Mailchimp and Drip both serve online stores looking to boost their marketing through email automation and increasingly, SMS marketing. While Mailchimp offers a broad marketing platform appealing to a wide range of businesses, Drip focuses more tightly on ecommerce brands, especially direct-to-consumer (DTC) companies. When deciding between Mailchimp vs Drip for online stores, the differences in features, pricing, ease of use, and customer fit become clear, especially for those prioritizing SMS marketing.
Core Features and Functionality
Mailchimp
Mailchimp began as an email marketing tool and now provides a full marketing suite including email, SMS, landing pages, and basic CRM features. Its SMS marketing capabilities are an extension of its platform, allowing users to send targeted SMS campaigns and automated messages. It supports segmentation based on customer behavior, basic automation workflows, and multi-channel campaigns combining email and SMS.
Strengths:
- Easy to create combined email + SMS campaigns.
- Offers pre-built audience segments and behavioral targeting.
- Basic SMS automation and triggers tied to ecommerce purchases.
Weaknesses:
- SMS features are somewhat limited compared to dedicated SMS platforms.
- Automation options for SMS are less advanced.
- SMS pricing can get expensive as volume increases.
Drip
Drip is built specifically as an ecommerce CRM with deep email and SMS automation tailored for DTC brands. Its SMS marketing is robust, featuring complex automation workflows, personalized messaging, and advanced segmentation based on browsing, purchase history, and email engagement.
Strengths:
- Fully integrated SMS + email workflow automation.
- Advanced segmentation tailored to ecommerce behaviors.
- Personalization options are very strong.
- Supports multi-step SMS sequences with branching logic.
Weaknesses:
- SMS features may overwhelm beginners.
- Email marketing interface is less intuitive than Mailchimp's for newcomers.
Pricing and Value
I researched their pricing plans and SMS costs:
| Feature / Plan | Mailchimp Essentials Plan | Mailchimp Standard Plan | Drip Growth Plan | Drip Pro Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Starting Price | $13 for 500 contacts | $20 for 500 contacts | $39 for up to 500 contacts | $122 for up to 2,500 contacts |
| SMS Pricing | Pay-as-you-go SMS: $0.03 - $0.05 per message | Included in higher tiers with limits | $0.01 per SMS + plan cost | $0.01 per SMS + plan cost |
| Free Trial | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days |
| Included Email Sends | 10x contacts | 12x contacts | Unlimited email sends | Unlimited email sends |
| Automation Included | Basic automation | Advanced automation | Advanced ecommerce automation | Advanced ecommerce automation |
| SMS Automation | Limited | Moderate | Advanced | Advanced |
Mailchimp pricing is more competitive at entry levels but SMS costs scale quickly with volume. Drip combines a higher base price with lower SMS per-message costs, which benefits high-volume senders. Drip’s unlimited emails plus strong automation add more value for serious ecommerce marketers.
Ease of Setup and Use
Mailchimp
Mailchimp’s onboarding and user interface prioritize simplicity, making it approachable for beginners. Setting up SMS campaigns involves standard steps similar to email campaigns, with drag-and-drop editors and pre-built templates available. Its learning curve is gentle, but SMS automation flexibility is somewhat limited.
Drip
Drip’s platform is more complex due to its specialized ecommerce focus and advanced automation capabilities. Setting up SMS automation involves a steeper learning curve, particularly for users new to ecommerce CRMs. However, experienced marketers benefit from the control and customization Drip offers.
Integrations: Shopify and Beyond
Both platforms offer integrations with Shopify, the top ecommerce platform, but with varying depth.
Mailchimp
- Limited direct Shopify integration due to historic restrictions; relies on third-party apps for deep sync.
- Integrates well with other ecommerce platforms like WooCommerce, BigCommerce.
- Connects to many other marketing tools via Zapier.
Drip
- Direct, native Shopify integration with deep ecommerce data tracking.
