The Best Mailchimp Alternatives for 2026
Mailchimp is popular, but rising prices and automation limits send many businesses looking. These are the email platforms people switch to, from creator-focused to automation-heavy, at better value.
If Mailchimp has gotten too pricey or limiting, the best alternatives are ActiveCampaign for powerful automation, Kit for creators, MailerLite for simple, affordable email, and Brevo for email plus SMS on a budget.
See all Marketing tools →At a glance
| # | Tool | Best for | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | ActiveCampaign | Best for automation | $19/mo | VISIT ↗ |
| 02 | Kit | Best for creators | $29/mo | VISIT ↗ |
| 03 | MailerLite | Best simple, affordable option | $12/mo | VISIT ↗ |
| 04 | Brevo | Best for email + SMS on a budget | $9/mo | VISIT ↗ |
The picks
01 ActiveCampaign
Best for automationEmail marketing plus powerful automation.
ActiveCampaign combines email, automation, and a light CRM so marketers can run behavior-based sequences at scale. It is a favorite for advanced nurture flows.
- Visual automation builder
- Segmentation
- Light CRM
- Landing pages
02 Kit
Best for creatorsEmail marketing built for creators.
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) makes newsletters, sequences, and simple automations easy, with a generous free tier. Popular with creators and solo marketers.
- Broadcasts and sequences
- Visual automations
- Landing pages and forms
- Subscriber tagging
03 MailerLite
Best simple, affordable optionSimple, affordable email marketing.
MailerLite offers clean drag-and-drop email, automations, and landing pages at a low price. A strong entry point for small marketing teams.
- Drag-and-drop email
- Automations
- Landing pages and sites
- Signup forms
04 Brevo
Best for email + SMS on a budgetEmail and SMS on a budget.
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) offers email, SMS, and automation with pricing based on emails sent rather than contacts. Good for growing lists cheaply.
- Email and SMS
- Marketing automation
- Send-based pricing
- CRM and forms
// HOW WE PICK: We rank on merit for the job each tool does, using hands-on research and public pricing. Affiliate links fund the site and never change the order.
Frequently asked
What is the best Mailchimp alternative?
ActiveCampaign is best for automation, Kit for creators, MailerLite for simple affordable email, and Brevo for email plus SMS. The right pick depends on whether you want power or simplicity.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Mailchimp?
Yes. MailerLite and Brevo are typically more affordable, and both offer free tiers to start.
Which has the best automation?
ActiveCampaign, with some of the most powerful automation in the category, well beyond Mailchimp's.
Which is best for creators?
Kit (formerly ConvertKit), built specifically for creators, newsletters, and digital products.
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