If you’re running a small, medium, or enterprise-sized business in the UK, you’ve probably felt the headache of choosing the right email marketing software. There are so many options, and the wrong choice can mean wasted time, money, and missed opportunities.
Two names that always seem to pop up in the conversation are Zoho Campaigns and Mailchimp. Both are well-known, both promise great results, but which one actually fits your business better?
In this guide, we’ll break down Zoho Campaigns vs Mailchimp side-by-side, looking at their features, pricing, and overall fit, so you can make a decision that works for your budget and your goals.
Overview of Zoho Campaigns
Zoho Campaigns may be the best option for you if you’re already using one or more Zoho tools and you’re enjoying your experience. This is because It’s part of the broader Zoho ecosystem, so if you’re already managing contacts or sales with Zoho CRM, it slots right in.
You’ll benefit from automations that can trigger campaigns based on actions in your CRM, like when a lead moves to the “interested” stage. This saves you time and keeps everything streamlined.
What I really like is how clear the value is, especially if cost is part of your criteria for selecting an email marketing tool. Their Forever Free plan gives you up to 2,000 contacts and 6,000 emails per month—a serious deal for UK SMEs starting out.
Even their paid plans begin at around $3–$4/month, giving you unlimited emails and more advanced features like dynamic content and workflows.
Feature-wise, Zoho doesn’t disappoint. You get access to:
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A drag-and-drop editor and responsive templates to create polished emails quickly.
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Advanced automation, including multi-step workflows, drip campaigns, and triggers based on contact actions.
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SMS marketing so you can run emails and texts from the same place.
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Plus, integrations with tools like Zoho CRM, Shopify, Zapier, and more.
Reviewers tend to rate Zoho Campaigns highly for value for money, especially considering its features at a budget-friendly price point. In short: if you’re running a lean operation in the UK and might expand into SMS or CRM, Zoho gives you the flexibility and tools to grow without breaking the bank.
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Overview of Mailchimp
When most people think of email marketing, Mailchimp is often the first name that comes to mind. It’s one of the most recognisable platforms in the world, known for its clean design, friendly interface, and wide library of templates. For UK SMEs that want to get campaigns up and running quickly without a steep learning curve, Mailchimp offers a straightforward starting point.
The platform shines when it comes to design flexibility. Its drag-and-drop editor is intuitive, and the template library covers everything from simple newsletters to beautifully branded campaigns. Mailchimp also integrates with hundreds of third-party tools from e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce to CRMs and analytics software, making it easy to fit into an existing tech stack.
Where Mailchimp can catch small businesses off guard is in its pricing. The free plan is great for testing the waters, but once your audience grows past 500 contacts or you need more advanced features, costs can rise quickly. That said, for SMEs willing to invest, Mailchimp delivers strong automation, audience segmentation, and A/B testing tools that help fine-tune performance over time.
In short, Mailchimp is a safe, well-supported option for UK SMEs that value ease of use, creative control, and a huge integration marketplace, even if it comes at a higher price point as you scale.
Also Read: Zoho CRM vs Salesforce: Which CRM Is Better for Your Business in 2025?
Feature-by-Feature Comparison: Zoho Campaigns vs Mailchimp
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Feature |
Zoho Campaigns |
Mailchimp |
|
Ease of Use |
Clean, modern interface with a gentle learning curve. Especially smooth for Zoho CRM users thanks to native integration. |
Extremely beginner-friendly with a polished interface. No prior marketing experience is needed to get started. |
|
Email Templates & Design |
Responsive templates, drag-and-drop editor, plus HTML editor for custom designs. Template variety is solid but smaller than Mailchimp’s. |
Large template library, highly customisable designs, and one of the most intuitive drag-and-drop editors in the market. |
|
Automation & Workflows |
Advanced automation triggers (based on CRM activity, website behaviour, or email engagement). Multi-step workflows included in paid plans. |
Strong automation features like customer journeys and behavioural triggers, though some are locked to higher-tier plans. |
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Audience Segmentation |
Robust segmentation using custom fields, engagement metrics, and CRM data. No extra charge for duplicate contacts. |
Detailed segmentation by behaviour, demographics, and engagement. Charges for duplicates across lists. |
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Integrations |
Deep integration with Zoho ecosystem, plus Shopify, Zapier, WordPress, and more. |
Over 300 integrations covering e-commerce, CRMs, social media, and analytics. |
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Analytics & Reporting |
Real-time analytics, heat maps, A/B testing, and ROI tracking when linked with Zoho CRM. |
Detailed reports, advanced A/B testing, and comparative benchmarking against industry peers. |
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Compliance & Deliverability |
GDPR-friendly settings with EU data centre options. Strong spam compliance tools. |
GDPR-compliant with solid deliverability rates. No specific UK/EU data hosting option. |
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Pricing |
Free plan: 2,000 contacts & 6,000 emails/month. Paid plans from ~£3/month with unlimited sends. |
Free plan: 500 contacts & 1,000 emails/month. Paid plans from ~£10/month, cost rises sharply as list grows. |
Key Takeaways
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Best for tight budgets and CRM integration → Zoho Campaigns
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Best for design flexibility and ease of use → Mailchimp
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If GDPR and data storage location are top priorities, Zoho has an edge for UK SMEs.
