What You Can Export From Mailchimp
| Data | Export Method | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribers (email, name, tags) | CSV export | Full export |
| Subscriber activity | API only (limited) | Partial |
| Campaign history | CSV export (stats only) | Stats only, no content |
| Email templates | HTML export (manual) | Rebuild needed |
| Automation workflows (Customer Journeys) | No export | Must rebuild |
| Landing pages | No export | Lost |
| Signup forms | No export | Rebuild needed |
What Actually Locks You In
Customer Journey Automations
Mailchimp's Customer Journey builder stores complex email sequences with conditional logic. None of this exports. A welcome series with 5 emails, 3 branch points, and time delays takes 4–8 hours to rebuild per sequence.
Email Template Designs
Mailchimp templates use proprietary markup. You can copy the HTML, but it won't render correctly in other platforms. Each template needs to be redesigned in the new platform's editor. Budget 1–2 hours per template.
Embedded Forms and Integrations
Mailchimp signup forms embedded on your website stop working when you cancel. Every form needs to be replaced with the new platform's forms. If you have forms on 10+ pages, this adds significant migration work.
Alternative Platform Pricing
Mailchimp Standard costs $20/mo at 500 contacts and scales steeply. Here's what alternatives cost for the same functionality:
| Alternative | Plan | Price | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| beehiiv Scale | Scale | $49/mo (unlimited subscribers) | No per-subscriber pricing |
| Kit (ConvertKit) Creator | Creator | $39/mo (1K subscribers) | Simple automations, creator-focused |
| Brevo Standard | Standard | $18/mo (5K emails/mo) | Pay by sends, not contacts |
| ActiveCampaign Starter | Starter | $15/mo (1K contacts) | Powerful automation builder |
Realistic Migration Timeline
| Task | Time Estimate |
|---|---|
| Export and clean subscriber list | 1–3 hours |
| Import to new platform | 1–2 hours |
| Rebuild email templates (per template) | 1–2 hours each |
| Rebuild automation sequences | 4–8 hours per sequence |
| Replace embedded forms | 2–6 hours |
| DNS/authentication setup (SPF, DKIM) | 30–60 minutes |
| Deliverability warm-up period | 2–4 weeks |
| Total estimated timeline | 2–4 weeks |