Mailchimp vs. SendinBlue - which provides better automation options for email marketing campaigns?

If you foresee needing intricate workflows triggered by website visits and with lots of "if/then" paths, Sendinblue often provides a more robust and cost-effective solution as you grow. You'll find it offers a wider array of triggers and conditions, allowing for highly personalized customer journeys. Plus, having transactional emails built right in can be a real convenience.

On the other hand, if your automation needs are more straightforward, like setting up welcome series or abandoned cart reminders, Mailchimp's user-friendly interface might feel more intuitive to you. While it has improved its automation capabilities, for more advanced scenarios and larger contact lists, Sendinblue tends to offer more bang for your buck.

To really decide, it's a good idea to try out the free versions of both to see which platform's automation builder clicks best for you and your specific campaign goals.

SendinBlue (now Brevo) offers more advanced automation features compared to Mailchimp, especially for users focused on behavior-based workflows. While Mailchimp provides solid automation, it’s more linear and limited in segmentation. SendinBlue allows for multi-step, condition-based workflows, making it ideal for complex campaigns.

It also includes SMS automation, which Mailchimp lacks natively. If automation flexibility and multi-channel marketing are priorities, SendinBlue has the edge. However, Mailchimp is easier to use for beginners and integrates better with a wider range of platforms, which may be beneficial for simpler needs.

When it comes to choosing an email marketing platform, automation is a key factor that can make or break your campaigns. Both Mailchimp and SendinBlue are top contenders, but they cater to different needs. Let’s break it down.

Mailchimp is a veteran in the email marketing world, known for its user-friendly interface and powerful automation tools. It offers a variety of pre-built workflows, making it easy to set up drip campaigns, welcome emails, or abandoned cart reminders. One standout feature is its predictive analytics, which helps you send emails at the perfect time to maximize engagement. However, its advanced features often come with a higher price tag, which might not be ideal for small businesses or startups.

SendinBlue, on the other hand, is a rising star that focuses on simplicity and affordability. Its automation options are robust, allowing you to create workflows based on user actions, like email opens, link clicks, or website visits. What makes SendinBlue shine is its SMS marketing integration, giving you more ways to reach your audience. Plus, it’s budget-friendly, offering great value for money without sacrificing essential features.

In summary, Mailchimp is better for businesses looking for advanced features and deep analytics, while SendinBlue is perfect for those seeking affordable and effective automation with added SMS capabilities. The choice depends on your needs and budget.

The decision of whether to opt for Mailchimp or SendinBlue for email marketing automation has its difficulty. Let us explore the choice through the comparison of the availability of the tools that enhance your campaigns!

Automation Workflows that are Easy to Use
A highly intuitive visual automation builder featured by Mailchimp is the right choice for those who are instant beginners. You are free to use a drag-and-drop interface that allows you to create both simple as well as complex workflows.

Pro Tip: If you haven’t been into automation previously, you may enlist Mailchimp’s pre-built templates to start with and explore their workflows.

Segmentation and Personalization at the Next Level
SendinBlue is the champion of this category due to its robust segmentation features. The targeting of contacts is based on their behavior, demographics, etc., which makes it possible for the campaigns to be highly personalized.

Example: Remind customers who have not purchased anything from you for the past six months of that while you are using SendinBlue.

Transactional Emails Support
A very beneficial feature of SendinBlue is the inclusion of transactional email services which is a none of the features supported by Mailchimp. This is especially useful for first-time users of the automation platform that want to send order confirmations or password resets.

Pro Tip: Use SendinBlue's transactional emails feature to craft a distinct look, a signature of your brand, across all customer communications.

Automation Pricing
Gillets won’t catch Mailchimp’s price unless the contact list is extremely built transferring clients to the higher tier only certain automation features are available in the plans. SendinBlue on the other hand provides economical choices with unlimited contacts.

Example: Wait, there is a plan you definitely must get. If you're cash strapped, the free version of SendinBlue would cover needed automation for up to 300 emails per day.

SMS Marketing Connection
SendinBlue built-in SMS marketing for its automation workflows activation, while Mailchimp does not have it natively.

Pro Tip: Use SendinBlue to mix both e-mail and SMS campaigns for better engagement rates and to catch your audience in more channels.

Although both channels illustrate automation arability, SendinBlue not only provides more advanced attributes but also offers better value too especially for companies that want to blend SMS or set up transactional emails.

As someone with extensive experience using both Mailchimp and Sendinblue (now Brevo) for various clients, I can confidently say that each platform has its strengths, depending on the specific needs of your email marketing campaigns.

For instance, Brevo excels in building complex automation workflows. It allows you to create advanced automations, such as jumping from one point in a workflow to another specific location within the same flow or even transitioning to an entirely different flow. This level of flexibility is not currently available in Mailchimp, which requires creative workarounds to achieve similar functionality.

On the other hand, Mailchimp is unmatched when it comes to e-commerce email automation. Its triggers for e-commerce actions (such as abandoned cart emails or purchase follow-ups) are more robust and reliable compared to Brevo. Additionally, Mailchimp’s interface for e-commerce campaigns is faster and more intuitive, making it a better choice for businesses heavily focused on online sales.

In conclusion, Brevo is ideal if your focus is on creating complex and dynamic automation workflows, while Mailchimp is the better option for e-commerce-specific automation needs. If your goal is to set up simpler email flows, both platforms can serve you well. Ultimately, your decision should factor in your goals, budget, and familiarity with the platform.

I hope this provides clarity and helps you choose the best tool for your needs!

Best regards,

Abdul-wasiu