Why It’s a Cost-Effective Alternative to Mailchimp
For years, Mailchimp has been the go-to email marketing platform for eCommerce, but its pricing model and feature limitations have left many Shopify merchants searching for alternatives. In 2025, MailerLite has emerged as one of the strongest contenders—offering similar, and in some cases superior, functionality at a fraction of the cost.
Lower pricing for growing lists
Mailchimp’s pricing increases steeply as subscriber counts grow, often becoming too expensive for small to mid-sized Shopify stores. By contrast, MailerLite maintains a transparent and affordable pricing structure, allowing merchants to scale without facing unexpected jumps in monthly fees.
Generous free plan
MailerLite continues to offer a free plan that includes essential features like automation, segmentation, and email design—features that Mailchimp typically locks behind paid tiers. This makes MailerLite ideal for startups and new Shopify stores that want to experiment without heavy investment.
Feature-to-cost ratio
While Mailchimp charges extra for advanced features such as multistep automations and advanced segmentation, MailerLite includes these in lower-tier plans. This means Shopify merchants get access to the tools they actually need—like abandoned cart recovery and product recommendations—without overspending.
Better usability for beginners
Mailchimp has grown increasingly complex, which can be overwhelming for smaller eCommerce teams. MailerLite, on the other hand, is designed with simplicity in mind. Its clean interface and drag-and-drop editor make it accessible to anyone, even if they have no prior email marketing experience.
Comparison Snapshot (2025)
| Feature/Plan | Mailchimp (Standard Plan) | MailerLite (Growing Business Plan) |
|---|---|---|
| Price (5,000 subscribers) | Around $100/month | Around $39/month |
| Automations | Limited at lower tiers | Included at all tiers |
| Shopify Product Sync | Requires 3rd-party apps | Built-in |
| Free Plan | Up to 500 contacts | Up to 1,000 contacts |
| Ease of Use | More complex UI | Beginner-friendly |
How to Connect MailerLite to Shopify
One of MailerLite’s biggest strengths in 2025 is how simple it is to integrate with Shopify. Whether you’re a beginner launching your first store or an experienced merchant, connecting the two platforms only takes a few minutes. Once connected, MailerLite automatically syncs customer data, purchase history, and product information, enabling powerful automations and personalized campaigns.
Step-by-Step Setup Process
- Log into your MailerLite account
- Go to the integrations page
- Select Shopify from the integration list
- Authorize the connection
- Sync your store data
- Test the integration
API Integration vs Direct App Install
Direct App Install (Recommended): The easiest way is installing the official MailerLite app from the **Shopify App Store**. It requires no coding and provides a full, real-time sync of customers and orders.
API Integration: Advanced users can connect via MailerLite’s API for more customization, but this requires developer knowledge. It’s typically used by larger stores with complex workflows.
Common Issues and Quick Fixes
- Problem: Customer data not syncing properly
- Fix: Ensure you’ve approved all requested permissions in Shopify during setup. Reconnect if needed.
- Problem: Automations not triggering
- Fix: Double-check automation triggers inside MailerLite. For example, “customer makes a purchase” must be linked to the Shopify integration.
- Problem: Product blocks not showing products
- Fix: Confirm that your store catalog is set to “public” in Shopify and resync the integration.
Tips for a Smooth Connection
- Always test with a dummy order after integration.
- Use tags and groups in MailerLite to organize Shopify customers from the start.
- If scaling, consider API-based integration for custom workflows.
By following these steps, Shopify merchants can have MailerLite running in minutes, ready to start sending automated campaigns that increase sales and engagement.
Essential MailerLite Automations for Shopify
Email automations are where MailerLite truly shines for Shopify merchants. Instead of manually sending campaigns, you can set up smart workflows that engage customers at the right time—driving conversions and improving retention. In 2025, MailerLite offers a robust automation builder that works seamlessly with Shopify data, making it possible to personalize every step of the buyer journey.
Welcome Email Flow for New Customers
What to include:
A brand introduction, discount code for first purchase, and links to best-selling products.
Why it works:
Customers are most engaged right after signup, making this the best time to encourage their first purchase.
Abandoned Cart Recovery Automation
Cart abandonment is one of the biggest lost revenue challenges for Shopify stores. MailerLite automations can send a series of reminder emails when a customer leaves items in their cart.
Best practice:
Send the first reminder within 1–2 hours, a second within 24 hours, and a final nudge at 48 hours, possibly with a small incentive.
Impact:
Many stores recover 10–20% of abandoned carts with this workflow.
