Brevo vs Mailchimp in 2025: The Ultimate Comparison
Choosing between Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) and Mailchimp in 2025 isn’t as simple as comparing price tags — both platforms have evolved dramatically over the past few years.
Mailchimp, once the undisputed leader in email marketing, now faces strong competition from newer, more flexible tools like Brevo that combine email, CRM, SMS, and automation under one affordable roof.
But which one is truly better for your business in 2025?
In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll break down both platforms across pricing, features, usability, automation, and scalability — and help you decide which fits your marketing goals best.
You’ll also find real-world cost scenarios, migration tips, and expert recommendations for different business types.
1. Platform Overview: Where Brevo and Mailchimp Stand in 2025
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
Brevo started as an email marketing platform but has evolved into a full marketing suite — offering email, SMS, chat, automation, CRM, and transactional email.
Its core focus: all-in-one simplicity at an accessible price point.
Brevo’s rebrand in 2023 reflected this expansion — positioning itself as a complete marketing and communication platform for small and medium-sized businesses.
Key Strengths:
- Affordable, usage-based pricing (no inflated contact tiers)
- Integrated CRM and automation in one platform
- Transactional emails and SMS marketing built in
Mailchimp
Mailchimp has long been the industry standard for email marketing. It’s known for its beautiful templates, strong analytics, and mature integrations with hundreds of third-party tools.
However, as it expanded into CRM and automation, its pricing structure became more complex — making it less accessible for small businesses.
Key Strengths:
- Excellent design tools and prebuilt templates
- Deep analytics and reporting
- Large app ecosystem and trusted reputation
💡 Summary:
If Brevo focuses on value and simplicity, Mailchimp aims for depth and polish.
2. Pricing: Brevo vs Mailchimp (2025 Updates)
Pricing is one of the biggest differentiators — and often the deciding factor for startups and small businesses.
| Plan Type | Brevo (2025) | Mailchimp (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | 300 emails/day (unlimited contacts) | Up to 500 contacts, 1,000 emails/month |
| Starter Plan | ~$09/month | ~$25/month (500 contacts) |
| Business / Standard Plan | ~$16.17/month | ~$75/month (up to 2,500 contacts) |
| Premium / Professional | Custom pricing | ~$350+/month (up to 10,000 contacts) |
| Pricing Model | Based on email volume | Based on contact count |
Key Takeaway:
Brevo charges by email volume, while Mailchimp charges by contact count — meaning Mailchimp can become significantly more expensive as your list grows.
Example:
A business with 10,000 contacts sending 3 campaigns/month:
- Brevo: ~$65–$80/month
- Mailchimp: ~$200–$250/month
Brevo offers consistent, predictable pricing, while Mailchimp’s costs can scale rapidly.
3. Features Comparison: Email, Automation, CRM, and Beyond
| Feature | Brevo | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Email Builder | Drag-and-drop, clean, responsive | Advanced design tools, prebuilt templates |
| Automation | Visual workflows, multichannel triggers | Complex automation builder, strong logic options |
| Transactional Emails | Included in all plans | Separate add-on via Mandrill (extra cost) |
| SMS Marketing | Built-in | Add-on through Twilio integration |
| CRM Features | Integrated contact, deals, and tasks | Basic contact management |
| Reporting & Analytics | Real-time stats, automation reports | Deep reports, A/B testing, AI recommendations |
| Integrations | 100+ (Shopify, WordPress, WooCommerce) | 1,000+ (Salesforce, Zapier, eCommerce) |
| Support | Email + chat (on all plans) | Limited on free plans; full support on paid tiers |
💡 Verdict:
Brevo wins on value, CRM integration, and all-in-one communication.
Mailchimp wins on design sophistication, analytics, and third-party integrations.
4. Ease of Use and User Experience
Brevo
- Interface is clean and intuitive — ideal for beginners.
- Workflow builder is visual, drag-and-drop, and easy to follow.
- Setup time: typically under 1 hour for first campaign.
Mailchimp
- Interface is visually appealing but can feel cluttered due to many features.
- Automation builder is powerful but takes longer to master.
- Setup time: 1–2 hours for first campaign.
Verdict:
For beginners or non-tech marketers, Brevo is easier to onboard.
For teams with experience and design-oriented goals, Mailchimp offers more creative control.
5. Automation and Personalization
Automation is where both platforms have made huge leaps since 2023.
Brevo Automation
- Drag-and-drop workflow builder
- Triggers based on contact actions (email opens, clicks, page visits)
- Multi-channel automation (email, SMS, and CRM task creation)
- Great for lead nurturing and small business funnels
Example Use Case:
A user downloads an ebook → Brevo tags them as “Leads” → sends a 3-step email + SMS sequence automatically.
Mailchimp Automation
- Powerful branching workflows
- Conditional triggers and e-commerce automations
- AI-powered content timing and recommendations
- Ideal for advanced marketers managing large lists
Example Use Case:
Online store triggers abandoned cart workflows with product recommendations and dynamic discount codes.
Verdict:
Brevo is simpler and faster to set up.
Mailchimp is more advanced — better suited to high-volume e-commerce or agencies.
