Cancel Mailchimp Subscription: Easy Steps & Alternatives

To cancel your Mailchimp subscription, log into your account, go to Account & Billing, click Settings, then Manage my Plan, and select Delete my Account. You’ll need to confirm your decision by typing “DELETE” when prompted. This guide covers everything you need to know about canceling Mailchimp, from preparation to alternatives and aftermath.

Email marketing is a powerful tool for businesses, but sometimes you need to make changes. Whether you’re switching providers or taking a break from email campaigns, knowing how to cancel your Mailchimp subscription is crucial. Let’s dive into the details.

Table of Contents

Understanding Your Mailchimp Account

Before you hit that cancel button, it’s important to know what you’re working with.

Types of Mailchimp plans

Mailchimp offers several plans:

Free
Essentials
Standard
Premium

Each plan has different features and pricing. Your cancellation process might vary slightly depending on your plan.

Billing cycles and payment methods

Mailchimp bills monthly or yearly. If you’re on a yearly plan, canceling mid-cycle won’t get you a refund. It’s smart to time your cancellation right before your next billing date.

Preparing to Cancel Your Mailchimp Subscription

Don’t rush into canceling. Take these steps first:

Backing up your data

Once you cancel, you’ll lose access to your Mailchimp data. Export your contacts, campaign reports, and any other important information. You’ll thank yourself later.

To export your data:

Go to Audience
Click “Export Audience”
Choose your export options
Wait for the export email

Checking for outstanding balances

Mailchimp won’t let you cancel if you owe money. Check your billing section and clear any unpaid invoices.

Evaluating the impact on your email marketing

Canceling Mailchimp will affect your email marketing. Consider:

How will you communicate with your audience?
Do you have a replacement service lined up?
Will this pause hurt your business relationships?

Think it through before you pull the plug.

Step-by-Step Guide to Canceling Your Mailchimp Subscription

Ready to cancel? Here’s how:

Logging into your Mailchimp account

First things first, head to Mailchimp.com and log in. Can’t remember your password? Use the “Forgot password” link to reset it.

Navigating to account settings

Once you’re in, look for your profile icon. It’s usually in the top right corner. Click it and select “Account & billing” or “Account” depending on your account type.

Initiating the cancellation process

Follow these steps:

Click the “Settings” drop-down
Choose “Manage my plan” or “Pause or delete account”
Select “Delete my account”

Confirming your cancellation

Mailchimp will ask you to confirm. They might show you some alternatives or offer to chat with support. If you’re sure:

Enter your password
Click “Permanently Delete Account”
In the pop-up, type “DELETE” (all caps)
Click “Delete Your Account”

And that’s it. Your Mailchimp subscription is now canceled.

Alternative Options for Canceling Your Mailchimp Subscription

Not sure if you want to cancel completely? Mailchimp offers some middle-ground options.

Pausing your Mailchimp account

Need a break? You can pause your account twice a year. Here’s how:

Go to “Account & Billing”
Click “Settings” then “Manage my Plan”
Choose “Pause my Account”
Type “Pause” when prompted
Click “Pause my Plan”

Your account will be on hold, and you won’t be billed.

Downgrading your Mailchimp plan

If cost is the issue, consider downgrading:

Go to “Account & Billing”
Click “Billing” then “Monthly plans or credits”
Select “Change Plan”
Choose a lower-tier plan
Click “Downgrade”
Review and confirm

Your new, cheaper plan will start the next billing cycle.

Switching to Pay As You Go credits

For infrequent senders, Pay As You Go might be perfect:

Go to “Account & Billing”
Click “Billing” then “Monthly plans or credits”
Choose “Buy Credits”
Select your credit amount
Complete the purchase

Now you only pay for what you use.

What Happens After You Cancel Your Mailchimp Subscription

Canceled your subscription? Here’s what to expect:

Data deletion and retention policies

Mailchimp will delete your data, including:

Contact lists
Campaign archives
Reports

They don’t keep this information, so make sure you’ve backed up everything important.

Account recovery possibilities

Change your mind? You’re out of luck. Once an account is deleted, it’s gone for good. Mailchimp can’t recover deleted accounts.

Impact on past campaigns and reports

Your sent campaigns will still exist in your subscribers’ inboxes. But you won’t be able to access reports or analytics after canceling.

Canceling Specific Mailchimp Features

Sometimes you don’t need to cancel everything. Here’s how to manage specific features:

How to cancel a Mailchimp campaign in progress

Oops! Sent a campaign by mistake? You can cancel it if:

It’s sent to 10,000+ recipients
It’s still in progress

To cancel a campaign:

Go to “Analytics” then “Reports”
Find your campaign and click “View Report”
Click “Need to stop this delivery?”
Type “Cancel” to confirm

Removing payment methods from your Mailchimp account

Want to remove a card on file? Here’s how:

Go to “Account & Billing”
Click “Billing” then “Billing information”
In “Payment Method,” click “Remove”
Confirm by clicking “Remove” again

Remember, you need an active payment method for paid plans.

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Canceling Mailchimp

Hitting some snags? Let’s solve the:

Dealing with outstanding balances

Can’t cancel because of an unpaid balance? You’ll need to clear it first:

Go to “Account & Billing”
Click “Billing” then “Payment History”
Find and pay any outstanding invoices

Once paid, try canceling again.

Resolving technical glitches during cancellation

If you’re seeing errors:

Clear your browser cache
Try a different browser
Check your internet connection

Still no luck? Contact Mailchimp support for help.

Alternatives to Mailchimp: Exploring Other Email Marketing Platforms

Leaving Mailchimp but still need email marketing? Consider these options:

Comparing features and pricing

Popular alternatives include:

Constant Contact
SendinBlue
ConvertKit
ActiveCampaign

Each has unique features and pricing. Research to find the best fit for your needs.

Transitioning your email marketing strategy

When switching platforms:

Export your Mailchimp data
Clean your email list
Set up your new platform
Import your contacts
Test everything before sending

Take it slow to ensure a smooth transition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Canceling Mailchimp Subscriptions

Let’s tackle some common questions:

Can I reactivate my account after canceling?

No, once you cancel, your account is permanently deleted. You’d need to create a new account if you want to use Mailchimp again.

Will I receive a refund after canceling?

Mailchimp doesn’t offer refunds for canceled accounts. If you’re on a yearly plan, you’ll lose any remaining time you’ve paid for.

How do I export my contact lists before canceling?

To export contacts:

Go to “Audience”
Click “Export Audience”
Choose your export options
Wait for the email with your export file

Do this before canceling to keep your valuable contact information.

Conclusion

Canceling your Mailchimp subscription doesn’t have to be a headache. By following this guide, you can smoothly end your service, explore alternatives, or even find ways to stick with Mailchimp on different terms. Remember to back up your data, clear any balances, and consider your overall marketing strategy before making the final decision.

Email marketing remains a powerful tool for businesses. Whether you’re taking a break or switching providers, make sure your next steps align with your business goals. And who knows? You might find that a different Mailchimp plan or a pause is all you need to refresh your email marketing approach.