EmailOctopus vs Mailchimp: email marketing pricing compared
Updated 2026-11-10 · listed A to Z, not ranked
EmailOctopus is an email marketing platform with a free plan and one paid plan that scales automatically with your list.
Mailchimp is an email and SMS marketing platform. Paid plan prices start at the amounts below and rise with the number of contacts you have.
Listed A to Z, from emailoctopus.com and mailchimp.com. Every figure below is quoted from those pages.
- Main price table
- Starter, Pro
- Free option
- Starter plan free for 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails a month
- Published prices
- Free Starter plan for 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails a month; Pro from $9/month billed yearly.
- Main price table
- Free, Essentials, Standard, Premium
- Free option
- Free plan for under 250 contacts
- Published prices
- Free under 250 contacts, Essentials from $13/mo, Standard from $20/mo, Premium from $350/mo; price rises with contacts.
How we checked: Prices quoted from each official pricing page: EmailOctopus checked Nov 10, 2026, Mailchimp checked Nov 10, 2026. Taxes, usage overages and promotions can change what you pay; confirm with each provider before you buy.
How they compare
- Main price table. EmailOctopus lists 2 entries (Starter, Pro); Mailchimp lists 4 (Free, Essentials, Standard, Premium).
- Lowest listed paid tier. EmailOctopus: Pro $9/month (billed yearly, entry level). Mailchimp: Essentials $13/mo. Billing terms differ (per user or flat, monthly or annual), so check what each tier includes below.
- Free option. EmailOctopus: Starter plan free for 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails a month. Mailchimp: Free plan for under 250 contacts.
- How prices are quoted. EmailOctopus: “Plans”. Mailchimp: “Plans (USD)”.
EmailOctopus plans and prices
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Free | 2,500 subscribers, 10,000 emails per month, EmailOctopus branding on emails, reports for 30 days, 1 landing page and 1 form, 1 user |
| Pro | From $9 per month, billed yearly (save 10% vs monthly) | 10,000 emails per month at the entry level, full control over email design, reports forever, unlimited landing pages, forms and users |
Pro price rises with subscriber count and upgrades automatically as your list grows. Nonprofits get a 20% lifetime discount. Over 500,000 subscribers: contact EmailOctopus for a quote. No free trial; start on the free plan.
From emailoctopus.com, checked Nov 10, 2026. Full breakdown: EmailOctopus pricing.
Mailchimp plans and prices
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Under 250 contacts; sending is paused if the contact or email send limit is exceeded |
| Essentials | Starts at $13/month | Free for 14 days; testing and scheduling features |
| Standard | Starts at $20/month | Free for 14 days; automations, personalization and optimization tools |
| Premium | Starts at $350/month | Offer shown: $297.50 per month for 12 months; unlimited contacts and priority support |
"Save 15% on 5,000+ contacts" is shown on the paid plans. Overages apply if the contact or email send limit is exceeded. SMS is an add-on to paid plans in select countries. For more than 250,000 contacts, Mailchimp says to contact sales.
From mailchimp.com, checked Nov 10, 2026. Full breakdown: Mailchimp pricing.
FAQ
How much does EmailOctopus cost?
Free Starter plan for 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails a month; Pro from $9/month billed yearly. (checked Nov 10, 2026).
How much does Mailchimp cost?
Free under 250 contacts, Essentials from $13/mo, Standard from $20/mo, Premium from $350/mo; price rises with contacts. (checked Nov 10, 2026).
Do EmailOctopus and Mailchimp have a free option?
EmailOctopus: Starter plan free for 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails a month. Mailchimp: Free plan for under 250 contacts.
What is the cheapest paid plan, EmailOctopus or Mailchimp?
Lowest listed paid tier: EmailOctopus Pro $9/month (billed yearly, entry level); Mailchimp Essentials $13/mo (as quoted on each pricing page). Billing units differ, so compare what each includes.
Which is better, EmailOctopus or Mailchimp?
We do not pick a winner. The two price and package their products differently; the tables above quote each official pricing page so you can match a plan to your own usage.
Where do these prices come from?
Each vendor's own pricing page: emailoctopus.com (checked Nov 10, 2026) and mailchimp.com (checked Nov 10, 2026). Prices change; confirm on the vendor's page before you buy.
Sources (official pages, read 2026-11-10)
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