Flodesk Vs Mailchimp Which App Should You Choose?

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Flodesk Vs Mailchimp which app should you choose? What are the differences between the two? We take a deep dive into the features of the established king of the jungle, aka Mailchimp, and the new kid on the block Flodesk. Where will you get the most bang for your buck?

Mailchimp debuted in 2001, but I first started using it in 2009. I have to admit, I didn’t find it intuitive to use. Customising the templates to fit the aesthetics of my website hasn’t always been easy. As a new blogger with a small email list, I liked that it was free, but found that I outgrew the free option quickly.

Once my subscriber list grew the Mailchimp pricing increased exponentially. Throughout the years, I have tried other apps such as Convertkit, Constant Contact, and Mail lite. For one reason or another, I have always found myself back with Mailchimp. The tide turned with Flodesk’s entry into the marketplace in 2019. So who is the winner in the question of Flodesk Vs Mailchimp?

Which app is best for you?

Mailchimp Functions & Features

• Ease of Use: As a new user to Mailchimp there is quite a lot of setup required before your first email can be sent. Using a template can help but these are not pretty, look quite outdated, and are not all responsive to various size screens. Customising the templates to your brand colours and fonts is time-consuming and not intuitive. Even creating your brand logo and adding it to the newsletter can be a challenge. Creating your own newsletter from scratch is the better option but this takes time, skill, and prior program knowledge or Youtube assistance.
• Email Design Flexibility: Provides customizable templates, but they tend to be more traditional, outdated, and geared toward businesses.
• Automation and Workflow: Mailchimp offers advanced automation features, allowing users to build complex workflows, and trigger emails based on actions taken by customers. Workflows can be integrated with eCommerce platforms for abandoned cart recovery and personalized follow-ups.
• Integration with Other Tools: Being one of the original and largest newsletter apps, Mailchimp has an extensive list of integrations. It works well with platforms like Shopify, WordPress, Stripe, Google Analytics, and hundreds more. It can also be used with Zapier which opens up even more possibilities.
• Audience Segmentation: Audience segmentation allows users to target subscribers based on various parameters. Users can segment by behavior, demographics, purchase history, open history, click history etc. Note, to have this information you must be on the 3rd tier pricing.
• Analytics and Reporting: Mailchimp offers detailed analytics, including open rates, click rates, A/B testing, and customer journey tracking.
• Compliance Features: GDPR compliance tools and built-in legal features to assist with privacy regulations are in place.
• Deliverability: Mailchimp has excellent email deliverability rates, supported by its established reputation with ISPs.

Pricing

• Pricing Structure: Mailchimp has a tiered pricing model based on the number of subscribers and the features needed. This previously made it the best choice for new bloggers and small businesses. It was possible to start with a free Mailchimp account and stay within the confines of the account. Mailchimp pricing has undergone several changes. Whilst the free tier exists most people will find they quickly outgrow the free option. Prices increase quickly once the free plan is outgrown. As an example,
  • at 501 subscribers it’s cheaper to be paying full price at Flodesk and receive all Flodesk features.
  • Under 500 subscribers but would like a customer journey. Flodesk is the same price as Mailchimp.

Mailchimp Customer Support

Customer Support: Mailchimp says they offer email support, live chat, and a large library of help articles. The paid plans offer premium support. I have always had a premium account and found getting assistance next to impossible, especially in a timely manner. This may be due to living in Australia. However, I have waited up to a month after sending multiple emails only to be sent a generic unhelpful answer. Suppport is disappointing.

Unique Mailchimp Features

Unique Features: Mailchimp features CRM functionalities, advanced segmentation, and predictive analytics for eCommerce users. This gives Mailchimp an edge in managing customer data and creating targeted campaigns. It’s a particularly good feature if you are running an e-commerce store through your website. It can assist with stock management when launching a new product and customer relationship building. This functionality is not available with Flodesk.

