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Mailchimp Transactional (formerly Mandrill)
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What Mailchimp Transactional (formerly Mandrill) is
Mailchimp Transactional, formerly known as Mandrill, sends targeted and event-driven email through an API or SMTP connection. It can also send critical transactional SMS through the API using a Mailchimp SMS sending number. Marketers and developers can edit and test templates with drag-and-drop tools, while event webhooks and reporting cover delivery rates, recipient engagement, and account reputation changes. Inbound email can be received, processed, and parsed. Delivery logs are retained for 30 days, and a dedicated IP is available as an optional $29.95 monthly add-on. Email is purchased in 25,000-message blocks, starting at $20 a month for 1–20 blocks; higher tiers list lower per-block prices, down to $10 a month for 161+ blocks. Unused email does not roll over, and sending stops when blocks run out. A free trial allows up to 500 emails to a verified domain.
Who it suits
It suits teams sending API- or SMTP-based transactional email and SMS, especially those needing webhooks, inbound processing, reporting, or collaborative templates. It requires a Mailchimp account and a Standard, Premium, or legacy Monthly plan add-on.
What it does well
- API and SMTP transactional email
- Transactional SMS through the API
- Drag-and-drop template editing and testing
- Event webhooks and 30-day logs
- Inbound email processing and parsing
What to know first
- No free plan
- Unused emails do not roll over
- Sending stops when blocks are exhausted
- Requires a Mailchimp account and plan add-on
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1–20 blocks | billed monthly · 25,000 emails per block · 1–500,000 emails per month · 1–20 blocks | $20 a month |
| 21–40 blocks | billed monthly · 25,000 emails per block · 500,000–1,000,000 emails per month · 21–40 blocks | $18 a month |
| 41–80 blocks | billed monthly · 25,000 emails per block · 1,000,000–2,000,000 emails per month · 41–80 blocks | $16 a month |
| 81–120 blocks | billed monthly · 25,000 emails per block · 2,000,000–3,000,000 emails per month · 81–120 blocks | $14 a month |
| 121–160 blocks | billed monthly · 25,000 emails per block · 3,000,000–4,000,000 emails per month · 121–160 blocks | $12 a month |
| 161+ blocks | billed monthly · 25,000 emails per block · 4,000,000+ emails per month · 161+ blocks | $10 a month |
| Free trial | — | Free |
| 121-160 blocks | $12 per block | $12 a month |
The first 8 of 12 plans, as mailchimp.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word. Every plan
Verdict
Mailchimp Transactional combines email, SMS, template tools, inbound processing, and delivery reporting in a web service. Its block billing, non-rollover policy, account requirement, and optional dedicated-IP charge are important considerations.
Facts from Mailchimp Transactional (formerly Mandrill)'s own pages
- Automatic top-ups
- Accounts can automatically purchase blocks at a predefined limit. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Billing unit
- Email pricing uses blocks, with each block representing 25,000 emails. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Company trademark
- Mailchimp is a registered trademark of The Rocket Science Group. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Dedicated IP option
- Yes · mailchimp.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Dedicated IP
- A dedicated IP is available as an optional $29.95 monthly add-on. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Delivery log retention
- 30 · mailchimp.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Delivery methods
- both · mailchimp.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Developer resources
- It provides SDK repositories, guides, and a first-party MCP server. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Event webhooks
- Yes · mailchimp.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- No · mailchimp.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Free trial limit
- New users can send up to 500 free emails to a verified domain. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Inbound email
- Inbound email can be received, processed, and parsed through the service. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Account requirement
- A Mailchimp account is required for transactional messaging access and billing. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Marketing plan access
- Transactional Email is an add-on to Standard, Premium, or legacy Monthly plans. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Monthly send limit
- 25000 · mailchimp.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Reporting tools
- Reporting tools track delivery rates, recipient engagement, and account reputation changes. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Block exhaustion
- Sending stops when the account runs out of purchased email blocks. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Customer support
- Mailchimp customers can contact the support team; new customers can contact sales. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Template editing
- Templates support drag-and-drop editing and testing for marketer-developer collaboration. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Template options
- both · mailchimp.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Transactional email
- Sends targeted and event-driven messages through API or SMTP. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Transactional SMS
- Sends critical SMS through the API using a Mailchimp SMS sending number. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Unused email policy
- Unused emails do not roll over month to month. · mailchimp.com, 28 Sept 2026
Where Mailchimp Transactional (formerly Mandrill) stands on Freedom251
- Transactional email services#29 of 41
- Transactional Email Software#30 of 41
