Table of Contents
Introduction
Choosing between Brevo vs Mailchimp can feel overwhelming in 2025. Both platforms are recognized leaders in email marketing, but they approach the market differently. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) positions itself as an affordable multi-channel solution with email, SMS, and transactional tools built-in. Mailchimp, one of the longest-running players, emphasizes polished templates, advanced analytics, and a strong integration ecosystem. The key question isn’t which platform is “better” overall, but which is better for your type of business.
Which One Is Right for Your Business Type?
If you run an e-commerce shop or a service-based business that needs reliable transactional emails and SMS campaigns, Brevo is a strong contender. Its pricing model charges based on the number of emails sent, not how many contacts you store, which is cost-effective for companies with large lists. Brevo’s built-in SMS, transactional delivery, and CRM features also make it appealing for small and medium businesses that want more than just newsletters.
Mailchimp, however, shines for marketing teams, agencies, and creative brands that value design and reporting. With its polished email templates, AI-powered content suggestions, and 300+ integrations, it’s ideal for companies that need to execute sophisticated campaigns across multiple channels. The trade-off is price: Mailchimp charges based on subscriber count, so it gets expensive as your list grows.
Pricing Comparison – Brevo vs Mailchimp
One of the most important differences in Brevo vs Mailchimp is pricing.
- Brevo: The free plan includes unlimited contacts and 300 daily emails. Paid plans start at $6.33/month, removing sending caps and adding automation. Higher tiers ($13.50+/month) unlock A/B testing, reporting, and advanced workflows. Because Brevo charges by email volume, it’s often cheaper for businesses with large lists but lower sending frequency.
- Mailchimp: The free plan supports up to 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly sends. Paid plans start at $11.07/month, but pricing increases quickly as your subscriber base grows. Advanced automation, analytics, and support are only included in higher tiers, with Premium costing $253.26/month.
👉 Bottom line: If you have a growing list and care about cost efficiency, Brevo is often cheaper. If you have a smaller list but want polished tools and deep integrations, Mailchimp may be worth the extra expense.
Features Breakdown – Brevo vs Mailchimp
Email Marketing
Mailchimp’s template library is one of the largest in the industry, offering polished, professional designs. It’s great for branding-focused campaigns. Brevo’s library is smaller but functional, with mobile-friendly options.
Automation & Workflows
Brevo offers visual workflows for welcome sequences, abandoned carts, and re-engagement. Its automation builder is straightforward, making it accessible for small teams. Mailchimp has a more advanced journey builder, but some automation features are locked behind higher-tier plans.
SMS & Transactional Emails
This is where Brevo wins. SMS campaigns are integrated directly into the platform, and transactional emails (like order confirmations) are included in most plans. Mailchimp requires an additional paid add-on (Mandrill) for transactional emails, which increases costs.
Analytics & Reporting
Mailchimp has more polished dashboards and advanced reporting tools, including comparative benchmarks and A/B testing (with higher plans). Brevo’s analytics cover the essentials but aren’t as detailed.
Integrations & Ecosystem
Mailchimp supports over 300 integrations, making it one of the most versatile platforms. Brevo integrates with popular tools like Shopify, WordPress, and WooCommerce, but has a smaller ecosystem overall.
Strengths of Brevo
- Affordable, transparent pricing.
- Unlimited contacts even on the free plan.
- Built-in SMS and transactional email capabilities.
- Reliable deliverability for e-commerce needs.
- Good balance of automation and usability.
Strengths of Mailchimp
- Extensive template library and design flexibility.
- Advanced analytics and reporting dashboards.
- Large integration ecosystem (300+ apps).
- Strong brand recognition and support resources.
- AI tools for subject lines and content.
Weaknesses of Brevo
- Daily sending cap on free plan.
- Template variety is limited compared to Mailchimp.
- Reporting features are less detailed.
- Interface feels less polished for creative teams.
Weaknesses of Mailchimp
- Pricing scales quickly with contact list size.
- Transactional emails require a separate add-on.
- Some automation features locked behind expensive tiers.
- Can feel overwhelming for beginners due to complexity.
Who Should Choose Brevo?
- E-commerce businesses needing transactional reliability.
- Small and medium businesses with tight budgets.
- Companies that want email + SMS under one roof.
- Marketers managing large lists with lower send frequency.
Who Should Choose Mailchimp?
- Agencies managing multiple client campaigns.
- Brands that prioritize design-heavy, branded campaigns.
- Businesses needing advanced reporting and analytics.
- Teams that rely on deep integrations with other tools.
FAQ – Brevo vs Mailchimp
Q: Which is cheaper, Brevo or Mailchimp?
A: Brevo is usually cheaper for large lists because it charges by email volume, while Mailchimp charges by subscriber count.
Q: Does Mailchimp include SMS marketing?
A: No. Mailchimp focuses on email; SMS requires third-party integrations. Brevo includes SMS natively.
Q: Which is better for e-commerce?
A: Brevo is better for transactional reliability, but Mailchimp has stronger analytics for campaign performance.
Q: Can I migrate from Mailchimp to Brevo?
A: Yes, you can import contacts via CSV or integrations, though automations need to be rebuilt manually.
Conclusion – Brevo vs Mailchimp in 2025
In the Brevo vs Mailchimp debate, the right choice depends on your business type and priorities. Brevo stands out for affordability, SMS, and transactional reliability, making it perfect for e-commerce and small businesses. Mailchimp excels with templates, analytics, and integrations, making it ideal for agencies and creative teams.
If cost efficiency and multi-channel communication are your top needs, Brevo is the smarter choice. If design, integrations, and advanced reporting are non-negotiable, Mailchimp remains a strong contender in 2025.
