Mailchimp vs Buttondown
A detailed comparison of Mailchimp and Buttondown to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
💰 Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Mailchimp | Buttondown |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | ✓ 500 contacts, 1,000 sends/mo | ✓ Up to 100 subscribers |
| Lowest Paid | $13/mo | $9/mo |
| Enterprise | $350/mo | Custom pricing |
⚡ Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | Buttondown |
|---|---|---|
| Email campaigns | ✓ | — |
| Automation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Landing pages | ✓ | — |
| Audience management | ✓ | — |
| A/B testing | ✓ | — |
| Analytics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Templates | ✓ | — |
| Segmentation | ✓ | — |
| Social posting | ✓ | — |
| CRM features | ✓ | — |
| Markdown support | — | ✓ |
| API | — | ✓ |
| Custom CSS | — | ✓ |
| Paid newsletters | — | ✓ |
| RSS to email | — | ✓ |
| Webhooks | — | ✓ |
| Custom domains | — | ✓ |
| Subscriber management | — | ✓ |
| Open Source | ✗ | ✗ |
| Rating | ⭐ 4.1 | ⭐ 4.3 |
Pros & Cons
Mailchimp
Pros
- ✓ Easy to use
- ✓ Great templates
- ✓ Comprehensive features
- ✓ Strong brand
Cons
- ✗ Gets expensive fast
- ✗ Limited free plan now
- ✗ Can be buggy
- ✗ Removes contacts actively
Buttondown
Pros
- ✓ Simple and clean
- ✓ Markdown support
- ✓ Indie-built
- ✓ Great API
Cons
- ✗ Limited free tier
- ✗ Basic templates
- ✗ Small team
- ✗ Limited design options
🏆 The Verdict
Choose Mailchimp if: You need small businesses getting started with email marketing. Mailchimp excels with its easy to use and great templates.
Choose Buttondown if: You need technical writers and developers. Buttondown stands out with its simple and clean and markdown support.
Best free option: Both Mailchimp and Buttondown offer free tiers. Mailchimp offers "500 contacts, 1,000 sends/mo" while Buttondown offers "Up to 100 subscribers".
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mailchimp better than Buttondown?
It depends on your needs. Mailchimp is better for small businesses getting started with email marketing, while Buttondown is better for technical writers and developers. Both are excellent tools rated 4.1 and 4.3 respectively.
Which is cheaper, Mailchimp or Buttondown?
Mailchimp starts at $13/mo while Buttondown starts at $9/mo. Both offer free tiers.
Can I switch from Mailchimp to Buttondown?
Most tools offer import/export features to help you migrate. We recommend trying Buttondown's free tier before fully committing to a switch.
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