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Drip vs Klaviyo: Which is better for you?

By Stacy Kimbell

Last update: June 21, 2023

If you’re looking for an email marketing automation platform, you’ve likely wondered whether to go with Drip or Klaviyo. 

After all, both platforms offer powerful tools and features. 

Both Drip and Klaviyo have a user-friendly interface and provide seamless integration with popular ecommerce platforms, making them suitable choices for businesses of all sizes.

Ultimately, the decision boils down to your specific requirements and preferences in terms of pricing, customization options, and customer support.

Klaviyo is a robust and intuitive email marketing platform that empowers businesses to craft highly targeted and personalized campaigns, and offers email + SMS sweet couple to reach your subscribers.

Meanwhile, Drip specializes in automation and nurturing customer relationships and is designed to maximize engagement and conversions. 

Whether you’re a small business owner, a marketer, or an ecommerce store, choosing the right platform significantly impacts your marketing success. 

This comprehensive comparison between Drip and Klaviyo aims to assist you in determining the platform that aligns best with your specific needs and goals.

By analyzing their features, pricing, and user feedback, you’ll gain valuable insights to make an informed decision for your email marketing automation strategy.

Drip vs Klaviyo: Quick overview

Right off the bat, Drip has a superior Shopify rating of 4.5, thanks to its uncomplicated, user-friendly email automation. Customers also love Drip’s customer service.

Conversely, Klaviyo has a Shopify rating of 3.9 due to fairly poor customer service and client support. 

In terms of features and functionality, however, Drip and Klaviyo offer excellent value, depending on your needs. 

Look at this Drip vs Klaviyo comparison table for each tool’s capabilities.

Feature
Drip
Klaviyo
Ease of signing up
Very easy
Easy
Intuitive email builder
Modern-looking email templates
Unique coupon codes
Email personalization
Limited
Pre-built automated workflows
Yes - only structure, no copy
Modern-looking signup forms
Landing page builder
Signup form/landing page analytics
Customer segmentation
Robust email campaign analytics
Customer support 24/7
Seamless integrations with ecommerce platforms
Compatibility with other marketing channels

From this comparison, Drip has an edge in its onboarding process, but Klaviyo outshines it regarding available features. The following in-depth comparison will help restate any uncertainties about Klaviyo or Drip.

Drip vs Klaviyo comparison: Feature by feature

You’ve briefly checked out what Klaviyo and Drip have to offer. Now, let’s get into the meat of how they both do in terms of:

  • Ease of getting started
  • Building an email campaign
  • Marketing automation
  • Signup forms and landing pages
  • Segmentation
  • Analytics
  • Customer support
  • Integrations
  • Compatibility with other marketing channels

Let’s get started!

Ease of getting started

Both Drip and Klaviyo offer user-friendly onboarding processes. 

Drip stands out for its hassle-free signup process that doesn’t require your credit card information for a trial. You can quickly start using Drip by providing essential business and contact information. 

Similarly, Klaviyo offers a smooth signup process with minimal questions to answer without needing a credit card. 

In terms of navigation and interface clarity, both platforms excel. 

Drip provides a nice and clear interface with a guided onboarding process that includes video tutorials and documentation for beginners. Its main menu is organized into four categories, making it easy to navigate between people, campaigns, workflows, and analytics.

Meanwhile, Klaviyo’s interface also provides a familiar and clear navigation experience. Both platforms make it easy to change the sender’s email address. However, utilizing Klaviyo’s advanced features may require some prior experience.

For example, mapping data for contact import may initially present challenges due to document formatting. We found it not as flexible as on other platforms.

Drip vs Klaviyo: Which is easier to set up?

Drip wins this round as it’s very friendly for beginners and experts.

Drip

Building an email campaign

You might assume that building an email campaign should be a breeze, whether you choose Drip or Klaviyo.

But the fact is that Klaviyo offers a more intuitive email builder with extensive functionality. For instance, Klaviyo’s product content block allows you to include static or dynamic product recommendations from your store in your emails. 

Meanwhile, Drip’s email builder isn’t quite as intuitive, especially with limitations on adding elements and understanding content blocks. However, it allows for standalone email campaigns, automated workflows, and A/B testing.

The table below offers a quick side-by-side comparison of Drip vs Klaviyo in building email campaigns.

Features
Drip
Klaviyo
Email Builder
  • Not as intuitive 
  • Limited functionality
  • Intuitive 
  • Extensive functionality
Templates
  • 52 modern templates
  • Occasion-ready
  • 90+ beautiful templates
  • Occasion-ready
Personalization
  • Can personalize email content with contact details
  • Limited personalization of subject lines or preheaders
  • Easy personalization, including subscriber attributes and personalized product listings
Types of Campaigns
  • Standalone
  • Series 
  • Automated workflows
  • A/B testing
  • All types of email campaigns
  • SMS and mobile push notifications (beta)
Unique Features
  • Limited compared to other tools
  • Product content block
  • Subject Line Assistant
  • Mobile push notifications (for ecommerce apps)
Missing Features
  • No product content block
  • No recommendations, quizzes, surveys
  • Unique discount code generator
Klaviyo vs Drip: Which one takes the lead?

