Kit was built specifically for creators: bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, and newsletter writers. Mailchimp is a general-purpose email tool that has been around for a long time, but it has not kept pace with creator needs. Its list-based pricing model can charge you multiple times for the same subscriber, its free plan is limited to 500 contacts, and it has been raising prices. For creators, there are better options.
| Feature | Kit | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free / $25/mo | Free / $13/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ Up to 10,000 subscribers | ✓ 500 contacts |
| Creator commerce tools | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Link pages | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Automation | Good (tag-based) | Basic |
| Newsletter focus | ✓ Yes | General purpose |
| Best for | Creators, newsletters, bloggers | Small businesses, ecommerce |
Creator tools
Kit is built around the creator workflow. Its landing page builder, link pages, commerce tools (for selling digital products), and referral program are all designed with creators in mind. Mailchimp has landing pages and some ecommerce tools but they are not calibrated for creators.
Pricing
Kit's free plan covers up to 10,000 subscribers. Mailchimp's free plan covers 500 contacts and limits your monthly sends. Mailchimp also charges per audience, which means if a subscriber appears in multiple lists you can be billed for them more than once. Kit charges once per unique active subscriber regardless of how many tags or segments they are in.
Automation
Kit's automation is tag-based and built around creator workflows: welcome sequences, launch funnels, and subscriber segmentation by behavior. Mailchimp's automation is basic and has not changed substantially in years. For anything beyond simple drip sequences, Mailchimp's editor feels dated.
Broadcasts vs campaigns
Kit's concept of 'broadcasts' suits newsletter-style sending. Mailchimp's campaign model is more versatile for promotional emails and ecommerce sends. For newsletter writers, Kit's interface feels more natural.
Choose Kit if...
- You are a blogger, podcaster, YouTuber, or newsletter writer
- You want to sell digital products directly through your email platform
- You want a very generous free plan for a large creator audience
- You want a tool built around how creators actually work
Consider Mailchimp if...
- You are already on Mailchimp and switching feels like too much effort right now
- You rely on a specific third-party integration that only connects to Mailchimp
- You are a small business with no interest in creator tools and want a familiar interface
The bottom line
Kit is the better tool for creators. Mailchimp has name recognition but its pricing model, limited free plan, and slow product development make it hard to recommend over the alternatives. If you are not already invested in Mailchimp, there is little reason to start there. If you are on Mailchimp and considering a switch, Kit is worth a close look.
Not sure which tool is right for you? Take the Marketing Automation Buyer's Guide quiz. It asks six questions and recommends the right platform based on your needs and budget.