Mailchimp pricing
What Mailchimp really costs tier by tier, and why the contact count, not the headline price, decides your bill.
Mailchimp publishes four clear tiers, but the sticker price is only half the story because of how it counts contacts. Plans run from a trimmed free tier through Essentials, Standard and Premium, each priced by the size of your audience. The detail that catches people out is that subscribed, unsubscribed and non subscribed contacts can all count toward your limit, so the real bill tracks your stored list rather than who you actually email. Below is each plan as published, then the things that move the number.
Plans and prices
Per month, billed monthly, base contactsPricing as of June 2026. Prices scale with contacts, and all contact types can count toward your tier. The free plan was cut to 250 contacts and 500 sends in early 2026. Check the vendor for current pricing.
The contact count, not the tier, sets the bill.
Four things tend to separate Mailchimp's headline price from what teams actually pay. Budget for these before you commit.
Mailchimp pricing FAQ
Is Mailchimp still free?
Yes, but the free plan was trimmed in early 2026 to 250 contacts and 500 monthly sends, with Mailchimp branding on emails. It suits a small test list; most active senders move to Essentials at $13 per month. Pricing as of June 2026; check the vendor for current pricing.
How much does Mailchimp cost per month?
List prices are $0 for Free, $13 for Essentials, $20 for Standard and $350 for Premium per month at base contact levels, billed monthly. Each plan scales up as your contact count grows. Verified June 2026; check the vendor for current pricing.
Why is my Mailchimp bill higher than the headline price?
Because Mailchimp prices by contacts, and subscribed, unsubscribed and non subscribed contacts can all count. A list that has grown or not been cleaned pushes you into a higher band, so the real bill tracks stored contacts, not just sends.
Which Mailchimp plan is best value?
For most small teams that want automation and send time tools, Standard at $20 is the sweet spot. Essentials suits simple newsletters, while Premium only pays off for large lists that need advanced segmentation and unlimited seats.