6. Analytics and Reporting
Brevo
- Real-time dashboards
- Email performance (open, click, bounce, unsubscribes)
- Conversion tracking and basic revenue reporting
- Reports export easily into CSV or PDF
Mailchimp
- Advanced insights: revenue attribution, customer journeys, audience growth trends
- Predictive analytics for e-commerce
- Multi-campaign comparisons
Verdict:
Mailchimp’s analytics are more advanced and visually rich, but Brevo’s simplicity is perfect for SMBs who want actionable insights without data overload.
7. Deliverability and Reliability
Both tools maintain strong deliverability, but their strategies differ:
| Factor | Brevo | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Deliverability Rate | ~97–99% | ~98–99% |
| Dedicated IP Option | Yes (on Business plan) | Yes (on higher tiers) |
| List Cleaning Tools | Built-in | Available via integrations |
| Spam Testing | Basic | Advanced reports available |
Verdict:
Both deliver reliably.
Brevo includes transactional email sending directly — an advantage for companies that send both marketing and transactional messages (like password resets or invoices).
8. Migration & Switching Between Platforms
If you’re considering switching, the process is straightforward.
From Mailchimp → Brevo
- Export contacts and segments from Mailchimp.
- Import via CSV into Brevo (supports tags, attributes).
- Recreate automations using Brevo’s visual builder.
- Verify DNS (SPF/DKIM) to maintain deliverability.
From Brevo → Mailchimp
- Export your contact lists and custom fields.
- Import via Mailchimp’s audience tool.
- Set up your campaigns and rebuild workflows.
- Test automations before activating.
💡 Tip: Run both platforms in parallel for 1–2 weeks to compare results and ensure no downtime.
9. Limitations and Weak Points
| Limitation | Brevo | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Email Templates Variety | Fewer templates | More than 100 pre-designed |
| Advanced Analytics | Limited | Comprehensive and visual |
| Integration Ecosystem | Smaller | Massive marketplace |
| Automation Depth | Simpler | Complex, robust |
| Pricing Transparency | Clear, flat | Can be confusing for beginners |
Verdict:
Mailchimp still leads in design polish and ecosystem scale.
Brevo leads in affordability, simplicity, and multi-channel flexibility.
10. Real-World ROI Example
Scenario: Small e-commerce brand (5,000 contacts, 3 newsletters/month)
| Metric | Brevo | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | ~$65 | ~$120 |
| Setup Time | 1 hour | 3 hours |
| Automation | Moderate | Advanced |
| Revenue Attribution | Basic | Advanced |
| Overall ROI | 4.8x | 4.5x |
Even though Mailchimp provides deeper analytics, Brevo offers faster setup, lower cost, and comparable performance for small businesses.
11. Which Is Better for You in 2025?
| Business Type | Recommended Platform | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancers / Solopreneurs | Brevo | Affordable, simple automation |
| Startups / SMBs | Brevo | Integrated CRM + marketing |
| E-Commerce / Retail | Mailchimp | Advanced e-commerce automation |
| Agencies / Enterprises | Mailchimp | Complex workflows, client reporting |
| Content Creators | Brevo | Easy newsletters, built-in forms |
💡 Key Takeaway:
Start small with Brevo’s affordability, and scale into Mailchimp if you require enterprise-level analytics.
12. The Verdict: Brevo vs Mailchimp (2025)
- Choose Brevo if: you want a simple, affordable, all-in-one platform with CRM and automation included.
- Choose Mailchimp if: you need advanced analytics, deep integrations, and complex campaign management.
Final Recommendation:
If you’re starting or running a growing small business, Brevo delivers better value, scalability, and ease of use.
If you’re a data-driven marketer with advanced e-commerce needs, Mailchimp remains a strong contender — albeit at a higher price.
13. Download the 2025 Comparison Checklist
📄 Download the CRM & Email Marketing Comparison Checklist (PDF)
Use this to evaluate Brevo, Mailchimp, and other platforms based on features, pricing, and ROI before making your final decision.
Conclusion
The battle between Brevo and Mailchimp in 2025 ultimately comes down to simplicity vs sophistication.
- Brevo gives you everything you need to launch, automate, and grow — without overcomplicating.
- Mailchimp gives you extensive tools and data depth — but at a steeper learning curve and price.
The smartest move?
Start with Brevo’s free or low-tier plan, test your workflows, and upgrade when your list — and revenue — justifies it.
Pro Tip: The best email tool isn’t the most powerful — it’s the one you actually use consistently.
FAQs
1. Is Brevo better than Mailchimp for beginners?
Yes. Brevo’s interface and pricing model make it ideal for beginners and small businesses.
2. Can Mailchimp users switch to Brevo easily?
Absolutely. You can export contacts and campaigns easily — Brevo’s import tool simplifies migration.
3. Does Brevo offer transactional emails like Mailchimp?
Yes, and Brevo includes them natively. Mailchimp requires an extra add-on (Mandrill).
4. Which platform is more affordable for 10,000 contacts?
Brevo is roughly 50–70% cheaper at that scale, depending on send volume.
5. Which tool is better for e-commerce stores?
Mailchimp provides deeper integration with Shopify and analytics, while Brevo offers multichannel automation at lower cost.