Updated June 30, 2026 · Pricing and features verified 2026
Key takeaways
- Brevo wins on value, pricing by emails sent with unlimited contacts.
- Mailchimp wins on editor polish, templates, and ease of use.
- Both have free plans; Brevo's is email-volume based, Mailchimp's is contact based.
- Choose by list shape: large lists emailed occasionally (Brevo) versus ease (Mailchimp).
The short version: choose Brevo if you want the best value and unlimited contacts, paying by emails sent; choose Mailchimp if you want the most polished editor and easiest experience.
Brevo vs Mailchimp at a glance
| Brevo | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $9/mo (Starter) | $13/mo (Essentials) |
| Free plan | Yes (300 emails/day) | Yes (250 contacts) |
| Pricing model | By emails sent | By contacts stored |
| Contacts | Unlimited | Counted (incl. unsubscribed) |
| Best for | Value, large lists | Ease and templates |
Pricing
This is the key difference. Brevo prices by emails sent and includes unlimited contacts, so a large list you email occasionally stays cheap; Starter is $9/month. Mailchimp prices by total contacts, including unsubscribed, so costs climb with list size; Essentials is $13/month. For big, lightly emailed lists, Brevo is markedly cheaper.
Verdict: Brevo for value and large lists; Mailchimp if list size is small and stable.
Features and automation
Both offer automation, landing pages, and a light CRM. Brevo adds native SMS and the email-volume model; Mailchimp has a more polished editor, a bigger template library, and a slightly more refined experience.
Verdict: Mailchimp for polish; Brevo for value and SMS.
Ease of use
Mailchimp is the more beginner-friendly of the two, with a smoother editor. Brevo is capable and clean but slightly less refined.
Verdict: Mailchimp for ease; Brevo for value.
Deliverability and support
Both deliver well in practice. Brevo includes transactional email and SMS, useful if you send both marketing and system messages. Check current send caps on free and entry plans for each.
Verdict: Comparable; Brevo bundles transactional and SMS.
Choose Brevo if…
- You have a large list you email occasionally.
- You want unlimited contacts and email-volume pricing.
- You want native SMS and transactional email.
Choose Mailchimp if…
- You want the most polished editor and templates.
- Ease of use matters most.
- Your list is small and stable.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brevo cheaper than Mailchimp? Often yes, especially for large lists, because Brevo prices by emails sent with unlimited contacts, while Mailchimp prices by total contacts.
Does Brevo have a free plan? Yes, up to 300 emails per day with unlimited contacts. Mailchimp’s free plan covers 250 contacts.
Which is easier to use? Mailchimp is generally the more beginner-friendly, with a more polished editor.