Flodesk vs. Mailchimp: Comparison Guide [2024]

Flodesk vs. Mailchimp: Comparison Guide [2024]

Published By Marilia Dimitriou
January 24, 2024

When choosing the right tools for your marketing stack, you should explore numerous options and compare your top choices to find the best one for your business. If you want to determine whether Flodesk or Mailchimp is the most suitable platform, then keep reading.

Today, we will do a Flodesk vs Mailchimp comparison, focusing on the features, user experience, integrations, support, and pricing, as well as offer you three alternatives.

email marketing software alternatives
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Flodesk Vs Mailchimp: Pros & Cons

Every platform has its strengths and weaknesses. Let’s take a look at them first to have a better understanding of the features we will compare later on.

Let’s start with Flodesk.

Flodesk: Pros & Cons

Below, you can see the advantages and disadvantages of Flodesk based on user reviews:

Pros Cons
  • Quick learning curve
  • Intuitive dashboard
  • Professionally-designed templates
  • Straightforward pricing model
  • Step-by-step tutorials
  • Unlimited email campaigns
  • Very simple
  • No A/B Testing or advanced segmentation
  • No SMTP server
  • Steep pricing model
  • No custom HTML code
  • Limited customer support

Flodesk seems very easy to use and has some of the most aesthetic and visually appealing templates for your email marketing strategy. The short learning curve is ideal for beginners, and the step-by-step tutorials in the Academy will equip you with everything you need to use the tools more efficiently.

However, Flodesk has some significant cons you need to consider before purchasing.  First, this email marketing platform may be intuitive and easy to use, but it lacks functionality. More specifically, it doesn’t offer advanced features, including A/B Testing, a helpful tool to optimize your campaigns.

Furthermore, integrations are only available through Zapier. And while the tool is ideal for connecting your apps, native integrations are always preferable and save you time.

Mailchimp: Pros & Cons

Now let’s take a look at Mailchimp’s strengths and weaknesses:

Pros Cons
  • User-friendly email editor
  • Advanced A/B Testing functionality
  • Integrations with 500+ apps and add-ons
  • Powerful reporting and analytics
  • In-built CRM
  • Native commerce tools
  • Steep pricing model
  • The free plan is very limited
  • Not many advanced customization options
  • No merge audience feature
  • Not flexible email flows

Mailchimp is among the most popular email marketing tools that businesses choose. The user-friendly editor, the testing tools, and the reporting and analytics features are some of the things that users enjoy.

The in-built CRM and the native commerce tools will also help you manage customer data and improve your audience’s experience.

While Mailchimp has its strengths, we can’t overlook the existing cons. One of them is the steep pricing structure that the ESP has after you decide to upgrade.

The free plan has recently been limited even further, so it’s not an option anymore for growing businesses.

Best For – Industries

Before we move on to the feature and pricing comparisons, let’s see the industries that use these email marketing services.

Flodesk

SMBs can easily benefit from Flodesk’s email marketing tools. Small business owners can use the available features to create beautiful email designs without having any technical expertise.

However, the best industry for it is eCommerce. Flodesk offers dedicated tools, including sales pages, checkout pages, upsells, payments, and more, to help you power up your business.

Mailchimp

Compared to Flodesk, Mailchimp is a tool that various industries can use to build their email list and target it with email marketing campaigns.

The tool is suitable for businesses of all sizes, including Enterprises. ECommerce businesses, publishers, agencies, and SaaS can use this email marketing software to engage and convert their target audience.

Flodesk Vs Mailchimp: Feature Comparison

To make our comparison more in-depth, we will analyze some of their best features, including the eCommerce tools that both platforms have in common.

Before we do that, though, here’s a simple table comparison between the two tools:

flodesk vs mailchimp full feature comparison

Now, let’s explore some of them.

Email Builder

flodesk email builder

Flodesk has a drag-and-drop email editor that allows you to create campaigns by rearranging the elements you like. For instance, you can use the menu on the right to add your text and customize it using the available options.

The email builder offers ease of use, a clean interface, and a minimal learning curve. However, if you are used to builders that allow you to add custom HTML code, Flodesk may not be ideal for you as it doesn’t offer the option.

