Mailchimp vs Convertkit vs SendGrid: The Real Cost of Email Marketing in 2024

Email marketing tools can eat up your budget faster than a startup’s initial funding round. I’ve managed over 600,000 email contacts across these platforms, and I’m here to share what nobody else will tell you.

Most comparison articles miss the hidden fees and scaling problems that hit when you grow. I’ve spent thousands of dollars learning these lessons so you don’t have to. Let’s break down exactly which platform fits your needs and budget.

My hubspot bill was USD$969!

Why you need email marketing

The truth is, most of your visitors never come back. They won’t remember you.

Average return visitor rates by industry:

• News/Media: 40-60%
• Blogs: 15-25%
• E-commerce: 20-40%
• B2B websites: 10-20%
• Educational sites: 30-50%
• SaaS platforms: 25-45%

What I’ve learned is that you need a way to bring people back. Again and again. The best way to do that is through email. If you can keep someone on an email list, each email is worth $1. Unlike social media where you never own your audience, email is gold. People might not open facebook everyday but they definitely check their emails. Email is a must for all websites.

The Basic Landscape

Mailchimp is the Apple of email marketing – pretty, user-friendly, but expensive at scale. ConvertKit targets creators with simple but powerful tools. SendGrid is the tech-forward choice that developers love.

Here’s what you’ll pay for 10,000 subscribers:

• Mailchimp: $104/month
• ConvertKit: $119/month
• SendGrid: $89/month

But these base prices don’t tell the whole story.

Mailchimp Deep Dive

Mailchimp’s drag-and-drop editor makes creating emails feel like playing with Legos. It’s fun until you get the bill.

The real costs kick in when you:

• Need advanced automation
• Want to segment your list
• Exceed monthly email limits

I learned this the hard way when my monthly bill jumped from $104 to $299 after hitting 25,000 subscribers. That’s almost triple the cost for the same service.

The platform shines for small businesses with simple needs. But if you’re planning to grow, watch out.

ConvertKit Analysis

ConvertKit speaks the language of content creators. It’s like having a smart assistant who knows exactly what bloggers and course creators need.

Three standout features:
• Visual automation builder
• Built-in landing pages
• Tag-based (not list-based) subscriber management

My favorite feature of convertkit is the optin popups. I’ve used popup monster before it can cost an arm and a leg for that too.

Perfect for: Content creators who want simple but powerful tools without a technical headache.

SendGrid: The Scale Champion

SendGrid is like flying economy plus – fewer frills but better value. It’s built for businesses that need reliable delivery at scale.

Three key advantages:
• Costs stay low as you grow
• Better deliverability rates
• Powerful API for custom integration

I moved a SaaS client from Mailchimp to SendGrid. Their monthly email costs dropped from $1,200 to $250.

Best for: Tech-savvy teams sending over 100,000 emails monthly.

Making Your Choice

Pick Mailchimp if:
• You’re just starting out
• Design is your top priority
• You need simple drag-and-drop tools

Choose ConvertKit if:
• You’re a content creator
• You sell digital products
• You want middle-ground pricing

Go with SendGrid if:
• You send high volumes
• You need technical flexibility
• Cost control is crucial

The Bottom Line

SendGrid wins for scale and value. ConvertKit excels for creators. Mailchimp works for beginners.

Want to test drive these platforms? Start with their free tiers. Each offers enough features to get a real feel for the platform.

Remember: The right choice isn’t about features – it’s about finding the tool that fits your growth path.

Ready to make the switch? Start with a small test campaign on your chosen platform. See how it feels before moving your entire list.