The main reason New Zealand businesses look for a Mailchimp alternative is cost as the list grows, because Mailchimp's pricing is tied to the number of contacts you hold. The usual alternatives are Brevo (priced on emails sent rather than contacts), MailerLite (simple and popular with small businesses), Klaviyo and Shopify Email (for online stores), Kit (for creators) and ActiveCampaign (for automation-heavy marketing). If you would rather not run a platform at all, a done-for-you newsletter such as Media Giant's costs $129 a month ex GST at any list size.
Which one is right depends on what you send, how big your list is, and whether you want to do the work yourself. This guide compares the main options from an NZ small business point of view.
Why businesses leave Mailchimp
Mailchimp is the best-known email platform and a perfectly capable one. The common reasons owners start shopping around are:
- Price climbs with the list. Plans are priced by contacts, so a list that doubles can move you up a tier or two even if you send the same number of emails.
- Features sit behind higher plans. Automation, testing and some templates need a more expensive plan.
- Time. The platform is only half the job. Someone still has to write, design, build and send every campaign.
The last point matters more than most comparisons admit. Switching platforms saves money only if the newsletter actually goes out.
The main alternatives
Prices change often and many are shown in US dollars, so check each provider's current pricing page and whether GST is added before you compare.
Brevo
Formerly Sendinblue. Brevo's plans are based mainly on how many emails you send each month rather than how many contacts you store, which suits businesses with a large list they email occasionally. It also includes SMS and basic CRM features.
Good fit: a big list of past customers, mailed monthly or less.
MailerLite
A clean, simple builder with landing pages, forms and straightforward automation. Pricing is by subscriber count, but it has a reputation for being affordable at small list sizes.
Good fit: service businesses that want a tidy newsletter without a learning curve.
Klaviyo
Built for online stores. It pulls in order and browsing data, so you can send abandoned cart reminders, post-purchase follow-ups and product recommendations. It integrates closely with Shopify. It is more powerful than most small service businesses need, and priced to match.
Good fit: Shopify retailers with steady order volume.
Shopify Email
Built into Shopify, with templates that pull products straight from your store. Easy for simple promotions, and billed through your Shopify account.
Good fit: small Shopify stores that want simple campaigns without another login.
Kit
Formerly ConvertKit. Designed for creators selling courses, newsletters and digital products, with strong tagging and sequences.
Good fit: consultants and creators who sell knowledge rather than jobs or stock.
ActiveCampaign
Strong automation and CRM features: lead scoring, branching sequences and sales pipelines. Powerful, and more setup than most small businesses will use.
Good fit: businesses with a sales process long enough to need automated follow-up.
Quick comparison
| Platform | Priced mainly by | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | Contacts | General use, wide integrations |
| Brevo | Emails sent | Large lists, occasional sends |
| MailerLite | Subscribers | Simple small business newsletters |
| Klaviyo | Profiles | Ecommerce, Shopify |
| Shopify Email | Emails sent | Simple Shopify promotions |
| Kit | Subscribers | Creators and consultants |
| ActiveCampaign | Contacts | Automation and sales follow-up |
| Media Giant | Flat fee | Owners who want it done for them |
The New Zealand rules apply whichever you choose
Every commercial email you send to New Zealanders is covered by the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007, which requires three things in each message:
- Consent. The person agreed to hear from you, or it is reasonable to infer consent from an existing business relationship.
- Clear sender identity. Who the email is from and how to contact you.
- A working unsubscribe. And unsubscribes must be actioned promptly.
All the platforms above handle unsubscribe links. Consent is on you. Before you import an old list into a new platform, check where each contact came from.
Your list is also personal information under the Privacy Act 2020, so know where your platform stores it and make sure your privacy policy says how you use it.
Deliverability: the step most people skip
Whatever platform you use, authenticate your domain with SPF, DKIM and DMARC before you send. Since February 2024, Google and Yahoo have required bulk senders to authenticate their email, and unauthenticated mail is far more likely to land in junk. Sending a newsletter from Outlook or Gmail to a big list without a proper platform is the fastest way to damage your domain's reputation, and that can affect everyday email too.
The done-for-you alternative
The cheapest platform is still expensive if nobody has time to use it. That is why we run newsletters as a service rather than selling software. All prices ex GST, from our pricing page:
- Monthly newsletter: $129 a month, 12 sends a year.
- Fortnightly newsletter: $149 a month, 26 sends a year.
- One-off design and send: $249 for a launch, event or seasonal offer.
We send from our own platform, so the price does not change whether your list is 500 contacts or 50,000. We build the template in your brand, load and clean your list, authenticate your domain, and each send pulls in the latest articles from your website automatically. Opens, clicks and unsubscribes land in your reporting dashboard. The monthly plans are open term from day one. Details are on our email marketing service page.
How to choose
- You enjoy doing it and your list is small: MailerLite or Mailchimp's lower plans.
- Your list is large but you send rarely: Brevo.
- You run a Shopify store: Shopify Email to start, Klaviyo as you grow.
- You want it to happen without your time: a done-for-you service.
Talk to us
If you would rather hand the newsletter over, tell us about your list and what you want to send. Our email marketing service explains how it works, and every option is on the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Mailchimp alternative in NZ?
It depends on your business. Brevo suits large lists mailed occasionally, MailerLite suits simple newsletters, and Klaviyo suits online stores. If you want the newsletter written, built and sent for you, a managed service at a flat price is often cheaper than it looks once your time is counted.
Is there a free Mailchimp alternative?
Several platforms offer free plans with limits on contacts or sends, and limited features. They are a reasonable way to start, but check what happens to the price once your list grows.
Can I move my list from Mailchimp to another platform?
Yes. Export your audience as a CSV and import it into the new platform. Keep unsubscribed contacts flagged so you do not email them again, and keep a record of where your consent came from.
Do I need consent to email my customers in NZ?
Yes. The Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007 requires consent, which can be express or, in some cases, inferred from an existing business relationship. Every message also needs your details and a working unsubscribe.
Does Media Giant charge more as my list grows?
No. We send from our own platform, so the price is the same for 500 contacts or 50,000.