MailCheap vs MailerLite (2026)
Open-source newsletters priced per email sent, not per subscriber — against — The best value all-rounder. 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.
| MailCheap | MailerLite 🏆 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | Yes: up to 1,000 subscribers |
| Paid from | From $19/mo for 20,000 emails and 10,000 active subscribers | Paid typically from around $10/mo for 1,000 subscribers |
| Free trial | None | None |
| Automations | ✗ | ✓ |
| Landing pages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paid subscriptions | ✗ | ✗ |
| Ecommerce features | ✗ | ✓ |
| Our score | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
Choose MailCheap if…
- You're primarily newsletters with large, partly inactive lists
- Pay for emails sent, so dormant subscribers cost nothing
- You can live with: no free plan or trial; cloud starts at $19/mo
Choose MailerLite if…
- You're primarily small businesses that want max value
- Consistently the cheapest reputable option for small lists
- You can live with: fewer advanced growth features than beehiiv/kit for creators
MailCheap vs MailerLite: FAQ
MailCheap or MailerLite — which is better in 2026?
For most people matching MailerLite's strengths (small businesses that want max value), MailerLite is the stronger choice — it scores 4.5/5 on our four-factor score. But "better" depends on you: choose MailCheap for newsletters with large, partly inactive lists, and MailerLite for small businesses that want max value.
Is MailCheap cheaper than MailerLite?
MailCheap has no permanent free plan (From $19/mo for 20,000 emails and 10,000 active subscribers), while MailerLite has a free plan (Paid typically from around $10/mo for 1,000 subscribers). Vendors reprice several times a year — check both pricing pages before deciding.
Can I switch from MailCheap to MailerLite (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.