Post-Purchase Follow-Up
After checkout, the customer journey is far from over. MailerLite allows you to set up automated thank-you emails, product care instructions, or review requests.
Benefits:
Builds trust, encourages repeat purchases, and generates social proof through reviews.
Example:
A skincare brand can send care tips and recommend complementary products after a customer buys moisturizer.
Product Recommendation Emails
Using Shopify purchase data, MailerLite can automatically send personalized product recommendations.
Trigger:
“Customer completes purchase” or “Customer views product.”
Strategy:
Showcase related or complementary items to increase average order value.
Example:
A shoe store might recommend socks, laces, or cleaning kits after a shoe purchase.
Reactivation Campaigns for Inactive Customers
MailerLite also makes it easy to re-engage customers who haven’t purchased in a while.
Approach:
Send a “We miss you” email with a discount or special offer.
Timing:
Target customers inactive for 60–90 days.
Quick Automation Blueprint for Shopify Stores
- Welcome Flow → Turn subscribers into first-time buyers
- Abandoned Cart Sequence → Recover lost sales
- Post-Purchase Nurture → Increase repeat purchases
- Product Recommendations → Boost order value
- Win-Back Campaign → Revive inactive customers
With these automations in place, Shopify merchants can put much of their email marketing on autopilot, creating a system that works 24/7 to increase revenue.
Verdict: Is MailerLite Worth Using for Shopify?
In 2025, the question for Shopify merchants is not whether they should use email marketing—it’s which platform delivers the best balance of features, ease of use, and cost. MailerLite consistently proves to be one of the most valuable tools for eCommerce stores looking to scale efficiently.
Who should use it
- Small to mid-sized Shopify stores that want professional-grade email marketing without the high costs of platforms like Klaviyo or Mailchimp.
- New Shopify merchants who want to start with a free plan while still accessing advanced tools like automation and segmentation.
- Growing businesses focused on building customer loyalty through personalized offers, post-purchase nurturing, and cart recovery workflows.
ROI potential for small and large stores
- For small stores: MailerLite offers all the essentials—welcome sequences, product blocks, cart recovery—at an affordable price, making it possible to increase revenue even with a modest budget.
- For larger stores: Its advanced automations, AI-powered personalization, and revenue tracking help maximize customer lifetime value while keeping costs predictable.
How One Shopify Store Turned Abandoned Carts into Sales with MailerLite
For many Shopify merchants, abandoned carts represent one of the biggest frustrations in eCommerce. Industry reports show that in 2025, the average cart abandonment rate still hovers around 68%, meaning most shoppers leave before completing their purchase. While many store owners see this as lost revenue, MailerLite provides a clear path to recovery.
Case Study: From Problem to Results
- Situation: A mid-sized Shopify clothing store was losing hundreds of potential sales each month due to cart abandonment.
- Problem: Customers were browsing, adding products, but failing to check out. Without an automated system, the store couldn’t re-engage these shoppers.
- Steps Taken: The store integrated MailerLite, activated its abandoned cart workflow, and designed a 3-part email sequence:
- Friendly reminder email sent 1 hour after abandonment.
- Follow-up email within 24 hours highlighting product benefits.
- Final reminder at 48 hours with a small discount code.
- Results: Within 90 days, the store recovered 18% of abandoned carts, adding an extra $9,200 in revenue without additional ad spend.
Data: The Bigger Picture
According to Shopify’s 2025 eCommerce insights, email campaigns recover 10–20% of abandoned carts on average, with personalized reminders outperforming generic ones. For small businesses, this can mean thousands of dollars in reclaimed revenue each year—revenue that would otherwise be lost.
Perspective: What Merchants Think vs Reality
What people think: “Abandoned carts are just part of online shopping—it’s unavoidable.”
Reality: With the right tools, a large portion of these sales can be recovered. Many merchants underestimate how powerful automated, well-timed emails can be.
Why: Shoppers often abandon carts due to distractions, doubts, or shipping costs. A simple reminder or incentive can tip the scale and bring them back to complete their purchase.
Why It’s a Cost-Effective Alternative to Mailchimp
For years, Mailchimp has been the go-to email marketing platform for eCommerce, but its pricing model and feature limitations have left many Shopify merchants searching for alternatives. In 2025, MailerLite has emerged as one of the strongest contenders—offering similar, and in some cases superior, functionality at a fraction of the cost.
Lower pricing for growing lists
Mailchimp’s pricing increases steeply as subscriber counts grow, often becoming too expensive for small to mid-sized Shopify stores. By contrast, MailerLite maintains a transparent and affordable pricing structure, allowing merchants to scale without facing unexpected jumps in monthly fees.
