Brevo vs MailerLite (2026)
A head-to-head on price, free access, and staying power. Both live and price-verified as of Jul 21, 2026.
The verdict, first
Brevo
- if it starts cheaper, at $9/mo against $10/mo.
- if you lean toward the more recent build, from 2012.
What each one is
Brevo
What sets it apart Prices by the number of emails sent rather than by contacts stored, so contact lists remain unlimited across plans.
Brevo, formerly Sendinblue, combines email and SMS campaigns, WhatsApp messaging, a built-in CRM, live chat, and transactional email in one platform, with AI-assisted copy and subject-line suggestions and per-contact send-time optimization layered on top. Its commercial model differs from most rivals in that paid plans meter the number of emails sent rather than the number of contacts stored, so contact lists stay unlimited across tiers; the free plan allows 300 emails per day and paid plans start at $9 per month. The fit is small and mid-sized businesses that want multichannel marketing from a single tool, and it suits teams holding large lists but sending at moderate volume.
Sources Brevo homepage (vendor) · Brevo pricing page (vendor) · Omnisend - Brevo Review 2026 · SMTPedia - Brevo Pricing 2026
MailerLite
What sets it apart Bundles a website builder plus native selling of digital products and paid newsletter subscriptions (via Stripe) into a low-entry-price email tool, rather than limiting the account to campaign sending alone.
An email marketing platform aimed at creators and small businesses, MailerLite combines drag-and-drop campaign design, automations, signup forms, and landing pages in a single account. Beyond newsletters, it can build simple websites and sell digital products or paid newsletter subscriptions, with Stripe handling payments. Its AI features include a subject-line generator and an email writer that drafts copy in selectable tones such as Natural, Professional, or Persuasive, available across plans with limited free credits. Pricing scales by active subscriber count: a free tier covers up to 250 subscribers and 2,500 monthly emails, and paid plans start at $12 per month.
Sources MailerLite homepage (product, features, audience) · MailerLite pricing page · MailerLite AI subject line generator (help doc) · MailerLite AI email generator (feature page)
Side by side
| Metric | Brevo | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| From $/mo | $9 | $10 |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 2012 | 2010 |
| Best for | solo & SMB | solo & SMB |
| Status | Live | Live |
ALL FIGURES = LOWEST PAID MONTHLY PLAN · STATUS & PRICE VERIFIED JUL 21, 2026
Where they differ
Price
Brevo is the cheaper entry at $9/mo, versus $10/mo for MailerLite. Both prices are the lowest paid monthly plan, verified Jul 21, 2026.
Free access
Both Brevo and MailerLite offer a permanent free tier - you can trial either at no cost. A permanent free tier lowers the risk of committing before you have validated the fit.
Track record
MailerLite has been operating since 2010; Brevo since 2012. For a tool you build a business process on, a longer survival record matters.
Questions of record
Brevo or MailerLite - which is better in 2026?
Is Brevo cheaper than MailerLite?
Does Brevo or MailerLite have a free tier?
Are Brevo and MailerLite still maintained?
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