EmailOctopus vs Mailchimp (2026)
Dirt-cheap email for growing lists — against — The household name — but is it still worth it?. Same table, same scoring system, clear verdict.
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Head-to-head
Pricing and terms last verified 31 October 2026 — vendors change them often.
| EmailOctopus 🏆 | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes: up to 2,500 subscribers | Yes: free plan (500 contacts, basic features) |
| Paid from | Paid typically from around $8/mo | Paid typically from around $13/mo |
| Free trial | None | 14 days |
| Automations | ✓ | ✓ |
| Landing pages | ✗ | ✓ |
| Paid subscriptions | ✗ | ✗ |
| Ecommerce features | ✗ | ✓ |
| Our score | 4.2/5 | 3.6/5 |
Choose EmailOctopus if…
- You're primarily price-sensitive list builders
- Among the cheapest paid plans anywhere
- You can live with: fewer features: no landing pages, limited automation
Choose Mailchimp if…
- You're primarily companies that need one vendor for everything
- Brand everyone recognizes; huge integration library
- You can live with: pricing now expensive for what you get
EmailOctopus vs Mailchimp: FAQ
EmailOctopus or Mailchimp — which is better in 2026?
For most people matching EmailOctopus's strengths (price-sensitive list builders), EmailOctopus is the stronger choice — it scores 4.2/5 on our four-factor score. But "better" depends on you: choose EmailOctopus for price-sensitive list builders, and Mailchimp for companies that need one vendor for everything.
Is EmailOctopus cheaper than Mailchimp?
EmailOctopus has a free plan (Paid typically from around $8/mo), while Mailchimp has a free plan (Paid typically from around $13/mo). Vendors reprice several times a year — check both pricing pages before deciding.
Can I switch from EmailOctopus to Mailchimp (or back)?
Yes. Subscribers export as CSV/JSON from either platform and import into the other. Automation sequences usually need rebuilding — map your tags and forms before migrating.