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Are you staring at your monthly Mailchimp bill with a sense of dread? I was, too. For years, Mailchimp was the undisputed king, the go-to for anyone starting an email list. But as my business grew, so did my frustration. The rising costs, the confusing audience limits, and a platform bloated with features I never used finally forced me to look elsewhere. I finally made the switch, and it has been an absolute game-changer. If you’re feeling stuck and wondering why I’m quitting Mailchimp and what I’m using instead, this in-depth guide is for you.

This isn’t just a complaint post. It’s a detailed walkthrough of my journey, the exact reasons I left, the criteria I used to find a replacement, and a step-by-step guide on how you can make the switch, too—without the headaches.

Part 1: The Tipping Point: Why I’m Finally Quitting Mailchimp

Leaving a platform you’ve used for years is hard. All your automations, templates, and subscribers are in one place. But there comes a time when the cons overwhelmingly outweigh the pros. For me, it wasn’t one single issue; it was a death by a thousand cuts.

My Mailchimp Story: A Long Time Coming

Like many of you, I started with Mailchimp’s generous free plan. It was perfect for my small blog. I could send newsletters, build my list, and it didn’t cost me a dime. But as my list grew past the free tier, the problems started stacking up. What began as an affordable tool quickly became one of my biggest monthly expenses, and the value just wasn’t there anymore. This experience taught me a lot about what to look for in a service, information I wish I had when I started. Understanding the fundamentals of your tech stack is crucial, much like understanding the core concepts of digital marketing is for online growth.

The Problem with Mailchimp’s Pricing (It’s More Than Just the Price Tag)

Let’s talk about the biggest issue: why is Mailchimp so expensive now? Their pricing tiers are not only costly but incredibly confusing. The real problem isn’t just the monthly fee; it’s how they calculate it.

Mailchimp’s pricing is based on “audiences” and “contacts.” This leads to a massive, costly problem…

“Audiences” vs. “Subscribers”: A Confusing and Costly Mess

This was my number one reason for leaving. Mailchimp encourages you to keep separate “audiences” for different lead magnets or segments. But here’s the catch: if the same person is in two different audiences, you pay for them twice.

Even worse, their system counts unsubscribed and non-subscribed contacts toward your billing limit. I was spending hours every month trying to “archive” and “clean” my lists just to avoid paying for people who weren’t even receiving my emails. This is, in my opinion, a terrible practice. The Mailchimp audience management issues are a well-documented frustration for thousands of users. I wanted a simple, tag-based system where one subscriber is one subscriber, period.

Feature Bloat is Hurting Your Workflow

Remember when Mailchimp was just for email? Now, it’s a “do-it-all” marketing platform with websites, landing pages, creative tools, and social posting. For some, this might be a bonus. For me, it was a distraction.

The interface has become clunky and slow. Finding the simple automation tool I needed meant clicking through three new menus I didn’t ask for. This Mailchimp interface is confusing and seems to get worse with every update. I was paying a premium price for a dozen features I never used, while the core email features felt neglected and overly complicated. If you’re running a small business or a , you need tools that save you time, not add complexity.

My Breaking Point: When the Free Plan Was No Longer Enough

The Mailchimp free plan limitations have become incredibly restrictive. The subscriber cap is lower, and crucial features like multi-step automations and scheduling are locked behind expensive paywalls. This “freemium” model feels designed to trap you. You build your list, and just when you start getting momentum, you’re forced into a high-priced plan to keep your automations running. I felt like my list was being held hostage.

Part 2: The Search for a Better Email Marketing Solution

Once I decided to leave, I had to figure out where to go. The market is flooded with Mailchimp alternatives for creators and small businesses. I spent a solid month testing, researching, and comparing.

What to Look For in a Mailchimp Alternative

I made a checklist. I wasn’t just looking for a cheaper tool; I was looking for a smarter tool that aligned with my business goals.