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If you want more templates and a larger integration marketplace, Mailchimp is hard to beat.
This may be Helpful: Top Features to Look for in Email Marketing Software
Pricing and Value for Money
When it comes to cost, Zoho Campaigns and Mailchimp take very different approaches and for UK SMEs, that difference can make or break the decision.
Zoho Campaigns Pricing and Value for money:
Zoho Campaigns is refreshingly budget-friendly. Their Forever Free plan covers up to 2,000 contacts and lets you send 6,000 emails per month—more than enough for many small business newsletters or monthly campaigns. If you need more, paid plans start at just a few pounds a month, and you still get unlimited email sends. Even at higher tiers, Zoho’s pricing stays predictable, which is a big plus if you’re keeping a close eye on your marketing spend.
Mailchimp Pricing and Value for money:
Mailchimp, on the other hand, offers a Free plan that’s useful for testing the waters, but it’s limited to 500 contacts and 1,000 emails per month. Once you grow beyond that, you’ll need to upgrade—and that’s where costs can rise quickly. For example, moving to the Essentials plan for 5,000 contacts could set you back over £200/year, and higher plans can be several times that. You’re paying for Mailchimp’s polished interface, design flexibility, and larger integration marketplace, but the jump in price can surprise smaller businesses.
So, here’s the bottom line:
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On a tight budget or just starting out? Zoho Campaigns offers unbeatable value and generous limits.
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Willing to invest for more design options and brand recognition? Mailchimp delivers, but be ready for costs to grow as your list does.
Zoho Campaigns vs Mailchimp – Pricing at a Glance
|
Plan |
Zoho Campaigns |
Mailchimp |
|
Free Plan |
Up to 2,000 contacts and 6,000 emails/month. Includes basic automation, templates, and reports. |
Up to 500 contacts and 1,000 emails/month. Basic templates and limited automation. |
|
Entry Paid Tier |
From ~£3/month (billed annually) for unlimited emails and more advanced features. |
From ~£10/month (Essentials) for 500 contacts, limited sends, and basic automation. |
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5,000 Contacts |
Around £41/month with unlimited sends. |
Around £230/month on Standard plan, with capped sends. |
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Automation Access |
Included in all paid plans; advanced workflows from the get-go. |
Basic automation on lower tiers; advanced journeys available only on higher-priced plans. |
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Extra Charges |
No charge for duplicate contacts. |
Charges for duplicate contacts across lists. |
Why this matters:
If you’re an SME watching your marketing budget, Zoho’s pricing is much easier to plan around, especially as your list grows. Mailchimp offers excellent features but can get expensive fast if you’re sending to thousands of subscribers regularly.
You may also be interested in: Zoho CRM vs Pipedrive: Which Is Best for Professional Services?
Which Tool Should You Choose?
Choosing between Zoho Campaigns and Mailchimp isn’t about which tool is “better” in a vacuum. It’s about which one’s a better fit for your business.
Go with Zoho Campaigns if:
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You’re already using Zoho CRM (or plan to) and want everything to work seamlessly together.
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Affordability is a priority, and you want predictable pricing as your list grows.
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You need GDPR-compliant data storage options, which are especially relevant for UK and EU businesses.
Go with Mailchimp if:
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You like the reassurance of a globally recognised brand with years of market presence.
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You want a huge variety of templates and an extensive library of third-party integrations.
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You’re okay paying more to get access to premium features and a highly polished user experience.
Bottom line: If you want maximum value for money, tight CRM integration, and peace of mind on compliance, Zoho Campaigns is a strong contender. If you care more about creative flexibility, brand familiarity, and a vast integration marketplace, Mailchimp could be worth the extra investment. Match your choice to your business goals, your budget, and the tools you already use; your future self will thank you.
You may find this helpful: Zoho vs Clio: Which CRM Works Best for Law Firms?
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
Finding the right email marketing tool comes down to knowing what matters most for your business. Zoho Campaigns delivers excellent value, seamless CRM integration, and GDPR-friendly data handling—perfect for UK SMEs that want efficiency without overspending. Mailchimp, on the other hand, shines in design flexibility, brand recognition, and an extensive integration marketplace, though it often comes at a higher price as you grow.
The good news? You don’t have to decide blindly. Both platforms offer free trials, so you can test their features, workflows, and ease of use before committing.
And if you’d rather skip the trial-and-error, we can help. At Digital Socius, we’re advanced Zoho Partners with hands-on experience helping UK businesses choose, set up, and get results from the right email marketing tools. Whether it’s Zoho Campaigns or another platform, we’ll make sure it’s implemented correctly and works seamlessly with your existing systems.
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