Why switch from Klaviyo to Mailchimp?

FAQs

• Why should I choose Mailchimp over Klaviyo?

  Whether Mailchimp or Klaviyo is better depends on your unique business needs. Some of the most-cited reasons why businesses choose Mailchimp are: exceptional customer support, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. These advantages apply to both email and SMS marketing campaigns.

  Exceptional Customer Support: Mailchimp is well-known for accessible and comprehensive customer support. All paid plans get 24/7 email and chat support, so businesses can get assistance whenever they need. Premium customers even get a 24/7 direct line to Mailchimp’s support team. This availability is a huge benefit to small businesses and new email marketers, but even seasoned marketing experts make use of Mailchimp’s support for guidance when setting up campaigns or troubleshooting unexpected issues. Mailchimp also hosts an extensive knowledge base, comprising articles, video tutorials, and an archive of webinars. These help businesses solve problems independently and improve their technical skills. For comparison, Klaviyo has email-based support, and prioritizes chat options for higher price tiers. Klaviyo is often described as having a steeper learning curve, with less immediate hands-on support.

  Ease Of Use: Mailchimp’s user-friendly interface is a favorite of long-time users. The key features: a drag-and-drop editor that doesn’t require a design or coding background to use, and professionally-made email templates to get started with.

  Cost-Effectiveness: Mailchimp offers a free tier for businesses with smaller lists, so it’s possible to get started with zero cost commitment. Klaviyo can become very expensive, very quickly as a business’s email list grows.

• How does Mailchimp's price compare to Klaviyo?

  When comparing Mailchimp's pricing to Klaviyo, there are significant differences that can influence a business's decision, particularly when factoring in needs, team size, and budget constraints. On average, customers who switch from Klaviyo to Mailchimp report saving 25-50% in costs, making Mailchimp a very appealing choice for businesses that are cost-conscious or seeking a simpler solution.

  Mailchimp's Pricing Strengths

  Mailchimp is widely recognized for its affordability and tiered pricing system. It provides various plans that scale based on the number of contacts in a company’s email list and the features required. For small to mid-sized businesses with less extensive marketing resources, Mailchimp’s lower-tier plans offer robust functionality at far less cost than Klaviyo. For example, Mailchimp's Essentials and Standard plans provide access to automation, audience segmentation, and reporting tools while remaining competitively priced. This cost advantage becomes particularly evident for smaller teams that may not require advanced eCommerce-specific functionality or deep integrations that Klaviyo specializes in.

  Klaviyo's Pricing and Complexity

  Klaviyo, on the other hand, operates on a subscription model where pricing scales depending on the total number of subscribers and usage. While it does include some highly advanced features like predictive analytics, detailed customer segmentation, and tailored eCommerce tools, these capabilities come at a premium. For larger eCommerce businesses or those with dedicated marketing teams, Klaviyo's features may justify its higher price. However, many smaller teams—especially those with broader marketing responsibilities rather than a sole focus on eCommerce—report feeling overwhelmed by Klaviyo’s sophisticated tools. They often lack the time or expertise to fully leverage these advanced features, leading to inefficiencies and unnecessary costs.

  Appeal for Smaller Teams

  Mailchimp’s simplicity and lower pricing make it a better fit for businesses with smaller teams or more general marketing needs. By focusing on ease of use and streamlined functionality, Mailchimp helps time-strapped marketers achieve their goals efficiently without overcomplicating their processes. It provides features such as drag-and-drop email creation, straightforward automation workflows, and accessibility to analytics—all of which serve small teams well without requiring deep technical expertise. In conclusion, while Klaviyo may provide unmatched tools for driving eCommerce success, its higher price and complexity can be counterproductive for businesses that primarily seek a straightforward email marketing solution. Switching to Mailchimp can often result in 25-50% cost savings and enable smaller teams to focus on executing marketing campaigns quickly and efficiently, rather than navigating an exhaustive feature set they don’t necessarily need or use. For businesses seeking simplicity, affordability, and solid functionality, Mailchimp provides compelling value compared to Klaviyo.

• Is Klaviyo better than Mailchimp for e-commerce brands?

  When evaluating whether Klaviyo or Mailchimp is better for e-commerce brands, several factors, including cost, feature set, ease of use, and business needs, must be considered.

