I Tried All Three So You Don't Have to Wonder Which One Works

Hey there! So you're trying to figure out which email marketing tool won't make you want to throw your laptop out the window? I totally get it.

Here's the thing: if you're a small business owner who thinks email marketing is just hitting "send" on newsletters and hoping for the best, you're not alone. And honestly? Most of these tools make it way more complicated than it needs to be.

I've been on quite the email marketing journey lately, and let me tell you – it's been... interesting. Picture this: trying to set up simple welcome emails that actually welcome the right people, automation that doesn't feel like it was designed by robots for robots, and templates that don't look like they escaped from 2003.

Sound familiar? I thought it might.

After trying out MailerLite, ConvertKit, and Mailchimp, I've got some thoughts about which one actually deserves a spot in your business toolkit.

Plot twist: the winner might not be who you'd expect.

What Actually Matters When Choosing Email Marketing Software?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's establish what actually matters for small businesses:

Ease of Use - Because you've got a business to run, not a computer science degree to earn Automation Capabilities - Your emails should work while you sleep

Design Flexibility - Your emails shouldn't look like they were designed in 1999

Deliverability - Beautiful emails mean nothing if they end up in spam folders

Pricing That Won't Break the Bank - Self-explanatory

Support When Things Go Wrong - Because they will, and you'll need help

Got it? Good. Now let's see how our three contenders stack up.

Round 1: The First Impression Test (Setup & User Experience)

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MailerLite: The Surprisingly Sophisticated Underdog

When I first opened MailerLite, I had to double-check I was in the right place. For something that's supposed to be the "budget option," the interface was surprisingly clean and welcoming – like walking into a well-organized coffee shop instead of a cluttered office.

Setting up my first campaign was genuinely easy. The drag-and-drop editor actually does what it promises (what a concept!), and the automation builder looks like real humans designed it. You know, the kind who actually send emails for a living.

The dashboard gives you what you need without overwhelming you with buttons you'll never use. Clean templates? Yes. Automation that makes sense? Also yes. It just... works.

ConvertKit: The Serious Professional

ConvertKit definitely knows who it's talking to – if you live and breathe content creation, funnels, and subscriber nurturing, you'll feel right at home here.

The interface is clean and professional, but it's clearly built for people who get excited about advanced segmentation and complex customer journeys. If that's your thing, awesome! If those words make your eyes glaze over, maybe stick around for the other options.

The setup process is thorough – lots of options and customization possibilities. The automation builder is definitely powerful, though it can feel a bit like using professional-grade equipment when you just want to send a simple welcome email.

Mailchimp: The Familiar Face That's Changed

Ah, Mailchimp. Everyone knows Mailchimp, right? The cute monkey, the name that's been around forever...

Here's the thing though – it feels like that friend from high school who looks the same in photos but when you actually hang out, something's just... different. The interface has gotten busier over the years, and sometimes finding what you need feels like playing hide and seek.

The free plan will get you started, but you'll bump into limits pretty quickly. It's like getting a taste of something good and then being told you need to pay for the full meal.

Round 2: The Design Showdown (Making Pretty Emails That Actually Work)

MailerLite: Surprisingly Sophisticated

Plot twist: the "budget" option has some of the most beautiful templates I've ever seen. The drag-and-drop editor actually works like it's supposed to (looking at you, literally every other email tool I've tried).

Want to add a button? Click and add. Want to change colors? Click and change. Want to add custom HTML because you're feeling fancy? Go for it. The templates look modern, mobile-responsive, and – here's the kicker – they actually render correctly in Gmail.

ConvertKit: Function Over Form

ConvertKit's approach to design is like that friend who always wears black because "it goes with everything." The templates are clean, professional, and... safe. Very, very safe.

If you're sending text-heavy newsletters and don't need fancy graphics, ConvertKit nails it. But if you want your emails to have some visual personality, you'll need to get creative or hire a designer.

Mailchimp: The Former Beauty Queen

Mailchimp's templates used to be the gold standard. Emphasis on "used to be." They're still decent, but they feel dated compared to what MailerLite and even ConvertKit offer.

