Mailchimp vs Brevo
Mailchimp and Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) are two of the most widely used email marketing platforms for UK businesses. Mailchimp is the most recognised name with powerful design tools; Brevo offers comparable functionality at significantly lower price points with SMS marketing built in.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | Brevo |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | 500 contacts, 1,000 emails/mo | Unlimited contacts, 300 emails/day |
| Pricing Model | Contact-based (expensive at scale) | Send volume-based (cheaper at scale) |
| SMS Marketing | Limited - separate tool | Built-in on all plans |
| Automation | Excellent - advanced customer journeys | Good - solid automation on paid plans |
| Design Tools | Superior drag-and-drop builder | Good builder, fewer design options |
| CRM Features | Basic contact management | Built-in CRM and deal pipeline |
| Data Residency | US-based servers | EU data centres (GDPR advantage) |
| Best For | Design-focused campaigns, small lists | Large lists, multi-channel, cost-efficiency |
Our Verdict
Choose Mailchimp if design quality and advanced customer journey automation are priorities with a list under 10,000 contacts. Choose Brevo if you have a large list, want SMS alongside email, or are scaling where Mailchimp's contact-based pricing becomes expensive. For UK businesses, Brevo's EU data centres offer a GDPR advantage. Selvam Digital connects either platform into automated lead nurturing, post-purchase sequences, and re-engagement campaigns — turning your email tool into a revenue-generating machine that runs without manual intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brevo GDPR compliant for UK businesses?
Yes. Brevo stores data in EU data centres and has a comprehensive GDPR compliance framework including data processing agreements, consent management, and right-to-erasure workflows. Post-Brexit, UK businesses can rely on EU-hosted providers under the UK's adequacy decision for EU data transfers.
Which is better for abandoned cart emails?
Both handle abandoned cart automation well. Mailchimp has deeper native integrations with Shopify and WooCommerce. Brevo handles the same workflows and can combine abandoned cart emails with SMS follow-ups — a combination that typically recovers 15-20% more carts than email alone.
When does Brevo become cheaper than Mailchimp?
Brevo typically becomes cheaper than Mailchimp around the 2,500-5,000 contact mark. Mailchimp charges by contact count, so costs escalate quickly as your list grows. Brevo's send-volume pricing means you pay for how much you send, not how many contacts you store — a better model for businesses with large lists they don't email constantly.
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