Mailchimp vs HubSpot: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Mailchimp and HubSpot 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
HubSpot
CRM platform for scaling businesses
Best for you if:
- • You need CRM features specifically
- • All-in-one CRM platform covering marketing, sales, service, content, and operations with a shared contact database
- • Free CRM and tools for unlimited users; paid Starter plans begin at $15/seat/month with Marketing Professional at $890/month
| At a Glance |  Mailchimp |  HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $13/monthEssentials | $15/seat/monthStarter |
Best For | Email Marketing | CRM |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Mailchimp or HubSpot?
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
- Budget matters ($13/month vs $15/seat/month)
- Your work is email marketing-shaped, not CRM-shaped
Choose HubSpot if
CRM platform for scaling businesses
- Generous free tier with CRM, forms, email, live chat, and basic reporting at no cost
- Unified platform eliminates data silos between marketing, sales, and service teams
- Intuitive interface with short learning curve compared to Salesforce
- Your work is CRM-shaped, not email marketing-shaped
| Feature | Mailchimp | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 30,300 reviews | ★4.2/5 13,321 reviews |
| Categories | Email MarketingMarketing Automation | CRMMarketing Automation |
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
HubSpot
CRM platform for scaling businesses
Strengths
- +Generous free tier with CRM, forms, email, live chat, and basic reporting at no cost
- +Unified platform eliminates data silos between marketing, sales, and service teams
- +Intuitive interface with short learning curve compared to Salesforce
- +Extensive integration marketplace and open API for custom connections
- +HubSpot Academy provides free certifications and high-quality training content
Weaknesses
- -Pricing escalates quickly, Professional and Enterprise tiers are expensive for SMBs
- -Marketing contacts model means you pay more as your database grows
- -CMS is less flexible than WordPress for heavily customized websites
- -Reporting and analytics lag behind dedicated BI tools like Looker or Tableau
- -Contract terms require annual commitment; no monthly billing on higher tiers
Key features
Pricing: Mailchimp vs HubSpot
| Plan | Mailchimp | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free Tools |
| Tier 2 | $13 month Essentials | $15 /seat/month Starter |
| Tier 3 | $20 month Standard | $890 /month Professional |
| Tier 4 | $350 month Premium | $3600 /month Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Mailchimp pricing and HubSpot pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Mailchimp
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Mailchimp
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: HubSpot
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. HubSpot is in CRM. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
HubSpot
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Mailchimp
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.2/5
- Larger review base (30,300 reviews)
- Better fit for email marketing
The Bottom Line
HubSpot is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mailchimp or HubSpot better?
HubSpot is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Mailchimp and HubSpot used for?
Mailchimp: Grow your business with email, SMS, and AI marketing. HubSpot: CRM platform for scaling businesses.
What does Mailchimp cost vs HubSpot?
Mailchimp is freemium (free tier + paid plans). HubSpot is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.