Generous free plan
MailerLite continues to offer a free plan that includes essential features like automation, segmentation, and email design—features that Mailchimp typically locks behind paid tiers. This makes MailerLite ideal for startups and new Shopify stores that want to experiment without heavy investment.
Feature-to-cost ratio
While Mailchimp charges extra for advanced features such as multistep automations and advanced segmentation, MailerLite includes these in lower-tier plans. This means Shopify merchants get access to the tools they actually need—like abandoned cart recovery and product recommendations—without overspending.
Better usability for beginners
Mailchimp has grown increasingly complex, which can be overwhelming for smaller eCommerce teams. MailerLite, on the other hand, is designed with simplicity in mind. Its clean interface and drag-and-drop editor make it accessible to anyone, even if they have no prior email marketing experience.
Comparison Snapshot (2025)
| Feature/Plan | Mailchimp (Standard Plan) | MailerLite (Growing Business Plan) |
|---|---|---|
| Price (5,000 subscribers) | Around $100/month | Around $39/month |
| Automations | Limited at lower tiers | Included at all tiers |
| Shopify Product Sync | Requires 3rd-party apps | Built-in |
| Free Plan | Up to 500 contacts | Up to 1,000 contacts |
| Ease of Use | More complex UI | Beginner-friendly |
How to Connect MailerLite to Shopify
One of MailerLite’s biggest strengths in 2025 is how simple it is to integrate with Shopify. Whether you’re a beginner launching your first store or an experienced merchant, connecting the two platforms only takes a few minutes. Once connected, MailerLite automatically syncs customer data, purchase history, and product information, enabling powerful automations and personalized campaigns.
Step-by-Step Setup Process
- Log into your MailerLite account
- Go to the integrations page
- Select Shopify from the integration list
- Authorize the connection
- Sync your store data
- Test the integration
API Integration vs Direct App Install
Direct App Install (Recommended): The easiest way is installing the official MailerLite app from the **Shopify App Store**. It requires no coding and provides a full, real-time sync of customers and orders.
API Integration: Advanced users can connect via MailerLite’s API for more customization, but this requires developer knowledge. It’s typically used by larger stores with complex workflows.
Common Issues and Quick Fixes
- Problem: Customer data not syncing properly
- Fix: Ensure you’ve approved all requested permissions in Shopify during setup. Reconnect if needed.
- Problem: Automations not triggering
- Fix: Double-check automation triggers inside MailerLite. For example, “customer makes a purchase” must be linked to the Shopify integration.
- Problem: Product blocks not showing products
- Fix: Confirm that your store catalog is set to “public” in Shopify and resync the integration.
Tips for a Smooth Connection
- Always test with a dummy order after integration.
- Use tags and groups in MailerLite to organize Shopify customers from the start.
- If scaling, consider API-based integration for custom workflows.
By following these steps, Shopify merchants can have MailerLite running in minutes, ready to start sending automated campaigns that increase sales and engagement.
Essential MailerLite Automations for Shopify
Email automations are where MailerLite truly shines for Shopify merchants. Instead of manually sending campaigns, you can set up smart workflows that engage customers at the right time—driving conversions and improving retention. In 2025, MailerLite offers a robust automation builder that works seamlessly with Shopify data, making it possible to personalize every step of the buyer journey.
Welcome Email Flow for New Customers
What to include:
A brand introduction, discount code for first purchase, and links to best-selling products.
Why it works:
Customers are most engaged right after signup, making this the best time to encourage their first purchase.
Abandoned Cart Recovery Automation
Cart abandonment is one of the biggest lost revenue challenges for Shopify stores. MailerLite automations can send a series of reminder emails when a customer leaves items in their cart.
Best practice:
Send the first reminder within 1–2 hours, a second within 24 hours, and a final nudge at 48 hours, possibly with a small incentive.
Impact:
Many stores recover 10–20% of abandoned carts with this workflow.
Post-Purchase Follow-Up
After checkout, the customer journey is far from over. MailerLite allows you to set up automated thank-you emails, product care instructions, or review requests.
Benefits:
Builds trust, encourages repeat purchases, and generates social proof through reviews.
Example:
A skincare brand can send care tips and recommend complementary products after a customer buys moisturizer.
Product Recommendation Emails
Using Shopify purchase data, MailerLite can automatically send personalized product recommendations.
Trigger:
“Customer completes purchase” or “Customer views product.”
