# Email Marketing Software: Mailchimp vs ConvertKit vs Brevo (2026)
Email Marketing Software: Mailchimp vs ConvertKit vs Brevo (2026)
Three popular choices, three different priorities: Mailchimp’s broad toolkit, ConvertKit’s creator-first automations, and Brevo’s value plus SMS. Here’s the 2026 breakdown—pricing, deliverability, and when to choose each.
Quick Picks
- Best all-around toolkit + templates: Mailchimp
- Best for creators and simple funnels: ConvertKit
- Best value + email/SMS + CRM: Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
Pricing Snapshot (2026)
| Tool | Free | Entry | Mid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | Limited sends | ~$13–$20/mo | $60–$150/mo | Pay by contacts; extras add up |
| ConvertKit | Free for small lists | ~$9–$25/mo | $50–$120/mo | Pay by subscribers; good automations |
| Brevo | Free with daily cap | ~$12–$30/mo | $40–$120/mo | Pay by sends; SMS available |
Feature Comparison
| Area | Mailchimp | ConvertKit | Brevo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automation | Journeys; solid templates | Visual automations for creators | Journeys + SMS + transactional |
| Segmentation | Tags/audiences; advanced on higher tiers | Tags/segments; straightforward | Lists/segments; good filters |
| Templates | Many templates + content blocks | Clean, minimal templates | Drag-and-drop builder |
| Commerce | Store + product blocks; abandon cart | Tip jars/products (light) | Coupons, transactional email |
| SMS | Add-on | Not core | Built-in SMS (per credit) |
| Deliverability | Strong if authenticated | Strong if authenticated | Strong if authenticated |
Choose by Scenario
- Small business needing templates + simple automations: Mailchimp.
- Creators/coaches selling digital products with funnels: ConvertKit.
- Budget-friendly email + SMS + transactional (one platform): Brevo.
Setup Checklist (45–60 minutes)
- Import list with tags; clean bounces/unsubscribes.
- Authenticate domain (SPF/DKIM/DMARC); set a custom sending domain.
- Build a welcome + nurture sequence; add a weekly/bimonthly newsletter.
- Set forms/landing pages; connect to your site via embed or no-code forms.
- Turn on analytics and UTM tagging for links.
Deliverability Tips
- Warm up sending gradually; keep complaint rate low.
- Authenticate your domain and align From/Return-Path with your sending tool.
- Keep lists clean: remove hard bounces, prune inactives, honor unsubscribes.
Pros and Cons
| Tool | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | Rich templates; broad ecosystem; decent journeys | Costs ramp with contacts; add-ons |
| ConvertKit | Great for creators; clean automations; digital sales | Fewer templates; lighter reporting |
| Brevo | Good value; SMS + transactional; solid automation | UI less polished; credits for SMS |
Final Recommendation
Pick Mailchimp if you want lots of templates and a broad feature set. Choose ConvertKit if you’re a creator or coach building funnels. Choose Brevo if you want budget-friendly email plus SMS/transactional in one platform.
Try the leaders: Mailchimp · ConvertKit · Brevo
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