Brevo: The Affordable All-in-One Marketing Platform for Small Businesses

Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) helps small businesses send beautiful emails, automate follow-ups, and reach customers via email and SMS — all without paying extra for list size.

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What is Brevo?

Brevo started as Sendinblue, a simple email platform for small businesses. Over the years, it’s grown into a complete marketing suite that lets you:

  • Send email and SMS campaigns
  • Automate messages and nurture sequences
  • Build landing pages and signup forms
  • Manage CRM-style contacts and pipelines

Key Features

Email Builder & Templates

Drag-and-drop editor with modern templates for newsletters, promos, and updates. No design skills needed.

Marketing Automation

Set up automatic follow-ups — welcome emails, birthday offers, or drip sequences after signup.

SMS Campaigns

Send instant text alerts, reminders, and coupon codes directly to customers’ phones.

CRM (Customer Management)

Manage contacts, tag them by interest, and track how they interact with your business.

Segmentation & Personalization

Send targeted campaigns (e.g., only to repeat buyers or inactive leads) for higher engagement.

Transactional Emails

Deliver invoices, order confirmations, or password resets through your own domain.

Reporting & Insights

View open rates, click rates, and conversions in one place — simple but detailed.

✅ Pros ⚠️ Cons

Pros (Why Businesses Like It):

✅ Pricing based on emails sent, not list size
✅ Includes email + SMS in one dashboard
✅ Free plan (up to 300 emails/day)
✅ Easy automation setup
✅ Built-in CRM features

Cons (What to Watch Out For):

⚠️ Email design templates not as flashy as competitors
⚠️ Slightly slower interface at times
⚠️ Limited third-party integrations vs. Mailchimp
⚠️ Fewer advanced e-commerce tools (e.g., compared to Klaviyo)

Hidden Truths About Brevo (That Most Reviews Skip)

Flat pricing can still add up
 You only pay for emails sent — great at first — but frequent campaigns can increase costs if you send high volumes.

Deliverability can vary
 While strong overall, some users report mixed inbox placement if settings aren’t optimized.

UI can feel slower under heavy use
 For big contact lists, navigation can lag slightly compared to Mailchimp or Klaviyo.

CRM is basic, not a full replacement for HubSpot
 It’s fine for small teams but not ideal for advanced pipelines.

👉 Bottom line: Brevo keeps costs predictable and manageable — but it’s not built for enterprise-scale marketing automation.

Real-World Use Cases

Local Gym

Uses Brevo to send membership renewal reminders, new class alerts, and motivational emails.

Online Bakery

Sends weekly newsletter + SMS coupon to loyal customers. 35% more repeat orders within two months.

Freelance Designer

Runs a three-email onboarding sequence for new leads — all automated, no manual follow-up

Small Agency

Uses Brevo to manage email and SMS for multiple clients under one login. Saves hours compared to juggling separate tools.

Non-Profit Organization

Sends monthly donation drives and thank-you campaigns to supporters. Automation frees time for outreach.

Customer Reviews

“
Switched from Mailchimp to Brevo to save money — best decision ever. We now send twice as many emails for half the cost. Templates are simple but effective.

Amanda R. – Dallas, TX
“
Love the SMS feature! My clients actually respond faster to texts than emails. Setup was easy even for a tech newbie

Michael Johnson – Seattle, WA
“
The automation builder is a game-changer. My welcome sequence runs itself while I focus on client work. Brevo gives me peace of mind

Priya Patel – Chicago, IL
“
“It’s affordable and works fine for weekly promos, but the email design options feel limited. Still worth it for the price

Raj S. – Phoenix, AZ
“
Our Shopify store relies on Mailchimp. Abandoned cart emails alone increased our sales by about 30%. Yes, it’s pricey as our list grows, but the revenue it brings back covers the cost

Sarah P. – Los Angeles, CA

SaaSChooser Top 3 Email Marketing Recommendations

Mailchimp — Best for Beginners & Local Service Businesses

Who it’s for: Salons, plumbers, contractors, restaurants, or any small local business just starting with email marketing.
Why: Mailchimp has the easiest setup, tons of templates, and a free plan to start.
Strength: Get professional-looking emails out in minutes, no design or tech skills needed.
Watch out for: Pricing climbs once your list grows past 2,000 contacts.
👉 Pick this if you’re brand new and want something simple and safe.

Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) — Best for Budget-Friendly Automation

Who it’s for: Budget-conscious small businesses, solopreneurs, or startups that need automation but can’t afford high monthly fees.
Why: Flat pricing (based on emails sent, not list size) makes it cost-effective.
Strength: Includes email + SMS marketing, so you can reach customers in multiple ways.
Watch out for: Interface feels less polished than Mailchimp, but it gets the job done.
👉 Pick this if you want automation + affordability, and don’t mind a less flashy design.

Klaviyo — Best for E-commerce & Online Stores

Who it’s for: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce stores, or anyone selling physical/digital products online.
Why: Klaviyo’s deep e-commerce integrations and segmentation are unmatched.
Strength: Sends personalized product recommendations, abandoned cart recovery, and customer journey emails that drive sales. Watch out for: Expensive as your list grows — best when email revenue offsets the cost.
👉 Pick this if you run an online shop and want emails that directly increase sales.

SaaSChooser Takeaway

Brevo is the go-to email and SMS marketing tool for small businesses that want automation without breaking the bank. It’s perfect for beginners, service providers, and growing solopreneurs who want to stay connected with customers — simply and affordably.

💡 As you grow, you might outgrow its CRM or e-commerce tools, but for 90% of small businesses, Brevo is all you’ll ever need.

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