Mautic vs Mailchimp
When it comes to investing in a brand new marketing automation system, it can be challenging to find a solution that stands out from the tough competition. There are various options out there, from subscription-based tools to more customisable, open-source solutions and one thing’s for sure, you’re going to want to implement a platform that benefits your business in the long run.
In this article, we’ll be comparing Mailchimp and Mautic for their cost-effectiveness, advanced features and scalability. While Mailchimp has reigned as a market leader due to its out-of-the-box functionalities and user-friendly interface, Mautic is a front-runner for open-source marketing software.
Let’s explore how they compare…
Cost-effectiveness
Mailchimp’s pricing plans are tiered from Essentials to Standard to Premium. This pricing structure forces you to make compromises or trim your lists on more restricted plans, meaning as your subscriber count grows, you will need to upgrade to a more expensive option. However, they do offer a free plan which is good for beginner marketers but be aware that this excludes features like email automations, list segmentation and A/B testing.
Mautic, being open-source, allows you to avoid hefty subscription fees. The only costs associated with Mautic are hosting and maintenance, which are often much more affordable than Mailchimp’s tiered pricing. For small businesses, startups, and nonprofits operating on tight budgets, this can result in significant savings over time. Plus, if you have in-house hosting and maintenance services, you can save even more costs.
Ownership and control
Mailchimp operates on a subscription-based model, meaning you’re reliant on their infrastructure and subject to their policies. While this makes Mailchimp convenient and easy to install, it also means you don’t own your marketing system or data entirely. If Mailchimp decides to change its pricing, features, or terms, your business is directly impacted. However, for small businesses without an in-house infrastructure team, this might be more beneficial.
One of the biggest advantages of Mautic is the level of ownership and control it offers as an open-source platform. You have complete control over your marketing stack. You can host Mautic on your own servers, giving you full ownership of your data and the freedom to customise the platform to meet your unique business needs.
Advanced customisations
Mautic shines in its ability to be fully customised. Whether it’s creating custom email templates, building intricate workflows, or integrating with other tools in your tech stack, Mautic provides unparalleled flexibility. Developers can modify Mautic’s source code to tailor the platform to specific business needs, making it a powerful choice for businesses that require advanced functionality. The thought of coding can seem scary for marketers, however, if you don’t already have an in-house development team, there’s no need to fret!
enable.services are Mautic members, meaning that not only do we offer Mautic implementation, development, customisation and training services.
Mailchimp’s interface is user-friendly out-of-the-box and while it offers a range of templates and integrations, you’re limited to what Mailchimp allows within its ecosystem. For businesses with unique workflows, this lack of flexibility can be a major drawback. However, for beginners looking for simplicity this might be more appealing than a complex system. But it’s important to remember that as you scale and grow your marketing team, you might want to consider a more versatile option or upgrading to one of Mailchimp’s premium plans.
Automations
As email marketing software continues to evolve, automation has become essential for creating workflows and nurturing campaigns. Mautic offers multi-channel automation, including SMS, web notifications, and social media, while Mailchimp focuses solely on email.
When it comes to complex automation, Mautic enables users to leverage dynamic triggers, conditions, and lead scoring for advanced audience segmentation. With its open-source flexibility, creating multi-step workflows with dynamic decision-making and multiple touchpoints is seamless. In contrast, Mailchimp is more limited, lacking lead scoring, progressive profiling, and real-time triggered automations.
If your email marketing campaigns are simple, consisting of stand-alone bulk emails sent to the same audience, Mailchimp might be the easier option. However, if you’re looking to create more complex, personalised automations, Mautic is definitely the better choice.
Data privacy and compliance
Regulations like GDPR and DPA create constant headaches for businesses trying to meet data privacy requirements. With Mailchimp, your data is stored on their servers, which could raise compliance issues depending on your business’s location and industry.
With Mautic, you have full control over where your data is stored and how it’s managed. Self-hosting Mautic provides peace of mind by ensuring that your data complies with local regulations. If you don’t have a self-hosting option in-house Mailchimp may sound more appealing, but Mautic’s third-party services means you can also utilise their hosting options.
Customer support
When you’re researching email marketing platforms, looking into their customer support options might not even come into play. But it’s important to explore the options, in case your business runs into any issues.
On the free plan, Mailchimp users can utilise the Mailchimp Assistant and email support for the first 30 days. 24/7 Chat Support becomes available on the Essentials Plan, while 24/7 phone support is available for Premium users. While there are plenty of options available, access to urgent support is only accessible for those that pay for the most expensive plan.
While Mautic is an open-source platform, its customer support ecosystem is robust and diverse. You’ll find a wealth of resources, from comprehensive documentation to an active community forum where users share insights and solutions. Moreover, enable.services offer professional support services for Mautic, including setup, maintenance, and reliable phone support. Using a third-party service means that you’re more likely to receive tailored support with speedy response times.
Scalability
As your business grows, so do your marketing opportunities. While Mailchimp can be a great starting point for small companies, its pricing and features may not always align with the demands of your expanding business. You may eventually outgrow its current plans, especially as your subscriber base and marketing goals evolve. While a more basic plan might suit your needs now, you will eventually need to upgrade your plan as your database grows.
Mautic’s flexibility and cost structure make it an ideal choice for scaling businesses. Whether you’re adding new channels, increasing your email volume, or creating more sophisticated campaigns, Mautic can grow with you without breaking the bank.
Want to book a free Mautic demo? Book a free chat with our experts and let’s get you started on your marketing automation journey. Either call us on 01473 618980, or contact us via our Mautic page.
