AWeber vs Mailchimp Comparison: Which is Better in 2022?

Choosing the right email marketing software for your business can be a daunting task. After all, many of these services offer similar features. So when it comes to choosing between AWeber and Mailchimp, it can seem difficult to determine which of these two platforms is more likely to help you succeed.

So we’ve put together an in-depth review to help you out. By taking a closer look at the services each company offers, you can get a clearer picture of which email marketing software is best suited to your needs.

In this article, we’ll compare all the key details between AWeber and Mailchimp, including:

features

Let’s start with an important factor: features.

We’ll start by sharing a comparison table of high-level features, and then we’ll dive into two specific areas – automation features and analytics. Next, we also have a separate section about templates and email editors.

A high-level difference is that mailchimp has merged into a full-service digital marketing platform AWeber is still primarily just an email marketing solution. You can see this in the comparison table below, where Mailchimp now offers features like a CRM, website builder, digital ad creation, and more:

Now let’s dive deeper into two areas – automation and analytics.

automation features

Automation can help you connect with your audience and increase your conversions more efficiently. Hence, it is an essential feature to consider when comparing email marketing tools.

AWeber refers to its automation features as “campaigns”. These campaigns offer numerous customizable options so you can personalize your messages for your subscribers:

However, this automation feature lacks some advanced options. For example, Mailchimp offers a “Customer Journey” tool that uses conditional logic to send the right emails. All you have to do is drag and drop the tiles around:

In contrast, AWeber only offers such an “if x, then y” procedure in individual emails via its tagging system. As such, it can be tedious to achieve the same level of detail that Mailchimp offers.

When it comes to automation, Mailchimp offers a little more sophistication. In the meantime, if you just want to set up a basic email marketing campaign, AWeber might be a more appropriate choice. It offers basic manual controls over these details. The tagging system works well, but you need to spend some time learning the rules and adding the code.

analytics

When you run a small business, every penny counts. Therefore, you should ensure that your email marketing campaigns are generating positive results.

When it comes to analysis tools, AWeber focuses on simplicity. You can access a brief summary of your performance from your account dashboard:

These reports cover the basics such as: B. Your open rates. However, they might be a bit lacking if you want more detailed data about your audience.

In the meantime, Mailchimp gives you more information about your campaigns. It also integrates with Google Analytics to offer more complete reports:

Unlike AWeber, Mailchimp will also split your data into smaller groups. For example, you can analyze your results from bounce rates to email providers.

If you just want to get basic reports, AWeber will do the job. However, if you want access to more detailed data that can help you optimize your campaigns, we recommend going with Mailchimp.

Design and email templates

If you want customers to read your emails, you need to make sure your content is presented in a neat and understandable format. Because of this, you may want to use pre-made templates for your newsletters.

However, you may also want the ability to customize the design of your emails to suit your needs. Let’s take a look at the different design features of AWeber and Mailchimp.

Available templates

Templates can help you speed up your productivity and send engaging emails that drive conversions. Therefore, when comparing AWeber and Mailchimp, you should consider the variety and quality of these resources.

AWeber has an impressive selection of templates that offer over 700 mobile-responsive options. Each template differs in color, layout and feel:

In addition, AWeber offers over 600 stock images that you can use in your emails. This means you don’t have to spend hours taking your own photos or getting them from other websites. Chances are you’ll find images that match the subject of your email. If you can’t, there’s also a Canva integration that makes it easy to insert Canva designs into your emails.

On the other hand, Mailchimp has a more limited template selection with just over 100 options. While that number may seem small, it’s worth noting that Mailchimp’s designs are on par with AWeber’s:

Additionally, Mailchimp templates tend to have more drag-and-drop areas. This means you can add a more personal touch to your emails without doing any extra work.

While AWeber offers more template options, Mailchimp allows for more creativity. Therefore, the best choice in this category depends heavily on personal preference.

email editor

Templates are perfect for sending an email quickly. However, you may also want to customize your messages to match your branding. You’ll probably need a responsive email editor to do this.

Both AWeber and Mailchimp offer a drag-and-drop interface. Still, there are some subtle differences between the two. Let’s start with AWeber’s editor:

AWeber emphasizes a no-fuss approach. You can drag items like videos or social accounts from the left menu. You can then select each individual module to customize the content.

Admittedly, this interface can be a bit tricky. You have to be precise with your clicks to place blocks exactly where you want them. If this bothers you, consider using a template. This makes it easier because the default content areas are already locked for you.

In contrast, Mailchimp’s editor is a bit more intuitive:

The descriptive text on the screen will give you a clearer idea of ​​the end result. For example, the conditional logic tags below in this example are highlighted in gray to draw your attention while editing. This can make editing easier for less experienced people. AWeber does not provide a similar guide.

