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Last updated: October 29, 2026

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Brevo vs MailerLite (2027): Prices, Free Plans and Which to Pick

Choose Brevo if you have a large list and send occasionally: it's free for 300 emails a day and paid plans start at about $9 a month, priced by emails sent rather than contacts stored, according to 2026 pricing guides. Choose MailerLite if you have a small or medium list and want simple, cheap automation: it's free for 250 subscribers with 2,500 emails a month and 3 automations, and Comfort starts at $12 a month with 50 active automations. The billing model decides which one is cheaper for you.

* From 2026 pricing guides.

Brevo vs MailerLite at a glance

When each billing model wins

Features compared

Both include a drag-and-drop editor, landing pages, sign-up forms and automation. MailerLite's editor and templates are known for simplicity, and Comfort's 50 active automations with up to 100 steps each cover most small businesses. Brevo adds channels MailerLite doesn't offer, including SMS, WhatsApp and transactional email, which helps businesses that send receipts and password resets from the same platform.

Three real-world scenarios

A gym with 3,000 members and a monthly newsletter

Brevo bills about 3,000 emails a month; MailerLite bills 3,000 subscribers. Brevo is usually cheaper.

A consultant with 500 subscribers and weekly emails

MailerLite Comfort from $12 a month covers the list and automations.

An app sending receipts and a newsletter

Brevo handles transactional and marketing email together.

Start MailerLite free → 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month · Affiliate link

Hidden costs to watch

1. Brevo's daily cap of 300 emails on Free.
2. Brevo branding on free emails.
3. MailerLite's free plan stops at 250 subscribers.
4. SMS credits on Brevo.
5. List growth raises MailerLite's price.

Alternatives worth comparing

See Brevo pricing, MailerLite pricing, MailerLite alternatives and Brevo vs Mailchimp.

Who should choose which

Choose Brevo if you store many contacts and email them occasionally, or want SMS, WhatsApp and transactional email in one place. Choose MailerLite if your list is small to medium, you send regularly and you want simple automation at the lowest price.

How to choose in 5 steps

1. Count contacts and monthly sends separately.
2. Price Brevo by sends and MailerLite by subscribers.
3. Decide whether you need SMS or transactional email.
4. Send a test campaign from both free plans.
5. Pick the tool with the lower cost for your real numbers.

Terms explained

• Email volume: emails sent per month (Brevo's billing unit).
• Subscriber: a person on your list (MailerLite's billing unit).
• Transactional email: automatic emails such as receipts.
• Automation: a triggered email sequence.

3-year cost at 1,000 subscribers

MailerLite prices rise with subscribers and Brevo's with monthly sends, so a 3-year comparison depends on how often you email. At 1,000 subscribers sending four campaigns a month (about 4,000 emails), MailerLite Comfort starts at $12 a month ($432 over three years before the 10% yearly discount), and Brevo Starter starts at about $9 a month for its entry volume * (about $324 over three years). Check both calculators for your real list and frequency, because a jump in volume or list size changes the tier.

Deliverability and setup

Both send from established infrastructure, and both ask you to authenticate your sending domain. Results depend on list quality more than the tool: import only people who agreed to receive emails, set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC, and remove contacts who never open. Our email deliverability guide explains each step.

Integrations

Both connect with major website builders, ecommerce platforms and CRMs, and both work with Zapier and Make for anything else. Brevo also offers its own CRM and transactional email API; MailerLite focuses on marketing email, landing pages and websites.

Questions to ask before choosing between Brevo and MailerLite

1. How many contacts do you store, and how many emails do you send each month?
2. Do you need SMS, WhatsApp or transactional email?
3. How many automations will you run?
4. Does Brevo's branding on free emails matter to you?

Mistakes to avoid

1. Choosing on headline price without counting monthly sends.
2. Importing contacts without consent records.
3. Sending a large campaign from a new account without warming up.

Which plan to start on

Start on MailerLite's free plan if your list is under 250 subscribers and you want a welcome automation. Start on Brevo's free plan if your list is larger and you send a newsletter once or twice a month, spreading sends across days to stay under 300 a day. Upgrade when the free limit costs you more time than the paid plan costs money.

Which has better templates?

MailerLite's template library is known for clean, modern designs; Brevo also offers a template library and drag-and-drop editor.

Our verdict

Brevo is the better value for large lists that send rarely and for businesses that want SMS and transactional email. MailerLite is the better value for small businesses with regular newsletters and simple automation. Price both with your real contact count and sending frequency.

How we compiled this page

MailerLite prices come from its official pricing page on October 29, 2026. Brevo's page shows localized prices, so its paid prices come from 2026 pricing guides and are marked with *.

FAQ

Is Brevo cheaper than MailerLite?

For large lists that send infrequently, usually yes. For small lists that send often, MailerLite is usually cheaper.

Which has a better free plan?

Brevo for reaching a larger list (300 emails a day); MailerLite for automation (3 automations, 2,500 emails a month).

Does MailerLite offer SMS?

No. Brevo does, with credits.

Is Brevo the same as Sendinblue?

Yes. Sendinblue renamed itself Brevo in 2023.

Which is easier to use?

MailerLite is often considered simpler; both are beginner-friendly.

Can I switch from MailerLite to Brevo?

Yes. Export subscribers as CSV and import them into Brevo.

Which has better automation?

MailerLite's Comfort plan offers 50 active automations with up to 100 steps each; Brevo includes automation with more advanced workflows on higher tiers *.

Which is better for ecommerce?

Both integrate with stores; for advanced ecommerce flows, compare Omnisend.

Does Brevo have a CRM?

Yes, Brevo includes a sales CRM; MailerLite focuses on email marketing.

Can I send transactional emails with MailerLite?

MailerLite focuses on marketing email; Brevo includes transactional email.

Can I try both before paying?

Yes. Use the free plans or trials of both with real data for a week, then decide.

Can I switch later?

Yes. Both import and export CSV files; switching is easier while your data is still simple.

Sources

mailerlite.com/pricing, checked October 29, 2026, and brevo.com/pricing (localized); Brevo paid prices from 2026 pricing guides.

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