Drip vs Klaviyo: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Drip is built for dtc / ecommerce brands, while Klaviyo suits ecommerce / dtc brands. For most users Klaviyo is the stronger default, but Drip can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. Klaviyo has the lower entry price.
If you're weighing Drip against Klaviyo, the right answer depends on your priorities. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Drip | Klaviyo | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Ecommerce Email | Ecommerce Email |
| What it's known for | Ecommerce CRM and email automation focused on DTC stores with revenue-attribution workflows. | Data-driven email + SMS for ecommerce with deep Shopify integration and predictive analytics. |
| Pricing | No free plan (free trial); from ~$39/mo scaling with contacts. | Free up to 250 contacts/500 sends; paid scales with contacts (email and SMS priced separately). |
| Best audience | DTC and ecommerce brands wanting revenue-attributed automation without feature tiers. | Ecommerce and DTC brands, especially on Shopify, that want data-rich segmentation and email + SMS automation. |
| Best for | DTC / ecommerce brands, Revenue-attributed automation, Agencies serving stores | Ecommerce / DTC brands, Shopify stores, Email + SMS automation |
| Entry price | from $39/mo (2,500 contacts) | Free |
| Biggest strength | All features included from day one (no tier-gating). | Best-in-class ecommerce segmentation and revenue attribution. |
| Main caveat | No free plan (14-day trial only). | Expensive at scale; cost rises fast with contact count. |
Features compared
The feature sets only partly overlap. Here is what each one actually gives you:
Drip key features
- Ecommerce CRM with email + SMS automation
- Every feature unlocked on all plans (no feature gates)
- Prebuilt ecommerce playbooks (cart recovery, post-purchase, win-back)
- Behavioral segmentation and dynamic grouping
Klaviyo key features
- Data-driven email + SMS built for ecommerce with deep customer profiles
- Native Shopify integration with full historical data sync
- Predictive analytics (CLV, churn risk, predicted next order)
- Prebuilt ecommerce flows (abandoned cart, browse, post-purchase, win-back)
Pricing tiers side by side
Drip plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Single tier (contact-based) | from $39/mo (2,500 contacts) | all features; ~$89 at 5k, ~$154 at 10k, ~$1,199 at 100k |
| Trial | $0 for 14 days | up to 2,500 contacts, limited sends |
Klaviyo plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | up to 250 active profiles, 500 email sends/mo, 150 SMS credits |
| from $20/mo (500 profiles) | scales by contacts: ~$150/mo at 10k, ~$1,380/mo at 100k | |
| Email + SMS | add SMS credit packs | US SMS ~$0.009/send; international higher |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Drip wins
An ecommerce email/SMS CRM with a single flat feature set, billed only on contact count.
- All features included from day one (no tier-gating).
- Strong ecommerce automation and revenue attribution.
That makes it the stronger pick for dTC and ecommerce brands wanting revenue-attributed automation without feature tiers.
Where Klaviyo wins
The ecommerce email + SMS standard, turning Shopify/store data into highly targeted, revenue-attributed campaigns.
- Best-in-class ecommerce segmentation and revenue attribution.
- Deepest Shopify integration in the category.
That makes it the stronger pick for ecommerce and DTC brands, especially on Shopify, that want data-rich segmentation and email + SMS automation.
Verdict: choose by fit
Both are good at the job, so let your priorities decide.
- Choose Drip if you fit its core audience — dTC and ecommerce brands wanting revenue-attributed automation without feature tiers.
- Choose Klaviyo if you fit its core audience — ecommerce and DTC brands, especially on Shopify, that want data-rich segmentation and email + SMS automation.
FAQ
Is Drip better than Klaviyo?
Klaviyo is the stronger default for most users, but Drip can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Drip and Klaviyo?
Drip is an ecommerce email/SMS CRM with a single flat feature set, billed only on contact count. Klaviyo is the ecommerce email + SMS standard, turning Shopify/store data into highly targeted, revenue-attributed campaigns.
Which is cheaper, Drip or Klaviyo?
Entry pricing differs: Drip starts at from $39/mo (2,500 contacts), while Klaviyo offers a free tier. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Drip and Klaviyo: