TL;DR: Mailchimp is the safer pick if you want polished templates, deep integrations, and a trusted brand, but it charges by contact count and gets pricey fast. Brevo charges by emails sent, bundles CRM and SMS from the start, and scales cheaper for growing lists. Pick Mailchimp for brand and design. Pick Brevo for value.
Email marketing still returns roughly $36 to $42 for every $1 spent in 2026, far ahead of paid search or social ads. That makes your choice of platform a real money decision. Mailchimp and Brevo are two of the biggest names, but they price your list in completely different ways. This guide breaks down the honest differences so you can pick the right one. If you want the wider landscape first, see our roundup of the best AI marketing tools.
Quick Comparison: Mailchimp vs Brevo
| Feature | Mailchimp | Brevo |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 250 contacts, 500 sends/mo | Unlimited contacts, 300 emails/day |
| Pricing model | By contacts stored | By emails sent |
| Starting price | $13/mo (Essentials) | $9/mo (Starter) |
| Automation | Advanced (higher tiers) | Included from free plan |
| CRM / SMS | Add-on / limited | Built-in CRM + SMS |
| Templates | Large, polished library | Modern, automation-first |
| Deliverability | Strong (shared IP hygiene) | Strong, close behind |
| Best for | Brand, design, integrations | Value, scaling lists, SMS |
How Do Mailchimp and Brevo Price Their Plans?
Mailchimp charges by the number of contacts you store, while Brevo charges by the number of emails you send. This single difference decides which tool is cheaper for you. If you email a small list often, Brevo usually wins. If you email a large list rarely, the math gets closer.
Mailchimp’s Essentials plan starts at $13 per month for 500 contacts. Your bill climbs as your list grows, whether or not you send more email. Brevo’s Starter plan begins at $9 per month with unlimited contacts, so you only pay for volume you actually send.
For a growing list, Brevo’s model is friendlier. You are not punished for keeping subscribers on file. Mailchimp also counts unsubscribed and non-subscribed contacts in your total, which can inflate the bill.
Which Free Plan Is Better?
Brevo’s free plan is far more generous in 2026. It offers unlimited contacts and 300 emails per day, while Mailchimp cut its free plan to just 250 contacts and 500 sends per month. For most new senders, Brevo’s free tier does real work.
In January 2026, Mailchimp reduced its free plan from 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly sends down to 250 contacts and 500 sends, with a daily cap of 250. Free users also get no email scheduling, no multi-step automation, and Mailchimp branding on every message.
Brevo’s free plan keeps unlimited contacts and even includes basic automation, its built-in CRM, and SMS capability. The daily 300-email limit is the main catch. If you plan to grow, Brevo gives you far more runway before you pay.
Which Has Better Automation and Workflows?
Brevo includes marketing automation on every plan, including the free tier, while Mailchimp reserves its strongest automation for Standard and Premium. Brevo delivers more automation value at lower price points.
Brevo bundles automation, CRM, SMS, and transactional email into its lower tiers. You can build multi-step workflows without upgrading to an expensive plan. Free-tier automation is capped at 2,000 contacts, which still covers most small senders.
Mailchimp offers powerful automation too, with a strong visual builder and smart send-time features. But you need to reach its paid tiers to unlock multi-step journeys. If automation is central to your strategy, Brevo gives you more for less. For a broader look at automation-first tools, see our guide to AI email marketing software.
Which One Has CRM and SMS Built In?
Brevo wins clearly here. It includes a built-in CRM and SMS marketing across its plans, while Mailchimp treats these as limited add-ons. If you want one tool for email, texts, and contact management, Brevo is the natural fit.
Brevo’s SMS credits are sold in packs and priced by country. Its CRM and live chat are available, though heavy use of the Sales or Conversations modules adds a per-user fee. Even so, the core CRM and SMS come baked into the platform.
Mailchimp focuses on email and does not offer the same all-in-one sales and messaging stack. For teams that want SMS plus a simple CRM without stitching tools together, Brevo is the stronger all-in-one choice.
Which Has Better Templates and Editor?
Mailchimp wins on templates. It offers a larger, more polished library and a smoother design experience, while Brevo’s templates are modern and built for automation. If design quality is your priority, Mailchimp has the edge.
