Drip vs Mailchimp: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right email marketing tool for your needs.

Too Close to Call

Both tools are closely matched with similar overall ratings

Quick Comparison

Aspect
D
Drip
M
Mailchimp
Overall Rating
8/10
8/10
Starting Price
$39/mo
$13/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
small
any
Ease of Use
8/10
9/10
Features
8/10
8/10
Value for Money
7/10
6/10
Support
8/10
7/10

Overview

D

Drip

Drip is an e-commerce-focused email marketing platform with powerful segmentation and personalization. Known for deep e-commerce integrations and visual workflow builder.

M

Mailchimp

Mailchimp is the most popular email marketing platform, offering email campaigns, automation, landing pages, and CRM features. Known for ease of use and generous free tier.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: Mailchimp
D

Drip

Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$39/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
M

Mailchimp

Better Value
Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting Price$13/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

Winner: Mailchimp
FeatureDripMailchimp
Automation
Templates
Segmentation
Ab Testing
Landing Pages
Transactional Emails
Paid add-on
Ecommerce Features
Form Builder
Free Subscribers
0
500
Emails Per Month
Unlimited
10x contacts

0

features unique to Drip

1

features unique to Mailchimp

Pros & Cons

D

Drip

Pros

  • Excellent e-commerce automation
  • Visual workflow builder
  • Deep Shopify integration
  • Good personalization options
  • Revenue attribution

Cons

  • Expensive for small lists
  • No free tier
  • Limited outside e-commerce
  • Fewer templates
M

Mailchimp

Pros

  • Free tier up to 500 contacts
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop builder
  • Huge template library
  • Strong brand recognition
  • All-in-one marketing features

Cons

  • Gets expensive as list grows
  • Limited automation on free plan
  • Support quality varies
  • Pricing changed negatively

The Verdict: It's a Tie

Both Drip and Mailchimp are excellent email marketing tools that deliver strong value. With nearly identical overall ratings, the choice between them comes down to your specific requirements rather than one being objectively better.

Drip shines in e-commerce stores, while Mailchimp excels at small businesses starting email. Consider trying both with their free trials to see which fits your workflow better.

Our recommendation: We recommend Drip if you prioritize excellent e-commerce automation, and Mailchimp if free tier up to 500 contacts matter more to you.

Choose Drip if you...

  • • Need e-commerce stores
  • • Need shopify merchants
  • • Need revenue-focused marketing

Choose Mailchimp if you...

  • • Need small businesses starting email
  • • Need beginners needing simplicity
  • • Need those wanting all-in-one platform

Ready to Get Started?

Try DripTry Mailchimp

Read our full reviews:

Drip Full ReviewMailchimp Full Review

* We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit these tools through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or comparisons.

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Drip vs Mailchimp FAQ

Both Drip and Mailchimp are excellent choices with similar ratings. The better option depends on your specific requirements and preferences.
Yes, Mailchimp is more affordable with plans starting at $13/month, compared to $39/month for the other.
Mailchimp scores higher in ease of use (9/10) compared to Drip (8/10).
Yes, migration between Drip and Mailchimp is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
For small teams, Drip is specifically designed for this use case. Consider your budget and specific feature needs when choosing.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Mailchimp offers a free tier which is great for bootstrapped startups.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. Drip excels at: E-commerce stores, Shopify merchants. Mailchimp is better for: Small businesses starting email, Beginners needing simplicity. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Drip rates higher in customer support (8/10) compared to Mailchimp (7/10).
Drip offers better value for money with a rating of 7/10 compared to Mailchimp's 6/10.
Consider switching if Mailchimp's strengths (Small businesses starting email) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.