Raise your hand if you’ve Googled ‘best email marketing platform’ or ‘Flodesk vs. Mailchimp: which is better?’ at 11 PM while your favorite show played in the background (guilty!). If that’s you, you’re in good company. Finding the perfect email platform is like picking the right pair of shoes—it has to fit just right for where you’re headed.
Whether you’re launching your email list for the first time or finally upgrading from that freebie plan, we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of Flodesk vs. Mailchimp, two of the most talked-about platforms in my community. Because let’s face it: your emails deserve to be seen, clicked, and loved—and your wallet deserves a platform that works as hard as you do.
When I started my email list, it was literally just me sending notes to my mom (shoutout to her for those 100% open rates). Fast forward, and I now get to land in over a third of a million inboxes every single week. I can share my offers on autopilot and hand out business lessons without having to sit at my laptop. Email marketing serves while I go live my life! My email list has become the number one profit driver for my business, and trust me—it’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Want a spoiler? Here’s my favorite email marketing platform (and 50% off your membership!)
Because I’m obsessed with optimizing everything in my business, I’ve tested platforms, crunched numbers, and stressed over templates more than I’d like to admit. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re looking for the best email platform, too. Let’s settle the debate and find the perfect fit for your business!
First, Why Does Email Marketing Even Matter?
Let’s take a quick detour to highlight why email marketing should be your ride-or-die strategy.
- Open Rates Dominate Social Media: The average email open rate? Around 20-30%. Compare that to Instagram’s 1-2% organic reach. Your emails are actually getting seen. I’ve watched my email open rates consistently outperform social media reach, with my emails landing in 30% of inboxes compared to a fraction of that on Instagram. And let’s be real—emails convert better too. People are more poised to click ‘buy’ when they’re in their inbox.”
- Audiences Are More Likely to Buy: Email subscribers are 6x more likely to buy from your emails than social posts. (Hello, ROI!) People in their inbox are more poised to purchase leading to better results and more sales.
- You OWN Your List: Social media accounts can get hacked, suspended, or deleted—poof, all your hard work = gone. But your email list? It’s yours forever, it’s an asset that you own and can leverage.
Bottom line: email is like building a house you own, while social media is renting a fancy apartment that could evict you anytime.
Related: How to Convert Your Instagram Followers into Email Subscribers
Now, the Main Event: Flodesk vs. Mailchimp
1. Features & User-Friendliness
Flodesk: When I first saw Flodesk, it felt like a breath of fresh air. No more pulling my hair out over complicated interfaces or getting lost in menus. Instead, it was like, ‘Oh, so this is how email marketing is supposed to feel!’Known for its stunning simplicity, Flodesk is a dream for creatives and business owners who want their emails to look as good as they perform. It’s beginner-friendly, with an intuitive drag-and-drop editor and pre-designed workflows that make automation feel effortless.
Mailchimp: A veteran in the email marketing space, Mailchimp offers a robust suite of features, including advanced analytics and integrations. But let’s be honest—its interface can feel clunky and overwhelming, especially for newcomers.
💡 Winner: Flodesk, for its ease of use and stunning simplicity.
2. Email Template Designs
Flodesk: As someone who’s built a brand around visuals and storytelling, I knew that my audience needed email templates that didn’t just look good—they needed to wow. With Flodesk, you can hit ‘send’ knowing my emails look just as beautiful as the content inside. No coding. No stress.
Mailchimp: While it offers more templates, many of them feel outdated. Customizing them can also require a bit of a learning curve.
💡 Winner: Flodesk, for creating emails your subscribers will swoon over.
Related: Building an Email List: What to Say and How to Say It
3. Membership Pricing
Flodesk: One of my favorite things about Flodesk? It doesn’t penalize you for growing. As you list expands from a handful of subscribers to thousands, your pricing stays flat. No surprise fees, no sudden hikes—it’s been a game-changer for scaling without the financial stress. A flat fee of $38/month (or $19/month with my link 👀), no matter how large your list grows.
Mailchimp: Starts “free” but quickly gets pricey as your list grows. Plus, certain features—like automation—are locked behind higher-tier plans.
💡 Winner: Flodesk, hands down. Flat pricing > surprise fees.
4. Integrations
Flodesk: While Flodesk has some key integrations, Mailchimp’s library is far broader, making it ideal for businesses with complex tech stacks.
Mailchimp: Mailchimp integrates with hundreds of apps and platforms, including e-commerce tools, CRMs, and social media.
💡 Winner: Mailchimp comes out on top with having more integration options.
