Mailchimp vs Salesforce - A Comparison of Marketing Automation Software for Businesses

This article compares Mailchimp vs Salesforce. Specifically, the comparison cover offered features such as pricing options, ease of use, and overall performance.
Fatima
April 10, 2025

In today's marketplace, companies encounter numerous issues. For example, they struggle with managing relationships, automating marketing processes, and customer interaction. Moreover, many companies currently utilize inadequately integrated systems. Consequently, unproductive processes, less output, and resources left over are probable.

Choosing a platform for CRM, sales, automation, and marketing is always complex. The vast array of options presents a challenging task. Especially, when comparing Salesforce and Mailchimp, two leading providers of these services. However, they cater to different types of businesses. So, which one serves your purpose best?

To clarify this, our guide will help you explore the differences between Salesforce vs Mailchimp. More specifically, it will cover aspects such as features, pricing, ease of use integration, and customer services. Finally, you will learn which type of businesses each caters to.

Let's explore!

Overview of Mailchimp vs Salesforce

Mailchimp vs Salesforce

Before investing in anything, it is important to understand what each platform provides. Therefore, in this aspect, we will look in detail at Mailchimp and Salesforce. First, we will explore what they do fundamentally. Additionally, we will see how they accommodate companies depending on various scales. 

What is Mailchimp?

Mailchimp ranks among the most ruling online email marketing services. It enables users to set up, automate, and analyze emails for any business use with relative ease. At the same time, its user-friendly platform is practical for small and medium scale enterprises.

Over time, Mailchimp has expanded its services. As a result, it offers audience segmentation. In addition, it includes landing page creation, social media marketing, and e-commerce marketing.

What is Salesforce?

Salesforce is a provider of cloud technology services for CRM systems. It helps manage, automate, and analyze marketing and sales activities in any business.

Furthermore, Salesforce is a good option for businesses with advanced requirements. This is due to powerful automation, customer journey mapping, and AI insight capabilities. These are simplified solutions available in the business with a Marketing Cloud and Pardot.

Feature Comparison of Mailchimp vs Salesforce

The most important attributes of any marketing automation include features. In fact, they are the cornerstone of the specific tool. Therefore, below is a comprehensive comparison of Salesforce vs Mailchimp. It specifically covers email marketing, automation, CRM, and integrations. 

Email Marketing Capabilities

Salesforce and Mailchimp offer profound features for their customers. In particular, email marketing remains effective. In fact, it is one of the best engagement channels. However, there are differences in the ways each of these companies approaches it.

Mailchimp has:

  • A drag-and-drop feature makes the email builder user-friendly.
  • Pre-designed templates that help users create emails without any design skills.
  • Automation workflows that help carry out multi-step actions to engage customers more efficiently.
  • A/B testing to provide measurable results from different campaigns.

On the other hand, Salesforce offers:

  • Salesforce’s Proprietary Pricing with Einstein AI user centric automation.
  • Precise multi-level audience segmentation/behavioral targeting. It helps businesses market more effectively.
  • Predictive email analytics to anticipate customer actions.
  • Moreover, multi-channel messaging (email, SMS, social networks) engages audiences across different platforms.
  • In addition, enhanced hyper-personalization with CRM data to improve customer experiences.

Salesforce (for advanced personalization and multi-channel capabilities). On the other hand, Mailchimp is simpler and easier to execute the campaigns.

Marketing Automation Analysis

Automation of marketing activities saves time and resources. This is especially, true during lead nurturing and conversion. While both platforms offer automation, the level of customization is quite distinct.

Mailchimp:

  • After sign up workflows such as welcome emails, and reminders for forgotten carts
  • Moreover, mapped client journeys ensure users remain engaged without much effort.
  • Chained email automation ensures that communication is seamless.
  • Behavior based messaging makes emails more relevant and personal.

Salesforce:

  • AI powered journey mapping enables smarter personalization of experiences.
  •  Personalization of content based on user behavior
  • Lead scoring enables focus on the most valuable customers.
  • Alignment of sales and marketing aid teams in collaboration efforts.
  • Multiple success factors make it easy to monitor progress and results.

Mailchimp is ideal for basic needs and small-scale automation. Meanwhile, Salesforce is more suitable for advanced automation systems.

CRM & Customer Data Management

To the extent that businesses can track client engagement and information. As a result, they can use CRM functionality to track interaction data.

Mailchimp:

  • Organized contact management allows businesses to keep track of their customers easily.
  • Customer tagging and segmentation
  • Minimal CRM functions that suit the needs of small businesses.

Salesforce:

  • Advanced proprietary tools that offer full scales of CRM.
  • Easy access to customer information as all are stored in one place.
  • Business intelligence with sales analysis forecasting.
  • Effective management of sales teams with leads and opportunities.

Salesforce is the comprehensive winner as a complete CRM software. In contrast, Mailchimp is only restricted to rudimentary contact management.

Integration & Third-party Apps

The application of extensions helps businesses seamlessly integrate platforms. As a result, this enhances the functionality of the platform while other software improves its capability.

Mailchimp:

  •  Supports integration with Shopify, WordPress, WooCommerce, and hundreds of other apps
  • Custom tags API for integration

Salesforce:

  • Thousands of different external app integrations through AppExchange
  • In addition, Salesforce CRM already has advanced integration capabilities
  • Custom API solutions for enterprise requirements

Salesforce has a lead due to the numerous third-party integrations and the native CRM link.

Analytics and Reporting

Data insights are important in analyzing and measuring the marketing strategy’s success. Therefore, now, let us examine the differences between the two platforms.

