kitio.aiMailchimp vs beehiiv
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Mailchimp has the lower starting price: about $13 a month, against $59 for beehiiv.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Email templates
- Customer journeys
- Intuit Assist AI
- Landing pages
- SMS marketing
- Newsletter editor
- AI writing assistant
- Referral program
- Ad Network
- Paid subscriptions
| Feature | Mailchimp | beehiiv |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Email marketing and automation with Intuit Assist AI | Newsletter platform with growth, ads and AI writing tools |
| Category | Marketing | Marketing |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $13/mo | $59/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Intuit | beehiiv |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Mailchimp has the lower starting price: about $13 a month, against $59 for beehiiv.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
4 plans
Free
Free
- Up to 250 contacts
- 500 sends/mo (250/day)
- 1 seat
Essentials
$13/mo
- Starting price, scales with contacts
- Sends up to 10x contacts
- 3 seats
Standard
$20/mo
- Starting price, scales with contacts
- Generative AI and enhanced automations
- Sends up to 12x contacts, 5 seats
Premium
$350/mo
- Starting price, scales with contacts
- Predictive segmentation
- Sends up to 15x contacts, unlimited seats
4 plans
Free
Free
- Up to 2,500 subscribers
- Unlimited email sends
- Landing pages and templates
Lite
$49/mo billed yearly
- Up to 100,000 subscribers
- Paid subscriptions, 0% take rate
- Automations and A/B testing
Pro
$95/mo billed yearly
- Up to 250,000 subscribers
- Remove beehiiv branding
- Advanced analytics and webhooks
Enterprise
Custom
- SSO/SAML
- Dedicated IPs
- Customer success manager
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Mailchimp
- Very well known and easy to start
- Many integrations
- Good templates
- Small free plan
- Price rises quickly with contacts
beehiiv
- Strong growth features
- Built-in monetization
- Free up to 2,500 subscribers
- Recent price increases
- Branding removal needs Pro
Which one should you choose?
Choose Mailchimp if you want:
- Very well known and easy to start
- Many integrations
- Good templates
Watch out: small free plan.
Choose beehiiv if you want:
- Strong growth features
- Built-in monetization
- Free up to 2,500 subscribers
Watch out: recent price increases.
Mailchimp vs beehiiv FAQ
What is the difference between Mailchimp and beehiiv?
Mailchimp: Email marketing and automation with Intuit Assist AI. beehiiv: Newsletter platform with growth, ads and AI writing tools. Both are marketing tools.
Is Mailchimp or beehiiv cheaper?
Mailchimp has the lower starting price: about $13 a month, against $59 for beehiiv.
Do Mailchimp and beehiiv have free plans?
Mailchimp: Yes. beehiiv: Yes.
Who makes Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is made by Intuit, based in United States.
Who makes beehiiv?
beehiiv is made by beehiiv, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Mailchimp or beehiiv?
Choose Mailchimp if you value very well known and easy to start and many integrations. Choose beehiiv if you value strong growth features and built-in monetization.