Email marketing software is one of the most essential tools for your business, as it allows you to create and send emails that keep your customers engaged with your brand.
Without an email marketing tool, managing email campaigns for your business would be very difficult, if not impossible.
There are numerous email marketing software options available, with two popular choices being MailChimp and Klaviyo. MailChimp is the most widely used email marketing tool worldwide, boasting over 13 million users. In contrast, Klaviyo, while less popular, serves over 70,000 users globally.
In this review, we will compare MailChimp and Klaviyo based on key factors such as features, performance, customer support, and pricing. After reading this comparison, you can check our previous reviews of MailChimp and Klaviyo for more detailed information about the platform.
Mailchimp vs Klaviyo: features
MailChimp is a web-based software-as-a-service platform that allows users to send emails to any number of addresses on their subscriber list. It offers a variety of professionally designed email templates that users can choose from and customize to suit their preferences. These templates enable users to create emails that look polished and professional. Additionally, if desired, you can design your email layout from scratch using MailChimp’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor.
You can either build a new email list with MailChimp or import an existing one, or do both. To create a new list, you can generate forms using MailChimp and embed them on your website. When visitors enter their email addresses in these forms, their information is automatically added to your MailChimp email list. For importing an email list, simply download it as a CSV file and upload it to MailChimp; the platform will automatically extract all the email addresses from that list.
Klaviyo is another web-based software-as-a-service platform similar to MailChimp. It also provides a selection of customizable templates for creating professional-looking emails, or you can use the platform’s drag-and-drop editor to design your own from scratch.
Klaviyo allows you to send automated messages to your customers based on specific actions, such as sending a welcome email when a customer subscribes to your newsletter. The platform includes a comprehensive suite of features for marketing through SMS, similar to what you can do with email. While MailChimp offers SMS marketing tools, they are not as advanced as those available on Klaviyo.
Mailchimp vs Klaviyo: performance
MailChimp is primarily a web-based platform that offers mobile applications for both iOS and Android devices. These mobile apps allow users to manage their email campaigns while on the go, making it convenient to monitor and adjust campaigns during situations where a desktop or PC might not be accessible, such as during commutes.
One of MailChimp’s notable advantages is its user-friendly interface. The platform successfully combines a wide range of features within a straightforward design that is generally easy to navigate. While new users may initially find the interface somewhat complex, it typically becomes more manageable with experience.
In contrast, Klaviyo is also a web-based tool but lacks a dedicated mobile app for managing email and SMS campaigns on the go, which is a limitation compared to MailChimp.
Klaviyo features an intuitive interface and provides detailed reports and insights, making it easier to evaluate the effectiveness of campaigns. Additionally, it allows for efficient segmentation of subscriber lists, enabling targeted marketing strategies. However, MailChimp tends to have the edge over Klaviyo in terms of overall user-friendliness.
Mailchimp vs Klaviyo: support
MailChimp offers direct customer support through email, live chat, and telephone. But, telephone support is exclusive to users who pay for the most expensive plan, while the others have access to email and live chat support. As goodwill, MailChimp offers email support to free users for the first 30 days after signing up.
All users can access the MailChimp help center, which contains user guides and tutorials concerning all aspects of the platform. There's also an official marketplace where you can hire vetted MailChimp experts to help with your marketing efforts.
Klaviyo offers direct support through email and live chat. Email support is for free and paid accounts, while chat is for paid accounts only. There’s no phone support, which we consider a drawback for enterprise customers.
All users can access Klaviyo's help center, which provides a searchable database of information on all Klaviyo features and tips to help users maximize the platform. We like that Klaviyo offers email support to free users, unlike MailChimp which limits it to 30 days. However, we consider MailChimp the better tool in this category because it offers phone support while Klaviyo doesn’t.
Mailchimp vs Klaviyo: pricing
Mailchimp offers a variety of pricing plans to accommodate different needs and budgets as of February 2025. Their options include a Free plan, which is perfect for beginners and small businesses with basic email marketing requirements. This plan allows users to send up to 1,000 emails per month to a maximum of 500 contacts, although it does include Mailchimp branding on emails and has limited features.
For small businesses seeking more advanced functionality, the Essentials plan starts at $13 per month. This plan includes features such as A/B testing, custom branding, and 24/7 support for up to 500 contacts and 5,000 email sends per month.
The Standard plan, suitable for growing businesses, begins at $20 per month and offers marketing automation and enhanced analytics. It includes features like behavioral targeting and custom templates, allowing for up to 500 contacts and 6,000 email sends each month.
The Premium plan, designed for large businesses, starts at $350 per month and provides comprehensive marketing tools, including advanced segmentation and priority support for up to 10,000 contacts and 150,000 monthly email sends.
In addition to email marketing plans, Mailchimp also offers website and e-commerce plans with varying features and pricing. The Free plan enables users to create a basic website with limited functionalities, while the Core plan, starting at $10 per month, provides more advanced website features, including custom domains and e-commerce capabilities.
For businesses needing to send transactional emails such as order confirmations and password resets, Mailchimp offers a separate service under a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which costs $20 per month for 25,000 emails.
Klaviyo offers a tiered pricing structure that scales based on the size of your contact list and the volume of emails and SMS messages you send. Its free plan, which includes up to 250 contacts and 500 email sends per month, is an excellent option for getting started.
Beyond the free plan, its pricing primarily depends on the number of "active profiles" in your account, which includes all subscribers who have not unsubscribed. This means you are paying for every person on your list, even if they are not actively engaging with your emails.
Klaviyo's email plans start at $45 monthly for up to 15,000 email sends and increase as your contact list grows. They also offer "Email & SMS" plans that bundle email and SMS credits, starting at $60 monthly. For larger businesses with more complex needs, Klaviyo has a Customer Data Platform (CDP) that starts at $500 per month.
It's important to note that Klaviyo uses a credit system for SMS marketing, and you will need to purchase additional credits if you exceed the amount included in your plan. Overall, Klaviyo can be a powerful tool, but it's essential to carefully consider your needs and budget, as their pricing can become relatively high as your business scales.
Mailchimp vs Klaviyo: verdict
MailChimp and Klaviyo are effective marketing tools with distinct focuses.
MailChimp is centered on email marketing, featuring a user-friendly interface ideal for small businesses. It offers customizable templates, A/B testing, analytics, and automation for targeted emails, making it great for engaging leads.
Klaviyo, however, combines email and SMS marketing, offering a unified platform for businesses aiming for a cohesive customer experience. With advanced segmentation and data-driven insights, it helps optimize campaigns and improve conversion rates, particularly beneficial for e-commerce integration.
Ultimately, if you need a straightforward email marketing tool, MailChimp is a solid choice. For a comprehensive approach that includes SMS and advanced analytics, Klaviyo is the better option. Your choice depends on your specific marketing goals and resources.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
