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Mailchimp to MailerLite migration: steps, what transfers and cost before/after

Last verified 20 Oct 2026 against official pricing pages · published 20 Oct 2026

Prices change often. Every price here was checked against the platform's official pricing page on the date shown, but plans, promos and taxes vary. Always confirm on the official site before you buy or switch. Not financial advice.

MailerLite has a direct Mailchimp importer, so the subscriber move takes minutes rather than a CSV session. What doesn't come across automatically are advanced segments, automations, templates and forms. The steps below follow MailerLite's help article (last edited August 13, 2026) and Mailchimp's export docs, checked 2026-10-20.

Cost: Mailchimp vs MailerLite

Per month, monthly billing, cheapest plan that covers the list. Sources: Mailchimp pricing, MailerLite pricing (checked 2026-10-20). "limited" plans cap automations; see each platform's page.

Calculate your exact Mailchimp → MailerLite switching cost → · Mailchimp vs MailerLite compared

MailerLite prices by subscriber count with sends included (Comfort: up to 10× your tier ceiling a month). Nonprofits get 30% off MailerLite (see best platform for nonprofits).

Step 1: import subscribers with the Mailchimp importer

1. In MailerLite: Subscribers → Add subscribers → Import from Mailchimp. Connect by logging in to Mailchimp (click Allow) or with a Mailchimp API key.
2. Pick the lists to bring over.
3. Choose field mapping: "Map the fields for me" creates matching custom fields automatically; "Map the fields myself" lets you choose. If you map manually, skip contact_id (Mailchimp-internal) and consider keeping ip_opt as an "Opt-in IP address" field as proof of consent.
4. Tags → groups: either a group per list and tag (duplicates across groups count once toward your plan) or everyone in one group.
5. Segments: "Bring over all possible segments" recreates segments built on static fields only. Behavioral, e-commerce and other advanced segments must be rebuilt by hand.
6. Other statuses: optionally import Unsubscribed and Unconfirmed contacts. They sit in separate categories and can't be sent newsletters.
7. Duplicates: "Update missing info only" or "Overwrite all fields" (careful: empty fields in the import erase existing data).
8. Click Let's import and check the summary of added, updated and not-added subscribers.

Changes made in Mailchimp afterwards don't sync automatically. If you keep sending from Mailchimp during the switch, use Import from Mailchimp → Sync again before your last send.

Step 2: rebuild forms, landing pages, templates and automations

1. Forms: Forms tab → pick a type → Create, then replace the Mailchimp embeds on your site.
2. Landing pages: Sites → Landing pages → Create.
3. Templates: My templates, using the drag & drop editor.
4. Automations: Automation → New automation, from scratch or a template.

Step 3: authenticate your domain and test

MailerLite asks you to authenticate your sending domain before the final steps. Then preview every form and landing page, send test emails to yourself, and trigger each automation once. Keep the Mailchimp CSV export as a backup; Mailchimp keeps it for 30 days.

Gotchas

• Export from Mailchimp. Only Owners and Admins can export an audience. Go to Audience → Export audience → Export CSV, then download it from the Audience exports page. The export can be a ZIP with separate CSV files for subscribed, unsubscribed, non-subscribed and cleaned contacts, and it stays available for 30 days. The file includes MEMBER_RATING, the contact's member activity rating (Mailchimp help).
• Only import people who opted in. Leave cleaned (bounced) contacts behind.
• Plan the cutover around your billing date so you don't pay both platforms for a full month.

Visit MailerLite

Sources: MailerLite: How to switch from Mailchimp to MailerLite, Mailchimp: View or export contacts, MailerLite pricing, Mailchimp pricing.

FAQ

Can MailerLite import directly from Mailchimp?

Yes. In MailerLite go to Subscribers → Add subscribers → Import from Mailchimp and connect with your Mailchimp login or an API key. You pick the lists, how fields map, and how tags become groups.

Do my Mailchimp segments come across?

Only basic segments built on static fields. MailerLite says behavioral, e-commerce-based and other advanced segments cannot be migrated automatically and have to be rebuilt.

Do unsubscribed contacts count toward my MailerLite plan?

You can choose whether to import Unsubscribed and Unconfirmed contacts. MailerLite keeps them in separate categories that cannot be sent newsletters. Duplicates across groups count once.

Do automations and templates migrate?

No. MailerLite's guide has you recreate forms, landing pages, templates and automations in MailerLite.

Is MailerLite cheaper than Mailchimp?

In our data, yes at every size in the table above. At 5,000 subscribers with automations Mailchimp costs $75/mo (Essentials) and MailerLite $49/mo (Comfort), monthly billing.

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Comparisons: Mailchimp vs MailerLite · Cheapest for 500, 1,000, 2,500, 5,000, 10,000, 25,000 subscribers

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