Mailchimp vs Brevo

A detailed comparison of Mailchimp and Brevo — features, pricing, pros & cons, and which one is right for you.

Last updated: April 3, 2026

💡

TL;DR

Brevo takes the lead in 3 of 5 categories, especially in value for money and scalability. Still, Mailchimp holds its own, especially in learning curve — the right pick depends on your priorities.

🎯 Quick Pick Quiz

Answer 4quick questions and we'll recommend the best fit for you

How big is your team?

Question 1 of 4

Option A
Mailchimp logo

Mailchimp

3.3/5
🔵 Ease of Use🟡 Feature Depth🟡 Value for Money🟡 Scalability🟢 Learning Curve
✓ Free Plan Available

The most popular email marketing platform for small businesses. Offers email campaigns, automations, landing pages, and audience management.

Pricing: Free (up to 500 contacts), $13/mo (Essentials), $20/mo (Standard), $350/mo (Premium)
Free plan: Yes
Best for: Small businesses and beginners wanting an easy-to-use email marketing platform with a free plan
Founded: 2001
Visit Mailchimp
Option B
Brevo logo

Brevo

3.7/5
🔵 Ease of Use🔵 Feature Depth🟢 Value for Money🔵 Scalability🔵 Learning Curve
✓ Free Plan Available

All-in-one marketing platform (formerly Sendinblue) offering email, SMS, chat, and CRM. Known for affordable pricing based on emails sent rather than contacts.

Pricing: Free (300 emails/day), $9/mo (Starter), $18/mo (Business), custom (Enterprise)
Free plan: Yes
Best for: Budget-conscious businesses wanting email, SMS, and CRM in one affordable platform
Founded: 2012
Visit Brevo

🥊 Head to Head

Tale of the tape — how they stack up across 5 key dimensions

Mailchimp logoMailchimp
VS
BrevoBrevo logo
Ease of Use(Mailchimp wins)
8·7
Feature Depth(Brevo wins)
6·7
Value for Money(Brevo wins)
5·9
Scalability(Brevo wins)
5·7
Learning Curve(Mailchimp wins)
9·7

🏆Brevo wins 3 of 5 categories

Feature Comparison

FeatureMailchimpBrevo
Drag Drop Editor
Email AutomationsStandardAdvanced
A/B Testing
Landing Pages
Signup Forms
SegmentationStandardStandard
Analytics Reporting
API
Sms Marketing
Template Library100+60+
Deliverability Tools
Free Tier

Vibe Check

What's it actually like to use these tools day-to-day?

Mailchimp

Mailchimp is email marketing's comfort food. Everyone knows it, everyone's tried it, and it works fine for getting started. The free plan is decent, the editor is drag-and-drop easy, and the monkey mascot is weirdly charming. But once your list grows past a few thousand, the pricing starts to sting.

Most PopularBest for Beginners

Brevo

Brevo is the scrappy underdog that punches way above its weight. The pricing model is genius — you pay per email sent, not per contact, which means you can have a massive list without going broke. It's not the flashiest tool, but for the price, you get email, SMS, chat, and CRM. That's hard to argue with.

Best Budget OptionBest Pricing Model

Pros & Cons

Mailchimp

✓ Pros
  • Industry-leading brand recognition
  • Easy drag-and-drop editor
  • Generous free plan for starters
  • Good template library
  • Built-in landing pages and forms
✗ Cons
  • Gets expensive as contacts grow
  • Automations are basic on lower plans
  • Limited advanced segmentation on free plan
  • Support can be slow on free tier

Brevo

✓ Pros
  • Pricing based on emails sent, not contacts
  • Includes SMS, chat, and CRM
  • Very affordable entry point
  • Good automation capabilities
  • GDPR-compliant by design
✗ Cons
  • Free plan limited to 300 emails/day
  • Email designer less polished than competitors
  • Deliverability can vary
  • Advanced features need higher tiers

🔄 Switching Difficulty

Already using one? Here's what to expect if you switch.

🟢MailchimpBrevo: Easy

Straightforward migration — most data can be exported/imported with minimal fuss.

🟢BrevoMailchimp: Easy

Straightforward migration — most data can be exported/imported with minimal fuss.

🏆

The Verdict: Mailchimp or Brevo?

Choose Mailchimp if…

you prioritize small businesses and beginners wanting an easy-to-use email marketing platform with a free plan.

Choose Brevo if…

you prioritize budget-conscious businesses wanting email, sms, and crm in one affordable platform.

Both tools offer free plans — we recommend trying both before committing. The best choice depends on your team size, workflow complexity, and specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mailchimp better than Brevo?

It depends on your needs. Mailchimp is best for small businesses and beginners wanting an easy-to-use email marketing platform with a free plan, while Brevo excels at budget-conscious businesses wanting email, sms, and crm in one affordable platform. Both have free plans you can try.

Can I switch from Mailchimp to Brevo?

Yes, most email marketing tools offer data migration or import features. Brevo can typically import data from Mailchimp via export or direct integration. Plan for a transition period as your team adapts to the new workflow.

Which is cheaper, Mailchimp or Brevo?

Mailchimp pricing starts at Free (up to 500 contacts). Brevo pricing starts at Free (300 emails/day). Both offer free tiers — compare features at each price point to find the best value.

Do Mailchimp and Brevo have free plans?

Mailchimp offers a free plan. Brevo offers a free plan.