Email Builder & Templates
Let’s start by analyzing the main feature required from an email marketing platform - the email builder.
Sendy Email Builder & Templates
Sendy features a straightforward WYSIWYG editor that allows you to design newsletters in no time. To customize your emails, you can add different graphics via the editor. You can also apply tags if personalization is your goal. An HTML editor is also available.
Unlike many email marketing platforms, Sendy doesn't provide a gallery of ready-made email templates, nor the possibility to create them directly in the platform using drag-and-drop functionality. But the platform allows you to build your custom templates from zero using HTML. Moreover, you can download email HTML templates from other sources (e.g. Litmus, Beefree, MJML, Cerberus), upload them on the platform, and edit them to fit your needs.
Mailchimp Email Builder & Templates
Mailchimp offers a user-friendly email editor and numerous in-app tips that guide you through the email creation process.
With Mailchimp, on the other hand, you get more than 100 different email templates that can adapt to specific marketing needs. Their responsive format makes them look great on any device. You can customize these templates based on your needs by choosing the most suitable layout and adapt its different elements. You can change all the basic aspects of your emails, including fonts, colors, indents, videos, images, social share buttons, text blocks.
Winner
MailChimp wins as it also provides its templates.
Split Testing
Split testing allows you to better understand your audience’s preferences by experimenting with different email versions.
Sendy Split Testing
Sendy is more limiting when it comes to split testing capabilities. Basically, the platform only allows you to use list segmentations to A/B test your campaigns. The process is somewhat manual. Sendy also offers a test send feature, allowing you to send test emails.
Mailchimp Split Testing
This platform allows you to split test campaigns by experimenting with two design variations. The tests will determine the winning variation and send it to the whole contact list. The winning criteria are either the highest open rate or click rate. After the tests are completed, you get statistics that allow you to determine their performance. Mailchimp also features an inbox preview function.
Winner
Mailchimp offers more testing options.
List Management
Both platforms provide multiple list management and segmentation options. Here is a rapid overview.
Sendy List Management
Sendy makes it easy for you to manage your contact lists and your newly acquired subscribers. You can easily mass import your contact list or delete contacts. The segmentation process is thoroughly connected to the forms features. Your customers will automatically be divided into groups based on the information they provide while signing up. The platform features basic subscriber information at a glance, such as the last activity date or status.
Mailchimp List Management
With Mailchimp, you can divide your audience into different groups based on the advanced algorithms of the platform that manage to predict their behavior. Prevalent criteria that can act as a segmentation trigger include contacts status and their interaction with your messages, their behavior on your website, or their purchases. However, Mailchimp is less flexible than other platforms regarding the number of lists you can create. Furthermore, it charges for duplicates.
Winner
Overall, Mailchimp seems to offer more advanced features.
Forms
Forms enable you to collect valuable contacts and start segmenting them into different groups based on the answers they provide.
Sendy Forms
Sendy allows you to configure sign-up forms by adding fields or even pass-through URLs. It’s also possible to embed sign-up codes. You can also build forms by integrating different third-party apps such as MailOptin or Piotnet Form. The platform’s custom fields feature largely contributes to the overall list segmentation process. This feature allows you to group contacts based on specific criteria. Single or double opt-in forms are available.
Mailchimp Forms
Mailchimp allows you to create sign-up and pop-up forms and add them to the landing pages you can also build from this platform. Or you can add them to your existing website, with only a few simple clicks. You can adjust the forms to fit your website's layout and embed them anywhere on the page (sidebar, footer, etc.). You can also add forms on your social platforms and connect them with your marketing CRM without effort. This provider only offers opt-in forms.
Winner
Both platforms offer good form-building capabilities.
Autoresponders
Autoresponders are a feature any email marketing platform should provide. These automated email messages can help you save time and keep customers engaged.
Sendy Autoresponders
Sendy's automation features allow you to send email messages at predetermined time intervals. The automation section feature is very intuitive. You simply enter the name, message and select the time when you want it to be delivered.
You can also use different triggers to schedule the autoresponder according to specific actions, such as new subscribers joining your list.
Mailchimp Autoresponders
Mailchimp not only allows you to create automated email sequences from an intuitive automation builder, but it also offers different ready-made workflows and autoresponder templates. Some of the most common workflows of this kind include welcome messages, abandoned cart flows, loyal custom reward emails, post-purchase follow-ups, etc. To create custom workflows from zero, you will use logic if/then conditions.
Winner
Mailchimp offers more advanced features, as well as templates.
Ease of Use
Let’s see how easy it is to use Sendy vs Mailchimp.
Sendy Ease of Use
With Sendy, most features you might want to use for your contact list and email campaigns are easy to access and use, including the split testing and autoresponder options. Overall, the platform’s interface is well-organized, unambiguous, and doesn’t feel clunky.
