Choosing the right email marketing platform can have a major impact on your business. The software you select will determine how easily you can build your email list, automate campaigns, engage subscribers, and ultimately drive sales.
Two of the most popular platforms are Brevo and Mailchimp. Both offer powerful email marketing features, but they differ in pricing, automation, ease of use, and scalability.
So, which one is right for you?
In this detailed comparison, we’ll examine Brevo and Mailchimp side by side to help you make an informed decision.
Brevo vs Mailchimp: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Brevo | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Small businesses, startups | Beginners, creators |
| Free Plan | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Email Automation | Excellent | Very Good |
| CRM | Built-in | Basic |
| SMS Marketing | ✅ Yes | Limited |
| Landing Pages | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Transactional Emails | ✅ Yes | Limited |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pricing | More affordable | Can become expensive as your list grows |
| Overall Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
Winner: Brevo for overall value and business features.
Overview of Brevo
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is an all-in-one marketing platform designed for businesses that want more than just email marketing.
In addition to email campaigns, Brevo offers:
- Marketing automation
- CRM
- SMS marketing
- Transactional emails
- Landing pages
- Live chat
- Customer segmentation
One of Brevo’s biggest advantages is that its pricing is based primarily on the number of emails you send rather than the number of contacts you store. This can make it a cost-effective option for businesses with large subscriber lists that don’t email every contact frequently.
Overview of Mailchimp
Mailchimp is one of the most recognizable names in email marketing.
It’s known for its user-friendly interface, attractive templates, and beginner-friendly setup.
Mailchimp includes:
- Email campaigns
- Automation
- Audience segmentation
- Landing pages
- Forms
- Analytics
- Basic CRM tools
It’s particularly appealing to bloggers, freelancers, and small businesses launching their first email marketing campaigns.
Ease of Use
Brevo
Brevo has a clean dashboard and is relatively easy to navigate. Because it includes CRM, automation, SMS, and transactional email features, it may take a little longer for beginners to explore all its capabilities.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is widely regarded as one of the easiest email marketing platforms to learn.
Its drag-and-drop editor, templates, and onboarding process make it ideal for first-time users.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Winner: Mailchimp
Email Templates
Both platforms offer professionally designed email templates that are easy to customize.
Brevo
- Modern templates
- Responsive designs
- Drag-and-drop editor
- HTML editor available
Mailchimp
- Large template library
- Beginner-friendly editor
- Strong design flexibility
Winner: Mailchimp (slightly)
Marketing Automation
Automation allows you to send emails based on user behavior rather than manually creating every campaign.
Brevo
Supports workflows such as:
- Welcome emails
- Lead nurturing
- Purchase follow-ups
- Customer onboarding
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Lead scoring
Mailchimp
Includes:
- Welcome sequences
- Basic customer journeys
- Product recommendations
- Subscriber segmentation
While Mailchimp’s automation is capable, Brevo generally provides more advanced automation features for growing businesses.
Winner: Brevo
CRM Features
Brevo
Includes a built-in CRM that helps manage customer relationships, sales pipelines, and contact history.
Mailchimp
Offers basic customer management but isn’t designed to replace a dedicated CRM.
Winner: Brevo
SMS Marketing
Brevo includes SMS marketing as part of its broader marketing platform, allowing businesses to communicate with customers through both email and text messaging.
Mailchimp offers more limited SMS functionality and availability may depend on your region and plan.
Winner: Brevo
Transactional Emails
If you run an online store or SaaS business, transactional emails are essential.
Examples include:
- Order confirmations
- Password resets
- Shipping notifications
- Account verification emails
Brevo has long been recognized for its transactional email capabilities, making it a strong choice for businesses that rely on these messages.
Winner: Brevo
Pricing
Brevo
Brevo’s pricing is based largely on email volume, making it attractive for businesses with growing contact lists.
Pros:
- Affordable paid plans
- Free plan available
- Unlimited contacts on many plans (email sending limits still apply)
Mailchimp
Mailchimp also offers a free plan, but costs generally increase as your subscriber list grows and you unlock more advanced features.
Pros:
- Free plan
- Good for beginners
Cons:
- Can become expensive for larger lists
Winner: Brevo
Reporting and Analytics
Both platforms provide detailed analytics, including:
- Open rates
- Click-through rates
- Bounce rates
- Unsubscribes
- Campaign performance
Brevo also offers useful sales-focused insights for businesses using its CRM and automation features.
Winner: Tie
Integrations
Both platforms integrate with popular tools, including:
- WordPress
- Shopify
- WooCommerce
- Zapier
- CRM software
- Landing page builders
Most users will find that either platform integrates well with their existing marketing stack.
Winner: Tie
Pros and Cons
Brevo
Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Powerful automation
- Built-in CRM
- SMS marketing
- Transactional emails
- Unlimited contacts on many plans
Cons
- Slight learning curve
- Fewer email templates than Mailchimp
Mailchimp
Pros
- Extremely beginner-friendly
- Excellent email templates
- Easy campaign builder
- Large integration library
Cons
- Pricing increases with subscriber growth
- Automation isn’t as advanced on lower-tier plans
- Limited CRM functionality
Who Should Choose Brevo?
Brevo is ideal if you:
- Run a growing business
- Need marketing automation
- Want built-in CRM features
- Plan to use SMS marketing
- Send transactional emails
- Want more value for your budget
Who Should Choose Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is a better choice if you:
- Are completely new to email marketing
- Want the simplest interface
- Need attractive templates
- Run a personal blog or small website
- Prefer an easy learning curve
Final Verdict
Both Brevo and Mailchimp are excellent email marketing platforms, but they serve slightly different audiences.
Choose Brevo if you’re looking for an affordable, scalable solution with powerful automation, CRM tools, SMS marketing, and transactional emails. It offers excellent value for businesses that plan to grow their email marketing over time.
Choose Mailchimp if you’re a beginner who wants an easy-to-use platform with beautiful templates and a straightforward campaign builder.
Overall Winner: Brevo 🏆
Its broader feature set, flexible pricing model, and advanced automation make it the stronger long-term choice for most businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brevo better than Mailchimp?
For many small businesses and growing companies, Brevo offers better overall value thanks to its advanced automation, built-in CRM, SMS marketing, and pricing model. Mailchimp remains an excellent choice for beginners who prioritize simplicity.
Which platform is cheaper?
Brevo is often more affordable as your contact list grows because its pricing is based mainly on email volume rather than subscriber count.
Can I migrate from Mailchimp to Brevo?
Yes. Both platforms provide tools and documentation to help import contacts and move your email marketing data, though the exact process depends on your setup.
Which platform is best for bloggers?
Both work well, but bloggers who only need straightforward email campaigns may appreciate Mailchimp’s simplicity, while those planning to scale with automation and additional marketing features may benefit more from Brevo.