Klaviyo
Email & SMS★★★★★
4.6
The DTC email & SMS standard
Free–scales with list
← Email & SMS
See how Mailchimp compares head-to-head →
Mailchimp
★★★★4.0/5Beginner-friendly email marketing
- Pricing
- Free–paid tiers
- Commission
- N/A
- Cookie window
- n/a
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30
Our take
Mailchimp is the approachable entry point for email marketing, with a free tier that covers early list growth before you need advanced ecom flows.
Pros
- Generous free tier
- Easy builder
- Built-in audience tools
- Broad integrations
Cons
- Pricing climbs with contacts
- Less ecom-native than Klaviyo
Alternatives to Mailchimp
Omnisend
Email & SMS★★★★
4.4
Multichannel automation for mid-market
Free–paid tiers
Privy
Email & SMS★★★★
4.2
Popups plus email capture
Free–paid tiers
Postscript
Email & SMS★★★★
4.3
SMS specialist for Shopify
Free–paid tiers
Seguno
Email & SMS★★★★
4.1
Lightweight Shopify Email
Free–paid tiers
ActiveCampaign
Email & SMS★★★★
4.3
Automation-first CRM & email
$29–paid tiers
Attentive
Email & SMS★★★★
4.2
Enterprise-grade SMS marketing
Custom
Kit (ConvertKit)
Email & SMS★★★★
4.1
Creator-focused email marketing
Free–paid tiers
Brevo
Email & SMS★★★★
4.1
Affordable multi-channel (email/SMS/chat)
Free–paid tiers
Frequently asked questions
What is Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is a email & sms tool for DTC, Shopify and independent e-commerce stores. Mailchimp is the approachable entry point for email marketing, with a free tier that covers early list growth before you need advanced ecom flows.
How much does Mailchimp cost?
Mailchimp is listed at Free–paid tiers. Vendor pricing changes often — confirm the current rate on the official site before subscribing.
Is Mailchimp worth it for DTC brands?
Mailchimp scores 4.0/5 in our hands-on review. Its main strengths: generous free tier, easy builder, built-in audience tools. The trade-offs to accept: pricing climbs with contacts, less ecom-native than klaviyo.
What are the best alternatives to Mailchimp?
If Mailchimp is not the right fit, the closest options in our Email & SMS shortlist are Klaviyo (4.6/5, Free–scales with list), Omnisend (4.4/5, Free–paid tiers), Postscript (4.3/5, Free–paid tiers). Compare them side by side before you commit.