Mailchimp Review 2026: Is It Still Worth It After Intuit’s AI Overhaul?

Mailchimp, once the undisputed king of email marketing, has undergone a dramatic transformation since Intuit acquired it for a staggering $12 billion in 2021. What was once a simple, user-friendly platform has evolved into an AI-powered marketing powerhouse, but at what cost?

The New Mailchimp: AI-First, Free Tier Last

The most significant change has been the aggressive integration of AI capabilities under Intuit’s “Intuit Assist” umbrella. The platform now boasts sophisticated AI tools that can generate email copy, optimize send times, and even create entire marketing automation workflows with a single click.

However, this technological leap forward has come with a painful reality check for budget-conscious users. The free plan, once generous and beloved, has been repeatedly slashed. Following the latest cuts in January 2026, users are now limited to just 250 contacts and 500 emails per month—barely enough for a small newsletter. Even more controversially, automation workflows, previously a free plan staple, are now exclusively reserved for paying customers.

Pricing That Reflects Its Ambitions

Mailchimp now offers four distinct tiers:

• Free: $0/month (250 contacts, 500 emails)
• Essentials: Starts at $13/month (500 contacts, 5,000 emails)
• Standard: Starts at $20/month (500 contacts, advanced AI tools)
• Premium: Starts at $350/month (10,000+ contacts, unlimited users)

The pricing structure clearly positions Mailchimp as a premium solution, with the free tier serving more as a teaser than a viable long-term option.

AI Tools That Actually Deliver

Where Mailchimp truly shines is in its AI implementation. The Write with AI feature generates email copy based on your campaign goals and brand voice, while the AI subject line generator analyzes your content and past performance to suggest optimal subject lines.

The Marketing Automation Flows feature, rebranded from the Customer Journey Builder in June 2025, uses AI to generate multi-step workflows automatically. You can create sophisticated campaigns like “Welcome Series” or “Abandoned Cart Recovery” with minimal input.

Additional AI features include Send-Time Optimization (predicting the best delivery window for each contact), Predictive Segmentation (identifying high-value subscribers), and Content Optimizer (scoring campaigns against industry benchmarks).

Feature-Rich, But Not Without Limitations

For paid users, Mailchimp offers an impressive array of features: custom sign-up forms, landing pages, digital advertising integrations, dynamic content blocks, multivariate testing, and even a built-in website builder.

However, some competitors like ActiveCampaign and Klaviyo offer deeper CRM functionality and more granular segmentation without requiring expensive upgrades. As contact lists grow, Mailchimp’s value proposition can weaken compared to more specialized alternatives.

Interface and Usability: Still User-Friendly

Despite its expanded capabilities, Mailchimp maintains its reputation for ease of use. The drag-and-drop email builder remains one of the most accessible in the market, and the overall interface is intuitive enough for beginners while offering depth for advanced users.

Role-based access control, available only on the Premium plan, makes it suitable for larger organizations with complex team structures.

Support: Tiered Like Everything Else

Support follows the same tiered approach as pricing:

• Free: Email support for first 30 days only
• Essentials/Standard: 24/7 email and live chat
• Premium: Phone support included

All users get access to Mailchimp’s comprehensive Help Center, Marketing Library, and expert directory.

The Competition: Sendinblue and MailerLite

Sendinblue offers more affordable pricing with better automation features, while MailerLite is even cheaper but lacks Mailchimp’s sophisticated analytics and template selection. The choice ultimately depends on whether you prioritize advanced features or budget-friendly simplicity.

Final Verdict: Still a Contender, But Not for Everyone

Mailchimp remains one of the best email marketing services available, particularly for businesses ready to invest in AI-powered marketing automation. The platform’s comprehensive feature set, user-friendly interface, and robust analytics make it a compelling choice for small to medium-sized businesses.

However, the dramatic reduction in the free plan’s capabilities and the premium pricing of advanced features mean it’s no longer the obvious choice for budget-conscious users or those just starting with email marketing.

For businesses that can afford the investment and want an all-in-one marketing platform with cutting-edge AI capabilities, Mailchimp delivers exceptional value. For others, the math may no longer add up.

Tags & Viral Phrases:

• $12 billion acquisition
• AI-powered marketing revolution
• Free plan gutted in 2026
• Automation workflows now paid-only
• Intuit Assist takes over
• Email marketing’s biggest transformation
• Is Mailchimp still worth it?
• The end of free email marketing?
• AI email marketing tools that actually work
• Mailchimp vs Sendinblue showdown
• Why your free Mailchimp plan isn’t enough anymore
• The new era of email marketing automation
• Mailchimp’s controversial pricing changes
• AI subject lines that boost open rates
• Marketing automation made simple (and expensive)
• The platform that changed everything
• Email marketing for the AI age
• What happened to the friendly chimp?
• Premium features at premium prices
• The best (and most expensive) email tool?

,