Sendinblue, now rebranded as Brevo, is an email marketing platform built for small and medium-sized businesses that need affordable tools without sacrificing quality. It combines email campaigns, automation, and multi-channel communication in one place.
Many businesses want to know if this platform can meet their marketing needs while staying within budget.
Brevo offers a free plan with unlimited contacts and up to 300 emails per day, making it one of the most accessible email marketing tools for businesses just starting out. The platform includes features like drag-and-drop email builders, SMS marketing, chat tools, and basic automation workflows.
Paid plans add more advanced options like A/B testing, advanced automation, and higher sending limits.
This review covers everything from email creation and automation to pricing, integrations, and how Brevo compares to other email marketing platforms.
Whether you run a small online store or manage marketing for a growing company, understanding what Brevo can and cannot do will help you decide if it fits your needs.
Key Takeaways
- Brevo is an affordable email marketing platform designed for small and medium-sized businesses with a generous free plan
- The platform includes email campaigns, automation workflows, SMS marketing, and chat features in one tool
- Brevo works best for budget-conscious users who need basic to intermediate marketing features with room to grow
What Is Sendinblue (Brevo)?
Sendinblue, now called Brevo, is an all-in-one digital marketing platform that helps businesses manage their customer relationships through email, SMS, and chat.
The company started as an email marketing tool but has grown into a full CRM suite that serves over 600,000 customers worldwide.
Brief Company Background
Sendinblue was founded in 2012 as a simple email marketing platform. Over the years, it expanded its services to include more marketing and sales tools.
The company built its reputation by offering affordable email marketing services to small and medium-sized businesses. They focused on making powerful marketing tools available to companies that couldn't afford expensive enterprise solutions.
The platform now offers its services in six languages and helps businesses across different countries manage their marketing campaigns.
It has grown from a basic email sender to a complete marketing suite with CRM features, automation tools, and customer communication channels.
Rebranding to Brevo
Sendinblue changed its name to Brevo to better reflect what the company had become. The original name suggested the platform only handled email marketing, but it now does much more than that.
The rebrand happened as the company expanded beyond email into SMS marketing, live chat, CRM functionality, and sales pipeline management.
The new name represents a broader digital marketing platform rather than just an email service.
Existing users kept all their features and pricing during the transition. The rebrand was mainly about updating the company's identity to match its current product offerings.
Target Users and Use Cases
Brevo works best for small to medium-sized businesses that need multiple marketing tools in one place. The platform serves industries like e-commerce, retail, agencies, education, nonprofits, and startups.
Small businesses use it to manage email campaigns, track customer interactions, and automate marketing tasks without hiring large teams.
E-commerce stores rely on it for transactional emails, promotional campaigns, and customer follow-ups.
The platform includes a pay-as-you-go option for businesses that don't send emails regularly. This makes it practical for companies with smaller contact lists or seasonal marketing needs.
Agencies use it to manage multiple client accounts and campaigns from one dashboard.
Sendinblue Key Features Overview
Sendinblue provides email marketing tools, automation workflows, SMS messaging, and CRM capabilities in one platform.
The service helps businesses manage their marketing campaigns and customer relationships without needing multiple separate tools.
Email Campaigns and Templates
Sendinblue offers a drag-and-drop email editor that lets users create professional email campaigns without coding knowledge. The platform includes over 70 pre-designed email templates that cover newsletters, promotions, and transactional messages.
Users can customize templates by changing colors, fonts, images, and layout elements. The editor supports responsive design, which means emails automatically adjust to look good on desktop and mobile devices.
The platform allows A/B testing for subject lines, sender names, and email content. This feature helps users identify which version performs better before sending to their full contact list.
Sendinblue also includes an image gallery and editing tools built into the editor.
Email Automation Capabilities
The automation workflows in Sendinblue let users set up triggered emails based on specific actions or conditions. Common automation options include welcome series for new subscribers, abandoned cart reminders, and birthday emails.