5. Limitations
Flodesk: While it’s a younger platform, it’s constantly innovating. Currently, its analytics aren’t as detailed as Mailchimp’s, but they’re plenty robust for most small businesses and creatives.
Mailchimp: Powerful, but its complexity can be a barrier. You might find yourself paying for features you don’t even use.
💡 Winner: Flodesk, for keeping things streamlined without unnecessary fluff.
Why I’m Team Flodesk
Flodesk stole my heart because it was designed with creatives and small business owners in mind—people like you and me who want to send beautiful, high-converting emails without needing a tech degree. It solved the exact pain points I saw in my own community: clunky interfaces, outdated designs, and unpredictable pricing models. Flodesk broke the mold, and it’s why I recommend it to anyone looking to level up their email game.
When I first saw Flodesk, what struck me was how it was so powerfully serving a part of the community that I believed was being overlooked: creatives. We wanted to send effective emails, yes, but also we were staring at seas of outdated templates, feeling forced to send off-brand ones or take all the time to learn how to design them ourselves. I watched creatives of all kinds struggle against outdated email marketing offerings for years! I was relieved seeing Flodesk rise up, break molds, and overdeliver on what we’ve been craving — beautiful templates, ease of use, and a way to get our message out there without tech learning barriers.
Since the dawn of Flodesk until now, I’ve only watched the platform get smarter and easier to use, and how can I ever say enough about the beautiful templates?! Here’s why it gets my vote:
- No penalties for growth: Unlike Mailchimp, Flodesk doesn’t charge more as your list expands.
- Designs that wow: Every email looks like a work of art, helping you stand out in crowded inboxes.
- Built for creatives: Flodesk simplifies automation, design, and strategy so you can focus on what matters—connecting with your audience.
Related: How Flodesk Works and Why You Should Be Using It
How to Switch from Mailchimp to Flodesk in a Few Easy Steps
Thinking about making the leap from Mailchimp to Flodesk? I get it—switching platforms can feel like a big deal. But trust me, it’s worth it. I remember feeling a little nervous too, but within minutes of diving into Flodesk, I knew I wasn’t going back. Plus, the switch is surprisingly simple! Let’s walk through it together. Here’s how to do it in just a few easy steps:
1. Export Your Email List from Mailchimp
- Log in to your Mailchimp account and head to your “Audience” dashboard.
- Click “Manage Contacts” and select “Export Audience.”
- Mailchimp will send you a downloadable CSV file of your subscribers.
2. Sign Up for Flodesk
- If you haven’t already, sign up for Flodesk using my link to get 50% off your first year. You’ll also get a 30-day free trial to explore all the features!
3. Import Your List to Flodesk
- Once you’re in Flodesk, navigate to the “Audience” tab and click “Upload CSV.”
- Upload the subscriber file you exported from Mailchimp, and voila—your contacts are now in Flodesk!
4. Rebuild or Redesign Your Workflows
- If you were using automations in Mailchimp, take a moment to recreate them in Flodesk. Flodesk’s drag-and-drop workflows make it simple (and dare I say, fun!) to set up automated emails.
5. Test Everything
- Send a few test emails to yourself to ensure everything looks good and works smoothly. This is your chance to fall in love with Flodesk’s stunning email designs!
6. Let Your Subscribers Know
- Send out an email to your list letting them know you’ve upgraded your email platform. Use this as an opportunity to reintroduce yourself and share what exciting things you have planned for them.
Related: 30 Email Ideas to Send Your Email List
Switching to Flodesk is like swapping an old, creaky bike for a shiny new ride—it’s smoother, more enjoyable, and designed to get you where you want to go faster. Take the leap and see how much better email marketing can be!
Why Flodesk Is the Email Marketing Upgrade You’ve Been Waiting For
So, there you have it—the ultimate showdown between Flodesk and Mailchimp. If you’ve been on the fence, let me nudge you gently toward the platform that’s been a game-changer for me and thousands of other creatives. The best time to start building an email list you love? Yesterday. The next best time? Right now. Let’s do this together—your inbox (and your future subscribers) are waiting!
Whether you’re building your list from scratch or finally ditching that clunky old platform, Flodesk offers sleek designs, flat pricing, and user-friendly features to help you grow your audience and boost your business without breaking a sweat—or the bank.
Ready to send emails that people actually want to open? Don’t wait. Sign up for Flodesk today, grab that 50% discount, and start turning your inbox into a profit machine. The best time to start was yesterday. The next best time? Right now. Let’s do this!
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