Brevo (Sendinblue) vs Mailchimp (2026)
Multi-channel budget platform vs. the email incumbent. Brevo gives more for less. Mailchimp has more brand recognition.
Brevo (Sendinblue)
Mailchimp
| Feature | Brevo (Sendinblue) Winner | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| 100+ integrations | No | Yes |
| A/B testing | No | Yes |
| Analytics | No | Yes |
| Automations | Yes | Yes |
| CRM | Yes | No |
| Chat | Yes | No |
| Email builder | No | Yes |
| Email campaigns | Yes | No |
| Landing pages | No | Yes |
| SMS marketing | Yes | No |
| Transactional email | Yes | No |
| Starting Price | Free / $25/mo | Free / $13/mo |
| Sultan's Score | 7.6 | 7.4 |
The Sultan's Verdict
Brevo offers email, SMS, and WhatsApp marketing at a lower price than Mailchimp charges for email alone. Brevo's free tier allows 300 emails/day (unlimited contacts). Mailchimp's free tier caps at 500 contacts. The value math isn't close.
Pricing Deep Dive
Brevo (Sendinblue) offers 4 tiers: Free at $0 (300 emails/day), Starter at $25/mo, Business at $65/mo, Enterprise at Custom. The entry point sits at Free / $25/mo, which lands it in the budget range for this category.
Mailchimp prices across 4 tiers: Free at $0 (500 contacts), Essentials at $13/mo, Standard at $20/mo, Premium at $350/mo. Starting at Free / $13/mo, it falls into the budget bracket.
When you stack the two side by side, Brevo (Sendinblue) at Free / $25/mo vs Mailchimp at Free / $13/mo, the question isn't which costs less. It's which gives you more per dollar for your specific workflow. A cheaper tool that doesn't fit your process costs more in lost productivity than a pricier one that does.
Where Brevo (Sendinblue) Wins
Pricing based on emails sent, not contacts. This is one of the key reasons Brevo (Sendinblue) takes the overall win in this matchup. For teams that prioritize this, Brevo (Sendinblue) delivers where Mailchimp can't match it.
Includes SMS, chat, and CRM. This is one of the key reasons Brevo (Sendinblue) takes the overall win in this matchup. For teams that prioritize this, Brevo (Sendinblue) delivers where Mailchimp can't match it.
Generous free tier (300 emails/day). This is one of the key reasons Brevo (Sendinblue) takes the overall win in this matchup. For teams that prioritize this, Brevo (Sendinblue) delivers where Mailchimp can't match it.
Brevo (Sendinblue) scores 7.6/10 overall, with particular strength in Budget-conscious teams wanting email + SMS + CRM without HubSpot pricing.
Where Mailchimp Wins
Brand recognition, everyone knows it. If this matters to your team, Mailchimp has a clear edge over Brevo (Sendinblue).
Decent template builder. If this matters to your team, Mailchimp has a clear edge over Brevo (Sendinblue).
Good analytics and A/B testing. If this matters to your team, Mailchimp has a clear edge over Brevo (Sendinblue).
Mailchimp scores 7.4/10 and works best for Small businesses wanting a familiar, established email platform.
Where Brevo (Sendinblue) Falls Short
Deliverability historically inconsistent. This is a real limitation, and it's worth weighing before you commit. If this is a dealbreaker for your team, Mailchimp might be the better pick.
Automation less powerful than ActiveCampaign. This is a real limitation, and it's worth weighing before you commit. If this is a dealbreaker for your team, Mailchimp might be the better pick.
Brand awareness lower than competitors. This is a real limitation, and it's worth weighing before you commit. If this is a dealbreaker for your team, Mailchimp might be the better pick.
Where Mailchimp Falls Short
Free plan severely limited (500 contacts). Worth considering seriously, especially if your use case leans on the areas where Mailchimp is weakest. Brevo (Sendinblue) handles this better.
Pricing jumps are steep. Worth considering seriously, especially if your use case leans on the areas where Mailchimp is weakest. Brevo (Sendinblue) handles this better.
Charges for unsubscribed contacts. Worth considering seriously, especially if your use case leans on the areas where Mailchimp is weakest. Brevo (Sendinblue) handles this better.
Who Should Choose What
You're watching every dollar. Go with Brevo (Sendinblue) (starting at Free / $25/mo). It covers the core functionality without the sticker shock. You can always upgrade or switch later once you've outgrown it.
You need the deepest feature set. Brevo (Sendinblue) takes this one. Its standout strengths include pricing based on emails sent, not contacts and includes sms, chat, and crm. If you're willing to pay for completeness, Brevo (Sendinblue) won't leave you wanting.
You have a specific workflow in mind. Mailchimp is built for Small businesses wanting a familiar, established email platform. If that describes your team, Mailchimp might be the better fit despite the overall scores. Tools are only as good as the match between their design and your process.
How We Compared These Tools
We evaluated Brevo (Sendinblue) and Mailchimp across pricing, features, ease of use, and real-world fit for small teams. Scores reflect hands-on testing and documented feature sets, not vendor marketing. Pricing data is current as of our last review and may change. We don't accept payment for placement or scores.
Is Brevo (Sendinblue) or Mailchimp better in 2026?
The Sultan picks Brevo (Sendinblue). Brevo (Sendinblue) scores 7.6/10 and Mailchimp scores 7.4/10. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and workflow needs.
How does Brevo (Sendinblue) pricing compare to Mailchimp?
Brevo (Sendinblue) starts at Free / $25/mo and Mailchimp starts at Free / $13/mo. Both offer different value at their price points, so compare features against your actual use case before committing.
Can I switch from Brevo (Sendinblue) to Mailchimp easily?
Most teams can migrate between Brevo (Sendinblue) and Mailchimp within a few weeks. Export your data, map fields to the new platform, and plan for a 1-2 week overlap period where both tools run in parallel.