Mailchimp vs Substack (2026)
The household name — but is it still worth it? — against — Publish, charge and grow — zero upfront cost. 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.
| Mailchimp | Substack 🏆 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes: free plan (500 contacts, basic features) | No |
| Paid from | Paid typically from around $13/mo | No monthly fee — revenue share instead |
| Free trial | 14 days | None |
| Automations | ✓ | ✗ |
| Landing pages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paid subscriptions | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ecommerce features | ✓ | ✗ |
| Our score | 3.6/5 | 4.1/5 |
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
Choose Substack if…
- You're primarily writers who just want to publish
- Simplest possible start: write and publish in minutes
- You can live with: no automations — email sequences are impossible
Mailchimp vs Substack: FAQ
Mailchimp or Substack — which is better in 2026?
For most people matching Substack's strengths (writers who just want to publish), Substack is the stronger choice — it scores 4.1/5 on our four-factor score. But "better" depends on you: choose Mailchimp for companies that need one vendor for everything, and Substack for writers who just want to publish.
Is Mailchimp cheaper than Substack?
Mailchimp has a free plan (Paid typically from around $13/mo), while Substack has no permanent free plan (No monthly fee — revenue share instead). Vendors reprice several times a year — check both pricing pages before deciding.
Can I switch from Mailchimp to Substack (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.