Sendy vs Mailchimp: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Sendy and Mailchimp 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.
Bottom line: Mailchimp wins this matchup. Our overall Email Marketing pick is ActiveCampaign. Our free Email Marketing pick is SendPulse. Pick Sendy if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Sendy
Send newsletters 100x cheaper via Amazon SES with this self-hosted email application.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly lower email sending costs compared to traditional platforms
- • You want no monthly fees based on subscriber count
Mailchimp
Grow your business with email, SMS, and AI marketing
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want intuitive drag-and-drop editor accessible to non-technical users
- • You want comprehensive free plan to get started with basic email marketing
| At a Glance | Sendy | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $69/moOne-time purchase | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Email Marketing | Email Marketing |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 3.9/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Sendy or Mailchimp?
Choose Sendy if
Send newsletters 100x cheaper via Amazon SES with this self-hosted email application.
- You want significantly lower email sending costs compared to traditional platforms
- You want no monthly fees based on subscriber count
Choose Mailchimp if
Grow your business with email, SMS, and AI marketing
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want intuitive drag-and-drop editor accessible to non-technical users
- You want comprehensive free plan to get started with basic email marketing
| Feature | Sendy | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 42 reviews | ★3.9/5 31,997 reviews |
| Categories | Email MarketingNewsletter Tools | Email MarketingMarketing Automation |
In-Depth Analysis
Sendy
Send newsletters 100x cheaper via Amazon SES with this self-hosted email application.
Sendy's one-time purchase of $69 is incredibly fair and generous, especially considering it offers unlimited subscribers and a comprehensive feature set.
Strengths
- +Significantly lower email sending costs compared to traditional platforms.
- +No monthly fees based on subscriber count.
- +High deliverability rates through Amazon SES.
- +Comprehensive features for managing email campaigns.
- +Ability to manage multiple brands and clients with white-labeling.
Weaknesses
- -Requires technical knowledge for self-hosting and setup.
- -One-time purchase fee for the software itself.
- -Reliance on Amazon SES for email sending, which requires separate setup and costs.
Key features
Mailchimp
Grow your business with email, SMS, and AI marketing
Mailchimp was once the default email marketing tool for small businesses, and its free tier was legendary.
Watch out
ALL contacts count: subscribed, unsubscribed, non-subscribed, and 'cleaned' contacts all count toward your plan limit. You pay for contacts who unsubscribed last year unless you manually archive them. This inflates costs by 20-40% for most lists
Strengths
- +Intuitive drag-and-drop editor accessible to non-technical users
- +Comprehensive free plan to get started with basic email marketing
- +Powerful automation workflows rivaling dedicated automation platforms
- +Extensive template library with mobile-responsive designs
- +Strong deliverability rates backed by Intuit infrastructure
Weaknesses
- -Free plan capped at just 250 contacts and 500 sends per month
- -Pricing scales steeply as contact lists grow beyond initial tiers
- -Advanced segmentation and multivariate testing require higher tiers
- -Phone support only available on the highest tier
- -Removing Mailchimp branding requires a paid plan
Key features
Pricing: Sendy vs Mailchimp
| Plan | Sendy | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $69 One-time purchase | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $13 month Essentials |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $20 month Standard |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $350 month Premium |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Sendy pricing and Mailchimp pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Mailchimp has a free tier. Sendy is paid only.
Go with: Mailchimp
Want the highest-rated option?
Sendy: 4.3/5 (42 reviews). Mailchimp: 3.9/5 (31,997 reviews).
Go with: Sendy
Value user reviews?
Sendy: 42 reviews (4.3/5). Mailchimp: 31,997 reviews (3.9/5).
Go with: Mailchimp
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Sendy is paid. Mailchimp is freemium. Mailchimp lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are email marketing tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Sendy is rated higher: 4.3/5 vs 3.9/5.
Key Takeaways
Mailchimp
- Larger review base (31,997 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Sendy
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 3.9/5
The Bottom Line
Mailchimp wins this matchup. Our overall Email Marketing pick is ActiveCampaign. Our free Email Marketing pick is SendPulse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sendy or Mailchimp better?
Mailchimp is rated in our evaluation. Sendy is paid and Mailchimp is freemium.
What are Sendy and Mailchimp used for?
Sendy: Send newsletters 100x cheaper via Amazon SES with this self-hosted email application.. Mailchimp: Grow your business with email, SMS, and AI marketing.
What does Sendy cost vs Mailchimp?
Sendy is a paid tool. Mailchimp is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.