Stop 07 · Email & Marketing AutomationTopics · 8/9

Marketing Automation Tools (Mailchimp, HubSpot)

In short

Mailchimp and HubSpot both send emails and run automations. The difference is how much of the business they try to run. Pick the one that fits the job.

Platforms that combine email sending, automation workflows, and (often) CRM functionality — Mailchimp is common for smaller lists/simpler needs, HubSpot scales into more complex B2B workflows.

Think of it like this

Tiffin service vs full caterer

A tiffin service does one thing well: tasty daily meals, simple to order. A full wedding caterer handles menu, staff, decor and guest lists, at a bigger cost and effort. Mailchimp started as the tiffin. HubSpot aims to be the caterer.

Watch it happen

Mailchimp vs HubSpot at a glance

Mailchimp

Email-first, quick to learn
Templates, automations, basic audience tools
Popular with small businesses and creators

HubSpot

CRM at the centre
Marketing, sales and support tools together
Popular with B2B teams with sales staff

For newsletters and simple stores, Mailchimp is often enough. When sales and marketing need one shared CRM, HubSpot fits better.

The big ideas

What you need to know

Shared basics

Both offer lists, segments, email builders, automations and reports. Skills transfer between tools.

Integrations

Check the tool connects to your store, forms and ads before you choose it.

Cost grows with contacts

Pricing usually rises with list size and features. Check the current plans yourself before committing.

Free learning

Both offer free help docs and courses. HubSpot Academy certificates are popular on CVs.

Save yourself the pain

Common mistakes

Oops

Picking the tool with the most features for a five-person shop.

Do this instead

Choose the simplest tool that does today's job and can grow a little.

Oops

Learning only button locations in one tool.

Do this instead

Learn the concepts: triggers, segments, tests. Then any tool feels familiar in a day.

Your mission

Send a test email from a free account

~40 min

Quick check

A B2B software company wants marketing emails and sales follow-ups tracked on the same contact records. Which fits better?

Go deeper

1Explore the free tier of one automation tool and build a simple automated workflow.
2Compare the feature depth and pricing model of 2 tools for different business sizes.
3Learn to distinguish tool capability from strategy — the tool doesn't replace a clear plan.