When choosing a platform for your business, Kartra and Mailchimp are two popular options with distinct purposes. Kartra is an all-in-one marketing solution that includes sales funnels, email automation, memberships, and affiliate management. Mailchimp, on the other hand, is a powerful email marketing platform known for its user-friendly interface and automation features.
Did you know? Email marketing has an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent . This article compares Kartra and Mailchimp to help you decide which platform fits your needs.
| Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Verify features and pricing on the official Kartra and Mailchimp websites as they may change over time. |
Table of Contents
Kartra vs Mailchimp: Quick & Simple Comparison
| Feature | Kartra | Mailchimp |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly with a comprehensive suite of tools | User-friendly interface focused on email marketing |
| Onboarding | Tutorials and step-by-step guides available | Straightforward setup with helpful resources |
| Sales Funnels | Advanced funnel-building tools | Basic automation for emails only |
| Marketing Automation | Multi-channel automation (email, SMS, memberships) | Email-focused automation with limited multi-channel capabilities |
| CRM & Lead Management | Contact management & segmentation | Simple tagging but lacks full CRM features |
| Membership & Courses | Fully integrated with sales funnels | Requires third-party tools |
| Webinars | Built-in webinar hosting | No webinar support |
| Landing Pages | Drag-and-drop page builder | Basic opt-in pages only |
| Integrations | Moderate third-party integrations | Extensive third-party integrations |
| Customer Support | 24/7 chat & email support | Email support & community forum |
| Pricing | Starts at $119/month | Free plan available; paid plans start at $13/month |
| Free Trial | 14-day trial available | Free plan available |
| Best For | Entrepreneurs, course creators, businesses with sales funnels | Bloggers, content creators, and email marketers |
What is Kartra?
Kartra is a robust marketing platform that provides an all-in-one solution for running an online business. Whether you need sales funnels, email automation, course hosting, or lead management, Kartra handles everything in a single system. It was created by the team behind WebinarJam and officially launched in 2018. Since then, it has become a preferred choice for digital entrepreneurs who want a seamless business management system.
Who Should Use Kartra?
Kartra is designed for:
- Entrepreneurs managing online sales and marketing
- Course creators and coaches selling memberships
- Small businesses looking for a complete marketing solution
- Agencies managing multiple clients (with higher-tier plans)
If you want a centralized platform to manage marketing, sales, and automation, Kartra is a solid option.
What is Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is an email marketing tool primarily designed for content creators, including bloggers, authors, and podcasters. It allows users to build email lists, create automation sequences, and monetize their audience through email-driven funnels. While it excels in email marketing, Mailchimp does not offer advanced CRM, funnel-building, or business management features like Kartra.
Who Should Use Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is perfect for:
- Bloggers and content creators who rely on email marketing
- Freelancers and small businesses focused on audience engagement
- Digital marketers who prefer simple automation over complex funnels
- Podcasters and authors looking to grow their email lists
If your primary focus is email marketing rather than full-fledged business automation, Mailchimp is a great option.
for businesses with broader marketing needs.
Kartra vs Mailchimp – Key Similarities and Differences
While Kartra and Mailchimp both offer marketing automation, they differ in their approach. Let’s examine their similarities and differences.
Similarities
- Both offer automation features to nurture leads and build relationships.
- Each provides email marketing tools, including segmentation and autoresponders.
- Both integrate with third-party tools to expand functionality.
- Each platform has a free trial or plan to test its features before committing.
Differences
| Feature | Kartra | Mailchimp |
| Ideal For | Businesses needing full marketing automation | Content creators focused on email marketing |
| Sales Funnels | Advanced funnel mapping tools | Basic sequences for email automation only |
| CRM & Lead Management | Full contact tracking and sales automation | Simple tagging and list segmentation |
| Membership & Courses | Built-in course hosting & member areas | Requires third-party tools |
| Webinar & Video Hosting | Includes built-in webinars and video hosting | No native webinar features |
| Landing Pages | Fully customizable templates | Basic landing pages with limited customization |
| Customer Support | Live chat, email, and ticket support | Email-only support |
User Experience & Ease of Use
Your marketing platform should be easy to navigate, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced marketer.
