Apply Online vs MailChimp for WordPress
Compare WordPress plugins and tools side by side. Pick products with “Compare” in the software directory.
| Feature | Apply Online v2.7.1.1 · checked 23 Oct 2026 Free · ★ 4.1/5 Visit Details | MailChimp for WordPress v4.14.1 · checked 23 Oct 2026 Free + paid · ★ 4.8/5 Visit Details |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Active installs | 2,000+ | 1M+ |
| Last updated | September 28, 2026 | September 16, 2026 |
| Editions | ApplyOnline · ApplyOnline add-ons ($) | MC4WP: Mailchimp for WordPress · Mailchimp for WordPress Premium ($) |
| Pros | Drag-and-drop application form builder with file attachment fields; Several ad types, each with its own shortcode; Dedicated manager role for reviewing applications | Native HTML sign-up forms with full field control; Sign-up hooks for Contact Form 7, WPForms, Gravity Forms and WooCommerce; Form widget and block for placing forms; Lists refreshed daily from the Mailchimp account |
| Cons | Applicant tracking, conditional fields and captcha need paid add-ons; Email notifications rely on the host mail server | Form designer, logging and user sync are Premium only; Needs a Mailchimp API key connected to the site; Procaptcha bot protection loads a third-party script when enabled |
| Mentioned in our posts | 1 | 2 |
| Features (Form plugins checklist) | ||
| Drag-and-drop builder | Yes | — |
| Conditional logic | No | — |
| Multi-step forms | No | — |
| Payments | No | — |
| File upload | Yes | — |
| Calculations | No | — |
| Entries in admin | Yes | — |
| Spam protection | No | — |
| Free version | Yes | — |
| More features | ||
| Other features | Multiple ad types with their own filters, Shortcodes for ad archive, single ad and form, Email notification to recipients on new application, Application manager capability set, Security nonce on application forms, Attachment links on applications, Paid add-on updates through a licence key ($) | Sign-up forms built from native HTML, Sign-up form widget, AMP-compatible sign-up forms, Campaigns archive block, Daily Mailchimp list refresh, Background subscribe through Action Scheduler or WP-Cron |
| Integrations | ||
| — | Mailchimp | |
| E-commerce | — | WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads |
| Plugins | Polylang | Contact Form 7, WPForms, Gravity Forms |
| Other | ApplyOnline add-on update server ($) | Procaptcha (Prosopo) |
| Requires WordPress | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.0 | 7.4 |
| Tested up to | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Phones home | No | No |
| External services | — | js.prosopo.io, api.prosopo.io, api.mailchimp.com |
| Blocks | — | 2 |
| Shortcodes | 7 | — |