Choose Mailchimp if...
- ✓You need small business email and can work with its pricing.
COMPARISON
Mailchimp vs Beehiiv: Which is better for your store?
Choose Beehiiv if...
- ✓You want newsletter publishers and a different cost profile.
Choose neither if...
- →Your real need is cheaper, simpler, or outside this category.
- →Check ConvertKit as an alternative.
| Feature |  Mailchimp |  Beehiiv |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Small business email | Newsletter publishers |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | No | No |
| SMS capability | Email-focused | Email-focused |
| Ease of use | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Automation | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Platform fit | Strong Shopify fit | 3/5 category fit |
| Hidden cost to check | Audience/contact counting can make list growth more expensive than expected. | Free plan limited to 2,500 subscribers. |
DECISION NOTES
Best for: Mailchimp is Small business email, while Beehiiv is Newsletter publishers.
Starting price: Mailchimp is Free, while Beehiiv is Free.
Free plan: Mailchimp is Yes, while Beehiiv is Yes.
Free trial: Mailchimp is No, while Beehiiv is No.
MIGRATION & SWITCHING RISK
Switching from Mailchimp
Check data export options, integration dependencies, and whether your workflows (automations, templates, segments) can transfer. Budget time for re-setup.
Switching from Beehiiv
Verify contact/data portability, check if historical data exports cleanly, and estimate the effort to rebuild automations and integrations in the new platform.
Migration is a real cost. Factor in team time, potential downtime, and the learning curve before switching.
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FAQ
Is Mailchimp better than Beehiiv?
Beehiiv is the safer first pick for most stores, but the better choice depends on budget and workflow depth.
Which one is cheaper?
Mailchimp has the lower entry price in this comparison, but list size, sends, seats, and SMS usage can change the real monthly cost.
What should I verify before switching?
Confirm free plan limits, migration effort, platform integration, data export, and current official pricing before importing contacts.