Brevo and MailerLite are two of the most popular affordable email tools, and they are genuinely close in capability. Both offer free plans, solid automation builders, and landing pages. The main differences are in pricing model, SMS, and transactional email.
Brevo charges by email volume rather than by contact count, which makes it unusually cheap if you have a large list but do not email everyone often. MailerLite charges by subscriber and is simpler overall.
| Feature | Brevo | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free plan, paid from $9/mo | $9/mo (free plan available) |
| Free plan | ✓ Unlimited contacts, 300 emails/day | ✓ 1,000 subscribers, 12,000 emails/mo |
| Pricing model | By email volume | By subscriber count |
| SMS marketing | ✓ Yes, built in | ✗ No |
| Transactional email | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Landing pages | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Visual automation builder | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Ease of use | Easy | Very easy |
Pricing model difference
This is the most important difference between the two tools. Brevo prices by the number of emails you send, not by how many contacts you have. If you have 50,000 contacts but only email 5,000 of them each month, Brevo can be significantly cheaper than MailerLite.
MailerLite prices by subscriber count. If you email your full list every week, MailerLite may end up similarly priced. The right choice depends on your send frequency relative to list size.
SMS and transactional email
Brevo includes SMS marketing and transactional email (order confirmations, password resets) in the same platform. This makes it a broader tool for businesses that need both marketing and transactional messaging.
MailerLite does not have SMS or transactional email. If you need either, Brevo is the better fit.
Ease of use
MailerLite has a slight edge on simplicity. The interface is cleaner and easier for beginners to navigate. Brevo is also accessible but has more features, which adds some complexity.
Automation
Both have capable visual automation builders. MailerLite handles standard sequences well. Brevo adds more advanced segmentation options and multi-channel workflows including SMS alongside email.
Choose Brevo if...
- You have a large list but only email a portion of it regularly
- You need SMS marketing alongside email
- You send transactional emails and want them in the same platform
- Multi-channel campaigns are part of your strategy
Choose MailerLite if...
- You email your full list regularly and contact-based pricing suits you
- You want the simplest, most beginner-friendly experience
- Email, automation, and landing pages cover your needs
- You want a more generous subscriber allowance on the free plan
The bottom line
Both are strong tools at similar price points. The key question is your pricing model preference. Large list, low frequency: Brevo. Regular full-list sends and simplicity first: MailerLite.
Not sure which tool is right for you? Take the Marketing Automation Buyer's Guide quiz for a personalized recommendation, or compare tools side by side.