Mailchimp for WordPress vs Newsletter
Mailchimp for WordPress and Newsletter are both WordPress email marketing plugins, but they hand off the actual sending differently: Mailchimp for WordPress connects your site's forms to a Mailchimp account and lets Mailchimp handle delivery, while Newsletter runs list building, campaign creation, and sending from inside WordPress itself. Mailchimp for WordPress holds the larger install base - an estimated 1.81 million active installs against Newsletter's 280,000 - and a higher rating, 4.8 stars against 4.6.
That gap isn't just size. Newsletter's downloads have been declining recently (down over 30% in the past 30 days), while Mailchimp for WordPress has stayed roughly flat. Neither plugin is a full replacement for the other's approach - one is a connector to an external service, the other is a self-contained tool - so the right pick depends on whether you already use, or want to use, Mailchimp specifically.
Quick verdict: Choose Mailchimp for WordPress if you already use (or want to use) Mailchimp as your email service. Choose Newsletter if you'd rather manage lists, campaigns, and sending entirely inside WordPress without a separate third-party account.
Mailchimp for WordPress vs Newsletter at a glance
Numbers above are StatWP's own estimates, derived from WordPress.org's bucketed reporting rather than an exact figure the directory publishes, and update automatically rather than reflecting a fixed snapshot.
Feature and starting price at a glance
| Feature | Mailchimp for WordPress | Newsletter |
|---|---|---|
| Core method | Connects WordPress forms to a Mailchimp account; Mailchimp sends the emails | Self-contained - builds lists and sends campaigns from within WordPress |
| Campaign builder | Basic in free version; Gutenberg campaign creation in premium | Drag-and-drop composer with 25+ content blocks |
| Automation | Requires Mailchimp's own automation tools | Built-in autoresponders and scheduled sends |
| Free version | Yes (requires a separate Mailchimp account, which has its own free tier limits) | Yes |
| Starting premium price | Not disclosed publicly - check current pricing on mc4wp.com | Not disclosed publicly - check current pricing on thenewsletterplugin.com |
Both vendors keep exact premium pricing off their public marketing pages, directing visitors to an account or checkout flow instead - a detail worth knowing before you assume either price from a quick glance.
What does Mailchimp for WordPress actually do?
MC4WP's own site positions it as a connector, not a full email marketing suite:
Flexible sign-up forms deployable in posts, pages, widgets, and templates.
Integrates with forms you've already built elsewhere on the site.
Premium add-on unlocks e-commerce tracking, cart recovery, visual form styling, and automatic subscriber sync with Mailchimp.
Campaign creation directly from the Gutenberg editor (premium).
It markets itself as “the #1 Mailchimp plugin for WordPress” - its value is specifically tied to already wanting Mailchimp as your sending platform.
What does Newsletter actually do?
Newsletter's own site positions it as a complete, self-contained email marketing tool:
Drag-and-drop newsletter composer with 25+ customizable content blocks, including WooCommerce products.
Automatic subscriber sorting into targeted lists, with custom welcome-email automation.
Scheduled and autoresponder campaigns without needing an external ESP.
Built-in open/click tracking and subscriber list health management.
It integrates with popular form builders (Contact Form 7, Ninja Forms, WPForms) and WooCommerce, but doesn't require handing sending off to a third party the way Mailchimp for WordPress does.
What features does each one have that the other doesn't?
Mailchimp for WordPress's advantage is Mailchimp's own infrastructure and tooling on the other end - deliverability reputation, audience segmentation, and analytics built by a dedicated ESP, once you're connected.
Newsletter's advantage is not needing that second account at all - list building, sending, and automation all happen in one place, which matters if you'd rather not manage a separate Mailchimp relationship and its own limits.
Which should you actually use?
If you already run Mailchimp, or want the option to switch to other Mailchimp-connected tools later, Mailchimp for WordPress is the natural fit - install it, connect your account, and forms start feeding your existing audience. If you'd rather keep everything - and every cost - inside WordPress itself, Newsletter's self-contained approach avoids the extra account entirely.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Mailchimp for WordPress and Newsletter?
Mailchimp for WordPress connects your site to a Mailchimp account and lets Mailchimp handle sending. Newsletter builds lists and sends campaigns entirely from within WordPress, with no external ESP required.
Is Newsletter better than Mailchimp for WordPress?
Not universally. Mailchimp for WordPress holds a larger install base and higher rating, and makes sense if you already use Mailchimp. Newsletter fits better if you want list building and sending to stay inside WordPress.
Do I need a Mailchimp account to use Mailchimp for WordPress?
Yes - the plugin is a connector between your WordPress forms and your Mailchimp account, not a standalone sending tool.
Can Newsletter integrate with WooCommerce?
Yes - Newsletter includes WooCommerce product blocks for campaigns and integrates with WooCommerce customer data for list building.
See the live, current numbers for either plugin any time on StatWP's Mailchimp for WordPress page or StatWP's Newsletter page, or run this comparison yourself with StatWP's compare tool.