  Pricing and Cost-Effectiveness

  Mailchimp is typically more cost-effective for smaller e-commerce brands or teams with tight budgets. Customers switching from Klaviyo to Mailchimp can save 25-50% in cost, making it an attractive option for teams prioritizing affordability. Klaviyo’s pricing, while higher, is often justified for brands that leverage its advanced features to drive significant revenue. However, for smaller e-commerce companies with limited marketing resources, the additional investment in Klaviyo might not yield enough ROI to outweigh the expense.

  Features and Capabilities

  Klaviyo is renowned for its deep focus on e-commerce, offering advanced segmentation, personalization, and automation tools tailored specifically to online stores. Its tight integration with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce enables brands to leverage customer data — such as purchase history, browsing behavior, and average order value — to create highly targeted and relevant campaigns. These features make Klaviyo a powerhouse for data-driven marketing.

  On the other hand, Mailchimp offers broad functionality for general email and sms marketing and provides solid e-commerce integrations, though its tools are less specialized and not as robust as Klaviyo’s. For smaller teams, however, Mailchimp often strikes a better balance. While it may lack some of Klaviyo’s advanced options, it is simpler to use and includes essential automation features, templates, and reporting tools that are sufficient for many e-commerce businesses. Teams that don’t have the bandwidth to fully utilize Klaviyo’s advanced capabilities may find its complexity overwhelming, leading to inefficiencies and underutilization of the platform’s potential.

  Ease of Use

  Smaller teams or those with broader marketing responsibilities might find Klaviyo overly complex. Setting up and managing campaigns in Klaviyo often requires time and technical expertise, which can be a challenge for resource-constrained teams. Mailchimp, by contrast, emphasizes ease of use with its intuitive interface and beginner-friendly tools. For e-commerce brands with less experience in email and sms marketing or smaller teams stretched thin across multiple channels, Mailchimp’s simplicity can be a major advantage.

  The Final Verdict

  Klaviyo is undeniably powerful and is the best choice for data-driven, growth-focused e-commerce brands with the resources to harness its sophisticated tools effectively. However, for smaller e-commerce brands or teams with less time and expertise, Mailchimp often provides a better balance of cost, functionality, and ease of use. The savings in cost — 25-50% for those switching from Klaviyo — combined with its straightforward features make Mailchimp a practical option for teams needing an efficient, user-friendly solution to support their marketing efforts. Ultimately, the decision depends on the specific goals, team size, and resources of the e-commerce brand.

• How does Mailchimp’s customer support compare to Klaviyo?

  When comparing Mailchimp's customer service to Klaviyo's, there are notable differences that may impact businesses depending on their size, budget, and specific needs.

  Mailchimp’s Advantages in Customer Service

  Mailchimp excels in customer service accessibility, offering complimentary onboarding for new users and an affordable price threshold for access to personalized support from Customer Success Managers. This means that small and medium-sized businesses, which often lack dedicated resources to navigate complex tools, gain valuable guidance in getting started with Mailchimp's platform.

  Users often praise Mailchimp’s emphasis on easy onboarding processes, particularly for beginners who are new to email marketing. Additionally, Mailchimp provides round-the-clock customer support on its Premium plan and extends email or chat support for lower-tier plans. For many businesses looking for a cost-effective, accessible email marketing solution, Mailchimp’s customer service model can feel more approachable and responsive.

  Klaviyo’s Challenges in Customer Support

  While Klaviyo offers advanced features and a specialized focus on eCommerce, many users report challenges with its customer service. A frequent complaint is the slow response time for support inquiries, which can become particularly frustrating for businesses dealing with urgent issues. Furthermore, Klaviyo’s access to personalized or priority support is limited to higher-paying customers, leaving smaller businesses without the same level of service unless they invest significantly in the platform.

  In addition, Klaviyo’s support falls short in providing proactive solutions like onboarding assistance or training for novices. While it has substantial documentation and resources available online, these may not be sufficient for users who prefer hands-on guidance. This approach might work well for advanced marketers but can alienate less experienced users or smaller businesses who need more accessible support.

  Mailchimp holds a clear advantage for businesses prioritizing customer service accessibility. For businesses needing cost-effective solutions and reliable service, Mailchimp's customer support offers more consistent access and value.