Mailchimp cut the free plan from 500 contacts to 250 and from 1,000 sends to 500, effective February 17, 2026.
Mailchimp Free Plan in 2026: 250 Contacts, 500 Sends, and What You Lose
The Mailchimp free plan has been cut three times since 2019. What was once 2,000 contacts with full automation is now 250 contacts with no automation, limited templates, and 30 days of email-only support. Here is exactly what you get, what you lose, and whether it is still worth starting on Mailchimp free.
What the Free Plan Includes
| Feature | Limit |
|---|---|
| Contacts | 250 |
| Monthly sends | 500 |
| Daily send cap | 250 |
| Audiences | 1 |
| Users | 1 |
| Templates | Basic only |
| Landing pages | Included |
| Signup forms | Included |
| Automation | None |
| A/B testing | None |
| Custom branding | None (badge required) |
| Support | Email only, first 30 days |
Free Plan History: 2,000 to 250
2019
2,000 contacts / 10,000/mo / Full automation
The golden era. Mailchimp is the go-to free email tool for small businesses and creators.
2023
500 contacts / 1,000/mo / Single-step only
Massive cut after the Intuit acquisition. Automation restricted to single-step triggers. Most advanced features moved to paid plans.
Jun 2025
500 contacts / 1,000/mo / None
Customer Journey Builder fully removed from free plan. No automation of any kind on free tier.
Feb 2026
250 contacts / 500/mo / None
Current limits. 250 daily send cap added. The free plan is now essentially a trial account.
How Long Does the Free Plan Last?
The free plan has no time limit, but the 250-contact and 500-send caps mean most businesses outgrow it within weeks. Here are realistic growth scenarios:
Solo creator
Growing at 20 subs/week, sending weekly
~3 months
Hits 250 contacts by month 3, but hits 500-send limit faster if sending more than once per week
Small business
Growing at 50 subs/week, sending twice weekly
~5 weeks
Hits the 500-send limit in the first month if audience reaches 250 contacts
E-commerce store
Existing customers imported
Day 1
Most stores already have more than 250 customer emails. The free plan is not viable.
Free Plan Comparison: Mailchimp vs Competitors
| Platform | Contacts | Monthly Sends | Automation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp Free | 250 | 500 | ✗ |
| MailerLite Free | 1,000 | 12,000 | ✓ |
| Kit Free | 10,000 | Limited | ✗ |
| Brevo Free | Unlimited | 300/day | ✓ |
Free vs Essentials: Is $13/mo Worth It?
The jump from Free to Essentials ($13/mo) gets you 500 contacts, 5,000 monthly sends, 3 audiences, 3 users, A/B testing, basic segmentation, and single-step automations. You also get email support beyond 30 days.
For a business that has outgrown the free plan, $13/mo is reasonable. But before paying Mailchimp $13/mo for 500 contacts, consider that MailerLite gives you 1,000 subscribers with automation for $10/mo, and Brevo gives you 5,000 emails for $9/mo with unlimited contacts.
Bottom line: Essentials is only worth $13/mo if you are already invested in the Mailchimp ecosystem (templates, integrations, existing campaigns). If you are starting fresh at the 250-500 contact range, MailerLite or Brevo offer more value.
Migration Guide: Your Three Options at 250 Contacts
Upgrade to Essentials
$13/mo for up to 500 contacts. Stay in the Mailchimp ecosystem.
Best if you already have campaigns, templates, and integrations set up in Mailchimp.
Switch to MailerLite Free
Free for up to 1,000 subscribers with 12,000 monthly sends and automation.
Best for budget-conscious users. 4x the contacts and 24x the sends. Full comparison.
Switch to Kit Free
Free for up to 10,000 subscribers (limited features, no automation).
Best for creators and bloggers who need a large subscriber list and can work without automation.