Let's be honest—Mailchimp's price hikes have pushed a lot of businesses to look for alternatives. If you're running your email marketing on a tight budget or need more features without the premium price tag, you've probably searched for a "microsoft mailchimp alternative" or something similar that won't break the bank.
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) has become one of the most talked-about options, and for good reason. It's an all-in-one customer engagement platform that combines email marketing, SMS campaigns, CRM, and automation tools in one place [[84]]. With over 600,000 customers worldwide, it's clearly resonating with businesses that want more bang for their buck [[90]].
This review breaks down everything you need to know about Brevo—from the free plan limits to whether it's actually worth upgrading. I'll show you the real costs, compare it against Mailchimp, and help you decide if it's the right move for your business.
What's Inside This Review
Here's exactly what we'll cover to help you make a decision:
- Is Brevo actually worth trying? - Quick verdict on who should use it
- What you get in the free plan - Real limits and what's included
- The features that stand out - Email builder, automation, CRM, and more
- Pricing and value comparison - Brevo vs Mailchimp costs breakdown
- Who this is best for - The types of businesses that benefit most
- Brevo alternatives - When you might want something else
- Final verdict - Should you start the free trial?
Brevo vs Mailchimp at a Glance
Before diving deep, here's a quick comparison to show you where Brevo stands against Mailchimp:
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| Feature | Brevo | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | 300 emails/day, up to 100,000 contacts, automation included [[66]][[70]] | 1,000 contacts, 1,000 sends/month, basic features |
| Starting Price | $9/month for 5,000 emails [[47]][[51]] | $13/month for 500 contacts (Essentials) |
| Pricing Model | Pay for emails sent, unlimited contacts [[30]] | Pay for contacts stored |
| Built-in CRM | Yes, included free [[61]] | Limited, requires paid plans |
| SMS Marketing | Included on paid plans [[45]] | Not available |
| Best For | Large lists with infrequent sending, budget-conscious businesses [[77]] | Small lists, template-focused users |
The biggest difference? Brevo bills you based on emails sent, while Mailchimp charges by contacts stored [[30]]. If you have a large list but don't email daily, Brevo can save you serious money.
Brevo also includes features on the free plan that Mailchimp charges for—like marketing automation and a built-in CRM [[61]]. That's a substantial improvement for small businesses watching every dollar.
But here's the thing: cheaper doesn't always mean better. Let's dig into what you actually get and whether Brevo is the right fit for your business.
What You Actually Get for Free
Brevo’s free plan is genuinely useful, not just a crippled demo. You get storage for up to 100,000 contacts and can send 300 emails per day forever. It also includes marketing automation and a built-in CRM, which most competitors lock behind paywalls.
You do not need to enter a credit card to start. The daily sending limit resets every 24 hours, making it perfect for small, consistent newsletters. If you need to send a large blast, you can upgrade to a paid plan or buy pay-as-you-go credits.
The Features That Actually Stand Out
The drag-and-drop email builder is straightforward and does not require design skills. You can set up abandoned cart sequences or welcome series in minutes using pre-built templates. SMS marketing and transactional email capabilities are baked right into the same dashboard.
Deliverability is another massive win here. Brevo maintains a 99% delivery rate by actively managing sender reputations and avoiding spam traps. Your emails actually reach the primary inbox instead of getting buried in promotions.
AI tools are included to generate subject lines and optimize send times. This removes the guesswork from figuring out when your audience is most active. You spend less time tweaking settings and more time focusing on your actual business.
Real Pricing Breakdown
Let’s look at the real costs so you know exactly what you are paying for. Brevo’s pricing is based on the number of emails you send, not the number of contacts you store. This is a massive advantage if you have a large list but only email them once a week.
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| Brevo Plan | Monthly Cost | Email Limit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 300 emails / day | Testing the waters, small newsletters |
| Starter | $9 | 5,000 emails / month | Removing daily limits, basic automation |
| Standard | $18 | 5,000 emails / month | A/B testing, advanced automation, multi-user |
Why You Should Make the Switch Now
Switching email platforms feels like a headache, but staying with an overpriced tool costs you more. If your contact list is growing, legacy platforms will bleed your budget dry. Brevo’s pricing model saves you hundreds of dollars a year for the exact same functionality.
You can migrate your lists and templates in a single afternoon. The platform guides you through importing contacts and setting up your first automated workflow. You will see the ROI immediately without needing a dedicated IT team.
If you are tired of paying for contacts you rarely email, this is your way out. The free plan gives you plenty of runway to test the interface and confirm it works for your specific needs. Delaying the switch just means throwing more money at a system that penalizes your growth.
How Brevo Compares to Other Alternatives
If Brevo doesn’t feel like the perfect fit, you have a few other solid options depending on your specific needs. No single tool does everything perfectly for every business. Here is how the top contenders stack up against each other.
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| Tool | Best For | Main Strength | Main Drawback | Starting Price | Best Choice When |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brevo | Large lists, infrequent senders | Pay-per-email pricing, built-in CRM | Templates feel slightly dated | $9/mo | You want to scale your contact list without paying extra. |
| Moosend | Solopreneurs, simple newsletters | Intuitive drag-and-drop builder | Advanced automation is limited on lower tiers | $9/mo | You need a dead-simple interface for basic campaigns. |
| ActiveCampaign | Advanced automation, complex workflows | Deep segmentation and CRM features | Steep learning curve, higher price point | $15/mo | You need sophisticated behavioral triggers and scoring. |
| Mailchimp | Brand recognition, template variety | Huge ecosystem of third-party integrations | Expensive as your list grows | $13/mo | You rely heavily on specific niche app integrations. |
Choose Brevo if you have a growing contact list and want to avoid the contact-based pricing trap. Go with Moosend if you are a solo creator who needs a dead-simple interface for basic campaigns. Opt for ActiveCampaign only if your business relies on complex, multi-step automation sequences and you have the budget to support it.
My Honest Take: Is It Worth It?
Brevo is a legitimate, powerful alternative to Mailchimp that actually respects your budget. The free plan gives you enough runway to test the waters, and the paid tiers scale logically without punishing you for having a large audience. If you are tired of watching your software bills climb just because you added a few hundred new subscribers, making the switch is a no-brainer.
You get enterprise-level automation and CRM features without the enterprise-level price tag. Delaying the switch just means throwing more money at a system that penalizes your growth. today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my existing Mailchimp subscribers when I switch?
Yes, you can export your contact list as a CSV file from Mailchimp and import it directly into Brevo. The process usually takes just a few minutes, and Brevo will automatically clean up duplicates.
Is Brevo really free forever?
The free plan does not expire and allows you to store up to 100,000 contacts. Your only limitation is the 300-email daily sending cap, which is perfect for small, consistent newsletters.
Does Brevo integrate with WordPress and Shopify?
Yes, Brevo offers native plugins for WordPress, WooCommerce, and Shopify. You can easily connect your store to trigger automated emails based on customer purchases or abandoned carts.
