Mailchimp vs Brevo (Sendinblue) (2026): Which Email Marketing Tool Wins?
By ToolVS Research Team · Updated April 9, 2026 · Based on real campaigns
Quick verdict: Brevo wins 6-4 on value. Unlimited contacts on all plans, built-in SMS, and lower prices make it the better deal for most businesses. Mailchimp has nicer templates and more integrations but gets expensive as your list grows.
Our Verdict
Mailchimp
- Beautiful email templates
- 300+ integrations
- Strong brand recognition
- Prices based on contacts (expensive at scale)
- Free plan limited to 500 contacts
- Automation locked to paid plans
Brevo (Sendinblue)
- Unlimited contacts on all plans
- Built-in SMS and WhatsApp marketing
- Free plan includes 300 emails/day
- Fewer email templates than Mailchimp
- Brevo branding on free plan
- Less well-known brand
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Mailchimp | Brevo | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per contact (expensive) | Per email sent (flexible) | ✔ Brevo |
| Free Plan | 500 contacts, 1,000 sends | Unlimited contacts, 300/day | ✔ Brevo |
| Templates | 100+ polished templates | 40+ templates | ✔ Mailchimp |
| SMS Marketing | Basic, add-on | Built-in SMS + WhatsApp | ✔ Brevo |
| Automation | Good (paid only) | Good on free plan too | ✔ Brevo |
| Integrations | 300+ integrations | 150+ integrations | ✔ Mailchimp |
| Deliverability | Good | Slightly better rates | ✔ Brevo |
| Ease of Use | Drag-and-drop builder | Also drag-and-drop | ✔ Mailchimp |
| Transactional Email | Via Mandrill (separate) | Built-in | ✔ Brevo |
| Landing Pages | Built-in builder | Available on paid plans | ✔ Mailchimp |
● Mailchimp wins 4 · ● Brevo wins 6
Which do you use?
Who Should Choose What?
Choose Mailchimp if:
You need polished email templates, extensive integrations, or want a well-known brand for client-facing work. Best for creative teams and e-commerce stores on Shopify.
Choose Brevo if:
You have a large contact list and want to keep costs down, need SMS/WhatsApp marketing alongside email, or want transactional emails without paying for a separate service.
Consider neither if:
You are a creator or newsletter writer -- try ConvertKit or Beehiiv instead. For advanced marketing automation -- try ActiveCampaign or HubSpot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get our free SaaS Buyer's Guide (PDF)
Save hours of research. We cover pricing traps, hidden fees, and how to negotiate better deals.
Join 0 SaaS buyers. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Our Methodology
We tested Mailchimp and Brevo with real email campaigns over 3 weeks, evaluating 10 criteria including pricing, deliverability, templates, automation, SMS, and ease of use. We sent 5,000+ test emails and analyzed open rates, click rates, and inbox placement.
Last updated: . Pricing and features are verified weekly via automated tracking.