HubSpot CRM vs Mailchimp: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between HubSpot CRM and Mailchimp? Both are popular sales & marketing tools. Below we compare them on pricing, free tiers, features, and pros & cons so you can pick the right fit for your stack.
Quick verdict
Both are solid sales & marketing options. Mailchimp is cheaper to start, but the right choice depends on the specific features and integrations you need.
HubSpot CRM vs Mailchimp — Side by Side
| HubSpot CRM | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Sales & Marketing | Sales & Marketing |
| Pricing | Free · paid from $15/mo | Free · paid from $13/mo |
| Starting price | Free tier available | Free tier available |
| Free tier | ||
| Best for | Sales & Marketing — crm, marketing | Sales & Marketing — email-marketing, newsletter |
Pros & Cons
- Best-in-class free CRM
- Covers entire customer lifecycle
- Huge integration ecosystem
- Scales from solo founder to enterprise
- Professional tier is expensive
- Can feel bloated for simple use cases
- Features locked behind higher tiers
- Most recognizable brand — easy integrations everywhere
- Excellent drag-and-drop editor
- Strong e-commerce integrations
- Large template library
- Free plan limited to 500 contacts (less than competitors)
- Pricing scales steeply with list size
- Automation only from Standard plan
Choose HubSpot CRM if…
you want a free tier to start, and HubSpot CRM All-in-one CRM platform covering marketing, sales, and customer service with a generous free tier.
HubSpot CRM review & pricingChoose Mailchimp if…
you want a free tier to start, and Mailchimp The world's most popular email marketing platform with drag-and-drop campaigns, automations, and audience insights.
Mailchimp review & pricingFrequently Asked Questions
Is HubSpot CRM better than Mailchimp?⌄
Both are solid sales & marketing options. Mailchimp is cheaper to start, but the right choice depends on the specific features and integrations you need.
What is the difference between HubSpot CRM and Mailchimp?⌄
HubSpot CRM — All-in-one CRM platform covering marketing, sales, and customer service with a generous free tier. Mailchimp — The world's most popular email marketing platform with drag-and-drop campaigns, automations, and audience insights. Both are sales & marketing tools; the comparison table above breaks down pricing, free tiers, and what each is best for.
HubSpot CRM vs Mailchimp: which is cheaper?⌄
HubSpot CRM pricing: Free · paid from $15/mo. Mailchimp pricing: Free · paid from $13/mo. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.
See more options in our guide to the best sales & marketing tools for startups.
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