Mailchimp vs beehiiv: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Mailchimp and beehiiv comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Mailchimp
Grow your business with email, SMS, and AI marketing
Best for you if:
- • You need email marketing features specifically
- • Leading email marketing platform with AI-powered automation, used by millions of businesses worldwide
- • Free plan supports up to 250 contacts and 500 emails/month; paid plans start at $13/month for 500 contacts
beehiiv
Newsletter platform for growth
Best for you if:
- • You need newsletter tools features specifically
- • Newsletter platform for growth
- • Built-in monetization
| At a Glance |  Mailchimp |  beehiiv |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Email Marketing | Newsletter Tools |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 |
Choose Mailchimp or beehiiv?
Choose Mailchimp if
Grow your business with email, SMS, and AI marketing
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor accessible to non-technical users
- Comprehensive free plan to get started with basic email marketing
- Powerful automation workflows rivaling dedicated automation platforms
- Your work is email marketing-shaped, not newsletter tools-shaped
Choose beehiiv if
Newsletter platform for growth
- Generous free tier
- Great growth features
- Built-in monetization
- Your work is newsletter tools-shaped, not email marketing-shaped
| Feature | Mailchimp | beehiiv |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 30,300 reviews | ★4.5/5 49 reviews |
| Categories | Email MarketingMarketing Automation | Newsletter ToolsEmail Marketing |
In-Depth Analysis
Mailchimp
Grow your business with email, SMS, and AI marketing
Strengths
- +Intuitive drag-and-drop editor accessible to non-technical users
- +Comprehensive free plan to get started with basic email marketing
- +Powerful automation workflows rivaling dedicated automation platforms
- +Extensive template library with mobile-responsive designs
- +Strong deliverability rates backed by Intuit infrastructure
Weaknesses
- -Free plan capped at just 250 contacts and 500 sends per month
- -Pricing scales steeply as contact lists grow beyond initial tiers
- -Advanced segmentation and multivariate testing require Standard or Premium
- -Phone support only available on the Premium plan
- -Removing Mailchimp branding requires a paid plan
Key features
beehiiv
Newsletter platform for growth
Strengths
- +Generous free tier
- +Great growth features
- +Built-in monetization
- +Modern interface
Weaknesses
- -Learning curve
- -Some features need higher tiers
- -Limited customization on free
Key features
Pricing: Mailchimp vs beehiiv
| Plan | Mailchimp | beehiiv |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $0 Launch |
| Tier 2 | $13 month Essentials | $43 Scale |
| Tier 3 | $20 month Standard | $96 Max |
| Tier 4 | $350 month Premium | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Mailchimp pricing and beehiiv pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Mailchimp
Want the highest-rated option?
Mailchimp: 4.4/5 (30,300 reviews). beehiiv: 4.5/5 (49 reviews).
Go with: beehiiv
Value user reviews?
Mailchimp: 30,300 reviews (4.4/5). beehiiv: 49 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Mailchimp
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Mailchimp is a email marketing tool. beehiiv is in newsletter tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
beehiiv is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Mailchimp
- Larger review base (30,300 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
beehiiv
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5
- Better fit for newsletter tools
The Bottom Line
Mailchimp is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mailchimp or beehiiv better?
Mailchimp is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Mailchimp and beehiiv used for?
Mailchimp: Grow your business with email, SMS, and AI marketing. beehiiv: Newsletter platform for growth.
What does Mailchimp cost vs beehiiv?
Mailchimp is freemium (free tier + paid plans). beehiiv is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.