Listmonk vs Mailchimp

Self-host swap-in for Mailchimp. · Self-host Mailchimp · Listmonk on os-alt

Listmonk is one of the open-source self-host replacements for Mailchimp — license AGPL-3.0, 10min docker-compose to stand up, and $5 vps for the app; sending costs sit with whichever smtp relay you point at (amazon ses at ~$0. Compare against Mailchimp's $13-20/mo at small list sizes; scales steeply by contact count below.

	Listmonkopen-source	Mailchimppaid SaaS
Category	Email marketing / newsletters	Email marketing / newsletters
License / pricing	`AGPL-3.0`	$13-20/mo at small list sizes; scales steeply by contact count
Starting price	$0 self-host	$13/user/mo
GitHub	knadh/listmonk ★ 20.1k · last commit todayalive	closed source
Setup time	10min docker-compose	SaaS — sign up + bill
Monthly cost	$5 VPS for the app; sending costs sit with whichever SMTP relay you point at (Amazon SES at ~$0.10 / 1k or your own MTA).	from $13/user/mo ($13-20/mo at small list sizes; scales steeply by contact count)

Switching from Mailchimp to Listmonk

Mailchimp → Audience → View Contacts → Export. Get the CSV. Listmonk admin → Subscribers → Import → CSV; map columns (email, first/last name, status). Templates do not import — recreate as Listmonk's HTML templates with handlebars-style placeholders.

Full step-by-step migration guide →

Good fit for: Newsletters and one-to-many announcements at any list size — Listmonk is the lightest fit for the job.
Weak at: No built-in landing pages or signup form designer; bring your own.

Other open-source self-host alternatives to Mailchimp

Mautic
GPL-3.030min (docker-compose with MariaDB + the Mautic image)$10 VPS — PHP + MariaDB; cron must be wired correctly or campaigns silently stall.
Keila
AGPL-3.010min docker-compose$5 VPS for the Elixir app + Postgres; SMTP cost is again external.

Listmonk also replaces

ConvertKit (Kit)— Creator email marketing
HubSpot— CRM + marketing automation
Substack— Newsletter publishing + paid subscriptions

In a terminal? npx os-alt mailchimp prints Mailchimp's self-host options — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Is Listmonk a free alternative to Mailchimp?

Yes — Listmonk is open source under AGPL-3.0. Self-host cost: $5 VPS for the app; sending costs sit with whichever SMTP relay you point at (Amazon SES at ~$0.10 / 1k or your own MTA).. Mailchimp starts at $13/user/mo ($13-20/mo at small list sizes; scales steeply by contact count).

How long does Listmonk take to set up vs Mailchimp?

Self-hosting Listmonk: 10min docker-compose. Mailchimp is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.

What is Listmonk good at, and what is it weak at?

Good fit for: Newsletters and one-to-many announcements at any list size — Listmonk is the lightest fit for the job.. Weak at: No built-in landing pages or signup form designer; bring your own..