• Transparent Pricing: No hidden fees. I want to pay for my active subscribers, not my total contacts.
• Ease of Use: A clean, intuitive, and fast interface. I want to build a beautiful email in minutes, not hours.
• Powerful (But Simple) Automations: The ability to create welcome sequences and tag-based funnels without needing a developer.
• Excellent Deliverability: What’s the point of sending emails if they all land in the spam folder?
• Great Customer Support: When something breaks, I want to talk to a real, helpful human, fast.

My Non-Negotiables for My Next Email Provider

I narrowed my focus. I needed a platform that was built for creators and small business owners, not massive corporations. My top contenders came down to MailerLite, ConvertKit, and Sendinblue.

I read dozens of Mailchimp vs ConvertKit vs MailerLite comparisons. ConvertKit is fantastic for professional creators but was still a bit pricier than I wanted. Sendinblue (now Brevo) was a strong contender, but its interface didn’t feel as intuitive to me.

Then I tried MailerLite. And everything clicked.

Part 3: The Winner: Why I’m Using MailerLite Instead

I officially migrated my entire six-figure email list from Mailchimp to MailerLite, and I haven’t looked back. It solves every single problem I had with Mailchimp, and it does it for a fraction of the price.

What is MailerLite and Why is it Different?

is an email marketing service that focuses on simplicity and powerful features. It does everything I actually need, and it does it brilliantly. It’s not bloated, it’s incredibly fast, and its “subscriber-centric” model means I’m no longer penalized for growing my list.

In-Depth Comparison: MailerLite vs. Mailchimp (The Ultimate Showdown)

This is the part you’ve been waiting for. Here is a detailed breakdown of MailerLite vs Mailchimp and why MailerLite wins in almost every category for a small business owner.

Pricing and Value

• Mailchimp: As discussed, confusing, expensive, and punishes you for list hygiene. You pay for total contacts, including unsubscribes.
• MailerLite: Simple, transparent, and based on unique, active subscribers. If one person is in 10 groups, you still only pay for one subscriber. Their free plan is also incredibly generous, including 1,000 subscribers, 12,000 emails, and—get this—automations and landing pages for free. The MailerLite pricing vs Mailchimp difference isn’t just a few dollars; it saved me over 60% on my monthly bill.

Winner: MailerLite, by a landslide.

Ease of Use & Drag-and-Drop Builder

• Mailchimp: The builder is okay, but it feels dated and clunky. The interface is a maze of menus.
• MailerLite: This is where it shines. The is MailerLite easy to use? question is a resounding YES. The drag-and-drop builder is clean, modern, and lightning-fast. I can create a beautiful, mobile-responsive newsletter in under 10 minutes. It feels like a modern SaaS tool, not a relic from 2010.

Winner: MailerLite.

Automation That Doesn’t Require a PhD

• Mailchimp: Automations are powerful but gated behind high-tier plans. The visual builder is decent, but setting up a simple sequence feels like more work than it should be.
• MailerLite: The MailerLite automation tutorial is practically built into the interface. The visual workflow builder is intuitive. You can easily create multi-step welcome sequences, tag subscribers based on links they click, and build sophisticated funnels, even on the free plan. It’s powerful enough for 99% of small businesses but simple enough that you’ll actually use it.

Winner: MailerLite.

Landing Pages & Forms That Convert

• Mailchimp: Their landing page builder exists, but it’s basic and the templates are uninspired.
• MailerLite: This was a huge surprise. The MailerLite landing page builder review from me is a 10/10. It’s included for free, and it’s better than some paid tools I’ve used. You can build beautiful, modern landing pages and pop-up forms, conduct A/B testing, and integrate them seamlessly. This feature alone saved me from paying for a separate tool like Leadpages.

Winner: MailerLite.

