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Email Marketing

Mailchimp vs ActiveCampaign vs Klaviyo

Mailchimp for beginners. ActiveCampaign for automation power. Klaviyo for ecommerce brands.

Mailchimp
vs
ActiveCampaign
vs
Klaviyo
Updated May 2026
🏆 Best Overall
ActiveCampaign
Marketers who need powerful automation

Feature Comparison

Feature Mailchimp ActiveCampaign Klaviyo
Free Plan✓ 500 contacts✗ Trial only✓ 250 contacts
Starting PriceFree / $13/mo$29/moFree / $20/mo
AutomationBasic✓ Best-in-class✓ Excellent for ecom
Ecommerce IntegrationGoodGood✓ Best-in-class
CRM Built-inBasic✓ YesBasic
DeliverabilityGood✓ Excellent✓ Excellent
SMS Marketing✓ Available✓ Native
Ease of Use★★★★★★★★☆☆★★★★☆

Detailed Breakdown

Mailchimp

Free / from $13/mo
★★★★ 4.3

The most well-known email marketing platform. Good for beginners with drag-and-drop editor, automations, and basic analytics.

Pros

  • ✓ Easy to use
  • ✓ Good free plan
  • ✓ Strong template library
  • ✓ Built-in landing pages

Cons

  • ✗ Gets expensive as list grows
  • ✗ Automation less advanced than rivals
  • ✗ Support lacking on free plan
Try Mailchimp Free →

ActiveCampaign

From $29/mo
★★★★½ 4.6

Advanced email marketing and marketing automation platform. Best-in-class automation builder with CRM features built in.

Pros

  • ✓ Best automation builder
  • ✓ Built-in CRM
  • ✓ Excellent deliverability
  • ✓ Detailed reporting

Cons

  • ✗ No free plan
  • ✗ Learning curve on automation
  • ✗ Pricier than alternatives
Try ActiveCampaign →

Klaviyo

Free up to 250 contacts / from $20/mo
★★★★½ 4.6

The go-to email and SMS marketing platform for ecommerce. Deep Shopify integration and revenue-attributed reporting.

Pros

  • ✓ Best ecom integrations
  • ✓ Revenue attribution
  • ✓ Strong SMS marketing
  • ✓ Powerful segmentation

Cons

  • ✗ Expensive for large lists
  • ✗ Overkill for non-ecom
  • ✗ UI can be complex
Try Klaviyo Free →

Final Verdict

Mailchimp for beginners. ActiveCampaign for automation power. Klaviyo for ecommerce brands.