Mailchimp’s template library is large and varied, and its drag-and-drop editor is one of the most refined on the market. It also leans on AI features to speed up copy and layout.
Brevo’s templates are clean, professional, and aligned with automation-first workflows. They may not match Mailchimp’s sheer variety, but they cover the essentials well. For most senders, both editors are easy to use. Mailchimp simply feels more premium.
Which One Has Better Deliverability?
Deliverability is close, with Mailchimp holding a slight edge in independent tests. Both platforms land the vast majority of emails in the inbox. This is not a deciding factor for most users.
Independent inbox placement tests put both tools in a similar range, with Mailchimp typically a few percentage points ahead thanks to strict shared-IP hygiene. Brevo stays close and offers IP warmup support for higher-volume senders.
The practical takeaway is that you will get strong deliverability from either tool if you follow good list hygiene. Neither is a weak link.
Which Has Better Integrations and Support?
Mailchimp leads on integrations thanks to its size and long history, while both tools offer solid support that narrows on free plans. If you rely on many third-party apps, Mailchimp’s ecosystem is larger.
Mailchimp is the most-used email vendor in 2026, so nearly every major app, store platform, and CRM integrates with it out of the box. Brevo’s integration list is solid and growing, but Mailchimp’s is broader.
On support, Mailchimp limits free-plan help to the first 30 days, then routes you to paid tiers for priority support. Brevo offers email support on free and chat or phone support as you move up. Both are reasonable once you pay.
Mailchimp vs Brevo: Which Should You Choose?
Choose based on how you price your list and which extras you need. Here is the quick breakdown by user type:
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Small businesses and creators: Brevo’s generous free plan and pay-by-send model make it the cheaper starting point.
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Design-focused brands: Mailchimp’s polished templates and editor are worth the premium.
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Growing lists: Brevo scales cheaper because you pay by volume, not contact count.
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Ecommerce and multichannel: Brevo’s built-in SMS and CRM cover more ground in one tool.
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Teams needing deep integrations: Mailchimp’s larger app ecosystem wins.
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Established brands wanting a trusted name: Mailchimp remains the market leader.
If your marketing spans more than email, our list of AI social media management tools pairs well with either platform.
The Bottom Line
Mailchimp and Brevo both do the job well, but they win for different reasons. Mailchimp is the pick for brand trust, template quality, and integrations. Brevo is the pick for value, scaling lists, and built-in SMS and CRM.
If you send to a large list on a budget, or you want automation, CRM, and texting in one place, start with Brevo. If polished design, a huge app ecosystem, and a familiar name matter more, choose Mailchimp. Both offer free plans, so you can test each before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brevo cheaper than Mailchimp?
For most growing lists, yes. Brevo charges by emails sent and includes unlimited contacts, so you are not billed for storing subscribers. Mailchimp charges by contact count, which climbs as your list grows even if you send the same volume.
What is the main difference between Mailchimp and Brevo?
The pricing model. Mailchimp bills you by the number of contacts you store, while Brevo bills you by the number of emails you send. Brevo also bundles CRM and SMS across its plans, while Mailchimp focuses on email.
Which has better deliverability, Mailchimp or Brevo?
Both are strong. Independent inbox placement tests give Mailchimp a slight edge thanks to strict shared-IP hygiene, but Brevo stays close and offers IP warmup support. Good list hygiene matters more than the small gap between them.
Does Brevo have a better free plan than Mailchimp?
Yes. Brevo’s free plan offers unlimited contacts and 300 emails per day, plus basic automation, CRM, and SMS. Mailchimp’s free plan was cut in 2026 to 250 contacts and 500 sends per month with fewer features.
Should I switch from Mailchimp to Brevo?
Consider it if your Mailchimp bill is rising as your list grows, or if you want built-in SMS and CRM. Brevo’s send-based pricing often saves money at scale. If you rely on Mailchimp’s templates or integrations, the switch may not be worth it.
David Austin is a technology writer and software analyst at DeployHyre, where he covers AI tools, SaaS platforms, cloud hosting, and business automation. He focuses on hands-on comparisons of pricing, features, and real-world performance so teams can pick the right software with confidence.