Customer Support That Actually Responds

• Mailchimp: Notoriously difficult. On the free and lower-tier plans, you’re lucky to get an email response within 24 hours. Good luck trying to find a chat button.
• MailerLite: They offer 24/7 email and chat support even for free-plan users. I’ve used their chat support three times, and each time, a friendly, knowledgeable human answered my question in under a minute. The MailerLite customer support review from me is glowing. This is how you build trust and loyalty.

Winner: MailerLite.

Part 4: How to Painlessly Migrate From Mailchimp to MailerLite (My Step-by-Step Guide)

Okay, you’re convinced. You’re ready to make the switch. The idea of a migrate from Mailchimp to MailerLite guide might seem terrifying, but I promise it’s easier than you think. I moved my list of 20,000+ subscribers in an afternoon.

Before You Switch: The Essential Prep-Work

Don’t just jump ship. A little planning goes a long way.

1. Don’t Cancel Mailchimp Yet: Keep your account active until the migration is 100% complete.
2. Inform Your Subscribers: Send one final email from Mailchimp letting your list know you’re moving to a new provider. This “warms up” the new sending IP and improves deliverability.
3. Save Your Assets: Download any email templates, images, or files you want to keep from your Mailchimp account.

Step 1: Cleaning Your Mailchimp List (Stop Paying for Dead Weight)

This is the perfect opportunity for spring cleaning. The cleaning your email list before migrating step is vital.

• In Mailchimp, go to your audience and create segments for:
  • Subscribers who haven’t opened your last 10-15 emails.
  • Unsubscribed contacts.
  • Non-subscribed (transactional) contacts.
• Export your active, engaged subscribers. This is the only list you should import to MailerLite. Leave the dead weight behind. This will save you money and dramatically improve your open rates and deliverability. You can learn more about email best practices from industry leaders like .

Step 2: Exporting Your Subscribers from Mailchimp

This is straightforward. Go to your audience, select your engaged segment, and click “Export Segment.” Mailchimp will email you a CSV file. This file contains all your subscribers and, crucially, their tags.

Step 3: Setting Up Your MailerLite Account for Success

If you haven’t, . The first thing you need to do is get your account approved and authenticate your domain. This is a critical step for email deliverability. MailerLite has a simple, step-by-step guide to walk you through adding the necessary DNS records. It’s a one-time setup that ensures your emails don’t land in spam.

Step 4: Importing Your List and Managing Groups

This is the magic part.

1. In MailerLite, go to the “Subscribers” tab.
2. Click “Add Subscribers” and choose “Import from CSV.”
3. Upload the file you got from Mailchimp.
4. MailerLite will ask you to map the columns. Match “Email Address” to “Email,” “First Name” to “First Name,” etc.
5. Crucially: You can map your Mailchimp “Tags” column directly to MailerLite “Groups.” This keeps your segmentation intact!
6. Create a new “Group” for this import (e.g., “Mailchimp Import – Oct 2025”).

That’s it. Your subscribers are now in MailerLite, all in one place, neatly organized by groups.

Step 5: Recreating Your Forms and Automations

This is the only part that takes manual work, but it’s a great chance to simplify.

• Forms: Use MailerLite’s intuitive builder to recreate your website pop-ups and embedded forms. Swap out the old Mailchimp code on your site.
• Automations: Go to the “Automation” tab in MailerLite and rebuild your welcome sequence using the visual workflow builder. It’s so much more pleasant to use that you might even find yourself adding better automations.

Once your forms are live and your welcome sequence is active, you are officially moved. You can now go back and cancel that Mailchimp subscription for good.

Part 5: My Results and Final Thoughts (Life After Mailchimp)

I’ve been using MailerLite for three months now. Here’s what’s happened:

1. I’m saving over $1,200 a year. My bill is a fraction of what it was.
2. My open rates have increased by 8%. This is likely due to a combination of a cleaner list and MailerLite’s excellent deliverability.
3. I spend 75% less time managing my email marketing. The platform is just fast.
4. I’m actually using my automations and building new landing pages because it’s no longer a chore.