With its extensive functionality and unique features, Klaviyo easily takes this round.

Klaviyo

Marketing automation

Both Drip and Klaviyo offer powerful marketing automation features to streamline your email campaigns and nurture customer relationships. 

Drip offers pre-built automated workflows with customizable email copy, allowing for more control and customization of messaging. Its customization options make it suitable for businesses with specific messaging needs.

Klaviyo is also renowned for its automation features and offers robust pre-built workflows that work right out of the box. Its ready-to-use automation workflows make it an excellent choice for businesses looking for a more straightforward automation setup.

Let’s look closer at Drip vs Klaviyo where marketing automation is concerned.

Features
Drip
Klaviyo
User-friendliness of automation
  • Good 
  • Offers various actions, parallel paths, split testing, etc.
  • Similar to other email service providers (ESPs) 
  • It has advanced options like conditional splits and webhooks.
Prebuilt ready-to-go workflows

Yes, 40 templates are available for different use cases and ecommerce platforms. The copy and design is on you.

Yes, ready-made workflow types like Welcome Series, Abandoned Cart, Browse Abandonment, etc.

Totally ready, you can customize them if you want.

Integration with other marketing channels

Email-only platform

Yes, SMS and mobile app notification integration into workflows.

Notable limitations

Appear comprehensive

Flow triggers and filters can be overwhelming for beginners.

Which tool offers better email marketing automation capabilities?

While Drip and Klaviyo have excellent features, Klaviyo wins in this category for having copy-ready templates and the possibility to integrate SMS in the workflow.

Klaviyo

Signup forms and landing pages

Regarding signup forms and landing pages, both Drip and Klaviyo offer pre-built signup form designs. 

Both platforms provide analytics to track the performance of signup forms, such as views, submissions, conversion rates, and user types. 

However, Drip lacks a dedicated landing page feature. Meanwhile, Klaviyo suggests using a full-page signup form as a workaround for landing page functionality.

The table below compares Drip vs Klaviyo signup forms and landing page features.

Features
Drip
Klaviyo
Pre-built signup forms

Yes, 30+ beautiful and modern designs

Yes, a collection of pre-built forms

Customization options

Easy to adapt to brand colors

Easy customization of design and rules

Analytics

Yes. Provides views, submissions, conversion rate

Yes. Stats on actual signups, signup rate, user type (desktop/mobile)

Landing pages
  • No

Not quite, but can use full-page signup form as landing page for signups

List management

Easy to import, copy-paste, add individual contacts, migrate from Mailchimp

Clear logic behind list management, pre-built segments, extensive segmentation options

A/B testing of signup forms
  • No
  • Yes
Missing features

Landing page builder

Landing page builder

Who offers better list-building capabilities: Klaviyo or Drip?

Klaviyo wins due to its A/B testing feature for signup forms and the workaround for landing page functionality.

Klaviyo

Segmentation

Segmentation is a vital aspect of email marketing, allowing you to target specific groups of subscribers with personalized content. Whether you choose Drip or Klaviyo depends on your specific needs and the level of sophistication you require.

If you’re looking for advanced segmentation features and the ability to create dynamic, automated segments, Klaviyo may be the better choice. 

But if your segmentation needs are more straightforward and you prioritize other features like marketing automation workflows, Drip provides effective segmentation capabilities.

Let’s take a closer look at how Klaviyo vs Drip compares in terms of segmentation.

Features
Drip
Klaviyo
Ready-to-go audiences
No pre-built segments
7 pre-built segments, unlimited segments
Segmentation Level
Fairly advanced - Good segmentation capabilities
Advanced - Powerful and robust segmentation
Segment Options
Email activity, orders, reviews, loyalty programs, segments and workflows, onsite forms, events, tags, fields
Actions taken or not taken, user properties, GDPR compliance, proximity, list membership, email suppression, predictive analytics
Drip vs Klaviyo: Who wins at segmentation?

Once again, Klaviyo takes the lead. It offers more advanced segmentation options (which could require some expertise to utilize fully), including pre-built segments. Drip largely expects you to build your own.

Klaviyo

Analytics

Both Drip and Klaviyo offer robust analytics features to help you track and measure the performance of your email marketing campaigns. 

With Drip, you can gain insights into:

  • Email campaign engagement 
  • Recent activity metrics
  • Average order value
  • Total revenue 
  • Unsubscribes 
  • Clicks by link 
  • Conversions
  • Site traffic 

Klaviyo, on the other hand, provides a comprehensive analytics suite that includes campaign engagement metrics, conversion metrics, website visits, and more. 

