Mailchimp is the most recognized email marketing platform. It is easy to start with a free plan, but its automation is less sophisticated than ActiveCampaign or Klaviyo for complex workflows. Mailchimp is easy to start with but its automation builder is basic compared to ActiveCampaign. Pricing also becomes uncompetitive as contact lists grow.
Below we compare the 5 best Mailchimp alternatives on pricing, G2 user ratings, and the specific use cases where each one outperforms Mailchimp.
Top Mailchimp alternatives compared
#1 ActiveCampaign
★★★★½ 4.5/5 on G2 · From $29/mo
ActiveCampaign is the automation powerhouse for SMBs. Its visual automation builder is the most capable in its price range, and the included CRM makes it a full sales and marketing platform.
- Best-in-class automation builder
- CRM included
- Strong deliverability
#2 Brevo
★★★★½ 4.5/5 on G2 · Free; paid from $25/mo
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) offers one of the best free email marketing tiers; 300 emails/day with no contact limit. Paid plans add automation, SMS, and transactional email at budget-friendly prices.
- Generous free tier (300 emails/day)
- Affordable transactional email
- SMS included
#3 Klaviyo
★★★★½ 4.6/5 on G2 · Free up to 250 contacts; paid from $20/mo
Klaviyo is the leading email and SMS platform for e-commerce brands. Revenue-based attribution and deep Shopify integration make it the default choice for DTC companies.
- Deep Shopify/Magento integration
- Revenue attribution built in
- SMS + email in one platform
#4 Kit (ConvertKit)
★★★★½ 4.4/5 on G2 · Free up to 1,000 subscribers; paid from $25/mo
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is designed for creators, newsletter writers, and solopreneurs. Its subscriber tagging, automation, and paid newsletter features are optimized for content-driven businesses.
- Built for creator monetization
- Clean subscriber tagging
- Strong community
#5 HubSpot
★★★★½ 4.4/5 on G2 · Free; paid from $15/mo
HubSpot combines CRM, marketing automation, email, and sales tools in one platform. The free CRM is genuinely useful; the Marketing Hub Professional tier at $800/mo unlocks real automation.
- Generous free CRM tier
- All-in-one platform
- Strong integration ecosystem
Quick comparison table
| Tool | Starting price | G2 rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp (original) | Free; paid from $13/mo | 4.3/5 |
| ActiveCampaign | From $29/mo | 4.5/5 |
| Brevo | Free; paid from $25/mo | 4.5/5 |
| Klaviyo | Free up to 250 contacts; paid from $20/mo | 4.6/5 |
| Kit (ConvertKit) | Free up to 1,000 subscribers; paid from $25/mo | 4.4/5 |
| HubSpot | Free; paid from $15/mo | 4.4/5 |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Mailchimp alternatives?
The top Mailchimp alternatives in 2026 are: ActiveCampaign, Brevo, Klaviyo, Kit (ConvertKit). Each serves a different core use case; see the full comparison above for a breakdown by pricing and fit.
Is there a free alternative to Mailchimp?
Yes; Brevo offers a free tier (Free; paid from $25/mo). Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) offers one of the best free email marketing tiers; 300 emails/day with no contact limit.
Why do teams switch from Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is easy to start with but its automation builder is basic compared to ActiveCampaign. Pricing also becomes uncompetitive as contact lists grow.