About Brevo
I dove into Brevo, the platform formerly known as Sendinblue, and I have to say, it’s quite a mixed bag. At its core, Brevo offers a suite of tools that aims to cover just about every aspect of digital marketing—think email campaigns, SMS messaging, WhatsApp communication, and even customer relationship management (CRM) features. Who wouldn’t want a one-stop-shop for their marketing needs? However, while that sounds enticing, the execution can be hit or miss, depending on what you're looking for.
One of the standout features is definitely the AI-driven functionalities. For instance, the send-time optimisation is a handy tool that tries to predict when your audience is most likely to check their emails. I found it particularly useful when I experimented with sending newsletters on a Saturday morning instead of the typical weekday slog. Sure enough, my open rates were higher than expected. The smart content suggestions are another neat addition, helping to tailor your messages based on previous interactions. However, don't get too comfortable with these features; they aren’t perfect. Sometimes they seem to suggest content that doesn’t quite hit the mark for specific industries.
Pricing-wise, Brevo has done well with its freemium model. You can send up to 300 emails per day for free, which is more than enough for small businesses and freelancers to get a taste of what it offers. The Starter plan kicks off at $25 per month, which is reasonable if you’re looking for more advanced features or greater email volume. But be prepared, as you climb up the pricing tiers, the differences between plans start to feel a bit lacklustre. For example, the jump to the Business plan at $65 per month doesn’t seem to justify the extra features you get, especially if you’re a solo entrepreneur.
Brevo is undoubtedly aimed at marketers and small to medium-sized businesses that want to engage customers through various channels. However, if you're running a large enterprise with complex needs, you might find Brevo doesn't quite cut it. The messaging tools, while useful, can sometimes feel like they lack the depth needed for a larger audience. The CRM aspect, while included, doesn’t offer the same level of sophistication as dedicated CRM platforms. In short, Brevo shines for simpler, smaller-scale operations but might leave larger businesses wanting more.
Our Review
Verified 11 May 2026Reviewed by Delv Editorial, Delv Team
My journey with Brevo started with a bit of scepticism, given that it was formerly known as Sendinblue. I’ve used various marketing platforms over the years, and I know how easy it is to get lost in the sea of features that end up being more fluff than substance. But, as I dove into Brevo, I found a platform that actually has some solid offerings alongside a few glaring shortcomings.
One feature that caught my attention was the AI-driven send-time optimisation. I decided to put it to the test during a busy week of sending out newsletters and promotional emails. The results were pretty impressive. By sending some emails at the times recommended by Brevo, I noticed a significant uptick in my open rates. It felt like I was finally reaching my audience when they were actually awake and engaged rather than just sending emails into the void.
However, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. While the smart content suggestions are a nice touch, there were moments when the recommendations just didn’t fit my brand tone or the context of the message. It’s a bit frustrating when you’re trying to convey a specific message and the AI suggests something completely off-base. This is certainly an area where Brevo could improve, as the AI needs to better understand the nuances of different industries and audiences.
The pricing structure is another aspect that deserves a mention. The free plan is genuinely generous, allowing you to send 300 emails per day, which is more than enough for many small businesses or freelancers. However, when you move to the paid plans, it seems like the additional features don’t always provide a compelling reason to upgrade. I was left wondering if the $65 per month Business plan really justifies its cost, especially when the jump from the Starter plan at $25 doesn’t feel significant in terms of added value.
When comparing Brevo to its main competitors, I found that it occupies a nice middle ground. It’s not as comprehensive as HubSpot or ActiveCampaign, but it’s also not as basic as some of the free options out there. It’s perfect for solo entrepreneurs or small businesses that need a bit of everything without the commitment of a large-scale platform. However, if you’re running a larger operation with complex marketing needs, you might find Brevo lacking in depth, especially in the CRM department.