What sets Klaviyo apart is its ability to schedule custom reports. You can receive up to 10 notifications per user per account via email. 

Klaviyo’s predictive analytics feature is handy for ecommerce users, as it helps predict customer-related factors such as:

  • Lifetime value 
  • Next order date 
  • Probability of churning
  • Spending capacity 

Additionally, Klaviyo’s benchmarks feature enables you to compare your campaign’s performance to that of other players in your field. This feature allows you to gauge your marketing efforts’ effectiveness and identify improvement areas.

Both platforms offer powerful analytics, but Klaviyo’s depth and breadth of reporting options may be more suitable for advanced users. The depth of analysis Klaviyo offers can be intimidating for beginners not seeking such detailed insights. 

Drip vs Klaviyo: Which tool has the best analytics?

Despite the possibility of overwhelming beginners, Klaviyo offers many more helpful reports, making it the clear winner.

Klaviyo

Customer support

Both Drip and Klaviyo offer customer support options to assist users with their email marketing needs. However, we found some differences in terms of availability and support channels.

Drip offers customer support to its paying customers during the week. The available support options include:

  • Email Support: All paying Drip customers can access email support from 9 am to 5 pm CT, Monday through Friday.
  • Live Chat Support: Drip customers on the $99/month or higher plans can benefit from live chat support from 9 am to 5 pm CT, Monday through Friday. This provides a faster and more interactive way to get assistance.
  • Live Walkthrough Sessions: Every Tuesday and Thursday, Drip offers live walkthrough sessions of the platform. This is particularly helpful if you’re new to the platform and need guidance on getting started.

Missing in Drip’s customer support offerings are support on weekends, phone support, and support for trial users. 

Klaviyo also provides customer support to its users, albeit with different options based on the plan:

  • Free Plan: Email support is available for the first 60 days to help new users get started.
  • Paid Plans: Email and chat support are available 24/5 for users on paid plans. This ensures ongoing assistance for any questions or issues that may arise.

However, Klaviyo doesn’t offer phone support, and some users have reported that the support can sometimes be slow.

Which tool offers better customer support?

Even without support for trial users, Drip quickly takes the trophy. Drip’s customers rave about the exceptional customer service they receive, while Klaviyo’s clients are constantly bemoaning “feeble” support.

Drip

Integrations

Integrations allow you to connect email campaigns with other tools and platforms to streamline your marketing efforts.

By integrating your email marketing platform with ecommerce platforms, you can:

  • Automate workflows 
  • Segment your audience more effectively
  • Trigger emails based on customer actions or behaviors 
  • See the revenue reports.

Integration also allows personalized product recommendations, targeted abandoned cart emails, and order confirmation emails, among other automated campaigns that drive conversions and revenue.

Both Drip and Klaviyo offer various integrations, including popular ecommerce platforms. 

Drip provides over 150 integrations, including popular ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Bigcommerce, and WooCommerce. 

Additionally, Drip offers support for Zapier, which opens up endless possibilities for connecting with other productivity apps and services. 

On the other hand, Klaviyo boasts over 300 integrations, including popular ecommerce platforms such as Shopify, Bigcommerce, WooCommerce, and Wix. 

Klaviyo’s extensive range of integrations empowers you to build a comprehensive marketing ecosystem. This includes creating cohesive marketing campaigns that combine email marketing with other channels, such as social media and SMS.

Drip or Klavuyo: Which one offers the most integrations?

In the Drip vs Klaviyo battle for supremacy, Klaviyo wins as it offers many more integrations.

Klaviyo

Compatibility with other marketing channels

Consider your specific marketing needs and preferred marketing channels when evaluating the compatibility of Drip or Klaviyo.

Drip’s primary focus is email marketing automation, and its compatibility with other marketing channels is limited compared to Klaviyo. 

While Drip offers robust email marketing features, it doesn’t have built-in support for integrating with various marketing channels. 

Klaviyo, on the other hand, shines when it comes to compatibility with other marketing channels. 

With Klaviyo, you can leverage the power of email, SMS, app push notifications, and integrations with Facebook and Google retargeting. The result? Consistent messaging and optimized customer experiences. 

If compatibility with other marketing channels is essential to your marketing strategy, Klaviyo’s comprehensive integrations make it a strong contender. 

However, Drip meets your requirements if your primary focus is on email marketing automation.

Which tool offers more compatibility with other marketing channels?

Klaviyo wins for having more out-of-the-box compatibility with other marketing channels.

Klaviyo

Drip vs Klaviyo: Price Comparison

Whether you go for Klaviyo or Drip, pricing will most likely factor into your choice.

Understanding these platforms’ pricing options and structures allows you to assess their affordability. It also helps you determine which platform aligns better with your budget and requirements. 