Users can build automation workflows using a visual workflow builder. The builder shows each step in the automation process, including triggers, conditions, and actions.
Sendinblue supports multiple triggers such as email opens, link clicks, website visits, and custom events.
Marketing automation features include wait times between emails, conditional splits based on contact data, and the ability to move contacts between lists.
Users can also set up lead scoring to track engagement levels and identify hot prospects automatically.
SMS and WhatsApp Campaigns
Sendinblue supports SMS campaigns alongside email marketing. Users can send promotional texts, transactional notifications, and two-factor authentication codes through the platform.
The SMS feature includes personalization options using contact data and supports scheduling for optimal send times. SMS messages integrate with the same contact management system as email campaigns.
WhatsApp campaigns are available for businesses that want to reach customers on the messaging app. The platform allows users to send promotional messages, updates, and customer support responses through WhatsApp Business API.
CRM and Contact Management
The built-in sales CRM tracks deals, manages tasks, and organizes customer interactions. Users can create deals, assign them to team members, and move them through customizable pipeline stages.
Contact management in Sendinblue stores unlimited contacts on all plans. Users can segment contacts based on behavior, demographics, or custom attributes.
The system tracks each contact's email engagement history, SMS interactions, and deal status.
The CRM includes features like:
- Deal tracking with customizable pipeline stages
- Task management for follow-ups and reminders
- Activity timeline showing all contact interactions
- Custom fields for storing specific business data
- Contact scoring based on engagement levels
Users can import contacts through CSV files, API integration, or by connecting forms to their website.
The platform automatically updates contact information when subscribers take actions like clicking links or making purchases.
Email Creation and Campaign Management
SendinBlue provides tools for creating both marketing campaigns and transactional messages through an accessible interface.
The platform handles bulk emails and automated sends with features designed to improve campaign performance.
Drag-and-Drop Editor Experience
The drag-and-drop email editor allows users to build campaigns without coding knowledge. Users can select pre-designed layouts from the email template library or start with a blank canvas.
The editor includes basic elements like text blocks, images, buttons, and social media links that snap into place.
The interface works well for simple designs but has some limitations compared to more advanced platforms. Users can customize colors, fonts, and spacing to match their brand.
Mobile preview options show how emails will appear on different devices before sending.
Template customization takes minutes rather than hours for most users. The editor saves progress automatically, which prevents lost work during the design process.
A/B Testing and Optimization
SendinBlue includes A/B testing capabilities for email campaigns. Users can test different email subject lines to determine which version generates higher open rates.
The platform splits the audience into segments and sends each variant to a portion of subscribers.
Testing options cover subject lines, sender names, and email content. The system tracks open rates, click rates, and other metrics to identify the winning version.
After the test period ends, SendinBlue can automatically send the best-performing variant to the remaining subscribers.
Results appear in dashboard reports with clear comparisons between versions. This data helps refine future campaigns based on actual subscriber behavior.
Transactional Email Sending
The platform handles transactional emails separately from bulk marketing campaigns. These messages include order confirmations, password resets, and account notifications that trigger based on user actions.
SendinBlue uses SMTP relay for reliable delivery of time-sensitive messages.
Users can create templates for common transactional scenarios and personalize them with customer data. The system includes bounce management to track failed deliveries and maintain sender reputation.
Real-time tracking shows delivery status for each message.
Transactional emails maintain high deliverability rates because they route through dedicated infrastructure.
API integration allows developers to trigger these emails directly from websites or applications.
Marketing Automation and Workflows
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) provides marketing automation tools that let users create automated workflows based on specific triggers and conditions.
The platform supports both ready-made templates and custom automations for email and SMS campaigns.
Setting Up Automated Workflows
The workflow editor in Brevo allows users to build automated sequences without needing technical skills. Users can select from pre-built workflow templates or create custom automations from scratch.
The platform triggers actions based on conditions like email opens, link clicks, website visits, or form submissions.
