Mailchimp alternatives: 7 free & open-source picks

Curated, verified, and actually free. No trials, no crippled tiers. Star counts and last-activity dates checked by hand, not scraped and forgotten.

mailchimp $20/mothese $0PARCIALcan I vibecode it? the honest breakdown📮 newsletters
Mauticopen sourcewebself-hostedself-host, real ops

El reemplazo de código abierto de peso pesado para segmentación y automatización; también reemplaza la facilidad con operaciones.

licenseGPL-3.0+

runsyour server

installDownload the production package or install with Composer, then configure PHP, a database, cron, and a mail transport

dataContacts, segments, campaigns, events, and reports live in the configured MySQL or MariaDB database; assets, configuration, logs, and queue files live on the server filesystem.

the catch vs MailchimpMautic offers more control but gives up Mailchimp's managed deliverability, upgrades, templates, integrations, and low-maintenance operation.

setupThe first wall is not the installer but production operation: PHP and database tuning, several cron jobs, HTTPS, backups, upgrades, SMTP/API sending, and DNS authentication.

facts verified 2026-08-10

Plunkopen sourcewebself-hosteddocker to self-host

Campañas, correo transaccional y flujos de trabajo juntos; la profundidad del CRM de audiencia es menor.

licenseAGPL-3.0

runsyour machine or their cloud

installHosted signup, or the official Docker Compose stack

dataThe self-hosted stack stores core data in PostgreSQL, jobs and cache in Redis, and objects in MinIO; hosted data is kept in Plunk's EU infrastructure.

the catch vs MailchimpPlunk's audience CRM, template ecosystem, campaign analytics, and non-technical marketing workflow are noticeably thinner than Mailchimp's.

setupHosted use still needs domain authentication; self-hosting adds PostgreSQL, Redis, MinIO, Nginx or another proxy, exposed web and SMTP services, DNS, and ongoing deliverability work.

facts verified 2026-08-10

Notifuseopen sourcewebself-hosteddocker to self-host

Un stack moderno y visual de campañas y automatización; tú eres dueño de la base de datos y de las tareas de entregabilidad.

licenseAGPL-3.0

runsyour machine or their cloud

installHosted signup, or one application container plus PostgreSQL for self-hosting

dataSelf-hosted contacts, campaigns, automations, and events live in PostgreSQL; files can use S3-compatible storage, and the configured email provider receives message payloads. Hosted data lives in Notifuse's cloud.

the catch vs MailchimpNotifuse has a smaller template and integration ecosystem, and self-hosters assume database, upgrade, deliverability, and sending-provider work that Mailchimp handles.

setupSelf-hosting still needs Docker, PostgreSQL, a public HTTPS endpoint, an SMTP or API sending provider, and correctly authenticated sending domains.

facts verified 2026-08-10

Brevo Freefreewebthey host it

Campañas, formularios y automatización con muchos contactos pero solo 300 envíos diarios.

licenseproprietary, free

runstheir cloud

installHosted signup, sender verification, and optional domain authentication

dataContacts, campaigns, templates, automation events, and reports live in Brevo's cloud; exports are available, but the internal storage format is not disclosed.

the catch vs MailchimpBrevo's free 300-email daily ceiling makes a single larger campaign slower than Mailchimp and its free emails carry Brevo branding.

setupThe first meaningful hurdle is verifying the sender and setting SPF/DKIM records for a sending domain; without that, deliverability will disappoint.

facts verified 2026-08-10

EmailOctopus Freefreewebthey host it

Un plan real para listas pequeñas con formularios y automatizaciones simples; los informes expiran después de treinta días.

licenseproprietary, free

runstheir cloud

installHosted signup, list import, and sender/domain verification

dataSubscribers, campaigns, forms, automation state, and reports live in EmailOctopus's cloud; CSV import/export is supported, while the internal storage format is not disclosed.

the catch vs MailchimpFree-plan reports expire after 30 days and the account is limited to one landing page or form, leaving less history and experimentation than Mailchimp.

setupA sender address must be verified, and serious sending should use an authenticated domain.

facts verified 2026-08-10

MailPoet Starterfreewebself-hostedself-host, real ops

Campañas, formularios, analíticas y automatización básica dentro de WordPress; la lista gratuita se detiene en 500.

licenseGPL-2.0+

runsyour machine or their cloud

installInstall the WordPress plugin, create a MailPoet account, and enter the free Starter-plan key

dataLists, subscribers, newsletters, forms, and settings live in MailPoet tables inside the site's WordPress database; MailPoet's sending service processes recipient addresses and keeps delivery logs, which its documentation says are erased after three months.

the catch vs MailchimpIt works only inside WordPress and the free Starter allowance stops at 500 subscribers and 5,000 emails per month.

setupIt requires an existing, maintained WordPress site plus a plan key and sender/domain approval; it is not a standalone email app.

facts verified 2026-08-10

Sender Freefreewebthey host it

Campañas, formularios, analíticas y flujos de trabajo ilimitados en un plan gratuito útil; el mono puede jubilarse.

licenseproprietary, free

runstheir cloud

installHosted signup, list import, and sender/domain verification

dataSubscribers, campaigns, forms, automation state, transactional messages, and analytics live in Sender's cloud; the internal storage format is not disclosed.

the catch vs MailchimpSender's one-seat branded free plan has a smaller integration and template ecosystem than Mailchimp, even though its send allowance is generous.

setupThe first real hurdle is authenticating the sending domain and warming a legitimate list rather than merely creating the account.

facts verified 2026-08-10

last updated 2026-08-10 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real

the usual suspects · recommended everywhere, rejected here

listmonkCampaigns and forms are excellent, but the missing automation builder is not a footnote here.

Mailchimp FreeThe free plan now stops at 250 contacts and omits automation flows; the mascot is mostly a signup form.

SendPortalA familiar open-source recommendation with no commit since April 2024.

at a glance
toollicenserunning itplatformsstarsactive
MauticGPL-3.0+self-host, real opsweb, self-hosted10,3002026-08
PlunkAGPL-3.0docker to self-hostweb, self-hosted5,3002026-08
NotifuseAGPL-3.0docker to self-hostweb, self-hosted2,0382026-08
Brevo Freeproprietary, freethey host itweb
EmailOctopus Freeproprietary, freethey host itweb
MailPoet StarterGPL-2.0+self-host, real opsweb, self-hosted
Sender Freeproprietary, freethey host itweb
Rather build it exactly your way? The one-shot prompt is free too.get the prompt →
why people still pay for Mailchimp

Se paga para no caer en spam y para automatizar flujos que ya están armados. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $240 a year.

questions
Is there a free alternative to Mailchimp?

Yes: Mautic, Plunk, Notifuse and 4 more. Every tool on this page is either open source or genuinely free to use long-term: no trials, no crippled tiers.

Should I just build my own Mailchimp?

Our verdict is PARCIAL. Enviar un boletín desde tu dominio lo hace un agente. Entregabilidad, plantillas y automatizaciones de lista no. If you'd rather build, the exact one-shot prompt is free at puedovibecodearlo.app/mailchimp.

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