Mailchimp vs Sendinblue
Mailchimp and Sendinblue are both email marketing platforms targeting small to mid-sized businesses, but they differ significantly in pricing structure and feature depth. Mailchimp emphasizes simplicity and free-tier accessibility, while Sendinblue (now Brevo) offers more advanced automation and SMS capabilities at a lower cost for paid plans.
Mailchimp
A widely-used email marketing platform offering free and paid tiers, known for user-friendly design and strong integration ecosystem. Acquired by Intuit, it caters primarily to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Free Plan Contacts
Up to 500
Pricing Model
Free, then per-contact (pay-as-you-grow)
Free Automation
Basic welcome series only
Founded
2001
Pros
- Generous free tier with up to 500 contacts and unlimited emails
- Highly intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Extensive third-party integrations and app marketplace
Cons
- Automation features limited on free plan; paid tiers are expensive relative to competitors
- Free tier lacks advanced segmentation and behavioral triggers
- Less competitive on SMS and SMS+email bundling
Sendinblue (Brevo)
An all-in-one marketing platform offering email, SMS, chat, and CRM in one suite, priced by daily send volume rather than contacts. Known for competitive rates and advanced automation even on lower-tier plans.
Free Plan Limit
300 emails/day, unlimited contacts
Pricing Model
Pay-per-volume; SMS included on most plans
Free Automation
Unlimited workflows
Rebranded As
Brevo (2024)
Pros
- Affordable pricing with SMS included; unlimited contacts on most plans
- Unlimited automation workflows even on starter plans
- Integrated SMS, chat, and CRM reduce need for multiple tools
Cons
- Steeper learning curve; interface less intuitive than Mailchimp
- Free plan limited to 300 emails/day and basic features
- Rebranding to Brevo caused confusion; legacy Sendinblue name still widely referenced
Sendinblue (Brevo) wins
Sendinblue delivers better overall value for most businesses due to unlimited automation, included SMS, and lower long-term pricing despite a steeper initial learning curve.
Mailchimp
Beginners and small businesses with <500 contacts seeking an intuitive, free-tier entry point.
Sendinblue (Brevo)
Growing businesses needing multi-channel automation, SMS campaigns, and cost-effective scaling.
Feature & Automation Comparison
Ease of Use
Mailchimp's minimal design and guided setup cater to beginners; Sendinblue offers more depth but requires more time to navigate.
Free Plan Value
Mailchimp's 500-contact limit is generous for bootstrapped users; Sendinblue's unlimited contacts but 300 email/day cap suit volume-focused senders.
Automation Capabilities
Mailchimp restricts advanced automation to paid plans; Sendinblue includes unlimited workflows across all tiers.
SMS + Multi-Channel
Mailchimp offers SMS as add-on; Sendinblue bundles SMS, chat, and CRM natively into most plans at lower cost.
Pricing Value (Paid Plans)
Mailchimp's per-contact pricing scales quickly for growing lists; Sendinblue's daily-send model is typically 20–40% cheaper at equivalent volume.
Integrations & Ecosystem
Mailchimp has the largest app marketplace and deepest integrations; Sendinblue covers core platforms but has a smaller ecosystem.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Aspect | Mailchimp | Sendinblue (Brevo) |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier Contact Limit | 500 contacts | Unlimited (300 emails/day) |
| Free Automation | Basic welcome series only | Unlimited workflows |
| SMS Pricing | Separate add-on ($20+/month) | Included on starter plans ($25+/month) |
| Built-In CRM | No (separate tool required) | Yes (included) |
| Template Library | Extensive and mobile-optimized | Good; smaller selection |
| Reporting & Analytics | Clear, basic reporting | Advanced multi-channel analytics |
When to Choose Each Platform
Choose Mailchimp if you prioritize simplicity, need a powerful free tier for small lists, or plan to use it alongside other specialized tools via integrations. Choose Sendinblue (Brevo) if you need SMS, advanced automation, and CRM built-in, expect rapid contact growth, or want lower per-email costs as you scale.
When to choose each
Choose Mailchimp if…
Beginners and small businesses with <500 contacts seeking an intuitive, free-tier entry point.
Choose Sendinblue (Brevo) if…
Growing businesses needing multi-channel automation, SMS campaigns, and cost-effective scaling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sendinblue offers better long-term value because automation is unlimited even on the free plan, and SMS is bundled at low cost. However, Mailchimp's free tier is more forgiving if you have <500 contacts and want zero learning curve.
Mailchimp charges per contact (pay-as-you-grow), while Sendinblue charges by daily send volume, typically resulting in 20–40% savings for large lists. Sendinblue also includes SMS on most paid plans, whereas Mailchimp charges extra.
No, SMS is available only on paid plans starting at approximately $25/month. The free plan includes unlimited email workflows but is capped at 300 emails per day.
Sources & references
Suggested sources to verify product details, pricing, reviews, and specifications.
- OfficialBrevo (Sendinblue) Pricing & Plans
Current Brevo pricing, free plan limits, and SMS bundling
- ReviewMailchimp vs Sendinblue Feature Comparison
Third-party feature and user experience comparison