⚡ Bottom Line Up Front
Winner: ActiveCampaign — Best automation for growing
businesses
ActiveCampaign leads with the most powerful automation
builder and best deliverability rates. Brevo (ex-Sendinblue) is the EU-based alternative with GDPR baked
in. Mailchimp is easiest to start with but becomes
expensive at scale.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Rating | Free Tier | From/mo | EU Hosting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ActiveCampaign | 14-day trial | $29 | ✅ EU option | |
| Brevo | ✅ 300/day | $25 | ✅ France 🇫🇷 | |
| Mailchimp | ✅ 500 contacts | $13 | ❌ US only | |
| GetResponse | ✅ 500 contacts | $15.60 | ✅ Poland 🇵🇱 | |
| ConvertKit | ✅ 1,000 subs | $25 | ❌ US only |
European Perspective
For EU-based businesses, GDPR compliance isn't optional — it's law. Brevo and GetResponse are headquartered in the EU, which means your data stays in EU jurisdiction by default. ActiveCampaign offers EU data residency as an option. Mailchimp stores everything in the US and relies on Standard Contractual Clauses — legally acceptable but less ideal.
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