Shortlist Brevo for messaging and contacts, Mailchimp for audience-centered campaigns, and HubSpot when email needs to connect with a broader sales process.
Our shortlist at a glance
Software shortlist with pricing, free plans, and key differences
Brevo earns a place on this shortlist for messaging and contacts. Messaging and contact tools in one place, with a free plan and a Starter plan from $9/mo for 5,000 emails/month billed monthly (10% off billed yearly). Evaluate it with a representative task before rolling it out. Tradeoff: Sending limits need checking.
Mailchimp earns a place on this shortlist for audience-led campaigns. Campaign creation and audience tools together; Essentials starts at $13/mo for 500 contacts billed monthly, with a free plan below 500 contacts. Evaluate it with a representative task before rolling it out. Tradeoff: Contact-based costs need modeling.
HubSpot earns a place on this shortlist for sales and marketing together. Shared context across sales and marketing; Starter starts at $15/seat/mo billed annually ($20 billed monthly), and free tools cover up to two users. Evaluate it with a representative task before rolling it out. Tradeoff: Suite costs need careful modeling.
Shortlist Brevo for messaging and contacts, Mailchimp for audience-centered campaigns, and HubSpot when email needs to connect with a broader sales process.
Start with two candidates. Give each the same small project and write down the workarounds, training needs, and ongoing ownership it requires. Extra features have little value if they make routine work harder.
Compare the complete cost
Look beyond the advertised entry plan. Count the people who need paid access, the usage allowances, and the administrative time involved. Brevo Starter starts at $9/mo for 5,000 emails/month billed monthly (10% off billed yearly), Mailchimp Essentials at $13/mo for 500 contacts billed monthly, and HubSpot Starter at $15/seat/mo billed annually ($20 billed monthly). These are US list prices verified against vendor pricing pages in September 2026; contact-based and seat-based models change the math quickly, so confirm current terms on the vendor’s site.
Frequently asked questions
How were these tools selected?+
This shortlist compares product positioning, workflow tradeoffs, and pricing verified on each vendor's official pricing page. It is not a completed hands-on test or a universal ranking. Our methodology explains the evidence required before publishing a scored review.
Should I choose the free option?+
A free plan is useful if its limits fit your work. Brevo has a free plan, Mailchimp's free plan covers fewer than 500 contacts, and HubSpot's free tools cover up to two users. Check the features, allowances, and migration cost before making price the deciding factor.
Brevo
Mailchimp
HubSpot
$9.00 / mo
