| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | Free trial | Best for | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | Check site | Yes | 14 day free trial (paid plans) | Polished newsletters and automations | Official pricing |
| Brevo | Check site | Yes | Not stated | Larger contact lists, email plus SMS, and pay as you go sending | Official pricing |
Both sites price paid plans by list size or email volume, so we show Check site rather than a single figure.
Free plans compared
Mailchimp's free plan is for lists under 250 contacts, with up to 500 sends a month and 250 a day. It includes 1 seat and 1 audience, email support for the first 30 days, no scheduling and Mailchimp branding on emails.
Brevo's free plan lets you send up to 300 emails a day once your account is approved, and you do not need a card to sign up.
Paid plans
Mailchimp offers a 14 day free trial of Standard or Essentials, which needs a card. Standard allows up to 200 automation flows and 5 seats. Mailchimp also sells pay as you go credits and lists a 15% discount for nonprofits.
Brevo Starter starts from 5,000 emails a month and includes an AI content generator. SMS is sold separately. Standard adds automation and A/B testing and removes the Brevo logo. Professional starts from 150,000 emails and 10 seats. Brevo's pay as you go credits do not expire.
Verdict by business type
- List under 250 contacts and a monthly newsletter. Either free plan works. Brevo allows more daily sending.
- List over 250 contacts on no budget. Brevo, as Mailchimp's free plan stops at 250 contacts.
- You want scheduled sends and automations. A paid plan on either. Try Mailchimp Standard with its free trial.
- You also send texts to customers. Brevo, which sells SMS alongside email.
Need help writing the emails? See our ChatGPT vs Claude comparison or get an email tools shortlist in the finder.
Sources
FAQ
Is Mailchimp still free?
Yes. Mailchimp's free plan is for lists under 250 contacts, with up to 500 sends a month and 250 a day, and Mailchimp branding on emails.
How many emails can I send free on Brevo?
Brevo's free plan allows up to 300 emails a day after your account is approved.
Which is better for my business?
Brevo suits businesses with a larger list or a need for SMS. Mailchimp suits businesses that want its automations, and you can trial a paid plan for 14 days.
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