The editor can be clunky, especially if you want to make significant customizations. I spent 45 minutes trying to change the spacing on a button. Forty-five minutes. For a button.

Round 3: Automation (The Make-or-Break Category)

Marketing automation digital workflow diagram showing email sequences, triggers, and customer journey paths for small business email marketing — *Marketing Automation Digital Screen*

This is where things get really interesting, and where you'll see some clear differences between these platforms.

MailerLite: The Overachiever

Okay, this is where MailerLite really impressed me. For something that costs less than your monthly streaming subscriptions, the automation features are genuinely impressive.

Setting up a welcome sequence was straightforward and actually fun (I know, weird thing to say about email automation, but here we are). The visual workflow builder makes sense, and creating different paths based on what people do feels intuitive rather than intimidating.

Want to send different follow-ups based on what links people click? Easy. Need to segment people based on their behavior? Done. It handles complexity without making you feel like you need an engineering degree.

ConvertKit: The Power User's Paradise

If you love diving deep into customer journeys and creating elaborate email funnels, ConvertKit is your happy place. The automation capabilities are seriously robust.

The tagging system is incredibly detailed – almost too detailed for simple needs. You can slice and dice your audience in ways that would make a data analyst happy-cry. But sometimes you just want to send a "hey, welcome!" email without mapping out a 12-step customer journey.

It's powerful, no doubt. But it's like having a race car when you just need to drive to the grocery store.

Mailchimp: The "It's Fine" Option

Mailchimp's automation exists and it works, but it feels like it's playing catch-up with the other two. The automation builder gets the job done, though it's not as smooth or intuitive as I'd like.

To access the really useful automation features, you'll need to upgrade to higher-tier plans pretty quickly. The free version gives you a taste, but you'll be reaching for your wallet sooner than you'd expect.

Round 4: The Money Talk (Pricing That Makes Sense)

Let's talk dollars and sense, because budget matters when you're building a business.

MailerLite: The Value Champion

Free Plan: Up to 1,000 subscribers, 12,000 emails/month
Growing Business: Starting at $10/month for up to 500 subscribers
Advanced: $20/month for advanced automation and segmentation

Here's the kicker – even the free plan includes automation, landing pages, and decent templates. The paid plans unlock advanced features without making you remortgage your house.

ConvertKit: The Premium Option

Free Plan: Up to 10,000 subscribers (basic features only) and Free plan emails may include Kit’s branding.
Creator: $29/month for 1,000 subscribers
Creator Pro: $59/month for advanced automation

ConvertKit positions itself as premium, and the pricing reflects it. You're paying for powerful features and creator-focused tools, but those costs add up quickly as your list grows.

Mailchimp: The Stealth Expense

Free Plan: Up to 500 contacts, 1,000 emails/month
Essentials: $13/month for 500 contacts
Standard: $20/month for 500 contacts (where most useful features live)

Mailchimp's pricing looks competitive until you realize how limited the free plan is and how quickly costs escalate. Features that are standard elsewhere often require upgrading to higher tiers.

Round 5: Deliverability (Getting Your Emails Where They Need to Go)

This is where the rubber meets the road – what good are beautiful emails if they end up in spam folders?

MailerLite: The Reliable Friend

MailerLite has solid relationships with major email providers, and it shows. My emails consistently land where they're supposed to – in people's actual inboxes, not their spam folders.

They provide clear delivery reports so you can see what's happening with your emails, and they actively work to maintain good sender reputation. It's the kind of behind-the-scenes stuff that matters but that you don't really notice until it's working well.

ConvertKit: The Professional Choice

ConvertKit takes deliverability seriously, with solid infrastructure and good relationships with email providers. If you're sending to large lists or running complex campaigns, their delivery rates are consistently strong.

Mailchimp: The Hit-or-Miss Experience

Mailchimp's deliverability can be inconsistent. Sometimes emails perform great, other times they seem to vanish into the digital ether. Their shared IP setup means your delivery can be affected by how other users on the same servers behave.

