CRM Comparisons:
MailChimp VS popcorn CRM
A no-nonsense comparison for Small and Startup Businesses
Mailchimp vs Popcorn CRM
Which CRM is best for small businesses in the UK?
If you’re a small or growing business, you’ve probably come across Mailchimp CRM. Best known for its email marketing, Mailchimp has added basic CRM features over time – but is it the right tool to manage your entire sales process?
Let’s compare it with Popcorn CRM – a simple, powerful CRM built specifically for small and startup businesses in the UK. We’ll look at the key features you actually need, without drowning in marketing jargon or enterprise-level fluff.
Mailchimp or Popcorn CRM – what’s the difference?
Mailchimp started life as an email marketing platform, and that’s still where it shines. Over the years, they’ve added CRM-like features – but these often feel like extras tacked on, rather than tools built with sales in mind. Think of it more as an email tool with some contact management capabilities.
Popcorn, on the other hand, was built from the ground up to help small UK businesses convert more leads, follow up consistently, and close more deals – all without needing a manual the size of War and Peace.
It combines simple CRM, email marketing, website tracking Deal management and lead management in one place – so you can spend less time faffing and more time growing your business.
Feature
popcorn CRM
MailChimp
Dashboard
Built for small businesses
Designed specifically for small and Start up businesses. 
Email marketing tool with a basic CRM bolted on.
Ease of use
Simple, clean, and ready to use in minutes. 
Can be overwhelming, steep learning curve Email marketing tools
Email, automation, and real-time tracking in one place. Limited on free plan, upgrades needed Workflow automation
Easy, no-code automation to nurture leads. Limited or behind paywall
Lead & contact management
Track every interaction with a clear contact timeline. 
Powerful, but more complex
Task reminders & follow-ups
Built-in reminders help you never miss a follow-up. Available
Sales pipeline management
Drag-and-drop pipeline for simple sales tracking. Included Landing pages & forms
Easy-to-create forms linked directly to contacts. Requires upgrade for full features
GDPR friendly
UK GDPR tools built-in as standard. Requires upgrade for full features
Learning curve
Get started the same day – no training needed. 
High – time and training needed
Support
Friendly UK phone & email support. Community support unless you pay
Customisation
Custom fields, tags & automations – all easy to set up. Highly - but complex and expensive Pricing transparency
NO Contracts, NO Hidden Costs or Setup Fees 
Free to start, but CRM tools are paywalled and become costly.
Integration
Connects easily with key small business tools. 
Large app store – best for marketing teams.
Cost for essential features
All-in-one: email, CRM, tracking & automation. 
Essential CRM tools cost extra or aren’t included.
Who’s It For?
Choose Popcorn CRM if…
You’re a UK small business owner, freelancer, or micro team that wants to stay organised, follow up more effectively, and grow sales—without needing a tech degree or breaking the bank.
Choose HubSpot CRM if…
You’ve got time, budget, and a team ready to dive into a feature-rich platform, and you’re happy navigating a steeper learning curve in exchange for advanced tools.
Which one’s right for you?
If you’re primarily looking to send newsletters and run campaigns, Mailchimp is a strong option – it’s what it was built for. But if your focus is on growing sales, managing leads, and following up consistently, Popcorn CRM gives you exactly what you need – without the marketing fluff.
It’s built to help you stay organised, close more deals, and do it all without the headache of learning a complex system.
Want to see how Popcorn CRM works?
Book a free demo today and see how it helps small UK businesses like yours turn more leads into customers.
Book a free demo and get a feel for how Popcorn works in under 15 minutes.
What our customers say
Everything about popcorn is so simple yet effective. It’s exactly what we need!