Kartra
Kartra offers a comprehensive suite of marketing tools within an integrated platform. While its extensive features provide versatility, new users might experience a learning curve when navigating through its various functionalities. However, once familiarized, users can efficiently manage campaigns, sales funnels, and memberships from a unified dashboard.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is renowned for its intuitive and user-friendly interface. Designed with simplicity in mind, it allows users to quickly create and manage email campaigns, even with limited technical expertise. The platform provides drag-and-drop editors and pre-designed templates, making the email creation process straightforward.
Comparison Table: User Experience
| Feature | Kartra | Mailchimp |
| Ease of Use | Comprehensive tools with a moderate learning curve | Intuitive and straightforward interface suitable for beginners |
| Dashboard Design | Integrated dashboard for managing various marketing components | Clean and organized dashboard focused primarily on email marketing |
| Learning Curve | May require time to master due to extensive features | Minimal learning curve; easy to get started |
| Onboarding Support | Provides tutorials and resources for new users | Offers guided tutorials and a knowledge base for quick onboarding |
🌟 Winner: Mailchimp
For those prioritizing ease of use and quick setup, Mailchimp stands out as the more user-friendly option.
Pricing
Understanding the pricing structure is crucial to ensure the platform aligns with your budget constraints.
Kartra Pricing
Kartra offers several pricing tiers for all-in-one marketing platform:
- Starter Plan: $119/month (billed monthly) or $99/month (billed annually)
- Up to 2,500 contacts
- Unlimited emails and SMS
- 1 custom domain
- Unlimited products, memberships, and pages
- Access to core features, including Kartra AI
- Growth Plan: $229/month (billed monthly) or $189/month (billed annually)
- Up to 12,500 contacts
- Unlimited emails and SMS
- 3 custom domains
- All features included in the Starter Plan
- Additional tools for advanced marketing
- Professional Plan: $549/month (billed monthly) or $429/month (billed annually)
- Up to 25,000 contacts
- Unlimited emails and SMS
- 5 custom domains
- All features included in the Growth Plan
- Real-time funnel analytics
- Webinars for up to 1,000 attendees
- Helpdesk live chat
Kartra also offers a 14-day trial for $1, allowing users to explore the platform before committing.
Mailchimp Pricing
Mailchimp provides a range of plans suitable for different business sizes:
- Free Plan: $0/month
- Up to 500 contacts
- 1,000 emails per month (with a daily limit of 500)
- Basic templates
- Limited features
- Essentials Plan: Starting at $13/month for 500 contacts
- All Free plan features
- Email scheduling
- 24/7 email and chat support
- Remove Mailchimp footer
- Standard Plan: Starting at $20/month for 500 contacts
- All Essentials features
- Advanced audience insights
- Retargeting ads
- Custom templates
- Premium Plan: Starting at $350/month for 10,000 contacts
- All Standard features
- Advanced segmentation
- Multivariate testing
- Phone and priority support
Mailchimp’s pricing scales with the number of contacts, making it flexible for growing businesses.
Comparison Table: Pricing
| Feature | Kartra | Mailchimp |
| Starting Price | $119/month (monthly billing) or $99/month (annual billing) | Free plan available; paid plans start at $13/month for 500 contacts |
| Free Trial | 14-day trial for $1 | Free plan with limited features |
| Contact Limit | Starts at 2,500 contacts | Free plan up to 500 contacts; higher plans increase with price |
| Email Limit | Unlimited emails on all plans | 1,000 emails/month on Free plan; increases with higher plans |
| Custom Domains | 1 on Starter; up to 5 on Professional | Not specified; primarily focuses on email marketing |
| Additional Features | All plans include unlimited products, memberships, and pages | Features vary by plan; higher tiers offer more advanced tools |
🏆 Winner
- For all-in-one marketing & automation: Kartra 🏆 – Offers unlimited emails, sales funnels, membership sites, and automation tools, making it the better choice for businesses needing a complete marketing solution.
- For email marketing & affordability: Mailchimp 🏆 – Provides a free plan and lower entry costs, making it ideal for beginners and small businesses focused primarily on email marketing.
