What is a hybrid ESP (marketing + transactional)?

Hybrid ESPs handle both marketing campaigns and transactional messages. SendGrid, Brevo, and Mailchimp Transactional (formerly Mandrill) offer both capabilities. Single platforms simplify vendor management and can share sender reputation.

Advantages: unified analytics, consistent authentication setup, shared reputation building, single vendor relationship, and potentially lower total cost. One platform handles all email needs without integration complexity.

Disadvantages: transactional may get deprioritized in marketing-focused platforms, different teams may need different tools, and marketing problems can affect transactional delivery. Some organizations prefer specialized tools for each function. Evaluate whether unified convenience outweighs specialized excellence for your needs.