Mailchimp alternatives: 6 open-source picks
Mailchimp costs $20/mo — $240 a year. These 6 alternatives replace it for $0, led by Listmonk, Mautic and Plunk. All 6 are open source. License, stars and last commit checked by hand on 2026-08-29. No trials, no crippled tiers.
High-performance single-binary newsletter and mailing list manager with campaigns, templates, and Postgres backend
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
The heavyweight open-source replacement for segmentation and automation; it also replaces ease with operations.
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
Campaigns, transactional mail and workflows together; audience CRM depth is thinner.
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
A modern visual campaign and automation stack; you own the database and the deliverability chores.
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
Lean newsletter tool in Elixir — campaigns, segments, signup forms. Bring your own SES/SMTP and sending is nearly free.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
Publishing platform with memberships and paid newsletters built in. The self-hosted answer to Substack taking 10% of your revenue.
licenseMIT
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
What each one is, in full: Listmonk · Mautic · Keila · Ghost
last updated 2026-08-29 · 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.
how to choose a Mailchimp alternative
Easiest to get running
Listmonk — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
Most proven
Ghost, with 49,000 GitHub stars — the largest community of the 6, which usually means more answers when something breaks.
Needs real ops to self-host
Mautic is capable but expects someone to run a server, updates and backups. Budget for that before choosing it.
what you give up by leaving Mailchimp
- deliverability
- template/editor polish
- automation builder
- ecommerce integrations
- segmentation
- compliance
- support
None of the picks above covers all of it. The full verdict says which gaps matter.
Mailchimp alternatives at a glance
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listmonk | AGPL-3.0 | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 22,000 | 2026-08 |
| Mautic | GPL-3.0+ | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 10,300 | 2026-08 |
| Plunk | AGPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 5,300 | 2026-08 |
| Notifuse | AGPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 2,038 | 2026-08 |
| Keila | AGPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | self-hosted, web | 2,000 | 2026-08 |
| Ghost | MIT | docker to self-host | self-hosted, web | 49,000 | 2026-08 |
why people still pay for Mailchimp
They pay because email is business-critical and deliverability problems are expensive. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $240 a year.
questions about switching from Mailchimp
Is there an open-source alternative to Mailchimp?
Yes: Listmonk, Mautic, Plunk and 3 more. Every tool on this page is open source: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Can open source really replace Mailchimp?
Our verdict is YES. Ghost (49k stars), Listmonk (22k stars), Mautic (10k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Mailchimp — self-host with docker and stop paying $20/mo. The full verdict, and what you give up by switching, is at caniopensourceit.online/mailchimp.
What is the easiest open-source Mailchimp alternative to set up?
Listmonk — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
What is the most popular open-source Mailchimp alternative?
By GitHub stars, Ghost (49,000). Listmonk is next with 22,000.
