Mailchimp vs Brevo: Which Email Marketing Tool Is Better in 2025?

Overview of Both Platforms

Mailchimp has been a well-known name in email marketing for over a decade. Initially focused on newsletters and campaigns, it now offers an all-in-one marketing suite, including automation, CRM features, analytics, social posting, and website builders.

Brevo, formerly known as Sendinblue, has grown rapidly due to its balance between affordability and functionality. It offers multichannel marketing: email, SMS, live chat, WhatsApp, CRM, and automation — all designed for businesses aiming to scale efficiently.

Both platforms have evolved into comprehensive tools for businesses of all sizes, but they differ significantly in pricing structures, automation capabilities, and user experience.

Key Feature Comparison

Brevo has stronger multi-channel tools (SMS, chat, WhatsApp), while Mailchimp provides broader e-commerce and design support.

Pricing Breakdown

Mailchimp

Brevo

Brevo prices by email volume, not contact size. Mailchimp limits by subscribers, which can lead to higher costs as your list grows.

Deliverability and Performance

Both tools report high deliverability rates. However:

• Mailchimp has slightly higher inbox placement for marketing emails but lacks built-in transactional delivery.
• Brevo offers robust SMTP options, making it suitable for order confirmations, password resets, and alerts, alongside marketing.

Both platforms offer real-time analytics including open rates, click rates, bounces, and device type tracking.

Integrations and API Access

Mailchimp has more integrations with e-commerce and social media platforms. Brevo excels with flexible API usage and transactional functions.

Use Case Scenarios

Startups and Solopreneurs:
Brevo is a strong choice for those with smaller budgets who need essential tools without subscriber-based billing. Its free tier includes SMS and basic automation, making it cost-effective for early-stage businesses.

E-commerce Stores:
Mailchimp offers deeper e-commerce integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. Its pre-built product recommendation blocks and abandoned cart workflows support online retailers.

Freelancers and Creators:
Mailchimp’s drag-and-drop design tools and newsletter templates are ideal for creators who prioritize branding and visual presentation.

Marketing Agencies:
Brevo’s multi-user access, transactional email system, and custom automation make it suitable for agencies managing multiple clients and workflows.

Pros and Cons of Each Platform

Mailchimp

Pros:

• Intuitive design tools with extensive template library
• Excellent for e-commerce and product-based campaigns
• Wide integration ecosystem
• Built-in analytics and reporting

Cons:

• More expensive for larger lists
• Advanced features locked behind high-tier plans
• Subscriber-based pricing can escalate quickly

Brevo

Pros:

• Email volume-based pricing is cost-efficient
• Built-in transactional email and SMS
• Flexible workflow automation
• Strong CRM and live chat integration

Cons:

• Fewer design options compared to Mailchimp
• A/B testing not included in base plan
• Smaller template selection

Final Verdict: Which One to Choose?

Choose Mailchimp if:

• You prioritize brand design and newsletter appearance
• Your business is built on e-commerce platforms
• You are comfortable with a higher price point for advanced features

Choose Brevo if:

• You want affordable email marketing with scalable options
• You need transactional messaging, SMS, or chat features
• You prefer paying by email volume, not contacts

Both platforms offer strong core capabilities. Your final decision should depend on pricing preference, messaging channels, and how critical automation or transactional messaging is to your operations.

FAQs About Mailchimp and Brevo

1. Which platform is cheaper in the long run?
Brevo tends to be more affordable due to its volume-based pricing, especially for large contact lists.

2. Can I send transactional emails with Mailchimp?
Only with a separate Mandrill add-on, which is not included in basic plans.

3. Which tool has better automation?
Brevo’s workflow builder is more flexible and user-friendly for automation-heavy users.

4. Can both platforms integrate with WordPress?
Yes. Both offer WordPress plugins and embed options for forms and automation.

5. Which is better for Shopify integration?
Mailchimp has direct apps for Shopify, while Brevo requires third-party bridges.

6. Are these tools GDPR compliant?
Yes, both platforms are fully GDPR-compliant and offer features like double opt-in and consent management.