Mailchimp vs MailerLite
Compare both platforms using the same audience size, monthly email volume and billing cycle.
MailerLite uses subscriber tiers with plan-specific send rules, while Mailchimp Standard uses contact tiers with a monthly send cap equal to 12 times the selected contact ceiling.
MailerLite can have a lower recurring cost at many list sizes, while Mailchimp Standard uses higher-priced contact tiers with larger included send allowances. The calculator shows the difference for your own audience and monthly email volume.
What will you actually pay?
Enter your audience and monthly email volume. We match each platform to the lowest modeled paid plan that fits. Free tiers are listed separately on provider pricing pages because their limits are not directly comparable.
Compare the two platforms
500 contacts · 1,000 emails/month · annual billing
MailerLite Comfort
Fits the entered limits at $10.80/month · $129.60/year
| Platform | Monthly equivalent | Annual total | $/1k sends | Plan status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MailchimpStandard | $20/mo | $240/yr | $20.00 | Within limits | Visit Mailchimp → |
MailerLiteComfort | $10.80/mo | $129.60/yrSave $14.40/yr | $10.80 | Within limits | Visit MailerLite → |
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Mailchimp (Standard)
Billing Metric: contact_tiers_with_send_caps
Target Audience: Traditional SMBs & legacy e-commerce
Free Tier: Free up to 250 contacts, 500 sends/mo limit
MailerLite (Comfort)
Billing Metric: subscriber_tiers_with_send_ceiling
Target Audience: Small to mid-size businesses on a budget
Free Tier: Free up to 250 subscribers + 2,500 sends/mo
Related Comparisons & Pricing Guides
Explore alternative head-to-head calculations and dedicated tier breakdowns for both providers.
Mailchimp bills by contact list size, while Brevo Starter bills primarily by monthly email sends and applies contact limits that vary by send tier.
Compare Rates →Brevo prices primarily by monthly email volume with tier-specific contact limits, whereas MailerLite Comfort uses subscriber tiers with a 10x monthly email ceiling (or Power for unlimited sending).
Compare Rates →Full audited pricing breakdown, tier limits, and send caps for Mailchimp.
View Tier Table →Full audited pricing breakdown, tier limits, and send caps for MailerLite.
View Tier Table →Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I save switching from Mailchimp to MailerLite?
At 5,000 subscribers, Mailchimp costs $100/mo ($1,200/yr), whereas MailerLite Comfort costs $49/mo ($44.10/mo on annual billing, saving over $670 every year).
Does MailerLite charge for unsubscribed contacts?
No. MailerLite only charges for active subscribers. Unsubscribed contacts are stored for compliance but never count toward your billing bracket.
Is migrating audiences between them difficult?
No. Both platforms support direct CSV exports and imports including custom tags, custom fields, and unsubscribe histories.