- Syncs customer purchase data, website activity, and behaviors in real time.
- Supports integrations with other ecommerce tools and Zapier for broader connections.
Drip clearly leads for Shopify users seeking tight data integration, while Mailchimp requires workarounds for best ecommerce sync.
Customer Support and Documentation
Both companies provide:
- Knowledge bases and tutorials.
- Email and chat support on paid plans.
- Community forums.
Drip’s support is noted for its ecommerce expertise and quicker responses on core issues. Mailchimp’s support is solid but sometimes slower, particularly on lower-tier plans.
Best-Fit Customer Profile
Mailchimp
Ideal for:
- Small to medium online stores with mixed marketing needs.
- Businesses wanting an all-in-one platform with simple SMS alongside email.
- Users new to SMS marketing or those with lower SMS volume.
Not ideal for:
- Ecommerce stores needing advanced SMS automation.
- Shopify stores needing deep integration without third-party tools.
Drip
Ideal for:
- Fast-growing DTC ecommerce brands.
- Companies needing advanced SMS and email automation.
- Shopify users wanting direct integration and detailed behavioral targeting.
Not ideal for:
- Beginners or smaller stores due to complexity and higher starting cost.
- Users wanting a simpler, all-in-one but less specialized marketing tool.
Mailchimp vs Drip for Online Stores: Side-by-Side Key Features
| Criteria | Mailchimp | Drip |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | General marketing platform | Ecommerce CRM + marketing |
| Email + SMS Automation | Basic to moderate | Advanced |
| SMS Pricing | Pay-as-you-go, higher per message | Lower per message, requires plan |
| Shopify Integration | Limited, needs third-party apps | Native, deep integration |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly | More complex for beginners |
| Customer Support | Good but varies by plan | Strong ecommerce focus |
| Best for | Small to medium mixed-use stores | DTC ecommerce with heavy SMS use |
| Free Trial | Yes, 14 days | Yes, 14 days |
| Number of Reviews (G2) | 3,200+ (4.1 stars) | 400+ (4.3 stars) |
Mailchimp alternatives?
If you seek alternatives beyond Mailchimp, options include:
- Drip itself for ecommerce-focused automation.
- Klaviyo for advanced ecommerce email + SMS marketing.
- Omnisend, which balances email and SMS for ecommerce.
- Postscript, a more SMS-focused platform.
For a deeper dive comparing these, see the article on Mailchimp vs Drip vs Postscript.
Drip alternatives?
Alternatives to Drip include:
- Mailchimp for broader marketing needs.
- Klaviyo, a strong competitor with deep ecommerce SMS features.
- Omnisend, which supports multi-channel campaigns for ecommerce.
- Attentive, a leading SMS-first platform for ecommerce brands.
Explore details comparing Drip with others at Drip vs Postscript vs Mailchimp.
Which to Choose: Mailchimp vs Drip
Choosing between Mailchimp and Drip depends mainly on your store size, SMS volume, technical expertise, and integration needs.
Choose Mailchimp if you want an easy-to-use marketing platform that combines email and SMS, especially if you have a smaller store or lower SMS volume. It suits users who value simplicity and a broader marketing toolset beyond just ecommerce.
Choose Drip if you run a growing DTC ecommerce brand with significant SMS marketing needs and require sophisticated automation and segmentation. Its native Shopify integration and ecommerce CRM features justify the higher price and learning curve for serious ecommerce marketers.
Worth a Look: Zigpoll
If you also want to gather customer insights through surveys, Zigpoll is worth considering. It is a Shopify app offering post-purchase, on-site, and exit-intent surveys to help understand shopper behavior, complementing your SMS and email marketing strategies.
This comparison aims to provide a practical evaluation based on real-world use and current data, helping online stores select the SMS marketing platform best suited to their goals. For further reading on ecommerce SMS marketing tools, check out related comparisons on the Zigpoll blog.
