Mailchimp vs Substack: pricing compared
Updated 2026-11-12 · listed A to Z, not ranked
Mailchimp’s official marketing pricing page lists a basic Free plan for under 250 contacts, Standard starting at $20/month after a 14-day trial, and Premium listed at $350. Essentials is mentioned as a plan you can downgrade to; its price was not shown on the default view we captured.
Substack’s going-paid page says writers keep 90% of revenue minus credit card fees. Writers set their own paid subscription prices.
Listed A to Z, from mailchimp.com and substack.com. Every figure below is quoted from those pages.
- Plans or pricing model
- Free, Essentials, Standard, Premium
- Free option
- Free plan for under 250 contacts
- Published prices
- Standard starts at $20/month after a 14-day trial; Premium is listed at $350; Essentials is offered, but its price was not on the default view we captured
- Plans or pricing model
- Revenue share; writers set subscription prices
- Free option
- Publishing can be started without a paid creator plan
- Published prices
- Writers keep 90% of revenue minus credit card fees
How we checked: Prices quoted from each official page: Mailchimp checked Nov 12, 2026, Substack checked Nov 12, 2026. Taxes, usage overages and promotions can change what you pay; confirm with each provider before you buy.
How they compare
- How they charge. Mailchimp sells contact-tier platform plans. Substack uses a revenue share on paid subscriptions rather than a listed monthly creator fee.
- Lowest listed paid price. Mailchimp: Standard starts at $20/month after a 14-day trial (Essentials may be lower; its price was not on the default view). Substack: 10% of paid revenue plus card fees.
- Free option. Mailchimp has a Free plan for under 250 contacts. Substack lets writers start without a required monthly plan.
We do not pick a winner. Confirm current usage limits and what is bundled on each official page.
FAQ
How much does Mailchimp cost?
Free plan for under 250 contacts; Standard starts at $20/month after a 14-day trial; Premium is listed at $350; Essentials is offered as a plan you can downgrade to (its price was not shown on the default view we captured) (checked Nov 12, 2026).
How much does Substack cost?
Writers keep 90% of revenue minus credit card fees; writers set their own paid subscription prices (checked Nov 12, 2026).
Do Mailchimp and Substack have a free option?
Mailchimp: Basic Free plan for under 250 contacts. Substack: Getting started and publishing can be free; paid subscriptions are optional and priced by the writer.
What is the lowest listed paid price for Mailchimp or Substack?
Lowest listed paid figures: Mailchimp Standard starts at $20/month after a 14-day trial (Essentials exists; its price was not on the default view); Substack No fixed monthly creator plan; the official take rate is 10% of revenue plus card fees (writers keep 90% minus card fees) (as quoted on each official page). Billing units differ, so compare what each includes.
Which is better, Mailchimp or Substack?
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 page: mailchimp.com/pricing/marketing and substack.com/going-paid (checked Nov 12, 2026). Prices change; confirm on the vendor's page before you buy.
Sources (official pages, read 2026-11-12)
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