Why Small Businesses Leave Mailchimp

Mailchimp built its reputation on being the go-to email marketing tool for small businesses. But as businesses grow, many discover Mailchimp's pricing model works against them.

The Problem
Mailchimp Gets Expensive Fast

Per-seat fees, charges for unsubscribed contacts, and increasing prices at every tier. What starts as an affordable solution quickly becomes a budget strain for growing small businesses.

Common SMB Pain Points with Mailchimp

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Per-Seat Pricing

Adding team members to Mailchimp means extra costs. Small teams where everyone pitches in get punished for collaboration.

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Charging for Unsubscribes

Since April 2024, Mailchimp counts unsubscribed contacts toward your bill. You're paying for people who don't want your emails.

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Steep Price Increases

As your list grows, Mailchimp's prices jump significantly at each tier. A 5,000 contact list costs 2-3x what you paid at 2,500.

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No WhatsApp

If you serve international customers, Mailchimp offers no way to reach them on WhatsApp—the world's most popular messaging app.

HiMail.ai vs Mailchimp for Small Business

Here's how HiMail.ai compares to Mailchimp for typical small business needs.

Small Business Need HiMail.ai Mailchimp Standard
Team Members
Users included in plan
 Unlimited 5 seats (extras cost more)
Per-Seat Fees
Cost per additional user
 $0 $14.50/seat/month
Unsubscribed Contacts
Billing for inactive
 Not billed Still billed
WhatsApp Marketing
Business API included
 5,000/month Not available
Free Trial
Days to test
 14 days Free tier (limited features)
CRM Features
Contact management
 Included Paid add-on
AI Personalization
Smart content
 Advanced Basic

Pricing That Makes Sense for Small Business

Let's compare the real costs for a typical small business with 5,000 contacts and a 5-person team.

HiMail.ai Professional

$149

per month • unlimited users • WhatsApp included

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Cost Breakdown HiMail.ai Mailchimp
Base Plan
5,000 contacts
 $149/month ~$100/month
Additional Seats
5-person team
 $0 ~$29/month (2 extra)
WhatsApp Tool
If needed
 Included ~$50-100/month (separate)
Total Monthly
All-in cost
 $149/month $179-229/month

HiMail.ai's all-inclusive pricing means no surprises as your team grows. Add 10 people, 20 people—the price stays the same.

Why Small Businesses Choose HiMail.ai

1. Your Whole Team Can Collaborate

Small business reality: everyone wears multiple hats. With unlimited team members, your marketing person, sales team, customer support, and even the founder can all access the platform—no per-seat fees.

2. Only Pay for Active Contacts

If someone unsubscribes, you stop paying for them. Simple, fair, and the way it should be. Mailchimp's policy of charging for unsubscribed contacts feels like a penalty for growing your list.

3. WhatsApp for International Reach

Serving customers outside the US? WhatsApp is essential. HiMail.ai includes 5,000 WhatsApp messages monthly—reaching 2 billion users on their preferred channel.

4. All-in-One Platform

Email marketing, WhatsApp, CRM, automation—one platform, one login, one support team. No cobbling together multiple tools and trying to make them work together.

HiMail.ai for SMB
  • Unlimited team members
  • Fair contact billing
  • WhatsApp included
  • CRM included
  • Predictable pricing
Mailchimp Issues for SMB
  • Per-seat fees add up
  • Pay for unsubscribed contacts
  • No WhatsApp capability
  • CRM costs extra
  • Price jumps at tier limits

Is HiMail.ai Right for Your Small Business?

HiMail.ai is ideal if you:

  • Have a team that needs access: Marketing, sales, support—everyone can use it
  • Want predictable costs: Know exactly what you'll pay as you grow
  • Serve international customers: WhatsApp is essential for global reach
  • Value simplicity: One platform instead of multiple tools
  • Plan to scale: Pricing that doesn't punish growth

Mailchimp might still work if you:

  • Have a very small list (under 500 contacts) and need free
  • Only need one user to access the platform
  • Don't need WhatsApp (US-only customers)
  • Need specific Mailchimp integrations

Frequently Asked Questions

How easy is it to migrate from Mailchimp?

Very easy. HiMail.ai offers free migration assistance for small businesses switching from Mailchimp. We'll help import your contacts, recreate your automations, and get you set up quickly—usually within a few hours.

Do I really get unlimited team members?

Yes. HiMail.ai Professional includes unlimited team members at no extra cost. Add your marketing team, sales reps, customer support—everyone who needs access can have it without per-seat fees.

What happens to my unsubscribed contacts?

With HiMail.ai, unsubscribed contacts are not counted toward your billing. You only pay for active, engaged contacts who want to hear from you. This can result in significant savings compared to Mailchimp.

Does HiMail.ai have a free plan?

HiMail.ai offers a 14-day free trial on all plans. While there's no permanent free tier like Mailchimp's (which is very limited), the trial gives you full access to test all features including WhatsApp before committing.

Is there a contract or can I cancel anytime?

No long-term contracts required. HiMail.ai is month-to-month, and you can cancel anytime. We believe in earning your business every month, not locking you in.