Side by side
Mailchimp Transactional (formerly Mandrill) vs Waypoint
Both stand on transactional email services. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free trial Web
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.
Visit Mailchimp Transactional (formerly Mandrill)
Free plan APIWeb
Waypoint pairs an email API with visual template editing and activity logs for transactional messaging teams. Its stated exclusions and plan limits matter when matching it to a sending workflow.
Visit WaypointThe facts
| Mailchimp Transactional (formerly Mandrill) | Waypoint | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | A free trial | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Web | API, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | 161+ blocks: $10 a month | Starter: $20 a month |
| Plans published | 12 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | mailchimp.com | usewaypoint.com |
| On transactional email services | #29 of 41 | #25 of 41 |
Mailchimp Transactional (formerly Mandrill): 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
Waypoint: what it does well
- API supports JSON-based email sending.
- Visual templates can be updated without redeployment.
- Logs include opens and clicks, with search and filters.
- Custom domains support SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
- Free plan is available.
What to know first
- Free plan allows test emails only.
- Not intended for combined email and SMS sending.
- Raw HTML email templates cannot be edited.
- Starter costs $20 a month.
Alternatives to Mailchimp Transactional (formerly Mandrill) Alternatives to Waypoint The whole list