Mailchimp is one of the easiest ways to start an email list, whether for a regular newsletter on your programs, updates to donors, or calls for volunteers. Its free plan and drag-and-drop builder make it a sensible start before you need advanced automation.
Key features
- Free plan: up to 250 contacts and 500 sends a month.
- Drag-and-drop builder: templates, no design skills needed.
- Essentials: adds automation and A/B testing.
- Standard and Premium: advanced segmentation and priority support for large lists.
Pricing
The free plan covers up to 250 contacts and 500 sends a month. Essentials starts once you pass 500 contacts, and Standard and Premium scale to 100,000 and 200,000 contacts. Pricing depends on contact count and changes often.
Prices change over time. Figures above are based on Mailchimp’s own pricing page.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Generous free plan to start | Cost rises quickly as the list grows |
| Easy for non-designers | Automation is on paid tiers |
| Scales into deeper features | Pricing changes often, so recheck before committing |
Mailchimp vs Campaign Monitor
Campaign Monitor, also covered on elathar, focuses on email design and campaigns. Mailchimp is easier to start with thanks to its free plan, so compare prices at your list size.
Who Mailchimp is for
Associations and initiatives building a list for a newsletter or updates to donors and volunteers.
Who should skip it
Skip it if your donor management tool already includes bulk email, or if you need advanced automation from day one.
How to get started
Create a free account, import your list with consent, and send a first campaign before deciding on a paid plan.
FAQ
Can we use it free indefinitely?
Yes, as long as you stay under 250 contacts and 500 monthly sends.
Is pricing based on subscribers or emails sent?
Mainly contact count, with send limits scaling by plan.
Disclosure: elathar may earn a commission if you sign up for Mailchimp through the links in this article. This does not change what you pay, and it does not influence which tools we choose to cover.
