Item: Klaviyo Terms of Service
Rating: 45
Author: Terms.Law Editorial Team

⚠ Key Concerns

Klaviyo's data retention policies and complex pricing tiers deserve careful attention. Customer data from your e-commerce integrations may be retained longer than you expect, and pricing can escalate quickly as your contact list grows through automated imports.

Score Breakdown by Category

How Klaviyo's terms rate across my evaluation categories.

🔒 Account Stability & Termination (30%) 45/100

Why this score: Klaviyo has standard termination rights with some e-commerce-specific policies. Their focus on legitimate e-commerce means less arbitrary enforcement than general-purpose platforms, but they still retain broad suspension rights.

Industry comparison: ConvertKit: 55/100 (creator-focused) | Mailchimp: 30/100 (aggressive) | Beehiiv: 50/100 (newer platform) | Category avg: 45/100

📦 Data Portability & List Ownership (25%) 50/100

Why this score: Klaviyo provides decent export tools, but their data retention policies mean customer behavioral data may persist longer than expected. The deep e-commerce integrations create complex data ownership questions.

Industry comparison: ConvertKit: 60/100 (migration support) | Mailchimp: 35/100 (export restrictions) | Beehiiv: 55/100 (good portability) | Category avg: 50/100

📝 Content & Use Restrictions (20%) 48/100

Why this score: Klaviyo is e-commerce friendly - promotional content and sales emails are their bread and butter. However, they have restrictions on certain product categories and marketing practices that e-commerce operators should review.

Industry comparison: ConvertKit: 55/100 (creator-friendly) | Mailchimp: 38/100 (anti-affiliate) | Beehiiv: 52/100 (newsletter monetization) | Category avg: 48/100

💰 Pricing & Fee Transparency (15%) 42/100

Why this score: Klaviyo's pricing is complex and can escalate quickly. Contact imports from e-commerce integrations can inflate your list, and the pricing tiers aren't always intuitive. SMS add-ons add additional cost complexity.

Industry comparison: ConvertKit: 50/100 (clearer tiers) | Mailchimp: 45/100 (hidden counts) | Beehiiv: 48/100 (transparent) | Category avg: 46/100

⚖ Dispute Resolution (10%) 45/100

Why this score: Standard arbitration clause with class action waiver. Massachusetts law governs. Enterprise customers may have more negotiating leverage for modified terms.

Industry comparison: ConvertKit: 48/100 (responsive support) | Mailchimp: 42/100 (opaque appeals) | Beehiiv: 45/100 (smaller, accessible) | Category avg: 45/100

Compare With Other Platforms

⚠ Key Clauses to Watch

These provisions in Klaviyo's terms deserve attention from e-commerce operators.

Data Retention After Cancellation

High Risk

Klaviyo may retain customer behavioral data and analytics even after you close your account. This includes purchase history, browsing data, and engagement metrics collected through integrations.

"We may retain certain information for a period of time after your account is closed for legal, business, and analytical purposes." Klaviyo Privacy Policy

Complex Pricing Escalation

High Risk

Contact counts from e-commerce integrations can grow automatically, pushing you into higher pricing tiers. The combination of email and SMS pricing adds complexity that can lead to billing surprises.

"Your plan level is determined by the number of active profiles in your account. Profiles are automatically synced from your connected integrations." Klaviyo Pricing Terms

Integration Data Access

Medium Risk

When you connect Klaviyo to Shopify or other platforms, you grant broad data access. Understand exactly what customer data is being shared and how it may be used.

"By connecting third-party integrations, you authorize Klaviyo to access and process data from those platforms on your behalf." Klaviyo Terms of Service

SMS Compliance Burden

Medium Risk

SMS marketing through Klaviyo requires strict compliance with TCPA and other regulations. You bear responsibility for consent collection and compliance, with potential legal exposure.

"You are solely responsible for ensuring your SMS communications comply with all applicable laws including TCPA, CTIA guidelines, and carrier requirements." Klaviyo SMS Terms

Usage-Based Overages

Medium Risk

Exceeding your plan limits can result in automatic upgrades or overage charges. Monitor your usage carefully, especially during high-traffic periods like Black Friday.

"If you exceed your plan limits, we may automatically upgrade your plan or charge overage fees at our then-current rates." Klaviyo Billing Terms

Algorithm Changes

Medium Risk

Klaviyo's predictive features and algorithms can change. Performance of automated flows and segments may vary as the platform evolves its machine learning models.

"We may modify our predictive analytics and recommendation features at any time to improve performance and accuracy." Klaviyo Terms of Service

Analysis

"Klaviyo is a powerful tool for e-commerce, but that power comes with complexity. Their deep integrations with Shopify and other platforms mean they're collecting and processing a tremendous amount of customer data - and their terms give them significant latitude in how that data is retained and used.

The pricing structure is my biggest concern for growing businesses. I've seen e-commerce operators shocked when their Klaviyo bill doubled because their Shopify integration automatically imported thousands of customer profiles they didn't intend to email. Monitor your contact counts carefully.

My recommendation: Klaviyo is a solid choice for serious e-commerce operations, but go in with eyes open. Understand exactly what data you're sharing through integrations, set up billing alerts, and maintain regular exports of your customer data. Enterprise customers should negotiate data handling terms before signing."

Klaviyo Terms of Service Review

⚠ Key Concerns

Score Breakdown by Category

Compare With Other Platforms

⚠ Klaviyo Questions?

⚠ Key Clauses to Watch

Data Retention After Cancellation

Complex Pricing Escalation

Integration Data Access

SMS Compliance Burden

Usage-Based Overages

Algorithm Changes

Analysis

Need Help With Klaviyo?

Schedule a Consultation

Klaviyo Terms of Service Review

⚠ Key Concerns

Score Breakdown by Category

Compare With Other Platforms

⚠ Klaviyo Questions?

Related Resources

⚠ Key Clauses to Watch

Data Retention After Cancellation

Complex Pricing Escalation

Integration Data Access

SMS Compliance Burden

Usage-Based Overages

Algorithm Changes

Analysis

Need Help With Klaviyo?

Schedule a Consultation