Mailchimp review: plans, limits and who it suits
⏱ In about 6 minutes
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In this article
The short answer
Short answer
Mailchimp is a well-known email marketing platform with a free plan for very small lists and three paid plans. It covers email campaigns, sign-up and popup forms, automated "flows", and 300+ integrations.
- Good fit: a small business that wants a familiar, all-round email tool and expects to grow into automations.
- Watch for: the free plan is limited to fewer than 250 contacts, and paid prices rise with your contact count. If cost or simplicity matters most, compare our Mailchimp alternatives guide.
Plans and prices
Prices below are the starting prices Mailchimp's pricing page showed us on 20 October 2026, for its smallest paid tier (up to 500 contacts). They were shown in Australian dollars. Mailchimp says local-currency prices are indicative and based on the US dollar exchange rate, so the amount charged can differ. (Mailchimp pricing)
| Plan | Starting price shown | Monthly email sends | Users | Automations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials | from A$18.91/month | 5,000 | 3 seats | Up to 4 flow steps |
| Standard | from A$29.08/month | 6,000 | 5 seats | Up to 200 flows |
| Premium | from A$508.98/month | 150,000 | Unlimited | Up to 200 flows, plus phone and priority support |
- Free plan: for businesses with fewer than 250 contacts. Sending pauses if you go over the contact or send limit.
- 14-day free trial: on Essentials and Standard. Mailchimp's trial terms say you must give payment details when you sign up, and you'll get an email before the trial ends.
- Prices rise with contacts. The figures above are starting prices. Choose your contact count on Mailchimp's page to see your price.
- Overages apply on paid plans if you go over your contact or email send limit.
What stands out
From Mailchimp's pricing page, checked 20 October 2026:
- Popup forms, pre-built email templates and email scheduling are listed on Essentials, Standard and Premium.
- Remove Mailchimp branding is included on the paid plans.
- Standard adds generative AI features at no extra cost, custom-coded templates you can send, and one personalised onboarding session.
- SMS is an add-on for paid plans in select countries. Mailchimp says Australian messaging is only for contacts with a +61 number.
- Support: 24/7 email and chat on Essentials and Standard; phone and priority support on Premium.
Fix it: step by step
The time guides are rough, for a first newsletter to an existing customer list.
Step 1: Count your contacts (15 minutes)
Count only people who agreed to hear from you. Under 250? The free plan may be enough to start. Our beginner's guide to email marketing explains consent in plain English.
Step 2: Pick a plan by your limits (15 minutes)
Check monthly sends, seats and automations against what you need. If you want welcome emails sent automatically, look at Standard.
Step 3: Start the trial with a reminder (10 minutes)
If you start a 14-day trial, put a reminder in your calendar for day 12 so you can decide before you're charged.
Step 4: Set up a sign-up form and a welcome email (1–2 hours)
Our automated welcome emails guide shows what to put in it.
Step 5: Turn on two-step login (10 minutes)
Protect your email marketing account like your bank account. See our two-step login guide.
Quick pick
Quick pick: Mailchimp (product details from Mailchimp's official pricing page, checked 20 Oct 2026. Not hands-on tested. No ratings. Prices in A$ as shown to us, and indicative only; confirm on the vendor's site.)
- If you have fewer than 250 contacts: Mailchimp Free. A$0, so you can try the basics first. → See Mailchimp plans
- If you want automated flows: Mailchimp Standard. From A$29.08/month for up to 500 contacts, with up to 200 flows and 5 seats. 14-day free trial (payment details needed). → See Mailchimp plans
Comparing options? See our Mailchimp alternatives guide or all our quick picks.
Honest limits
Free: the Small Business Password & Access Checklist
A 1–2 page checklist that turns this article into a to-do list: which accounts to protect first, how to set up shared access, and what to do when someone joins or leaves.
You only get emails if you tick the consent box. Unsubscribe any time. See our privacy policy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mailchimp free?
Mailchimp has a free plan for businesses with fewer than 250 contacts. Paid plans start with Essentials. (Mailchimp pricing)
Do I need a credit card for the free trial?
Mailchimp's trial terms say valid payment information must be provided when you sign up for the 14-day trial of Essentials or Standard.
What happens if I go over my limits?
On the free plan, sending pauses. On paid plans, Mailchimp says overages apply if you exceed your contact or email send limit.
Can I send SMS from Mailchimp?
SMS is an add-on for paid plans in select countries. Mailchimp says Australian SMS can only go to contacts with a +61 number.
Related guides
- Email marketing & CRM
- Mailchimp alternatives for small business
- How to start email marketing
- The easiest email marketing software
Sources
All links checked and loading on 20 Oct 2026.
- Vendor page (checked 20 Oct 2026): Mailchimp marketing plans and pricing
- Mailchimp: Information about a recent security incident (January 2023) · TechCrunch: Mailchimp says it was hacked, again (18 Jan 2023)
About our review process
We pick products from official information and say clearly when we haven't tested something hands-on. Commissions may influence which products we choose to cover, but not our assessment of them. See how we work.