Integrations
The ability to integrate with other tools can enhance the functionality of your marketing platform.
Kartra
Kartra provides native integrations with several third-party services, including payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe, as well as various email marketing and membership platforms. Additionally, Kartra offers API access and supports Zapier integrations, allowing users to connect with a broader range of applications.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp boasts a wide array of integrations, connecting seamlessly with numerous e-commerce platforms, CRM systems, social media networks, and more. Its extensive integration library enables users to synchronize data across various tools, enhancing marketing efforts.
Comparison Table: Integrations
| Aspect | Kartra | Mailchimp |
| Native Integrations | Includes key services like payment gateways and membership platforms | Extensive library covering e-commerce, CRM, social media, and more |
| API Access | Offers API access for custom integrations | Provides API access for developers |
| Third-Party Support | Supports integrations via Zapier | Direct integrations with numerous third-party applications |
🌟 Winner: Mailchimp
With its extensive range of integrations, Mailchimp provides greater flexibility for businesses looking to connect multiple tools within their marketing ecosystem.
Training
A marketing platform should offer robust training resources to help users maximize its features efficiently.
Kartra
Kartra provides an extensive range of training materials to support users at all levels. The platform offers a comprehensive knowledge base that includes step-by-step guides, video tutorials, and in-depth webinars. These resources help users understand Kartra’s features, from setting up landing pages to automating email sequences.
One of Kartra’s standout training features is its “Kartranaut” training program, which walks users through all aspects of the platform, making it easier to implement marketing strategies effectively. Additionally, Kartra offers a 14-day trial for $1, allowing users to explore the platform before committing to a paid plan.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp also provides a strong set of training resources, including a well-organized knowledge base, blog content, and tutorial videos. The platform offers a learning center where users can access detailed documentation on email marketing, automation, and landing pages.
Mailchimp also features live chat support for users on paid plans, which can be helpful for real-time troubleshooting. While Mailchimp provides thorough documentation, it lacks structured training programs like Kartra’s Kartranaut, which means users may need to rely more on self-learning.
Comparison Table: Training
| Feature | Kartra | Mailchimp |
| Knowledge Base | Extensive with video tutorials, step-by-step guides, and webinars ✅ | Well-organized knowledge base and learning center ✅ |
| Structured Training | Kartranaut program for guided learning ✅ | No structured training program ❌ |
| Live Chat for Training | 24/7 support with training resources ✅ | Available only on paid plans ❌ |
| Trial Period | 14-day trial for $1 ✅ | Free plan available; paid plans start at $13/month ✅ |
🌟 Winner: Kartra – Kartra’s structured training program, combined with its webinars and in-depth tutorials, makes it the superior option for users who want hands-on guidance while learning the platform.
Landing Pages
Landing pages play a crucial role in lead generation and conversion. A good landing page builder should be easy to use, customizable, and integrated with other marketing tools.
Kartra
Kartra offers a powerful drag-and-drop landing page builder with a variety of professionally designed templates. Users can customize elements such as text, images, videos, and forms without any coding knowledge. The platform also integrates landing pages with sales funnels, email marketing, and automation tools, creating a seamless user experience.
Additionally, Kartra allows A/B testing, enabling marketers to experiment with different versions of their landing pages to optimize conversions. The platform also includes built-in analytics, providing detailed insights into landing page performance.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp also offers a landing page builder, but it is more focused on simplicity. It provides a selection of customizable templates and a user-friendly interface for designing pages. Mailchimp’s landing pages integrate well with its email marketing tools, making it a great option for beginners.
However, unlike Kartra, Mailchimp lacks advanced sales funnel integration and A/B testing features for landing pages. While it does provide analytics, the insights are not as detailed as Kartra’s.
Comparison Table: Landing Pages
| Feature | Kartra | Mailchimp |
| Drag-and-Drop Builder | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Customizable Templates | Wide selection of professional templates ✅ | Good selection of customizable templates ✅ |
| A/B Testing | Yes, built-in for optimizing conversions ✅ | No A/B testing ❌ |
| Sales Funnel Integration | Fully integrated with sales funnels and automation ✅ | Basic integration with email marketing ❌ |
| Analytics & Reporting | Advanced reporting with real-time insights ✅ | Basic analytics ❌ |
🌟 Winner: Kartra – Kartra’s landing page builder is more feature-rich, offering advanced sales funnel integration and A/B testing, making it the better choice for marketers who want deeper control over their conversion process.
