The verdict
Mailchimp takes it, 4–3 on rounds.
On the published figures and the independent review sites, Mailchimp takes 4 of 8 rounds. Treat that as a starting point and check the current figures on both pages, because prices and plans move.
Choose Mailchimp if…
- • You want Mailchimp's edge on what it costs to start and what the next plan up costs
Choose Kit if…
- • You want Kit's edge on how big the free plan is and what customers say on trustpilot
Round by round
- Round 1What it costs to startMailchimp winsMailchimp8/10
$13
Essentials plan (0-500 contacts)
- Essentials for 0 to 500 contacts, at the 50% introductory rate for the first 12 months
Source: mailchimp.com ↗
Kit5/10$33
Creator, for 1,000 subscribers, billed annually ($390 a year)
- $33, against $8.73
Source: kit.com ↗
Mailchimp wins this round on what the company itself publishes.
- Round 2How big the free plan isKit winsMailchimp5/10
250 contacts
the free plan stops at 250 contacts
- 250 contacts, against 10,000 subscribers
Source: mailchimp.com ↗
Kit wins this round on what the company itself publishes.
- Round 3What customers say on TrustpilotKit winsMailchimp5/10
2.5 out of 5
TrustScore from 1,534 reviews on Trustpilot
- 2.5 out of 5, against 4 out of 5
Source: trustpilot.com ↗
Kit wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 4Trying it before you payTie
Nothing to separate them here.
- Round 5What the next plan up costsMailchimp winsMailchimp8/10
Standard $45/mo monthly
Essentials at 501-1,500 contacts (select it in 'Contacts'), monthly billing (annual only for 10,000+ contacts); next plan = Standard
Source: mailchimp.com ↗
Kit5/10Pro $50/mo first year (then $66)
Creator at 1,000 email subscribers (default), Pay yearly (default; switch off for monthly: Creator $39, Pro $79); next plan = Pro at the first-year promo ($66/mo yearly after)
- Pro $50/mo first year (then $66), against Standard $45/mo monthly
Source: kit.com ↗
Mailchimp wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 6How well it connectsMailchimp winsMailchimp8/10
300+ integrations
Essentials at 501-1,500 contacts (select it in 'Contacts'), monthly billing (annual only for 10,000+ contacts); next plan = Standard
Source: mailchimp.com ↗
Kit5/10100+ direct apps
Creator at 1,000 email subscribers (default), Pay yearly (default; switch off for monthly: Creator $39, Pro $79); next plan = Pro at the first-year promo ($66/mo yearly after)
- 100+ direct apps, against 300+ integrations
Source: kit.com ↗
Mailchimp wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 7How many emails you can sendKit winsMailchimp5/10
10x contacts (15,000 at 1,500 tier)
Essentials at 501-1,500 contacts (select it in 'Contacts'), monthly billing (annual only for 10,000+ contacts); next plan = Standard
- 10x contacts (15,000 at 1,500 tier), against Unlimited email broadcasts
Source: mailchimp.com ↗
Kit8/10Unlimited email broadcasts
Creator at 1,000 email subscribers (default), Pay yearly (default; switch off for monthly: Creator $39, Pro $79); next plan = Pro at the first-year promo ($66/mo yearly after)
Source: kit.com ↗
Kit wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 8How many people can log inMailchimp winsMailchimp8/10
3 seats
Essentials at 501-1,500 contacts (select it in 'Contacts'), monthly billing (annual only for 10,000+ contacts); next plan = Standard
Source: mailchimp.com ↗
Kit5/102 users
Creator at 1,000 email subscribers (default), Pay yearly (default; switch off for monthly: Creator $39, Pro $79); next plan = Pro at the first-year promo ($66/mo yearly after)
- 2 users, against 3 seats
Source: kit.com ↗
Mailchimp wins this round on what the published sources say.
Side by side
- Standard for 0 to 500 contacts, at the 50% introductory rate for the first 12 months
- Essentials for 0 to 500 contacts, at the 50% introductory rate for the first 12 months
- 300+ integrations, against 350+ integrations
- 2.5 out of 5, against 3.9 out of 5
- $26.50/mo monthly (501-1,500), against $8.08/mo billed yearly (5k emails)
- Standard $45/mo monthly, against Standard $16.17/mo billed yearly
- $33, against $8.73
- Pro $50/mo first year (then $66), against Standard $45/mo monthly
- 100+ direct apps, against 300+ integrations
- 2 users, against 3 seats