Mailchimp Transactional vs Sparkpost: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Mailchimp Transactional and Sparkpost comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Mailchimp Transactional
Send targeted and event-driven emails and SMS messages with best-in-class deliverability.
Best for you if:
- • Delivers transactional emails and SMS messages via API or SMTP.
- • Provides real-time tracking, analytics, and inbound email processing.
Sparkpost
Email delivery and analytics
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • SparkPost is an email delivery platform for transactional and marketing email
- • It provides high deliverability with real-time analytics
| At a Glance |  Mailchimp Transactional |  Sparkpost |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Email Deliverability | Email Deliverability |
Rating | —/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Mailchimp Transactional | Sparkpost |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Email DeliverabilityTransactional Email | Email DeliverabilityTransactional Email |
How Mailchimp Transactional and Sparkpost Compare
Mailchimp Transactional
Send targeted and event-driven emails and SMS messages with best-in-class deliverability.
Free tier available
Sparkpost
Email delivery and analytics
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Mailchimp Transactional
Want the highest-rated option?
Sparkpost scores 82/100. Mailchimp Transactional is unrated.
Go with: Sparkpost
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Sparkpost
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are email deliverability tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Sparkpost
- Higher score: 82/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Mailchimp Transactional
The Bottom Line
Sparkpost (82/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mailchimp Transactional or Sparkpost better?
Sparkpost scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Mailchimp Transactional and Sparkpost used for?
Mailchimp Transactional: Send targeted and event-driven emails and SMS messages with best-in-class deliverability.. Sparkpost: Email delivery and analytics.
What does Mailchimp Transactional cost vs Sparkpost?
Mailchimp Transactional is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Sparkpost is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.