To end the Drip vs Klaviyo dilemma, here are their free (or trial) and paid pricing plan comparisons.

Free plans comparison

Drip doesn’t offer a free plan. Instead, you’re given a free 14-day trial to explore their features before upgrading. Klaviyo, on the other hand, offers a free plan and access to all its features.

This table provides a closer look at what Drip vs Klaviyo offers.

Drip 14-day free trial
  • 500 customer limit
  • Access to most features except unlimited emails
  • No customer support
  • No credit card required
Klaviyo free plan
  • 250 contact limit
  • 150 free SMS/MMS credits, 500 monthly emails, mobile push notifications (beta), access to all features
  • First 60 days email support
  • No credit card needed

After the 14-day trial, Drip operates on a pricing model based on the size of your contact list. The larger your list, the more you’ll pay. Only paying customers have access to customer support.

Meanwhile, Klaviyo’s free plan is great for users with a small subscriber base eager to explore the platform’s capabilities. You can use it indefinitely, but email support is only available for the first 60 days.

Paid plan comparison

While Drip has a straightforward pricing structure, Klaviyo is more complicated.

Klaviyo offers two types of paid plans: email+SMS and email-only. On top of Email+SMS plan prices, you will have to pay extra for a bigger SMS quota depending on the number of texts you need.

Number of subscribers
Up to 500
Up to 1,000
Up to 5,000
Up to 10,000
Up to 50,000
Up to 100,000
Number of subscribers
Drip
Klaviyo Email
Klaviyo Email+SMS
Up to 500
$39
$20
$35 (1250 SMS credits included)
Up to 1,000
$39
$30
$45 (1250 SMS credits included)
Up to 5,000
$89
$100
$115 (1250 SMS credits included)
Up to 10,000
$154
$150
$165 (1250 SMS credits included)
Up to 50,000
$699
$720
$735 (1250 SMS credits included)
Up to 100,000
$1,199
$1,380
$1395 (1250 SMS credits included)

You also get email and chat support with all of Klaviyo’s paid plans. Meanwhile, Drip offers email support to customers in the $39 to $89 range. Chat support is available for those paying $99/month upwards. 

So, Klaviyo vs Drip: which is the better option?

Klaviyo vs Drip: Which is the better option?

Drip gets more affordable the more extensive the subscriber base, but Klaviyo wins for offering more cost-effective plans for businesses of varying sizes.

Klaviyo

Drip vs Klaviyo: Which one wins?

After comparing Drip and Klaviyo across various features, pricing plans, and ratings, it’s evident that both platforms offer distinct advantages. 

Drip excels in marketing automation functionality and segmentation, making it a strong choice for ecommerce businesses with an established marketing budget. 

On the other hand, Klaviyo stands out for its advanced segmentation capabilities, pre-built signup forms, and robust analytics and reports. It’s well-suited for small to mid-size ecommerce stores.

This comparison table briefly summarizes the pricing and features worth considering when choosing either Drip or Klaviyo.

Criteria
Drip
Klaviyo
Rating

3.8

4.6

Pricing

Free plan – No

500 subscribers – $39

1000 subscribers – $39

5000 subscribers – $89

10 000 subscribers – $154

50 000 subscribers – $699

100 000 subscribers – $1,199

Free plan – Yes

500 subscribers – $20

1000 subscribers – $30

5000 subscribers – $100

10 000 subscribers – $150

50 000 subscribers – $720

100 000 subscribers – $1,380

Pros
  • Outstanding marketing automation functionality
  • Perfect segmentation
  • Easy to get started
  • Automation workflows that work out of the box
  • Outstanding segmentation
  • Pre-built signup forms
  • Excellent analytics and reports
Cons
  • Limited email builder
  • No landing pages
  • Limited customer support
  • For more advanced users
  • Poor customer service
Stands out for
  • Marketing automation features
  • Powerful segmentation and analytics
Best for
  • Ecommerce with established marketing budget
  • Small and mid-size ecommerce stores
  • Ecommerce with established marketing budget
  • Advanced users
Not recommended for
  • Email marketing beginners
  • Marketers on a budget
  • Email marketing beginners
  • Marketers on a budget
  • Non-profit organizations

Here’s our final verdict:

Drip has the edge in terms of its onboarding process and customer service. We found it also offers powerful marketing automation features and is more beginner-friendly.

However, Klaviyo generally offers more extensive features and functionality. It provides comprehensive analytics, scheduling of custom reports, and predictive analytics for ecommerce users. 

Ultimately, Klaviyo delivers far greater value for money than Drip does.

Our team strives to be accurate and unbiased in reviewing email tools. However, we recognize that mistakes can happen, and it’s essential for us to stay up to date. If you come across any errors or things that need to be reviewed again, please let us know.