Now let’s see Mailchimp’s.

mailchimp's email newsletter builder

Mailchimp’s email editor may seem slightly more complicated than Flodesk’s, but it is still easy to use, offering many advanced elements. It’s also worth noting that this email service provider has two builders you can choose based on which one you like the most.

Also, it gives you the option to add surveys, products, and your own HTML code to make your creations more unique. You can use the Optimize option on the left side menu to check for errors and fix them.

Pre-made Templates

flodesk email newsletter template library

Flodesk has a variety of pre-made templates you can use to create visually-appealing emails for your subscribers. The designs are mobile-friendly, and you can customize them simply by clicking on them.

Although you have some great options, the templates could have been organized differently to make finding what you need easier. Overall, Flodesk’s templates are modern and professional, allowing you to create stunning new email campaigns fast and easily.

Now let’s see what Mailchimp has to offer.

mailchimp email template library

Mailchimp has an extensive template library with designs for every occasion. You can choose one of the available templates or create your own and save it in your library.

Moreover, the designs are customizable and responsive; however, compared to Flodesk’s, they may seem a bit outdated.

Nevertheless, you can still use Mailchimp’s templates as guides to craft a beautiful email newsletter for your audience.

Marketing Automation

Flodesk marketing automation builder

Flodesk’s workflows are easy to set up, and you can see your sequence as you build it through the visual editor.

Compared to Mailchimp, Flodesk’s marketing automation feature is more on the basic side. However, users who had difficulty figuring out Mailchimp’s workflows can benefit from the simplicity of the software.

On the contrary, those who need advanced capabilities will find it a bit lacking.

Mailchimp customer journey builder

Mailchimp’s Customer Journey Builder, on the other hand, will allow you to create different email series for your customers.

You can select from various triggers and actions to create email sequences to engage, nurture and convert your customers. Also, you have the option to craft your journeys from scratch or choose from the pre-built ones.

Overall, the Customer Journey Builder is advanced and intuitive, allowing you to create the best automated customer experiences for your subscribers and customers.

Flodesk Vs Mailchimp: User Experience

In terms of usability, both tools have different philosophies that impact the way you experience them.

Flodesk is built with simplicity in mind, which means that you are going to get a clean user interface and essential functionality with a minimal learning curve.

Mailchimp, on the other hand, is geared towards professionals who are, to some extent, familiar with a few technical things.

The learning curve is bigger than Flodesk’s, and the average user may find it clunky and challenging to use, especially when using more complex and advanced features, such as embedded forms.

Integrations

Integrating your apps is necessary to ensure a seamless operation. For this, both email marketing tools offer you the ability to connect your platform with other applications, including eCommerce software, social media networks, CRM, and more.

When it comes to integrations, you can find native (through API) and non-native ones. The difference is that the non-native require a third-party tool such as Zapier.

Flodesk’s email marketing tool will allow you to connect your platform through this tool or integrate directly with Shopify.

Mailchimp, on the other hand, offers integrations with many different apps, including analytics, social media, customer service, WordPress, eCommerce, forms, and so on.

Support & Training

Both platforms will give you access to numerous channels to solve potential problems, either through customer support or other means, such as an Academy.

Beginning with Flodesk, you can reach out to support through email or use the help desk. There are FAQs to help you answer simple questions and a Knowledge base you can access anytime.

Regarding training, Flodesk has a University where you can find helpful tutorials.

Mailchimp will provide you with everything Flodesk offers, along with phone support and live chat. In addition, you’ll get webinars and live online.

Flodesk Vs Mailchimp: Pricing

After checking the features and functionality, it’s time to look at the pricing plans of both email marketing platforms.

Starting with Flodesk, you have at your disposal a free 30-day trial and three paid plans.

flodesk vs mailchimp pricing

As you can see, there are no tiers. You can choose the products that suit you the most and get started. Moreover, the Flodesk Email, Checkout, and Everything plans have a flat rate.

Mailchimp’s pricing, on the contrary, is contact based. To see the corresponding pricing, you only have to select your email list size.

Moreover, you can test the platform through the available free plan. However, it’s quite limited, allowing you to send only 1K emails monthly.

Paid plans are divided into the Essentials, Standard, and Premium. They all have different monthly email sends, users, support options, etc.

flodesk vs mailchimp pricing comparison

It’s also worth noting that Mailchimp’s pricing has recently changed. For example, the Essentials plan, which was $15/month, has changed to $17 and is now $20/month. Not only that, but the free plan has also become more limited.