Mailchimp:

  • Tracking every step of the email campaign's success so that businesses can measure how well they perform as a whole.
  •  Analyzing the audience and dividing them into units to send campaigns to the intended audience.
  •  Providing A/B test results at a primary level who offer basic insights.
  • Businesses are updated in real time through reports and the information is live.

Salesforce:

  • Deep understanding of the AI-integration services through the Einstein AI powered advanced analytics.
  • Data is presented in a unique format with tailored reports and dashboards.
  • Coming up with new business models becomes easier thanks to analytic prediction.
  •  Businesses see what works best through tracking ROI on multiple campaigns.

Salesforce wins because it effectively uses AI-powered insights. Additionally, it offers advanced analytics which are superior to standard platforms.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Mailchimp vs Salesforce

In this portion, we will take a deeper look at the advantages and disadvantages of Salesforce vs Mailchimp. As a result, it will help you better choose the software that will benefit your business the most.

Features Mailchimp Advantages Mailchimp Disadvantages Salesforce Advantages Salesforce Disadvantages
Ease of Use However, simple to navigate In contrast, it does not allow for highly custom needs. Salesforce is highly Customizable. But, difficult to learn at the start
Email Marketing Good at email automation and has great email templates However, does not offer deep personalization options On the other hand, Salesforce offers AI personalization Nevertheless, it comes at a higher expense as email marketing software costs more
Automation Mailchimp offers user-friendly automation workflows However, it is not as good as others for advanced automation Highly automated with large-scale AI On the other hand, needs a lot of skills and in-depth knowledge
CRM Mailchimp offers basic management of contacts only However, it's not a robust CRM In contrast, it contains full features of a CRM Yet, not good for small companies, due to complexity and cost.
Integrations Works well with common online stores and CMS Not as many fully deep integrations On the other hand, Many integrations are available Although, some of them take time to configure

Pricing Comparison of Mailchimp vs Salesforce

Pricing Comparison of Mailchimp vs Salesforce

Mailchimp and Salesforce Marketing Cloud offer differing plans. In addition, they are priced according to features and services. Therefore, understanding the scope of pricing offers will help in budget planning.

Plan Mailchimp Salesforce Marketing Cloud
Free Plan Yes (up to 500 contacts) No
Basic Plan $13/month (Essentials) Custom pricing
Standard Plan $20/month Custom pricing
Premium Plan $350/month Custom pricing (Enterprise-level)

Mailchimp is much more affordable for small businesses. Meanwhile, Salesforce is best suited for enterprises with larger budgets.

Final Verdict

In the end, both Mailchimp and Salesforce stand out. However, it depends on the businesses.

  • For instance, for those looking for affordable email marketing software, Mailchimp is perfect for small businesses.
  • On the other hand, Big establishments require automation, CRM, and AI analytic tools. For those who think Salesforce is the best option.

Furthermore, if you are upscaling business then use both platforms together. As a result, they can provide the best outcomes.

Boost Your Marketing Like a Pro - Choose the Best Platform!

For illustrative purposes only, it would have to be MailChimp. But then again, what about Salesforce? What truly makes it stand apart? And most importantly, which one really offers marketing automation and CRM integration? 

Furthermore, Let's talk about business intelligence analytics. In addition to making an informed decision, you have to make a side by side comparison. It includes features, price, and all sorts of capabilities. This way, you can purchase the best tool for your business. So, make a decision and step your marketing methods outside the box.

Still need expert guidance? Then, contact PixelConsulting for personalized advice and seamless implementation. Get in touch now at PixelConsulting. Now is the perfect time to take your marketing to new heights!

Mailchimp vs. Salesforce (FAQ’s)  – What You Need to Know!

Is Mailchimp Effective as a CRM?

Absolutely, though it works as a CRM, on the other hand, Salesforce's functionality is unmatched.

Does Mailchimp Integrate with Salesforce?

Of course, Mailchimp’s integration within Salesforce is a game changer. In fact, it allows users to consolidate all marketing and CRM tasks under one umbrella.

Which Is the No. 1 CRM?

Totally Salesforce is the way to go. It’s the best because of the automation it has and more importantly the level of AI integrations as compared to everyone else.

Does Salesforce Work with Email Marketing?

Of course, using the Marketing Cloud and Pardot is highly effective. Not only do they help automate and segment email marketing. But they also enhance engagement and improve efficiency.

Can I Sell Products Using Mailchimp?

Of course, it sells digital products via funnel pages and automation sequences.

Can I Use Mailchimp as a Database?

Yes, that's true, but not with the sophisticated database management capabilities of a full-fledged CRM.

Is Mailchimp Only for Email?

No, instead, it allows campaign landing pages, advertisement pages, and automation features.

Mailchimp vs Salesforce - What platform is better suited for e-commerce businesses?

Mailchimp works best with small-scale e-commerce stores, as it is cheaper and easy to use. On the other hand, Salesforce provides high-level automation for bigger organizations.

What Limitations Does Mailchimp Have?

Automation is nonexistent and it gets pricier the more you use it. On top of that, it offers far less CRM capability compared to Salesforce.

Read Also : Appian vs Salesforce

Author Insights:
Fatima
Hi! I’m an SEO Content Writer and Brand Copywriter who turns complex ideas into engaging and easy-to-understand content. Lately, I’ve been simplifying Salesforce, helping businesses navigate their CRM systems with confidence. My goal? To make tech and marketing feel simple, clear, and impactful.
April 10, 2025

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