In conclusion, Brevo is a solid choice for those looking for an all-in-one marketing solution without breaking the bank. While it has its flaws, particularly with AI content suggestions and the depth of its CRM features, it does provide a user-friendly experience that can help small businesses thrive. If you’re a freelancer or a small business owner looking to manage your marketing efforts from a single platform, I’d recommend giving Brevo a shot. Just be aware that you might need to supplement it with other tools as you scale.
Getting started with Brevo
In this guide, you'll learn how to set up your Brevo account and create your first email campaign. By the end, you'll be ready to engage your audience effectively using Brevo's marketing tools.
Step 1: Sign up and set up
Step 2: Your first email campaign
Step 3: Get better results
Pro tip
Take advantage of Brevo's "Automation" feature to set up automated email sequences for welcome messages or follow-ups. This saves you time and keeps your audience engaged without ongoing effort.
Common mistake to avoid
Avoid sending emails without testing them first. Always send a test email to yourself using the "Send test email" option before launching your campaign to ensure everything looks right.
The Verdict
Brevo is a solid choice for small to medium-sized businesses seeking an all-in-one marketing platform without a hefty price tag. While its AI features and multi-channel capabilities are commendable, larger enterprises may find it lacking in depth. If you're a freelancer or small business owner, Brevo could be your go-to; otherwise, you might want to explore more comprehensive alternatives.
Best For
- Small business owners looking for a budget-friendly marketing solution.
- Freelancers who need to manage email campaigns without the fuss.
- Marketing teams in medium-sized businesses wanting multi-channel engagement.
- Event organisers needing timely communication via email and SMS.
- E-commerce businesses aiming for consistent customer outreach.
At a Glance
Brevo is an all-in-one marketing platform that offers a comprehensive mix of email, SMS, WhatsApp, and CRM tools, making it perfect for small and medium-sized businesses. Its AI features, like send-time optimisation and smart content suggestions, help enhance engagement. However, larger enterprises may find it lacking in depth and sophistication for their complex needs.
Strengths
- +The free plan allows users to send up to 300 emails per day, making it genuinely useful for freelancers or small businesses testing the waters without financial commitment.
- +AI-driven send-time optimisation helps increase open rates by determining when your audience is most likely to engage, which I found effective in boosting my email marketing efforts.
- +Smart content suggestions save time by recommending personalised messaging based on past interactions, making it easier to hit the right note with your audience.
- +The ability to integrate various communication channels—email, SMS, WhatsApp—into one platform simplifies the marketing process and ensures consistent messaging.
- +User-friendly interface means you don’t have to be a tech whiz to get started, reducing the learning curve for new users.
- +The pricing structure is relatively competitive compared to similar tools, especially for small businesses looking to maximise their marketing without overspending.
Limitations
- -The AI features, while helpful, can sometimes suggest content that misses the mark for specific industries, leading to less relevant communications.
- -As you move up the pricing tiers, the added features don't always feel like a significant upgrade, which might leave some users feeling short-changed.
- -The CRM functionalities are basic at best—if you're looking for advanced CRM capabilities, you might want to consider dedicated solutions instead.
- -The mobile app feels quite limited compared to the web version, missing out on several features that could enhance on-the-go marketing.
- -Support can be slow at times, which can be frustrating if you run into issues during crucial campaigns.
- -The reporting and analytics features are decent but lack the depth needed for serious marketers who rely on detailed insights.
Use Cases
- -Small business owners who want to manage their marketing efforts from a single platform without needing extensive technical knowledge.
- -Freelancers who need to send regular newsletters but want to keep costs low with a free plan.
- -Marketing teams within medium-sized companies looking to engage customers through multiple channels without a hefty budget.
- -Event organisers who need to send timely updates via email and SMS leading up to events.
- -E-commerce businesses aiming to reach customers across email and WhatsApp, ensuring consistent communication and engagement.
- -Non-profits seeking to spread awareness and connect with their audience without overspending on marketing tools.
