Last updated October 20, 2026. By Lazy Money Tools Team.
beehiiv vs Mailchimp: which free newsletter tool fits a beginner?
Use beehiiv if you want a newsletter and a free plan up to 2,500 subscribers. Use Mailchimp if you run a small shop and you already use its store connections. Neither tool finds subscribers. Prices as of Oct 2026.
Checked October 2026.
| beehiiv | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Pick it when | You want a newsletter and a free plan that goes up to 2,500 subscribers. | You already sell through a shop that connects to Mailchimp, and a free plan under 250 contacts is enough to start. |
| What it does | Hosts an email newsletter and a simple newsletter site, with writing help in the editor. | Sends email and includes store connections for a small shop. |
| Who it is for | People who want to email their own list and are fine starting without a paid plan. | Small shops that already use Mailchimp and can start under 250 contacts. |
| Free plan | Free is $0, up to 2,500 subscribers, with unlimited email sends. As of Oct 2026. | The page says the free plan is for under 250 contacts. The comparison table lists a maximum of 500 sends a month and 250 a day, 1 user, and email support for the first 30 days. Email scheduling is not included. As of Oct 2026. |
| Price we checked | With the slider on 1,000 subscribers and yearly billing selected, Lite is $49 a month and Pro is $95 a month. A monthly toggle is on the page, and the price changes with the subscriber count. As of Oct 2026 at https://www.beehiiv.com/pricing. | Essentials starts at $13 a month and Standard starts at $20 a month on the 0–500 contact tier, after a 14-day trial. The price changes when you move the contact slider. As of Oct 2026 at https://mailchimp.com/pricing/marketing/. |
| The catch | A free plan is not the same as unlimited sending. Paid plans add things like paid subscriptions and branding removal. Read the current limits on the pricing page before you import a list. | Paid prices move with the size of the list. The free plan does not schedule email. A trial can ask for a card and then bill you. |
Also read
Questions
- Will either tool find subscribers?
- No. They email people who already signed up.
- How many people fit on the free plans?
- As of Oct 2026, beehiiv's free plan goes up to 2,500 subscribers. Mailchimp's free plan is for under 250 contacts, with a maximum of 500 sends a month and 250 a day.
- How much do the paid plans cost?
- As of Oct 2026, beehiiv's Lite is $49 a month and Pro is $95 a month with the slider on 1,000 subscribers and yearly billing selected. Mailchimp's Essentials starts at $13 a month and Standard starts at $20 a month on the 0–500 contact tier. Both prices change as the list grows. Open the pricing pages before you pay.
- Which Visit link is an affiliate link?
- beehiiv. Mailchimp's button goes to the official site. Mailchimp is not a listing. The order is the pair in the title, not a commission rank.