Pricing snapshot
Mailchimp plans & pricing
Compare the core plans, included features, and starting price before you choose a plan.
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 / forever |
|
| Essentials Most popular | $13 / month |
|
| Standard | $20 / month |
|
| Premium | $350 / month |
|
How much does Mailchimp cost?
Mailchimp uses a tiered model with a free entry point, and the headline prices you see are starting points, every paid plan scales up as your contact count grows.
The Free plan costs $0 forever, with low contact and monthly send limits, basic campaigns and forms, and Mailchimp branding on your emails. It’s a reasonable way to test the platform or run a tiny list, but the limits are tight.
The Essentials plan starts at $13/month and is the most popular entry point. It removes Mailchimp branding and adds email scheduling, A/B testing, multiple audiences, and support. For most small senders who want a clean, branded email, this is the baseline.
The Standard plan starts at $20/month and is where Mailchimp’s automation gets serious, customer journeys, send-time and content optimization, retargeting, and predictive tools. If automation matters to you, this is the tier to look at.
The Premium plan starts at $350/month and targets larger organizations needing advanced segmentation and reporting, unlimited seats with role-based access, and priority phone support.
The crucial caveat: those starting prices assume a small list. As your contacts grow, every paid tier costs more, sometimes substantially. Always price the plan at your actual list size, not the headline figure.
Is there a free plan or trial?
Mailchimp’s model is a free plan rather than a free trial, which is a genuine advantage for getting started. There’s no countdown clock and no card required: you can send within the free limits for as long as you like.
The trade-offs are real, though. The contact and send caps are low, your emails carry Mailchimp branding, and you don’t get automation, A/B testing, or scheduling. Treat the free plan as a way to learn the interface and confirm fit, not as a long-term home for a growing list.
Is Mailchimp worth the price?
Whether Mailchimp is worth paying for comes down to your list size and how much you value its familiarity.
If you’re a small business that wants a polished, well-known all-in-one and you sit comfortably on Essentials or Standard, Mailchimp is reasonable. The interface is approachable, integrations are everywhere, and the automation on Standard covers most needs.
If you’re a larger or fast-growing sender, the calculus shifts. Mailchimp’s contact-based pricing climbs faster than several rivals, and on some plans you pay for unsubscribed contacts too. At those sizes, tools like MailerLite or Brevo often deliver comparable features for noticeably less, so it’s worth pricing them at your real list size before you commit.
For the full hands-on picture, see our full Mailchimp review.
Pricing note: plans scale with list size and change often, confirm current pricing on Mailchimp’s site.
Pricing FAQ
How much does Mailchimp cost?
Mailchimp has a free plan at $0, plus paid tiers starting at $13/month for Essentials, $20/month for Standard, and $350/month for Premium. All paid prices scale up with your contact count, so your actual bill depends on list size.
Does Mailchimp have a free plan?
Yes. Mailchimp offers a permanently free plan with low contact and monthly send limits and Mailchimp branding on your emails. It's fine for testing or very small lists, but most active senders outgrow it quickly.
Why does my Mailchimp bill keep going up?
Mailchimp prices scale with your number of contacts, and on some plans that count includes unsubscribed and non-subscribed addresses. As your list grows, the same plan costs more, which is the most common pricing complaint.
Is Mailchimp worth the price?
For small businesses that value a familiar, polished all-in-one and stay on Essentials or Standard, it's reasonable. But at larger list sizes Mailchimp often costs more than rivals like MailerLite or Brevo for similar features, so heavy senders should compare.