Round 6: Support When Things Go Wrong

MailerLite: The Helpful Humans

24/7 live chat with actual humans who know their stuff. Email support that responds within hours, not days. Knowledge base that actually helps instead of giving you more questions.

ConvertKit: The Creator-Focused Support

Excellent email support and comprehensive resources tailored to creators. Response times are good, and the team understands creator-specific challenges.

Mailchimp: The Corporate Experience

Email support that feels automated even when it's not. Longer response times, and solutions that often involve "upgrading your plan."

The Verdict: My Honest Take

After trying all three platforms, here's what I really think:

MailerLite is the clear winner for most small businesses.

Why? It gives you professional-level features without the professional-level complexity or price tag. The interface is friendly, the automation actually makes sense, and the pricing won't make you question your life choices.

ConvertKit is excellent if you're already deep into the content creator world and don't mind paying extra for advanced features you'll actually use. It's like buying the premium coffee – worth it if you really appreciate the difference, but maybe overkill for everyday needs.

Mailchimp feels like it's coasting on name recognition while other platforms innovate around them. Unless you're already locked into their ecosystem, there are better options available.

What I Actually Use (And Why)

I ended up sticking with MailerLite, and here's why it won me over:

It just works without drama or complexity
The price is reasonable and stays reasonable as you grow
Features I actually need without stuff I don't
Clean, intuitive interface that doesn't give me decision fatigue
Good deliverability means my emails actually reach people

The switch was easier than I expected, and honestly? My email marketing has become something I actually enjoy rather than dread.

Getting Started: The Actually Easy Way

Ready to simplify your email marketing without the headaches?

For Most Small Businesses: Give MailerLite's free plan a try. Import your existing list, play around with the templates, set up a simple welcome sequence. You'll know pretty quickly if it clicks for you.

For Content Creators: If you're making good income from courses, coaching, or content and want really detailed subscriber management, ConvertKit might be worth the investment.

For Current Mailchimp Users: Unless you're deeply tied to other Mailchimp tools, it's worth testing MailerLite. The switch is usually simpler than you'd think.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: MailerLite vs ConvertKit vs Mailchimp?

MailerLite is the best choice for most small businesses, offering premium features at budget-friendly prices. ConvertKit is excellent for serious content creators with complex needs, while Mailchimp has become overpriced for what it offers.

Is MailerLite cheaper than Mailchimp and ConvertKit?

Yes, MailerLite is significantly cheaper. It starts at $10/month for 1,000 subscribers compared to ConvertKit at $29/month and Mailchimp at $13/month (with fewer features). MailerLite also offers more features in their free plan.

What's the best email marketing tool for small businesses?

MailerLite is the best email marketing tool for small businesses due to its combination of powerful automation, beautiful templates, excellent deliverability, and affordable pricing starting at $10/month.

Does MailerLite have better automation than ConvertKit?

MailerLite's automation is easier to use and more intuitive than ConvertKit's, while still being powerful. You can set up complex workflows in 20 minutes versus hours with other platforms.

Can I switch from Mailchimp to MailerLite easily?

Yes, MailerLite offers easy migration tools to import your subscribers, templates, and campaigns from Mailchimp. The process typically takes less than an hour.

The Bottom Line

Email marketing doesn't have to be complicated, expensive, or frustrating. The right tool should make your life easier, not harder.

MailerLite hits that sweet spot of being powerful enough for serious business use while staying simple enough that you won't need a tutorial to send your first email. It's the tool I actually recommend to friends starting businesses – not just the one with the flashiest marketing.

Ready to see what stress-free email marketing looks like? Give MailerLite a try here and see why so many small businesses are making the switch.

Quick heads up: This article contains affiliate links for MailerLite. I only recommend tools I actually use and believe will help you and your business. Read our full affiliate disclosure for more details.

MailerLite vs ConvertKit vs Mailchimp: The Email Marketing Tool That Actually Makes Sense (2025)