All in all, both interfaces are well organized. Still, AWeber’s lack of labels makes it a bit of a challenge to get used to. On the other hand, Mailchimp provides non-invasive but helpful text to indicate your editing direction. Thus, Mailchimp takes the crown as the superior email editor.

user friendliness

Another important feature is ease of use. This can lead to a more efficient workflow and user experience when creating your email campaigns. With that in mind, let’s see how the user experience compares between AWeber and Mailchimp.

user interface

Your interface is where you organize your email and subscriber lists. Design and navigation choices can affect or hamper your productivity.

AWeber has a more traditional interface. All options are clearly labeled and organized in a neat vertical menu. You are unlikely to face a steep learning curve with this program.

However, AWeber’s editing feature is a different story. Although it uses a drag-and-drop editor, the UI can look a bit cluttered. Finding the tools you need can also be difficult.

Meanwhile, Mailchimp’s overall layout is more minimalistic and stylized. For example, you have to hover over menu options to find out where they lead:

However, it probably won’t take you much time to find your way around. Similar to AWeber, Mailchimp offers a drag-and-drop editor. Despite this, it has better labeling and less cluttered options.

Each service has advantages and disadvantages when it comes to its interface. Therefore, the right option for you in this category depends on your personal preferences. For example, if you’re a fan of minimalism, you should go for Mailchimp.

Customer service

Next, let’s look at the support services of both platforms. You never know when you might need a helping hand to create the perfect marketing plan.

AWeber covers all the bases in this area. You have access to a phone line, live chat and email support. Also, you can follow the server status on the main page. If you’d rather not speak to a person, you can always consult the enormous knowledge base:

Mailchimp’s options pale in comparison. If you use the free option, you only have access to a chatbot and email support. Live chat is included in paid plans and you need to top up your phone support feature options. It’s a lot harder to reach someone when you’re a Mailchimp user and need help.

Therefore, we encourage you to think about how important customer support is to you. If you’re confident that you can figure things out independently, Mailchimp’s customer service is probably fine. However, if you’d rather get more support, AWeber might be a better choice.

pricing

Now that you know how Mailchimp and AWeber stack up in all other areas, let’s finish with a look at the price tags.

Here we compare both the free and paid plans of AWeber and Mailchimp.

Free plans

If you’re just starting your online business, a free plan may sound tempting. However, as you might expect, unpaid plans come with limited features.

At AWeber, you can start for free with up to 500 subscribers. You can also send up to 3,000 emails per month with the free plan. This may be sufficient for small business owners. However, your content will be branded with AWeber. Also, you don’t have access to split tests.

Meanwhile, Mailchimp’s free plan offers more features. For example, you can contact up to 2,000 people and up to 10,000 emails per month. You can also use simple automation tools and simple social media integrations.

All in all, Mailchimp is a better choice if you’re looking for a free plan. However, as your business grows, you’ll likely need to upgrade to a more advanced solution.

Paid Plans

Both AWeber and Mailchimp offer a variety of plans and pricing options. However, AWeber’s paid plans are a bit simpler. This is because the company sets its prices according to the number of subscribers you have.

If you choose one Pro plan, scaling up will be a straightforward process. You can start by paying $12.50 per month for up to 500 subscribers. Then, as your email list grows, your plan can scale up to $146.15 per month (for up to 25,000 subscribers).

Another benefit is that AWeber’s paid plans have no sending limits – you can send unlimited emails each month.

Unfortunately, Mailchimp isn’t that simple with its pricing options. It has several different stages which charge users based on the number of subscribers and Features:

Each plan also has a monthly email sending limit that is a multiple of your contact limit:

• essentials – the sending limit is 10x Your Subscriber Limit. For example, if your subscriber limit is 500, you can send up to 5,000 emails per month.
• default – it is 12x Your Subscriber Limit.
• bonus – it is 15x Your Subscriber Limit.

Luckily, Mailchimp offers a handy calculator to help you estimate your total costs. For example, you might pay $13 per month to serve 500 contacts. However, a plan with full premium features and up to 200,000 contacts costs $1,300 per month.

All in all, we prefer AWeber for its pricing plans. The company offers easy levels that grow with your business. There are also no broadcasting restrictions on the paid plans.

On the other hand, if you choose Mailchimp, you need to carefully choose the right pricing plan to get the features you need while making sure you’re not overpaying for the service.

AWeber vs Mailchimp: Which Should You Choose?

While we strongly recommend that you weigh the pros and cons for yourself, we think Mailchimp is the best choice for most users. With its impressive features, intuitive editor, and analytics capabilities, Mailchimp is a smart marketing choice for virtually any small business.

Of course, these two providers aren’t your only options. If you want to see other solutions, check out our roundups of the best free email marketing services and the best cheap email marketing tools. We also have posts sharing the best Mailchimp alternatives and the best AWeber alternatives.