Klaviyo vs Mailchimp
Mailchimp vs Klaviyo is the generalist versus the e-commerce specialist. Mailchimp serves all businesses; Klaviyo is laser-focused on online stores. If you run an e-commerce business, this comparison matters significantly.
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Quick Answer
Mailchimp beats Klaviyo for most users. It scores 9.1/10 vs 8.8/10 and free plan for up to 500 contacts. Choose Klaviyo if you need deep e-commerce integrations.
Klaviyo
E-commerce email marketing with Shopify integration
Starting from
$20/mo
Mailchimp
WinnerMost popular email platform with powerful automation
Starting from
$13/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 |
| Starting Price | $20/mo | $13/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Contacts | 250 (free) | 500 (free) |
| Emails per Month | 500 (free) | 1,000 (free) |
| Automation & Testing | ||
| Automation | ||
| A/B Testing | ||
| Segmentation | ||
| Features | ||
| Landing Pages | ||
| Templates | 80+ | 100+ |
| Analytics | ||
| Integrations | 300+ | 300+ |
| API Access | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
Klaviyo
- Deep e-commerce integrations
- Powerful segmentation based on purchase behavior
- Predictive analytics and CLV
- Pre-built e-commerce flows
- SMS marketing included
- Free for up to 250 contacts
- Expensive for large lists
- Steep learning curve
- Not ideal for non-e-commerce
Mailchimp
- Free plan for up to 500 contacts
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor
- Extensive template library
- Powerful automation features
- Detailed analytics and reporting
- Integrates with 300+ apps
- Pricing increases quickly with list size
- Limited features on free plan
- Customer support can be slow
Key Difference
Klaviyo was built for e-commerce from day one; Mailchimp added e-commerce features later. Klaviyo's Shopify integration is deeper and more powerful. Klaviyo costs more but delivers e-commerce-specific ROI. Mailchimp is better for general marketing.
Which Should You Choose?
Klaviyo
Choose Mailchimp if you don't run an e-commerce store, need general marketing features beyond email, want social media management included, or prefer a broader platform.
Mailchimp
Choose Klaviyo if you run a Shopify or e-commerce store, want predictive analytics and customer lifetime value tracking, need advanced product recommendation emails, or focus on revenue attribution.
Our Verdict
Klaviyo wins decisively for e-commerce with superior Shopify integration, predictive analytics, and revenue-focused features. Mailchimp wins for non-e-commerce businesses that need general marketing features. Know your use case before choosing.
Thinking of Switching?
If you're an e-commerce business on Mailchimp, switching to Klaviyo often pays for itself through better revenue attribution. Klaviyo offers migration assistance. Plan for deeper integration setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Klaviyo better than Mailchimp?
Mailchimp scores higher in our testing (9.1/10 vs 8.8/10). Mailchimp excels at free plan for up to 500 contacts, while Klaviyo is better for deep e-commerce integrations.
Which is cheaper, Klaviyo or Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $0.00/mo. Mailchimp offers NaN% savings.
Klaviyo vs Mailchimp: which should I choose?
Choose Klaviyo if you prioritize deep e-commerce integrations. Choose Mailchimp if you need free plan for up to 500 contacts. Both are solid email marketing options.
What's the main difference between Klaviyo and Mailchimp?
The main difference is Klaviyo offers e-commerce email marketing with shopify integration, while Mailchimp focuses on most popular email platform with powerful automation.