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Flodesk Functions & Features

• Ease of Use: Flodesk is designed for simplicity, and its drag-and-drop editor is incredibly intuitive. A new user can open the website and start making their first email immediately. This makes it a favorite for non-tech-savvy users.
• Email Design Flexibility: Flodesk excels in design. It offers modern, visually stunning email templates right out of the box. They are easily customizable, particularly appealing to creatives, website owners, and independent brands that prioritize aesthetics. Customise with your own brand colours and fonts easily.
• Automation and Workflow: While not as advanced as Mailchimp, Flodesk provides solid automation tools. This allows users to set up workflows like welcome sequences and lead nurturing campaigns. Unlike Mailchimp, all users have access to the workflows. Multiple journeys with various triggers can be configured at no extra cost.
• Integration with Other Tools: Flodesk is the new kid on the block. It started with more limited integrations with other platforms however that has changed quickly. Flodesk is now able to be integrated with most essential platforms like Shopify and WordPress. It can also be used with Zapier which opens up so many more functions.
• Audience Segmentation: Basic segmentation features are available, allowing users to be targeted. Target based on sign-up forms, tags, or actions they take when reading your newsletters. The audience segmentation options are improving as time goes on.
• Analytics and Reporting: Flodesk offers simple, easy-to-understand metrics such as open rates, clicks, and unsubscribed. It doesn’t have the rating system or A/B testing Mailchimp provides.
• Compliance Features: Flodesk is GDPR-compliant and has a strong focus on privacy and user rights.
• Deliverability: Flodesk has solid deliverability. I haven’t noticed any difference in deliverability.

Pricing

Pricing Structure: Flodesk’s pricing model is straightforward and unique. It offers unlimited emails and subscribers for a flat rate. This is ideal for growing businesses that want predictable costs without worrying about subscriber count. You can get your First Year with Flodesk for $19 per month. The regular pricing is $38 per month. No surprises!

Flodesk Customer Support

Customer Support: Flodesk offers email support, and while its community is smaller, it has responsive customer service with helpful resources.

Unique Flodesk Features

Unique Features: Flodesk’s design-centric focus stands out. It makes pretty newsletters right out of the box! The flat pricing model is also a unique benefit. Growing businesses don’t need to be concerned with scaling pricing to cover subscriber growth.

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Features that One Program Has, and the Other Doesn’t:

• Mailchimp:
  • CRM capabilities: If you are operating an eBusiness and selling products online Mailchimp provides customer relationship management (CRM). These features help users store customer data, track customer journeys, and create advanced marketing strategies.
  • Predictive analytics and advanced reporting: Mailchimp offers more detailed insights, including purchasing predictions and advanced campaign tracking.
  • A/B Testing: Offers a more comprehensive A/B testing functionality.
• Flodesk:
  • Simpler budget-friendly pricing. A flat-rate pricing model for unlimited emails and subscribers, making it easier to budget for as your list grows.
  • Aesthetic email design: Flodesk focuses more heavily on visually stunning and creative templates, targeting design-conscious users.

Conclusion Flodesk Vs Mailchimp

So who is the big winner in the David and Goliath showdown of Flodesk Vs Mailchimp?

Whilst Flodesk started the game with fewer functions, features, and integrations, that has changed over the last 12 months. The app has now slotted into a comfortable position filling a much-needed gap in the market. Not everyone needs to (or has the time to) drill down on customer metrics and A/B test subject lines.

Some of us are happy to grow our subscriber base, segment them into user groups, and target their interests with offers to suit that segment. The Flodesk reporting is more than adequate to ascertain if the newsletter resonated with the audience and to track responses.

Mailchimp on the other hand is the hands-down winner if you have a busy eCommerce site attached to your website. Managing products, relationships and tracking customer value is second to none. The CRM capabilities and the predictive reporting analysis of potential purchasers are useful for stock control, loyalty-building, and other customer journey functions.

The Final Word

After 14 years with Mailchimp, and running Mailchimp concurrently with other programs as a trial. I committed to Flodesk 12 months ago and haven’t looked back.

Mailchimp was costing me $2400 per year and I sent one newsletter per month. I pruned my subscriber list constantly and deleted anyone who didn’t interact with my newsletters. This kept my subscribers to a minimum. I used basic reporting and I utilised two automated welcome sequences. I had one sign-up form on my website which was pretty ugly.

Flodesk cost me $225 for the first year and has now reverted to the regular price of $456. I still send one newsletter per month. My newsletter list is growing quite quickly, I’m putting that down to a much prettier signup form. I use basic reporting and have two automated welcome sequences.

So in the battle of Flodesk Vs Mailchimp, the answer for me was Flodesk. I finally found my shining star. A pretty app, with exactly what I needed to manage my subscribers well and no complicated extras. Oh, and you have to love the pricing!

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