📧 Email Marketing

Best Mailchimp Alternatives for Shopify (2026)

Mailchimp is all-in-one marketing platform for growing businesses. But it's not right for everyone — shopify stores that need reliable data sync and advanced automation. Here are the 4 best alternatives ranked by Shopify App Store rating and value.

Why Merchants Look for Mailchimp Alternatives

Quick Comparison: Mailchimp vs Alternatives

App Free Plan Starting Price
Current Mailchimp
✓ Free
#1 Omnisend
✓ Free
#2 Klaviyo
✓ Free
#3 Privy
✓ Free
#4 Drip
— $39/mo

Top 4 Alternatives to Mailchimp

#1 Best Overall

Omnisend

Email, SMS & push notifications in one platform

⭐ 4.8
5,891 reviews
Why choose Omnisend over Mailchimp

Stores wanting email + SMS + push at lower cost than Klaviyo

Pricing
✓ Free plan: 500 emails/mo, 60 SMS, 500 web push — unlimited contacts
From $16/mo — Per email sends per month (not per contact)
10K contacts = ~$115/mo Standard, $200/mo Pro
Not Ideal For

Stores needing deep predictive analytics or advanced multi-variate testing

Key Strengths
✓ Email + SMS + push in one platform
✓ More affordable than Klaviyo at same contact count
✓ Excellent free plan (unlimited contacts)
✓ Fast setup and easy UI
View on App Store → Mailchimp vs Omnisend →
#2 Runner-Up

Klaviyo

Email & SMS marketing for high-growth ecommerce

⭐ 4.6
2,847 reviews
Why choose Klaviyo over Mailchimp

Stores doing $10K+/mo that rely on email as a primary revenue channel

Pricing
✓ Free plan: 500 contacts, 500 emails/mo, 150 SMS credits
From $20/mo — Per active profile (contact)
Scales steeply: 10K contacts = $150/mo, 50K contacts = $720/mo
Not Ideal For

Early-stage stores under $5K/mo — pricing scales too fast to justify

Key Strengths
✓ Best-in-class flow builder and segmentation
✓ Predictive CLV and churn risk scoring
✓ Native Shopify data sync (all events)
✓ A/B testing on flows, not just campaigns
View on App Store → Mailchimp vs Klaviyo →
#3

Privy

Popups, email marketing, and list building for Shopify

⭐ 4.6
25,183 reviews
Why choose Privy over Mailchimp

Stores focused on growing their email list fast with popups, spin-to-win, and exit-intent offers

Pricing
✓ Free plan: Up to 100 mailable contacts, unlimited popups
From $15/mo — Per mailable contacts
Primarily a popup/list-building tool — most stores upgrade to Klaviyo as email strategy matures
Not Ideal For

Stores needing advanced email automation — Klaviyo or Omnisend are significantly more powerful

Key Strengths
✓ Best popup and exit-intent tool for email list building
✓ Spin-to-win, flyout, and announcement bar widgets included
✓ Very affordable entry point at $15/mo
✓ 25,000+ App Store reviews — most reviewed email app on Shopify
View on App Store →
#4

Drip

Ecommerce email and SMS automation — all features, no gating

⭐ 4.4
89 reviews
Why choose Drip over Mailchimp

Established stores ($50K–500K/mo) wanting full automation features without per-feature pricing tiers

Pricing
From $39/mo — Per contacts (all features on every plan)
No feature tiers — automation, segmentation, and A/B testing on every plan
Not Ideal For

Stores under $20K/mo — Klaviyo free plan or Omnisend $16/mo gives better starting value

Key Strengths
✓ All features on every plan — no upselling for automation or segmentation
✓ Visual multi-step workflow builder for complex flows
✓ Strong ecommerce-specific segmentation (purchase history, LTV, RFM)
✓ Predictable per-contact pricing vs Klaviyo's scaling model
View on App Store → Mailchimp vs Drip →

When Mailchimp Is Actually the Right Choice

Absolute beginners or stores with non-Shopify audiences who want a free start.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best alternative to Mailchimp on Shopify?

Omnisend is the highest-rated alternative to Mailchimp, with a 4.8/5 from 5,891 reviews. It's best for: Stores wanting email + SMS + push at lower cost than Klaviyo.

Why do merchants switch away from Mailchimp?

Common reasons include: shopify integration notably weaker than klaviyo/omnisend; automation on lower plans is limited. Shopify stores that need reliable data sync and advanced automation.

Is there a free alternative to Mailchimp?

Yes — Omnisend has a free plan (500 emails/mo, 60 SMS, 500 web push — unlimited contacts). It's a solid starting point before upgrading.

How does Mailchimp compare on price?

Mailchimp starts free (500 contacts, 1,000 emails/mo), then from $13/mo. Shopify integration issues common; large stores often migrate to Klaviyo

Head-to-Head Comparisons

Mailchimp vs Omnisend → Mailchimp vs Klaviyo → Mailchimp vs Drip →