Some MailerLite users move to Mailchimp for specific third-party integration dependencies. Mailchimp's app marketplace is broader, which is the main reason to make this switch. Note that Mailchimp has been raising prices. MailerLite is generally cheaper, so verify the cost tradeoff makes sense.
This guide covers everything you need to migrate from MailerLite to Mailchimp without losing subscribers or breaking your automations. Estimated time: 2-4 hours.
What transfers and what does not
| Item | Transfers? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts and email addresses | Yes | Via CSV export/import |
| Tags and segments | Partial | Export as custom fields, remap on import |
| Custom field data | Partial | Transfers if mapped correctly during import |
| Unsubscribe history | Yes | Import as suppressed contacts |
| Email templates | No | Need to be rebuilt in Mailchimp |
| Automation workflows | No | Need to be rebuilt from scratch |
| Campaign history | No | Historical stats stay in MailerLite |
Step-by-step migration guide
Sign up at www.mailchimp.com before doing anything else. Keep your MailerLite account running throughout the migration: do not cancel it until everything is confirmed working in Mailchimp.
Add your domain to Mailchimp and follow the DKIM authentication instructions. This improves deliverability and ensures your emails arrive in inboxes, not spam folders. Complete this before importing any contacts.
In MailerLite, go to your audience and export your full contact list as a CSV. Make sure to include all custom fields, tags, and segments. Export your unsubscribed contacts separately: you will need to suppress these in Mailchimp to stay compliant.
Upload your CSV into Mailchimp and map each column to the correct field. Import your unsubscribed contacts as suppressed. Review the import report carefully before proceeding: fix any mapping errors before building automations.
Screenshot or document all your active automations in MailerLite before rebuilding them in Mailchimp. Start with your highest-priority flows: typically your welcome series and any active nurture sequences. Do not activate them until you have tested them with your own email address.
Build your signup forms in Mailchimp and replace the MailerLite embed codes on your website. Test each form to confirm subscribers land in the right list and trigger the correct automation.
Send a test campaign to yourself. Trigger your automations manually. Check every link. Confirm your unsubscribe flow works correctly. Only cancel MailerLite once you are fully satisfied that Mailchimp is working as expected.
Once Mailchimp is fully operational, cancel your MailerLite account. Check your billing date to avoid being charged for another month. Download any historical reports or data you want to keep before cancelling.
The bottom line
Mailchimp makes sense if you need a specific integration that MailerLite does not support. Otherwise, MailerLite generally offers more automation capability and better pricing at equivalent tiers.
Not sure Mailchimp is the right destination? Take the Marketing Automation Buyer's Guide quiz for a personalized recommendation.