ConvertKit vs Mailchimp: Creator Focus vs Small Business Generalist
Comparing ConvertKit and Mailchimp for drip email campaigns. Creator-focused simplicity vs all-in-one small business marketing - which drip platform is right for you?
Overview
ConvertKit and Mailchimp both offer drip email capabilities but for different audiences. ConvertKit was built specifically for creators - bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, and course sellers. Mailchimp serves small businesses broadly with email plus websites, social, ads, and more.
| Feature | ConvertKit | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | Creators | Small businesses |
| Starting Price | $29/mo | $13/mo |
| Drip Focus | Core feature | One of many |
| Paid Newsletter | Built-in | No |
| Landing Pages | Optimized for creators | General purpose |
| Visual Automation | Clean, focused | Customer Journeys |
| Social/Ads Tools | No | Yes |
Key Differences
Creator-Specific Features
ConvertKit includes paid newsletter functionality, course delivery drips, and sponsor network access. The entire platform is designed around the creator workflow - building audiences and monetizing through content and courses.
Mailchimp is built for general small business needs. It doesn't have creator-specific features like paid newsletters but offers broader marketing tools.
Drip Philosophy
ConvertKit's drip builder prioritizes simplicity. Linear sequences with time delays work well for welcome series, course drips, and launch sequences. It's intentionally not complex.
Mailchimp's Customer Journey builder offers more flexibility but can feel overwhelming for simple drip needs that creators typically have.
Who Should Choose What
Choose ConvertKit if:
- You're a creator, blogger, or course seller
- Drip sequences are central to your strategy
- You want or plan paid newsletter functionality
- Clean, focused tools appeal to you
- You're building an audience around content
Choose Mailchimp if:
- You run a traditional small business
- You want broader marketing tools beyond email
- Budget is a primary consideration
- You need social media and ad tools integrated
- E-commerce is part of your business
For SaaS: Consider Sequenzy
Neither ConvertKit nor Mailchimp is designed for SaaS drip campaigns. Sequenzy offers native billing integration, AI drip generation, and MRR tracking for subscription businesses at $19/mo.
The Bottom Line
Creators should use ConvertKit - it's built for you. General small businesses may prefer Mailchimp for its breadth and lower price. Match the tool to your identity.