Strategy:
Showcase related or complementary items to increase average order value.
Example:
A shoe store might recommend socks, laces, or cleaning kits after a shoe purchase.
Reactivation Campaigns for Inactive Customers
MailerLite also makes it easy to re-engage customers who haven’t purchased in a while.
Approach:
Send a “We miss you” email with a discount or special offer.
Timing:
Target customers inactive for 60–90 days.
Quick Automation Blueprint for Shopify Stores
- Welcome Flow → Turn subscribers into first-time buyers
- Abandoned Cart Sequence → Recover lost sales
- Post-Purchase Nurture → Increase repeat purchases
- Product Recommendations → Boost order value
- Win-Back Campaign → Revive inactive customers
With these automations in place, Shopify merchants can put much of their email marketing on autopilot, creating a system that works 24/7 to increase revenue.
FAQs
Before diving into reviews, here are some of the most common questions Shopify merchants ask about using MailerLite in 2025.
You can integrate MailerLite with Shopify either by installing the official MailerLite app from the Shopify App Store or by using the API for more advanced customization. The app method is the fastest and requires no coding—simply approve the connection, and your products and customer data will sync automatically.
Yes. MailerLite includes a built-in abandoned cart recovery workflow. Once activated, it automatically sends reminder emails to customers who leave items in their cart, helping you recover lost sales with minimal effort.
MailerLite offers a free plan that supports up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 monthly emails, even for Shopify merchants. This plan includes essential features like automation, segmentation, and Shopify product blocks, making it ideal for new or small stores.
Shopify Email is good for beginners with very small stores, but it’s limited in automation and personalization. MailerLite, on the other hand, offers advanced workflows, behavior-based segmentation, and AI personalization at an affordable price—making it better for long-term growth.
Absolutely. MailerLite automates key sales-driving emails such as welcome sequences, abandoned cart recovery, and product recommendations. By personalizing campaigns with Shopify data, merchants can increase customer engagement, improve retention, and generate higher average order values.
SEO-Friendly Review
MailerLite’s Shopify integration in 2025 has positioned itself as one of the most powerful yet affordable email marketing solutions for eCommerce businesses. By combining Shopify’s product data with MailerLite’s automation and personalization features, merchants can build campaigns that not only engage but also convert.
Unlike Shopify Email, which is very basic, or Mailchimp, which can get expensive at scale, MailerLite hits the sweet spot between ease of use, pricing, and performance. Its drag-and-drop editor, AI-assisted personalization, and seamless Shopify product blocks make it simple to build campaigns tailored to customer behavior.
For SEO purposes, MailerLite with Shopify is best described as:
- A cost-effective Mailchimp alternative for Shopify stores.
- A powerful Shopify email automation tool with abandoned cart, product recommendation, and welcome flow support.
- A scalable eCommerce email marketing solution for small to mid-sized businesses in 2025.
If you’re running a Shopify store and looking for a way to increase conversions, improve retention, and keep costs manageable, MailerLite remains one of the smartest investments available today.
Author’s Review ★★★★★
Having tested MailerLite extensively with Shopify in 2025, I can confidently say it delivers on its promises. The balance between simplicity and advanced features makes it stand out from competitors.
Ease of Integration: ★★★★★
Connecting MailerLite to Shopify takes just minutes with the official app. No coding, no headaches—perfect for beginners.
Automation Features: ★★★★★
Workflows like welcome sequences, cart recovery, and personalized recommendations directly boost revenue. These are advanced tools packaged for everyday merchants.
Email Design: ★★★★★
The drag-and-drop editor with Shopify product blocks makes creating product-focused campaigns fast and effective. Personalization options are a major advantage over Shopify Email.
Pricing Value: ★★★★★
MailerLite is one of the most affordable tools on the market in 2025. Even the free plan gives Shopify users the essentials to start selling more without extra cost.
Overall ROI: ★★★★★
For Shopify merchants, MailerLite offers one of the highest returns on investment. It automates sales recovery, strengthens customer relationships, and scales affordably as your store grows.
Conclusion
MailerLite with Shopify in 2025 is one of the smartest choices for store owners who want to maximize email marketing without overspending. It combines three major strengths: powerful automation, affordable pricing, and seamless integration with Shopify’s ecosystem.
So, is MailerLite worth using for Shopify in 2025? The answer is yes—especially for small to mid-sized businesses that need an email marketing platform capable of growing alongside them. From abandoned cart recovery to AI-driven personalization, MailerLite helps turn browsers into buyers and one-time shoppers into repeat customers.