Email Automation
Email automation is essential for creating personalized, scalable marketing campaigns that engage leads and customers.
Kartra
Kartra’s email automation system is highly advanced, allowing users to create complex email sequences using an intuitive “IF and THEN” rule-based system. This means marketers can send emails based on user behavior, such as when a visitor clicks a link, watches a video, or completes a purchase.
Additionally, Kartra offers behavior-based tagging, which helps segment subscribers based on their actions, ensuring more targeted and relevant messaging. Users can also track detailed analytics on open rates, click-through rates, and conversions.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp provides a basic email automation system that enables users to send predefined sequences based on triggers such as sign-ups, purchases, or abandoned carts. While effective for simple automation, Mailchimp’s system lacks the deep behavioral triggers and conditional logic that Kartra provides.
Mailchimp does, however, offer AI-powered recommendations to optimize email campaigns, which can help beginners improve their email marketing performance.
Comparison Table: Email Automation
| Feature | Kartra | Mailchimp |
| Automation System | Advanced “IF and THEN” conditional logic ✅ | Basic predefined triggers ❌ |
| Behavior-Based Tagging | Yes ✅ | Limited tagging features ❌ |
| AI-Powered Recommendations | No ❌ | Yes, provides AI-driven insights ✅ |
| Advanced Analytics | Yes, detailed reports on open rates, clicks, and conversions ✅ | Basic analytics ❌ |
🌟 Winner: Kartra – Kartra’s sophisticated automation system, behavioral tagging, and deep analytics provide a more powerful email marketing experience compared to Mailchimp’s simpler automation tools.
Customer Support
Reliable customer support ensures users can resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
Kartra
Kartra offers 24/7 live chat and email support, ensuring users receive assistance at any time. Additionally, the platform includes a built-in helpdesk feature, allowing businesses to manage customer support directly within Kartra.
Kartra’s customer service is highly responsive, and the support team is knowledgeable about all aspects of the platform, making it easy to troubleshoot issues.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp provides email and chat support, but live chat is only available on higher-tier paid plans. Users on the free plan have to rely on the knowledge base or email support, which may have longer response times.
Unlike Kartra, Mailchimp does not offer a built-in helpdesk feature, meaning businesses must use third-party support tools if they want a customer service solution integrated within their marketing platform.
Comparison Table: Customer Support
| Feature | Kartra | Mailchimp |
| 24/7 Live Chat Support | Yes ✅ | No, only available on higher-tier plans ❌ |
| Email Support | Yes ✅ | Yes, but response times vary ✅ |
| Built-in Helpdesk | Yes ✅ | No ❌ |
🌟 Winner: Kartra – With 24/7 support and a built-in helpdesk, Kartra provides superior customer service compared to Mailchimp.
Pros and Cons of Kartra
Pros
✅ All-in-One Business Solution
Kartra combines email marketing, sales funnels, landing pages, membership sites, and automation tools in one platform—eliminating the need for multiple third-party apps.
✅ Built-In Sales Funnel Builder
Unlike Mailchimp, Kartra is designed with marketing and sales automation in mind, offering pre-built funnel templates to streamline customer journeys.
✅ Comprehensive Automation & Tagging System
Kartra’s automation tools allow for advanced email segmentation, behavior-based triggers, and automated workflows—helping businesses create personalized customer experiences.
✅ Membership Site & Course Hosting
Kartra includes a built-in membership portal, making it easy to host online courses and gated content without needing a separate LMS (Learning Management System).
✅ Integrated Affiliate Management System
Kartra allows businesses to set up and track affiliate marketing programs seamlessly, providing built-in commission tracking and partner management.
✅ Advanced Analytics & Tracking
With in-depth reporting and tracking, Kartra provides valuable insights into sales, conversions, and email campaign performance.
