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Brevo vs Competitors

Brevo vs Mailchimp (Full Comparison Guide)

Most users switch from Mailchimp to Brevo for one reason: cost efficiency. Brevo charges for emails sent, not list size — a massive advantage.

Choosing the right email marketing tool can determine whether your business grows sustainably or bleeds money quietly. When people compare Brevo and Mailchimp, the debate always leads to pricing, deliverability, automation options, and long-term scalability. While Mailchimp became popular earlier, it is also known for being expensive, list-size based, and restrictive for growing businesses.

Brevo, on the other hand, has positioned itself as a simple, transparent, high-value alternative. It offers advanced automation, stable deliverability, multi-channel communication, and far better long-term pricing. This guide gives you an honest breakdown of how both platforms perform, where Mailchimp struggles, and why Brevo consistently comes out as the smarter choice for small businesses, creators, and professionals.

Why This Comparison Matters

Mailchimp markets itself heavily, but many users don’t realize the hidden costs, limits on automation, and aggressive list-based billing until it’s too late. Once your list grows, Mailchimp becomes one of the most expensive platforms in the industry.

Brevo is more flexible, affordable, and user-friendly, making it the better long-term platform for most users looking for clarity, cost-efficiency, and growth capability.

Pricing Comparison (Major Difference)

The biggest reason users move from Mailchimp to Brevo is pricing logic:

  • Mailchimp charges for list size (even unsubscribed users).
  • Brevo charges only for emails sent.

This alone saves businesses 40–70% yearly.

Brevo vs Mailchimp Pricing Table

Plan Brevo Mailchimp
Free Plan 300 emails/day, automation included Limits on automation, fewer features
Starter Plan from $9/month — 5,000 emails $40–$60/month for 1,500 contacts
Standard Plan from $18/month — automations $90–$180/month for automation features
Professional Plan from $499/month — enterprise $350–$600/month depending on list size

Automation Capabilities

Brevo Automation Pros

  • Full automation on all paid plans
  • Behavior-based journeys
  • Advanced segmentation logic
  • Multi-channel automation (SMS + Email + WhatsApp)
  • More intuitive workflow builder

Mailchimp Automation Cons

  • Automation locked behind higher tiers
  • More limited workflow triggers
  • Less flexible segmentation rules
  • Some advanced features require expensive plans

Deliverability & Inbox Placement

Deliverability is where Brevo consistently outperforms Mailchimp. Users report more consistent inbox placement, stable reputation management, and better control over domain authentication.

Why Brevo performs better:

  • Clear reputation scoring
  • Better handling of bounces
  • Cleaner IP pools
  • Stronger engagement filters
  • Native tools for domain authentication

Mailchimp Deliverability Issues

  • Shared IP pools sometimes inconsistent
  • Complaints increase cost without warning
  • List quality drops quickly due to list-based billing
  • Higher Promotions tab placement
Key Tip: Higher list size with low engagement hurts reputation. This is why Mailchimp users silently lose deliverability — and why Brevo's send-based billing keeps lists cleaner.

Ease of Use & User Experience

Brevo UX Advantages

  • Simpler interface
  • Cleaner navigation
  • Faster email editor
  • Automations easier to build
  • Better for beginners

Mailchimp UX Weaknesses

  • Complex menus
  • Slow builder sometimes
  • Too many upsell prompts
  • Workflows feel restricted

Companies That Prefer Brevo

  • FreshBuild Design — switched from Mailchimp after hitting billing issues at 12k contacts.
  • SkyMoss Apparel — improved deliverability after moving to Brevo automations.
  • PeakStream Digital — gained 40% cost reduction by leaving Mailchimp.

Customer Support Comparison

Brevo Support Pros

  • Responsive email support
  • Live chat for paid users
  • Clear documentation

Mailchimp Support Issues

  • Live chat only on higher plans
  • Email replies slower
  • Less guidance for automation issues
Key Tip: If your list is bigger than 5,000 contacts, Mailchimp becomes up to 4–8x more expensive than Brevo. For growing businesses, this alone is a deal-breaker.

Final Verdict: Brevo Wins

Both tools are well-known, but the comparison is simple: Brevo offers more value, better automation, stronger deliverability, lower costs, and scalable features without aggressive upselling. Mailchimp does the job, but it becomes expensive very quickly and lacks the flexibility modern marketers need.

For small businesses, creators, coaches, startups, and long-term growth — Brevo wins comfortably.

EmailSchool Recommendation

If you're starting fresh or switching from Mailchimp, go with Brevo Official. It's simpler, cheaper, more powerful, and more beginner-friendly. For full educational breakdowns, continue exploring EmailSchool.

1. Start with Brevo Starter Plan
2. Build automations early
3. Keep your list clean for maximum deliverability

Continue Learning at EmailSchool