Flodesk Vs Mailchimp: Which Is Better?

After looking at their features, user experience, integration, support, and pricing structures, we can say that both tools have strengths and weaknesses.

Flodesk is a very simple service that you can get to power up your eCommerce business with dedicated tools found in the Checkout plan. Nevertheless, the lack of functionality may not be ideal for businesses that want to take their marketing and sales to the next level.

Mailchimp, on the other hand, is more advanced and suitable for more industries. It offers complex workflows, advanced features, and more pricing options. However, it will be pricier than Flodesk if you have large email lists.

If you want the best of both worlds, you should consider getting an alternative that will be powerful, easy to use, and affordable at the same time.

Popular Flodesk And Mailchimp Alternatives

Below, we found three Flodesk and Mailchimp alternatives that may be what you need. Let’s see them.

Moosend

moosend email marketing alternative to flodesk and mailchimp

Pricing: Paid plans start at $9/month, 30-day free trial (Sign up here)

Best for: eCommerce, Small businesses, Startups, Enterprises

Unique feature: Powerful eCommerce AI

Moosend is an affordable email marketing automation tool with advanced features and capabilities. It will give you access to a user-friendly email builder, pre-made email templates, pop-ups, double opt-in, landing pages, transactional emails, easy-to-implement marketing automation, and more.

The user interface is clean, and there’s a minimal learning curve, so you won’t have to spend time figuring things out, as in the case of Mailchimp. Moreover, you can take advantage of segmentation and personalization along with the advanced eCommerce AI tools to boost your eCommerce business and be one step closer to success.

If you want to monitor and optimize your email marketing strategy, you can use the real-time analytics and reporting. This feature will display essential metrics, such as your open rates, click-throughs, and more. Lastly, Moosend has an expanding list of integrations to automate your marketing easily.

Pricing: Moosend offers a 30-day free trial you can sign up for free to try the platform. Then, paid plans begin at $9/month for 500 contacts, offering you all the features. The pricing structure is contact based, and you have unlimited email sends, landing pages, forms, etc.

ActiveCampaign

activecampaign alternative to flodesk and mailchimp

Pricing: Paid plans start at $29 /month, 14-day free trial

Best for: Advanced users, SMBs, eCommerce

Unique feature: Powerful marketing automation tools

ActiveCampaign is another great solution for those who want a more powerful Flodesk alternative to boost their email marketing. From more advanced workflows to additional features, such as the in-built CRM, you can use this email marketing software to increase your engagement, boost sales and build brand awareness and loyalty.

Apart from that, ActiveCampaign has its own SMTP server service through Postmark, like Mailchimp’s Mandrill. Compared to Moosend, though, where transactional emails are included in the Pro plan, you need to pay $15/month for 10K messages.

Pricing: ActiveCampaign has a 14-day free trial you can use. Then, paid plans start with the Lite at $29/month for 1K subscribers. There is also the Plus, Professional, and Enterprise plan to consider.

MailerLite

mailerlite alternative solution

Pricing: Paid plans start at $10/month, free plan

Best for: eCommerce, Small businesses, Bloggers

Unique feature: A/B Testing features

Lastly, we have MailerLite, a simple solution to create, automate and send your email marketing campaigns. Compared to Flodesk, this platform offers extra functionality and tools to optimize your campaigns.

The email builder is easy-to-use and has a variety of pre-made email templates. Moreover, there are autoresponders and email verification tools to ensure that your messages always reach your subscribers’ inboxes.

Pricing: MailerLite offers a free plan, but it’s quite limited for growing businesses. Paid plans start at $10/month for 1K contacts, while the Advanced plan starts at $21/month.

Flodesk Vs. Mailchimp: Which Is The Best?

After looking at the above comparisons, you can decide which tool is the best for you.

In a nutshell, Flodesk is a simple solution without complex elements, while Mailchimp offers complexity and more advanced functionality.

To find the best solution for you, consider your goals, the user experience, features, support, and, of course, your budget.

If you need an advanced solution with a minimal curve and affordability, we suggest you look at Moosend’s all-in-one email marketing solution.

You can signup for a free account today and try it yourself.

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