing counts unsubscribed
Frequently asked questions
Is Klaviyo or Mailchimp cheaper?
Mailchimp is generally the more affordable option ($0-$350/mo). Klaviyo is priced at $0-$500/mo and Mailchimp at $0-$350/mo, so the best value depends on your data volume and which features you need.
Is Klaviyo free?
Yes, Klaviyo offers a free tier ($0-$500/mo), which is great for getting started before you scale up.
Is Mailchimp free?
Yes, Mailchimp offers a free tier ($0-$350/mo), so you can trial it without commitment.
Can I use Klaviyo and Mailchimp together?
Yes. Many teams run Klaviyo and Mailchimp side by side — Klaviyo for e-commerce and Mailchimp for small business. A customer data platform (like Segment or RudderStack) makes it easy to send the same events to both.
Which is better for e-commerce, Klaviyo or Mailchimp?
For e-commerce, Klaviyo is typically the stronger choice thanks to email automation and customer segmentation. Mailchimp is the better pick when you need email campaigns.