Mailchimp Ease of Use
Mailchimp features a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to create emails or landing pages. The interface is reasonably intuitive and easy to navigate. One of the features that makes this platform excellent especially for beginners is the handy in-app tips. Mailchimp allows you to customize your dashboard to feature only the main tools you are interested in.
Winner
Both platforms are easy to use.
Pricing
Discover the different pricing options these platforms offer.
Sendy Pricing
A particular feature you might find very useful in Sendy is that it allows you to send up to 10,000 emails via Amazon SES, and pay just $1. In other words, you are not limited by a contract, a monthly fee, or an email send limit. Sendy allows you to pay precisely for how many emails you are sending. Sendy has a low price point because it relies on multi-threading to deliver emails via Amazon SES.
To be able to use Sendy’s software, there is a one-time lifetime fee that costs $69. Paying this fee will grant you an unlimited and uninterrupted license to use Sendy.
Mailchimp Pricing
With Mailchimp, you can send 10,000 emails for free to a maximum number of 2,000 contacts each month. The paid subscriptions start at $9.99/month with the Essential plan. This plan is available for 500 contacts and allows you to use email templates, A/B testing, workflows, custom branding, and benefit from 24/7 email and chat support. The Standard plan costs $14.99/month and also includes send-time optimization, behavioral targeting, and dynamic content. The Premium plan includes all of the platform’s advanced features. It costs $299 per month.
Winner
Sendy is more affordable.
Integrations
Integrations allow you to use other third-party apps in conjunction with your email marketing platform.
Sendy Integrations
Sendy offers integrations with many popular applications. Its portfolio includes Magento, WordPress, WooCommerce, Joomla, among others. Furthermore, this software can be integrated with Zapier, which means you can build integrations with thousands of other apps.
Mailchimp Integrations
Mailchimp offers more than 250 integrations with popular marketing, productivity, social, or eCommerce third-parties. Some of the names you can find in its rich portfolio include Stripe, Drupal, Shipware, Zendesk, WordPress, Mixpanel, Linkedin, Facebook, Vimeo, Survey Monkey, Chargebee, Unsplash, Adobe Photoshop.
Winner
Mailchimp offers more integrations.
Reports
Reports are an essential tool you should use to monitor and improve your email campaigns. These are the main options you get with Sendy vs Mailchimp.
Sendy Reports
Sendy offers a formatted report that allows you to see the progress of each campaign after your messages are delivered. This report is easy to follow, and it shows you essential stats such as open rates, bounces, click-throughs, or spam complaints. The unsubscribes, bounces, and complaints are handled in real-time, as the corresponded contacts are automatically eliminated from the list.
Mailchimp Reports
Mailchimp offers a wide range of in-depth analyses. It allows you to access all the basic campaign metrics such as opens, clicks, unsubscribes, or bounces. You can also get helpful comparative reports that determine how well your current campaign is unfolding compared to previous ones or with industry standards. Google Analytics reports, social media statistics, geo-tracking reports are also available, and so are ROI statistics.
Winner
Mailchimp offers more reports.
Customer Support
Both platforms offer different customer support solutions.
Sendy Customer Support
Sendy allows you to find the answer to the problems you are facing via their troubleshooting page. The platform also offers email support.
Mailchimp Customer Support
Mailchimp offers 24/7 email and chat support to all paying customers. Phone support is also available for the highest plan. The platform also has an extensive knowledge base loaded with training materials.
Winner
Mailchimp provides more support channels.
When to Use Each
Here are the main reasons why you should use Mailchimp or Sendy.
When to Use Sendy
Sendy is an excellent choice for anyone on a tight budget and wanting basic email automation and reporting features. Sendy offers a full array of tools that can successfully substitute more expensive platforms, despite not having the same complexity.
When to Use Mailchimp
Mailchimp is suitable for any marketer, regardless of their experience. This platform's intuitive interface and in-app recommendations make navigation easy. Its strong reports and automations put your campaigns on autopilot.
Pros and Cons
Each platform has its pros and cons. Here is a summary.
Sendy Pros vs Cons
Sendy is a great budget option for anyone looking for an email marketing platform, but wanting to avoid a monthly fee. Easy to navigate, with great automated list cleaning features and straightforward reports, this platform is ideal for beginners. However, it lacks the complexity you can find in many of its rivals in terms of email design, segmentation, or automation.
Mailchimp Pros vs Cons
Mailchimp is a well-rounded platform that offers every feature you might need to build stunning email campaigns, track, and improve their results. However, due to its vast array of features, it is also more expensive than its rival.
Alternatives to Sendy or Mailchimp
These are two valuable alternatives you might also want to consider.
GetRespons
is an intuitive email marketing platform that features powerful automation, responsive forms, numerous integrations, and in-depth reports.
ConvertKit
is another user-friendly platform. It offers different forms, customizable workflows, numerous email customization options, and an intuitive segmentation process.
Winner
The final winner in this Sendy vs Mailchimp comparison is Mailchimp because it provides excellent email design capabilities, in-depth analysis, and numerous integrations.
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