Testing hosting since 2009. 60+ accounts across major providers. Former web dev turned full-time reviewer.
Best Free Mailchimp Alternatives 2026: 3 That Actually Work
Mailchimp's free plan now caps at 500 contacts and 1,000 emails/month no automation, no A/B testing. I tested 3 alternatives that give you more on their free tiers than Mailchimp does on paid.
Brevo: Unlimited Contacts for Free
While Mailchimp limits you to 500 contacts, Brevo lets you store unlimited contacts on their free plan. You only pay when you need to send more than 300 emails/day.
Quick Verdict: Which Email Tool?
- Best free plan →Brevo (300 emails/day, unlimited contacts)
- Best automation →GetResponse (visual workflow builder)
- Best for ecommerce →Klaviyo (Shopify integration)
- Easiest to learn →MailerLite (clean UI, generous free tier)
Starting from zero? Brevo's free plan handles most small business needs. Upgrade when you hit the limits.
Why People Are Leaving Mailchimp
Mailchimp's free plan used to be genuinely generous 2,000 contacts, 10,000 emails, basic automation included. Then Intuit bought them in 2021 and started squeezing:
❌Mailchimp Free Plan: Then vs Now
Before (2020):
- 2,000 contacts
- 10,000 emails/month
- Basic automation
- Landing pages
Now (2026):
- 500 contacts (→5%)
- 1,000 emails/month (→0%)
- No automation
- No A/B testing
On Reddit, "Mailchimp alternative" is searched thousands of times monthly. The most common complaints: rising prices, reduced free tier, confusing interface changes, and declining deliverability rates.
3 Best Free Mailchimp Alternatives
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
Unlimited contacts for free you pay by emails sent, not list size
Free Plan
300 emails/day, unlimited contacts
Paid Plans From
$9/mo for 5,000 emails
✅Pros
- +Unlimited contacts on free plan
- +Built-in CRM + SMS marketing
- +Transactional email API included
- +GDPR compliant (EU-based)
- +WordPress plugin available
✅Cons
- →300 emails/day limit on free plan
- →Brevo branding on free emails
- →Template editor less polished than Mailchimp
Best for: You have a big list but don't send that often. Nonprofits, early-stage businesses.
MailerLite
The nicest email editor of the bunch, plus free landing pages
Free Plan
1,000 subscribers, 12,000 emails/mo
Paid Plans From
$10/mo for 500 subscribers
✅Pros
- +Drag-and-drop editor (best in class)
- +Free landing pages & pop-ups
- +Automation workflows on free plan
- +A/B testing included
- +Clean, intuitive interface
✅Cons
- →1,000 subscriber limit on free plan
- →Approval process can take 24-48 hours
- →No advanced segmentation on free plan
Best for: You care about how your emails look. Bloggers, creators, anyone who wants polished design without fighting the editor.
GetResponse
Overkill for a newsletter, perfect if you need funnels and automation
Free Plan
500 subscribers, 2,500 emails/mo
Paid Plans From
$19/mo for 1,000 subscribers
✅Pros
- +AI email generator included
- +Landing pages + website builder
- +Webinar hosting (paid plans)
- +Advanced automation workflows
- +Conversion funnels built-in
✅Cons
- →Only 500 subscribers on free plan
- →Free plan has GetResponse branding
- →Interface can feel complex for beginners
Best for: You're running a real marketing operation funnels, webinars, automation sequences. Not just a monthly newsletter.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Mailchimp | Brevo | MailerLite | GetResponse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Contacts | 500 (was 2,000) | Unlimited | 1,000 | 500 |
| Free Emails/mo | 1,000 | 9,000 (300/day) | 12,000 | 2,500 |
| Automation | ✅Paid only | ✅Basic | ✅Yes | ✅Yes |
| Landing Pages | ✅Paid only | ✅Paid only | ✅Yes | ✅Yes |
| A/B Testing | ✅Paid only | ✅Yes | ✅Yes | ✅Paid only |
| CRM | ✅No | ✅Built-in | ✅No | ✅Paid only |
| SMS Marketing | ✅Paid only | ✅Yes | ✅No | ✅Paid plans |
| Branding Removed | ✅Paid only | ✅Paid only | ✅Paid only | ✅Paid only |
| WordPress Plugin | ✅Yes | ✅Yes | ✅Yes | ✅Yes |
| API Access | ✅Yes | ✅Yes | ✅Yes | ✅Yes |
Deliverability Test Results
Deliverability the percentage of emails that reach the inbox is the most important metric. Based on aggregated industry test data from EmailToolTester and other sources:
All three alternatives beat Mailchimp on inbox placement. MailerLite leads at 91.2%. Mailchimp's deliverability has slipped since the Intuit acquisition probably a volume and reputation issue from their massive user base.
How to Migrate From Mailchimp
Export Your Contacts
In Mailchimp: Audience →All contacts →Export Audience. Download the CSV file. This includes email addresses, names, tags, and subscription dates.
Export Your Templates
Save any custom email templates. In Mailchimp: Campaigns →Email templates →select each →export HTML. Most alternatives can import HTML templates.
Sign Up for Your New Platform
Create a free account on Brevo, MailerLite, or GetResponse. MailerLite requires approval (24-48 hours), so start early.
Import Contacts
Upload your CSV file. Map the fields (email, name, tags). Most platforms auto-detect Mailchimp CSV format.
Recreate Automations
Rebuild your welcome sequences and automated workflows. All three platforms offer visual automation builders that are easier than Mailchimp's.
Update Signup Forms
Replace Mailchimp forms on your website with your new platform's forms. Update any API integrations (WordPress plugins, Zapier, etc.).
Quick Pick
Big list, low sends? →Brevo. Want pretty emails without the hassle? →MailerLite. Need the full marketing toolkit? →GetResponse. Any of them will feel like an upgrade from Mailchimp's free plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Get Started?
Start with a free plan →most tools offer generous free tiers. Upgrade to paid when you hit subscriber limits or need advanced automation.
Email Marketing Pitfalls That Cost Real Money
- ❌Don't import purchased email lists →your deliverability will tank and you risk getting your domain blacklisted permanently.
- ❌Free plans often strip your custom branding and add the provider's footer. Check what "free" actually looks like to your subscribers.
- ❌Sending frequency matters more than list size. I've seen 500-subscriber lists outperform 10K lists because they sent consistently and segmented properly.
- ❌Watch out for per-email pricing vs per-contact pricing. At scale, the difference can be 5-10x in monthly cost.
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Affiliate Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products we've tested and trust.
Testing hosting since 2009. 60+ accounts across major providers. Former web dev turned full-time reviewer.