Mailchimp review
The famous default — easy to start, but the priciest path as you scale.
The verdict
Mailchimp is the name everyone knows and the easiest on-ramp, but it is where “real cost at scale” bites hardest: about $135/mo at 10K on Standard, generous contact counting (unsubscribed and non-subscribed contacts can still bill) and key features gated behind higher tiers. Fine for tiny lists; for anything growing you pay a brand premium MailerLite does not charge.
Visit Mailchimp →Real cost at scale
What Mailchimp actually costs as your list grows:
| List size | 1K | 5K | 10K | 25K | 50K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real monthly cost | $26 | $100 | $135 | $275 | $450 |
Pros
- Easiest to start
- Polished templates & brand tools
- Huge integration ecosystem
Cons
- Expensive and steep at scale
- Generous contact counting inflates bills
- Key features gated to higher tiers
- Ranked last on value at scale
Best for
Beginners and very small lists who value familiarity over cost.
Compare the real cost
See Mailchimp side by side with five rivals at every list size.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission if you sign up via our links — it never changes our score or the prices shown. Prices verified June 2026.