Mailchimp vs Substack
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Mailchimp and Substack are credible email marketing tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Mailchimp — Email marketing for small businesses.
Choose Substack if you'd rather have a higher overall rating (4.5/5). Publishing made simple for writers.
Mailchimp vs Substack: side by side
| Dimension | Mailchimp | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $13/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Best for | Smb, Ecommerce, Beginners | Writers, Creators |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android, Api | Web, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5Winner |
Mailchimp key facts
- Vendor
- Intuit
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $13/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android, Api
- Best for
- Smb, Ecommerce, Beginners
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 2001
- Headquarters
- Atlanta, GA, USA
Substack key facts
- Vendor
- Substack
- Pricing
- Free — Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Writers, Creators
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is Mailchimp better than Substack?
Neither is universally better — Substack edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Mailchimp or Substack cheaper?
Mailchimp is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $13/mo. Mailchimp starts at free – $13/mo; Substack starts at free.
Can Mailchimp replace Substack?
Yes for most teams — both are email marketing tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.