Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Mailchimp · 📮 newsletters
Mailchimp vs MailPoet Starter
Campaigns, forms, analytics and basic automation inside WordPress; the free list stops at 500. Here is how MailPoet Starter ($0/mo free) stacks up against Mailchimp ($20/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Mailchimp vs MailPoet Starter Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Mailchimp (Paid) | MailPoet Starter (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $20 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $240 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $240) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $1,200 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,200) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $2,400 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $2,400) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | free GPL-2.0+ |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Local or hosted (your machine or their cloud) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hostedself-host, real ops |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ $0 forever |
Deep Dive: Switching from Mailchimp to MailPoet Starter
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
It works only inside WordPress and the free Starter allowance stops at 500 subscribers and 5,000 emails per month.
How to deploy MailPoet Starter
Install the WordPress plugin, create a MailPoet account, and enter the free Starter-plan key
What it takes to run
It requires an existing, maintained WordPress site plus a plan key and sender/domain approval; it is not a standalone email app.
Where your data lives
Lists, subscribers, newsletters, forms, and settings live in MailPoet tables inside the site's WordPress database; MailPoet's sending service processes recipient addresses and keeps delivery logs, which its documentation says are erased after three months.
Why fork MailPoet Starter instead of vibe-coding a Mailchimp clone?
A campaign sender is buildable, but Mailchimp's value is deliverability, templates, compliance, automations, segmentation, ecommerce integrations, and support.
Mailchimp vs MailPoet Starter FAQ
Is MailPoet Starter a good free alternative to Mailchimp?+
Yes. MailPoet Starter is a verified free replacement for Mailchimp. Campaigns, forms, analytics and basic automation inside WordPress; the free list stops at 500.
What is the catch when switching from Mailchimp to MailPoet Starter?+
It works only inside WordPress and the free Starter allowance stops at 500 subscribers and 5,000 emails per month.
How much do you save switching from Mailchimp to MailPoet Starter?+
Mailchimp costs $20/mo ($240/yr) per seat, whereas MailPoet Starter is $0/mo. Switching saves $240/yr for a solo user, $1,200/yr for a 5-person team, and $2,400/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host MailPoet Starter instead of Mailchimp?+
Install: Install the WordPress plugin, create a MailPoet account, and enter the free Starter-plan key. Setup: It requires an existing, maintained WordPress site plus a plan key and sender/domain approval; it is not a standalone email app.
