Brevo vs Mailchimp:-
Both platforms handle email campaigns, automation, and contact management fine. The decision that actually matters isn’t features — it’s how each one bills you, and that difference can swing your monthly cost by hundreds of dollars depending on your list.
Brevo charges primarily by how much email you send. Mailchimp charges by how many contacts you store, with a send cap layered on top. Which one’s cheaper depends entirely on your ratio of contacts to sends — not on which logo you like better.
Quick verdict:-
Brevo fits a growing contact list you don’t email constantly, budget-conscious teams, and anyone who wants email + SMS + CRM + transactional messaging in one place.
Mailchimp fits teams already using it, anyone leaning on its integration library or template ecosystem, and small, frequently-emailed lists where the contact-based pricing doesn’t sting as much.
For most small businesses starting from scratch: Brevo. If you’re already deep in Mailchimp workflows, though, migration cost can outweigh the savings — that’s a real factor, not just a hedge.
At a glance:-
| Brevo | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 300 emails/day, up to 100k contacts | 250 contacts, 500 emails/mo |
| Entry paid plan | $9/mo (5,000 emails) | $13/mo (500 contacts) |
| Pricing driven by | Email volume | Contact count |
| SMS / WhatsApp | Built in | SMS as paid add-on |
| Transactional email | Included | Separate product |
| Templates | Good | Larger ecosystem |
| Integrations | Good | Larger ecosystem |
The math that actually decides it:-
A 50,000-contact list emailed twice a month costs roughly $80/month on Brevo’s volume-based pricing — versus $300+/month on Mailchimp’s contact-based Essentials plan. Flip it around: a lean 2,000-contact list emailed every week runs about $18/month on Mailchimp, close to or cheaper than Brevo’s equivalent tier, and Mailchimp throws in more templates for the same price.
The rule of thumb: big list, infrequent sends → Brevo wins by a wide margin. Small list, frequent sends → it’s close, and Mailchimp’s polish can tip it. Run your actual contact count and monthly send volume through both pricing calculators before deciding — don’t trust a single “cheaper platform” headline, including this one.
The hidden costs nobody puts in the headline price:-
Both platforms have gotchas that don’t show up in the “$9/month” or “$13/month” you see in ads.
Brevo: Starter keeps Brevo’s logo on your emails — removing it costs an extra ~$11/month. Landing pages aren’t available until Standard. Extra user seats cost extra on every paid tier.
Mailchimp: Its free plan was cut in January 2026, down from 500 contacts to 250. More importantly, Mailchimp counts every contact toward your bill — including unsubscribed and non-subscribed ones — unless you manually archive them. A list that “feels” like 2,000 active subscribers can quietly bill you for 5,000 if you never clean it out.
Neither platform is dishonest about this, but neither leads with it either. Check both before you commit.
Where each one clearly wins:-
Templates & design — Mailchimp. Its editor and template library are more mature, and that’s not close.
Automation value — Brevo. Standard ($18/mo) includes unlimited automation workflows and A/B testing; Mailchimp gates comparable depth behind Standard too, but Brevo gets you there at a lower price point.
Multichannel (SMS, WhatsApp, transactional email) — Brevo. It’s built into the core platform rather than bolted on.
Integrations — Mailchimp. Years of ecosystem-building means more native connections to CRMs, ecommerce platforms, and support tools. Check your specific stack before switching either way.
Deliverability — genuinely a tie. It depends on your domain reputation, authentication setup, and list hygiene far more than which platform you pick. Don’t choose based on a vendor’s own deliverability claims.
Who should pick which
Solopreneurs, freelancers, small agencies → Brevo. Start free, get CRM and multichannel messaging without committing to a big software line item.
New ecommerce businesses on a budget → Brevo, particularly if transactional email (order confirmations, password resets) matters as much as marketing email.
Teams already running on Mailchimp workflows or integrations → stay put. Migration has a real cost that a lower sticker price doesn’t automatically beat.
Anyone who cares most about design and template variety → Mailchimp.
FAQ:-
Is Brevo cheaper than Mailchimp? Usually, especially for larger lists emailed infrequently — but Mailchimp can be competitive or cheaper for small, frequently-emailed lists. Calculate your actual contacts + monthly sends before assuming either way.
Is Brevo free? Yes — 300 emails/day, up to 100,000 stored contacts, no time limit.
Is Mailchimp free? Yes, but limited to 250 contacts and 500 emails/month as of 2026 — down from its earlier limits.
Which has better templates? Mailchimp, clearly.
Which is better for ecommerce? Brevo for new, budget-conscious stores wanting transactional + marketing email together; Mailchimp for stores already integrated with it.
Can Brevo replace Mailchimp? For most small businesses whose needs are campaigns, automation, contact management, and transactional email — yes. Check your specific integrations before switching.
Suggestion:-
Don’t pick based on the advertised starting price. Work out your contact count, your monthly send volume, and which 2–3 features you actually need — that’s what determines which platform is cheaper for your business, not a “$9 vs $13” comparison.
