Mailchimp New email builder Splits Simplicity From Custom Campaign Control.

Mailchimp is formalizing a two-track approach to email creation, giving small businesses a streamlined New email builder while keeping its classic builder available for campaigns that depend on custom code or RSS feeds.

The distinction matters because the newer interface is now the default. In an announcement on LinkedIn, Mailchimp laid out which builder customers should use rather than positioning the newer experience as a complete replacement for the older one.

For most routine marketing emails, Mailchimp is steering users toward the New email builder. It offers a cleaner interface, undo and redo controls, a Survey content block for collecting feedback, and an Apps block that can bring content from third-party integrations into a campaign.

The New email builder appears designed to reduce friction for small teams producing regular promotions, announcements and customer updates. Undo and redo are modest additions, but they address a common source of frustration when assembling emails from movable content blocks. The Survey block also gives businesses a direct way to request feedback without treating every questionnaire as a separate campaign asset.

The Apps block could be particularly useful for companies whose marketing materials already live across multiple services. Mailchimp did not provide a list of supported apps in the announcement, so customers will need to check the builder for the integrations available to their accounts.

The classic builder remains necessary in two important cases:

• Custom-coded templates: Businesses that need direct control over template code should continue using the classic experience.
• RSS-driven campaigns: Publishers and content-heavy newsletters that automatically pull items from an RSS feed also need the classic builder.

That division makes the choice relatively straightforward. A local retailer assembling a weekly offer from standard blocks will likely be better served by the newer interface. A publisher building an automated newsletter from a website feed, or an agency maintaining a bespoke HTML template, should stay with the classic builder.

Mailchimp has recently been adding features around the broader campaign workflow, including direct publishing from Canva and expanded analytics capabilities. The two-builder setup focuses on the production layer, where ease of use and technical flexibility often pull in different directions. Customers can create visual assets in Canva, move them into Mailchimp, and then choose the builder that matches the campaign’s technical requirements.

Because the New email builder loads by default, returning users may encounter a different editing environment when starting a campaign. Mailchimp says the default can be changed in account settings, allowing teams with established classic-builder workflows to avoid switching manually each time.

Before standardizing on one builder, businesses should review their existing templates and automations. Teams should confirm whether any campaign relies on custom code or RSS content, then document which builder should be used. This is especially relevant when several employees or contractors share campaign production, since opening a design in the wrong environment could disrupt an established process.

There is no pricing or plan information in Mailchimp’s announcement, and the company did not identify additional eligibility requirements. It simply said the two builders are now offered, with the newer one set as the default.

What is Mailchimp New email builder?

Mailchimp New email builder is the platform’s streamlined email-editing experience. It includes a cleaner interface, undo and redo controls, a Survey content block, and an Apps block for third-party integrations.

When should a business use Mailchimp’s classic builder?

The classic builder is required for custom-coded templates and campaigns that integrate an RSS feed. Those capabilities make it the appropriate choice for bespoke email designs and content-heavy, feed-driven newsletters.

Can users switch their default Mailchimp email builder?

Yes. Mailchimp loads the New email builder by default, but users can change that preference in their settings. The announcement does not specify any plan restrictions for changing builders.