✅ No Need for External Hosting
Kartra includes built-in hosting for videos, pages, and membership content, reducing reliance on third-party services.
Cons
❌ Expensive Pricing Plans
Kartra’s pricing starts at $99/month, making it a costly option compared to Mailchimp’s lower-tier plans.
❌ Steeper Learning Curve
Due to its comprehensive features, beginners might find Kartra overwhelming compared to the simplicity of Mailchimp.
❌ Limited Third-Party Integrations
Kartra offers many built-in tools but has fewer integrations compared to Mailchimp, which connects with thousands of apps.
❌ No Free Plan
Unlike Mailchimp, Kartra does not offer a free plan—only a 14-day trial for $1.
Pros and Cons of Mailchimp
Pros
✅ User-Friendly & Beginner-Friendly
Mailchimp is known for its intuitive interface, making it an excellent choice for small businesses and beginners who need a simple email marketing solution.
✅ Free Plan Available
Mailchimp offers a free plan (up to 500 contacts), making it a budget-friendly choice for startups and small businesses.
✅ Robust Email Marketing Features
With customizable templates, A/B testing, and AI-powered recommendations, Mailchimp provides a strong email marketing platform.
✅ Extensive Third-Party Integrations
Mailchimp integrates with thousands of apps, including Shopify, WordPress, and CRMs, making it easy to connect with existing tools.
✅ Pre-Built Automation & Customer Journeys
Mailchimp provides simple automation features like welcome sequences, abandoned cart emails, and follow-up emails for easier customer engagement.
✅ Affordable for Small Businesses
With scalable pricing, Mailchimp is a great option for startups and solopreneurs looking to grow their email list without a significant upfront cost.
Cons
❌ Limited Sales Funnel & Automation Capabilities
Unlike Kartra, Mailchimp lacks built-in sales funnel tools and advanced automation, requiring additional third-party tools for complex workflows.
❌ No Built-In Course Hosting or Membership Features
Mailchimp is primarily an email marketing tool, meaning users must integrate with external platforms for membership sites and course hosting.
❌ Higher Costs for Growing Lists
While Mailchimp starts off free, its pricing scales based on the number of contacts, which can become expensive as your list grows.
❌ Basic CRM Capabilities
Mailchimp includes basic CRM features, but it’s not as advanced as dedicated CRM or sales funnel platforms like Kartra.
Which One Should You Choose?
💡 Go with Kartra if:
✅ You need an all-in-one business solution with sales funnels, automation, and membership hosting.
✅ You want a built-in affiliate marketing system without relying on external tools.
✅ You prefer advanced email segmentation and automation for better audience targeting.
✅ You’re focused on selling digital products, courses, or memberships and need a platform with built-in hosting.
💡 Go with Mailchimp if:
✅ You’re looking for a simple and affordable email marketing tool with a free plan.
✅ You need an easy-to-use platform with pre-built email automation and AI-driven insights.
✅ You already use other marketing tools and need a platform that integrates with third-party apps.
✅ You’re a small business owner or solopreneur who primarily wants to send newsletters and basic email campaigns.
Final Thoughts
Kartra and Mailchimp serve different purposes—Kartra is an all-in-one marketing platform ideal for businesses that need sales funnels, automation, and membership hosting, while Mailchimp is best for those focused primarily on email marketing with a budget-friendly approach.
Which one is right for you? 🚀 If you need an advanced marketing system, Kartra is worth the investment. If you’re just getting started and need a simple email marketing tool, Mailchimp is the way to go. Try them both and see which one fits your business needs best!
FAQs
1. Which platform is better for email marketing?
Mailchimp is more specialized for email marketing with pre-designed templates and automation.
2. Does Kartra include email marketing?
Yes, Kartra offers email marketing as part of its all-in-one marketing tools.
3. Which platform is more affordable?
Mailchimp’s free plan and lower-tier pricing make it more affordable for small businesses.
4. Does Mailchimp offer sales funnels?
No, Mailchimp does not include sales funnel tools like Kartra.
5. Who should choose Kartra over Mailchimp?
Businesses looking for comprehensive marketing tools beyond email campaigns should choose Kartra.
