Mailchimp is an email marketing and automation platform owned by Intuit. Its AI helps you write emails, build customer segments, predict buying behaviour and choose the best send time. There is a free plan, and paid plans start at about $13 a month.
What is Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is one of the best known email marketing tools. You can build an audience, design emails and landing pages, and run automated journeys such as welcome series and abandoned cart emails.
Since Intuit bought it, Mailchimp has added AI from Intuit Intelligence. It can write and improve email copy, suggest subject lines, create predicted segments and help you win back customers who have gone quiet.
Mailchimp key features
AI email writer
Generate and improve email copy and subject lines in your brand tone.
Predictive segments
Groups contacts by likely purchase or churn so you can target them.
Send time optimisation
Sends each email at the time a contact is most likely to open it.
Customer journeys
Visual automation builder for welcome, cart and win-back flows.
Email templates
Drag and drop editor with ready-made templates.
Ecommerce integrations
Connects with Shopify, WooCommerce and other stores.
SMS marketing
Send text messages alongside your email campaigns.
A/B testing
Test content, subject lines and send times to find what works.
Reports
See opens, clicks, revenue and audience growth in one place.
Mailchimp pricing plans (2026)
Mailchimp has a free plan and three paid plans. Prices rise with the number of contacts, so check the calculator for your list size.
Free
Up to 250 contacts and 1,000 sends a month with basic templates.
Essentials
More sends, A/B testing, templates and email support.
Standard
AI tools, predictive segments, journeys and send time optimisation.
Premium
Advanced segmentation, multivariate testing and phone support.
Starting prices checked in October 2026 (USD) for the smallest list size. Mailchimp often runs discounts for new users. Confirm on the official Mailchimp pricing page.
How to use Mailchimp
- 1
Go to mailchimp.com and create a free account.
- 2
Import your contacts or connect your online store.
- 3
Create an email and use the AI tools to write the copy and subject line.
- 4
Set up an automated journey, such as a welcome series.
- 5
Send, then review reports and use AI suggestions to improve results.
Who should use Mailchimp?
Small businesses
Send newsletters and offers without a big team.
Online stores
Recover carts and drive repeat sales.
Creators
Grow and engage an email audience.
Marketers
Automate journeys and test campaigns.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Free plan to get started
- Easy drag and drop editor
- Useful AI for copy and segments
- Many ecommerce and app integrations
Watch out for
- Free plan has a small contact limit
- Costs grow fast as your list grows
- Best AI features need Standard or higher
- Automation is less advanced than some rivals
Best Mailchimp alternatives
Mailchimp is a reliable, easy email marketing tool, and its AI makes writing and targeting faster. It is great for small businesses and stores. If your list grows large, compare costs with Klaviyo or Brevo.
Mailchimp FAQs
Is Mailchimp free?
Yes. Mailchimp has a free plan for up to 250 contacts and 1,000 sends a month.
How much does Mailchimp cost?
Paid plans start at about $13/month for Essentials, $20/month for Standard and $350/month for Premium, based on list size.
Does Mailchimp have AI?
Yes. Mailchimp uses Intuit AI for email writing, subject lines, predictive segments and send time optimisation.
Is Mailchimp good for ecommerce?
Yes. It connects with Shopify, WooCommerce and other platforms for cart and product emails.
Who owns Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is owned by Intuit, which acquired it in 2021. It was founded in 2001 in Atlanta.
What is the best Mailchimp alternative?
Klaviyo is popular for ecommerce, Brevo for low cost, and HubSpot for an all-in-one CRM.
