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Mailchimp vs Flodesk: Should You Make the Switch in 2026?
If you’ve ever stared at an email dashboard and thought “Why does this feel like filing taxes?”, you’re in the right place. We’re comparing two of the biggest email marketing platforms out there right now: Mailchimp and Flodesk, and breaking down which one actually feels good to use in 2026.
Quick note: Flodesk makes gorgeous emails that people actually open, and right now you can get 25% off your first year with my code GILLIAN at this link. Totally worth it if you want your emails to look as gorgeous as the content you pour your soul into.
Who Are These Platforms Anyway?
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is the veteran. It’s been around forever (since the early 2000s!) and for a long time was the default choice for bloggers and business owners starting their first email list.
But after being acquired by Intuit (yes, the TurboTax and QuickBooks people), Mailchimp has become this huge, data‑heavy marketing machine. It’s powerful, but also complex.
Flodesk
Flodesk is the new darling, the aesthetic queen of email marketing. Launched with a focus on creatives; designers, photographers, bloggers and just generally stylish humans. Flodesk showed the world that email marketing doesn’t have to be ugly or frustrating.
In 2025, they introduced exciting new plans and added amazing commerce features, so it’s now about way more than just pretty emails.
Click here for a full list of Flodesk features
Mailchimp – The Classic (But Sometimes Clunky) Choice
Mailchimp has grown into a marketing operating system that’s bursting with features.
Pros
Deep data power: Mailchimp has serious analytics and integrates with things like QuickBooks, so if you love spreadsheets and tracking customer journeys, it delivers.
AI and automation tools: With Intuit’s tech behind it, there are now predictive recommendations and smart segments that can help you sell, if you like that kind of thing.
Integrations galore: Want Mailchimp to talk to your shop, your CRM, your webinar platform, your ads? It probably can, with 300+ integrations.
Reliable: It’s a big machine, downtime is rare and delivery is solid.
Cons
Tiny free plan: As of 2025, their free tier only lets you have up to 500 contacts. If you have 501 fans, you’re paying.
Price jumps fast: Mailchimp charges per contact, and the more subscribers you have, the higher the bill climbs.
Design feels dated: Even with newer builders, layouts can feel rigid. Custom fonts? Overlapping elements? Very tricky without code.
Super busy dashboard: Mailchimp now does emails, postcards, social posting, ads… it’s honestly overwhelming if all you want is simple newsletter magic.
The Vibe
Mailchimp feels like piloting a spaceship when you just wanted to ride a bicycle. It’s powerful, but sometimes way more than most creators need.
Flodesk – The Pretty, Simple, Creative First Choice
Flodesk came in with a vibe; gorgeous templates, intuitive drag‑and‑drop design, and a philosophy that email should feel joyful.
Pros
GORGEOUS Templates: Flodesk templates are the kind you want to send. Custom fonts, overlapping elements, layouts that feel editorial, and they actually render beautifully on mobile.
Flodesk Checkout: Now you can sell digital products (courses, presets, guides, anything with a download) directly inside Flodesk without a separate shop platform.
Link in Bio forms: Your Instagram link doesn’t need to be a boring list. Flodesk can host a beautiful signup page that actually converts.
Truly easy builder: No coding, no wrestling. It feels like play, not work.
Cons
Automations are simpler: Flodesk doesn’t have super complex logic like “if this link was clicked after midnight, send email B…”, but for 99% of creators, what it does have is more than enough.
The Vibe
Flodesk feels like walking into a curated boutique; calm, lovely, and instantly elevating your brand. It just feels good to use.
Head‑to‑Head Comparison
Features
Mailchimp: CRM powerhouse. If you need ultra‑specific triggers and predictive behavior tools, it’s got it.
Flodesk: Creative commerce machine. It’s built for selling, gorgeous emails, and actually enjoying the process.
Winner:
- Mailchimp for big, data‑driven businesses
- Flodesk for creators, bloggers, and small business owners
Templates & Design
Mailchimp: Functional and fine, but boxy and old‑school. Customization can feel fiddly.
Flodesk: Feels like an editorial layout, custom fonts, stacked images, spacing that actually looks good.
Winner: Flodesk, by a mile.
Pricing
Let’s talk numbers. Both platforms use a “pay per contact” model, which can get pricey, fast.
Mailchimp
For a list of 2,500 subscribers, here’s what you’re looking at:
- £75/month
- Up to 60,000 email sends
- Up to 200 flow steps
- 5 users
- 5 audience segments
Flodesk
For 2,500 subscribers, you’ll pay:
- $39/month (around £29)
- Unlimited emails
- Unlimited workflows
- Unlimited audience segments
- 1 Flodesk Checkout (or upgrade to unlimited with the $87/mo plan, about £67)
So for a significantly lower price, you’re getting way more flexibility, and your creativity isn’t limited by numbers on a spreadsheet.
The Bottom Line
If you’re scaling a team, running a large e‑commerce store, or need multi‑user support and complex data tracking, Mailchimp might be worth the splurge.
But if you’re a creator, blogger, or digital product seller who wants to grow, Flodesk is the clear winner. More value, less fuss, and a platform that grows with you.
Winner: Flodesk, better value, no brainer for creatives.
So… Which One Should You Choose?
If you’re running enterprise campaigns, complex customer journeys, or e‑commerce with deep data needs, Mailchimp still has a place.
But if your heart beats for beautiful email, easy workflows, creative selling, and joyful design, Flodesk is the choice that feels made for you. You’ll spend less time confused, more time connecting with your people, and you’ll actually enjoy logging in each week.
And remember, you can grab 25% off your first year of Flodesk with my code GILLIAN right here.
Want help figuring out which plan is actually right for your business? Just ask!
Flodesk offers affordable, transparent pricing that scales with your subscribers. Get 25% off your first year with my code GILLIAN at this link
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