Brandwave

Mailchimp vs MailerLite:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Mailchimp had more branded searches than MailerLite among newsletter platforms in New Zealand. Mailchimp had about 12,100 branded searches, while MailerLite had 1,600. Mailchimp made up 50% of all newsletter platform searches we track, and MailerLite accounted for 6.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about newsletter platforms, Mailchimp and MailerLite each appeared in three of the five answers. MailerLite was mentioned before Mailchimp in three out of four answers that named either.

Among newsletter platforms in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Mailchimp, about 8 searches for every 1 for MailerLite

Mailchimp 12.1K searchesMailerLite 1.6K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 3 of 5 answers.

Mailchimp in 3 of 5MailerLite in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

MailerLite, named ahead of Mailchimp in 3 of 4 answers

MailerLite first in 3Mailchimp first in 1

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Top newsletter platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Mailchimp was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. MailerLite was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. MailerLite was listed before Mailchimp in three out of four answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. beehiiv1st
  2. Substack2nd
  3. Kit3rd
  4. MailerLite4th
  5. Ghost5th
  6. Mailchimp6th
  7. Buttondown–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • beehiiv5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Substack4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Kit4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Mailchimp3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • MailerLite3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Ghost3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Buttondown0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about newsletter platforms

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Mailchimp or MailerLite more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Mailchimp and MailerLite by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven newsletter platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Mailchimp and MailerLite among newsletter platforms in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Mailchimp, MailerLite. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMailchimpSubstackMailerLitebeehiivButtondownGhostKit
Oct 202562.4%27.9%6.7%1.2%0.38%0.42%0.93%
Nov 202562.6%27.9%6.7%1.2%0.38%0.38%0.76%
Dec 202553.7%35.9%7%1.5%0.54%0.49%0.81%
Jan 202645%45%7.3%1.2%0.36%0.36%0.82%
Feb 202654%36.2%7.1%1.2%0.36%0.45%0.58%
Mar 202654.3%36.4%7%1.2%0.37%0.37%0.44%
Apr 202649.1%40.2%7.7%1.7%0.45%0.45%0.4%
May 202649.7%40.7%6.6%1.7%0.57%0.45%0.33%
Jun 202649.2%40.4%7.7%1.4%0.49%0.32%0.49%
Jul 202653.3%35.8%8.4%1.3%0.53%0.35%0.35%
Aug 202644.3%44.5%8.5%1.6%0.54%0.31%0.27%
Sep 202650%41%6.6%1.4%0.5%0.29%0.21%

How has the Mailchimp and MailerLite comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand newsletter platforms in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Mailchimp overtook Substack to become the leader among newsletter platforms in New Zealand, with 50% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, MailerLite lost share of searches among newsletter platforms in New Zealand, from 8.5% to 6.6%.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Mailchimp’s and MailerLite’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Mailchimp

2 branded search terms

  • mailchimp
  • mailchimp api

MailerLite

1 branded search term

  • mailerlite

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among newsletter platforms

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