Choosing the right SaaS tools can make or break your business, and this move was one of the best I’ve made. It’s a good reminder to regularly and ensure your tools are working for you.

Is Quitting Mailchimp the Right Move for You?

This MailerLite review 2025 comes from personal experience. If you are a large e-commerce brand with complex, multi-million dollar funnels, Mailchimp might still be for you.

But if you are a blogger, creator, freelancer, or small business owner who is tired of overpaying for a confusing platform, the answer is an unequivocal yes. The benefits of switching to MailerLite are immediate and significant.

My final verdict? Making the switch was the best decision I made for my business this year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Switching from Mailchimp

1. Is MailerLite really free?

Yes. The MailerLite “Free” plan is one of the best in the industry. It includes up to 1,000 subscribers, 12,000 emails per month, automations, landing pages, and website-building tools. You don’t even need a credit card to sign up.

2. Is it hard to move from Mailchimp to MailerLite?

No. As my guide shows, the technical part of moving your list is very simple and takes less than an hour. The only manual part is rebuilding your forms and automation sequences.

3. What is the best Mailchimp alternative for bloggers?

For bloggers, I strongly recommend MailerLite. Its simplicity, powerful landing page builder, and affordable pricing are a perfect match for a content-focused business.

4. Will my emails go to spam if I switch providers?

Not if you do it correctly! By authenticating your domain with MailerLite and (optionally) “warming up” your list by sending an announcement email before you move, you can maintain—and even improve—your deliverability. Reputable platforms like offer great resources on email deliverability.

5. Does MailerLite have good automation?

Yes. The MailerLite automation is powerful and visually intuitive. You can easily create multi-step welcome sequences, tag users based on behavior, and move them between groups, all within a simple drag-and-drop workflow.

6. Can I A/B test my emails in MailerLite?

Yes. A/B testing for subject lines, content, and “from” names is included in all paid plans, which start at a very low price. You can even A/B test landing pages.

7. Is MailerLite good for e-commerce?

Yes. MailerLite has direct integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, and other major platforms. You can sync your customers, build segments based on purchase history, and send automated abandoned cart emails.

8. What is the difference between MailerLite and Mailchimp’s audience management?

This is the most important difference. Mailchimp uses a list-based system, where you have separate “audiences” and get charged for duplicate contacts. MailerLite uses a subscriber-centric system. All your subscribers are in one place, and you use “groups” and “tags” to segment them. It’s far cleaner and more cost-effective.

9. Why is Mailchimp so expensive for small businesses?

Mailchimp’s pricing model is not friendly to small businesses. They charge for all contacts (including unsubscribes) and their tiers jump in price very quickly. Their focus has clearly shifted to larger enterprise clients.

10. What are the biggest limitations of Mailchimp’s free plan?

The biggest Mailchimp free plan limitations are the low subscriber limit (500), the inability to schedule emails, the lack of multi-step automations, and the removal of email support.

11. Does MailerLite have good templates?

Yes. MailerLite comes with a library of modern, clean, and fully responsive email templates that you can customize with their drag-and-drop builder.

12. Is MailerLite compliant with GDPR and other privacy laws?

Yes. MailerLite is fully GDPR-compliant and provides all the tools you need to create compliant forms, manage consent, and process data securely. It’s always important to understand your own responsibilities under .

13. How long does it take for a MailerLite account to be approved?

Approval is a manual process to prevent spammers and maintain high deliverability for all users. It typically takes anywhere from a few hours to one business day. Authenticating your domain can speed this up.

14. Can I sell digital products with MailerLite?

Yes! MailerLite has a “Digital Products” feature where you can upload and sell digital products directly from your landing pages or emails. This is an incredible feature that can save you from needing another platform.

15. My business is growing. Can MailerLite scale with me?

Absolutely. MailerLite has all the advanced features you’ll need as you grow, including advanced segmentation, A/B testing, and robust e-commerce integrations. It’s the perfect platform to start with and grow with.