Mailchimp Alternatives in 2026: More Generous Free Email Tools
Mailchimp's free plan keeps shrinking and paid plans cost more. Here's my hands-on take on MailerLite, Brevo, Kit and EmailOctopus — with 2026 free allowances and which is best for the most free contacts, automation or simplicity.
To run a newsletter or email marketing, many people think of Mailchimp first. But its free plan has shrunk over the years — now just 500 contacts and 1,000 emails a month — while the Standard plan starts around US$20/month. If you're starting out with a growing list, there are far better-value options. Here's my hands-on take.
What do you value?
- Most free contacts → Brevo (unlimited contacts, pay by send volume)
- Beginner-friendly, high value → MailerLite
- Creator newsletters and automation → Kit
- Simple and cheap → EmailOctopus
The alternatives at a glance (2026)
| Tool | Free plan highlight | Best at | I'd recommend it to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brevo | Unlimited contacts, pay by sends | Free storage even for big lists | Big lists, automation |
| MailerLite | Wide allowance, easy | Value, simple interface | Beginners, small shops |
| Kit | Free up to 10k subscribers | Creators, subscription flows | Newsletter creators |
| EmailOctopus | Beginner-friendly | Simple, cheap | Tight budgets |
| Mailchimp (itself) | 500 contacts / 1,000 emails | Legacy, integrations | Existing heavy users |
Free allowances and prices change often — check official sites.
My take
Brevo: store unlimited contacts free
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)'s standout is its pricing model — the free plan stores unlimited contacts and charges only by daily send volume, not list size, which is friendly for lists that keep growing. It also has drag-and-drop design, automation, transactional email and landing pages.
MailerLite: easiest, high value
MailerLite is clean and beginner-friendly, with a wider free allowance than Mailchimp, used by hundreds of thousands of businesses. For simple, cheap, but not bare-bones, it suits small shops and beginners well.
Kit: the creator newsletter tool
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) supports up to 10,000 subscribers free — far more generous than Mailchimp — with visual automations branching on clicks, purchases and engagement. A favourite for newsletter creators and personal brands.
EmailOctopus: simple and cheap
EmailOctopus keeps it simple, ideal if you just want to reliably get a newsletter out on a tight budget.
Before you send
- Verify your domain. Set up SPF/DKIM and use a domain sending address to cut spam-folder rates.
- Only email subscribers. Don't buy lists; always include an unsubscribe link.
- Export your list first. Move a CSV from Mailchimp, test one flow on the free tier, then migrate fully.
The bottom line
Mailchimp's free plan capped at 500 contacts is poor value when starting out: store the most free contacts with Brevo, get beginner value with MailerLite, run creator newsletters with Kit, and keep it cheap with EmailOctopus. Test a simple flow on a free tier, confirm it fits, then migrate — and save a lot on subscription costs.
FAQ
Are there email tools with a more generous free plan than Mailchimp?
Yes, several. Mailchimp's free plan now caps at 500 contacts and 1,000 emails a month — fairly stingy. By comparison: Brevo's free plan stores unlimited contacts and charges only by daily send volume; Kit (formerly ConvertKit) supports up to 10,000 subscribers free; MailerLite and EmailOctopus also offer wider free allowances. If you're starting out and want to save money, these are far more practical.
MailerLite, Brevo or Kit — which should I pick?
By what you value. For a simple interface, high value and beginner-friendliness, choose MailerLite. For storing many contacts free plus automation and transactional email, choose Brevo (its 'pay by send volume, not list size' model suits growing lists). For creators running newsletters and automation, choose Kit. Decide whether you care most about contact count, automation or ease, then pick.
Is moving from Mailchimp to another tool a hassle?
Not too bad. The core data is your contact list, and most platforms support CSV import — export from Mailchimp and import to the new tool. Rebuilding automations and templates takes more time, but these platforms provide ready-made templates. Run a simple flow on the free tier first to confirm it fits, then migrate fully. Always export a backup before moving.
How do I avoid landing in the spam folder?
Protect your sending reputation: use a sending address on your own domain with SPF/DKIM set up, only email people who actively subscribed (never buy lists), always include an unsubscribe link, and avoid image-only emails or exaggerated subject lines. These platforms usually guide you through domain verification, which greatly reduces spam-folder rates.