Switching from Klaviyo to Mailchimp
Moving from Klaviyo to Mailchimp means exporting your profiles and list data manually, since Mailchimp has no dedicated Klaviyo connector the way Klaviyo has one for Mailchimp.
Why teams switch from Klaviyo to Mailchimp
Lower cost at smaller list sizes
For non-ecommerce senders or smaller lists, Mailchimp’s Essentials and Standard tiers are generally cheaper than Klaviyo’s equivalent active-profile pricing.
Simpler interface for non-technical teams
Mailchimp’s campaign and automation builders are widely considered easier to pick up for marketers who don’t need Klaviyo’s deeper conditional logic.
Broader all-in-one marketing toolkit
Mailchimp bundles landing pages, social ads, and a built-in CRM-lite layer that some teams prefer over stitching together point tools around Klaviyo.
Switching Cost & Friction Estimator
Estimate the real hidden cost of moving from Klaviyo to Mailchimp — not just the subscription price.
How to migrate your data
There’s no native Klaviyo-to-Mailchimp sync, so this migration is a manual export/import process from the Klaviyo side.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Export your Klaviyo profiles | From Klaviyo’s Lists & Segments, export each list or segment you want to keep as a CSV of profile data. |
| 2. Export engagement and consent data | Pull subscription status and consent timestamps as well, since Mailchimp requires clear opt-in records for compliance. |
| 3. Create matching audiences in Mailchimp | Set up corresponding audiences in Mailchimp and import the CSVs, mapping fields like email, name, and custom properties. |
| 4. Rebuild segments as Mailchimp tags or groups | Klaviyo segments don’t map directly to Mailchimp, so recreate your key segments manually using Mailchimp’s tags, groups, or conditional segments. |
| 5. Recreate flows as Mailchimp automations | Manually rebuild each Klaviyo flow (welcome series, abandoned cart, post-purchase) as a Mailchimp customer journey, since flow logic does not export or import. |
| 6. Update store integrations and signup forms | Reconnect your ecommerce platform to Mailchimp and repoint website signup forms before disconnecting Klaviyo. |
Pricing during the transition
Mailchimp is generally the cheaper of the two at low-to-mid contact volumes, which is often the main driver for this switch.
| Plan | Klaviyo | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | $0 (up to 250 profiles, Klaviyo) | $0 (up to 250 contacts, Mailchimp) |
| Entry paid tier (~500 contacts) | Email plan around $20/month | Essentials from around $13/month |
| Mid tier (~1,000 contacts) | Email plan around $30/month | Standard from around $20/month |
Mailchimp’s Standard and Premium tiers add per-contact costs at scale too, so re-check pricing at your specific list size before assuming Mailchimp stays cheaper as you grow; figures reflect list pricing as of September 2026.
Feature-parity checklist
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| Feature | Klaviyo | Mailchimp equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Automation/flow builder | Branching flows with conditional splits | More linear automation builder, simpler to learn |
| Ecommerce data depth | Real-time purchase/browse event tracking | Solid but less granular ecommerce integrations |
| SMS marketing | Native SMS/MMS/WhatsApp on shared credits | SMS available as an add-on in supported regions |
| Ease of use for non-specialists | Steeper learning curve for advanced segmentation | Generally considered more approachable for generalist marketers |
| Revenue attribution reporting | Detailed per-flow revenue and predictive metrics | More basic ecommerce reporting |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a native Klaviyo-to-Mailchimp importer?
No – unlike Klaviyo’s built-in Mailchimp sync, Mailchimp has no dedicated Klaviyo connector, so this is a manual CSV export/import migration.
Will my Klaviyo flows work in Mailchimp?
No, flow logic doesn’t transfer at all – you’ll need to manually recreate each automation as a Mailchimp customer journey.
What happens to my Klaviyo segments?
Behavioral segments don’t export as logic, only as static snapshots of who’s currently in them, so you’ll need to rebuild the underlying rules in Mailchimp.
Why would someone downgrade from Klaviyo to Mailchimp?
Usually cost – Mailchimp tends to be cheaper for smaller lists or teams that don’t need Klaviyo’s ecommerce-specific behavioral targeting.
Can I keep both tools running during the switch?
Yes, and it’s recommended – run Mailchimp in parallel for a full send cycle before cancelling Klaviyo so you can confirm deliverability and automations are working.
Canonical data for the tools on this page
Every pricing fact, rating, AI billing model and switching guide we hold on each tool, on one page — with the date each figure was last verified.