Mailchimp remains one of the most accessible ways to start an email list, whether for a first product launch, a newsletter, or customer updates. Its free plan and drag-and-drop builder make it a sensible starting point before you need advanced marketing automation.
Key features
- Free plan: up to 250 contacts and 500 sends a month.
- Drag-and-drop builder: templates, no design experience needed.
- Essentials: automation flows and A/B testing as your list grows.
- Standard and Premium: advanced segmentation and priority support for larger lists.
Pricing
The free plan covers up to 250 contacts and 500 sends a month. Essentials starts once you pass 500 contacts and adds automation and testing. Standard and Premium scale to 100,000 and 200,000 contacts. Pricing is by contact count and changes often.
Prices change over time. Figures above are based on Mailchimp’s own pricing page.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free plan to start at no cost | Costs rise quickly as your list grows |
| Easy for non-designers | Automation sits behind paid tiers |
| Scales into more advanced features | The free limit is fairly small |
Mailchimp vs Moosend
Moosend, also covered on atlaspreneur, is cheaper for the same core features and includes automation and landing pages. Mailchimp is better known, easy to use, and has a larger integration ecosystem.
Who it’s best for
Founders building an email list for a launch, newsletter, or customer updates, from solo founders to small teams.
Skip it if you need advanced CRM-style automation from day one, or if your store platform already bundles email marketing you are happy with.
How to get started
Start on the free plan with your current list, send a first newsletter, and move to Essentials when you pass 500 contacts or need automation.
FAQ
Can I send emails in Arabic? Yes, but test right-to-left layout in the template before sending.
When do I need a paid plan? When you outgrow the free limits or need automation and A/B testing.
Disclosure: atlaspreneur may earn a commission if you sign up for Mailchimp through the links in this article. This does not change what you pay, and it does not influence which tools we choose to cover.