Setting up a workflow involves choosing entry conditions, adding actions, and defining wait times between steps. The visual editor displays the workflow as a flowchart, making it easy to see how contacts move through the automation.
Users can add multiple branches to send different messages based on contact behavior or characteristics.
The platform supports triggers for cart abandonment, welcome messages, and post-purchase follow-ups. Each workflow can include emails, SMS messages, or updates to contact records.
Lead Generation and Nurturing
Brevo includes opt-in forms and sign-up forms that users can embed on websites or landing pages. The platform supports double opt-in to ensure contact lists remain clean and compliant.
Forms can be customized with different fields, colors, and layouts to match brand standards.
Lead nurturing workflows help move prospects through the sales funnel automatically. Users can score leads based on engagement levels and assign tags to organize contacts.
The automation tools let users send targeted content based on where leads are in their journey.
The platform tracks contact behavior across channels, including email engagement and website activity. This data feeds into automated workflows to deliver relevant content at the right time.
Personalization and Segmentation
Email segmentation in Brevo lets users divide their contact lists based on demographics, behavior, location, or custom attributes. Users can create segments using multiple conditions and operators to target specific groups.
The platform updates segments automatically as contact data changes.
Dynamic content allows users to show different text, images, or offers within the same email based on contact attributes.
Users can personalize subject lines, sender names, and email content using contact fields like name, company, or purchase history.
The automation features work with segmentation to send targeted messages to specific groups.
Users can build workflows that treat different segments differently based on their characteristics or actions.
Other Communication Channels
Brevo extends beyond email to provide SMS marketing, WhatsApp messaging, Facebook advertising integration, and a live chat tool for real-time customer conversations.
These additional marketing channels work together within the same platform to help businesses reach customers wherever they prefer to communicate.
SMS Marketing Functionality
Brevo includes SMS marketing tools that let users send text messages directly to customers. The platform allows businesses to create SMS campaigns with personalized content and schedule them for specific times.
Users can segment their contact lists to target specific groups with relevant messages.
The SMS feature integrates with the same contact database used for email campaigns. This means businesses can coordinate their messaging across both channels without managing separate lists.
Brevo charges for SMS messages based on usage, with costs varying by country and message volume.
Users can track delivery rates and engagement metrics for their text campaigns. The platform supports two-way SMS conversations, allowing customers to respond and businesses to manage replies through the dashboard.
WhatsApp and Facebook Ads
Brevo supports WhatsApp campaigns through its messaging features. Businesses can send promotional messages, updates, and notifications through WhatsApp directly from the platform.
The integration requires a WhatsApp Business account to function properly.
The Facebook Ads integration allows users to create and manage Facebook advertising campaigns without leaving Brevo. Users can design ads, set budgets, and target specific audiences based on their contact data.
This feature helps businesses retarget email subscribers or reach new audiences on social media.
Both channels share the same contact management system, making it easier to maintain consistent messaging across platforms.
Live Chat and Conversations Platform
The conversations platform includes a live chat widget that businesses can add to their websites. This tool enables real-time communication between customers and support teams.
The chat interface is customizable to match website branding. Agents can manage multiple conversations simultaneously through the dashboard.
The platform stores chat histories and links them to customer profiles in the CRM. This gives teams full context when responding to inquiries.
The live chat feature includes automated responses and chatbot functionality. Businesses can set up automatic replies for common questions or route conversations to specific team members based on the inquiry type.
Analytics, Reporting, and Deliverability
Sendinblue provides detailed tracking tools to measure campaign performance and maintain strong inbox placement rates. The platform includes real-time data monitoring, bounce management systems, and smart sending features to improve email engagement.
Analytics Tools and Reporting Features
Sendinblue tracks key metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversion data in real-time. Users can view detailed reports that show how recipients interact with each campaign.
The platform breaks down performance by individual emails, allowing marketers to see which subject lines and content get the best results. Heat maps show where people click inside emails.
Geographic data reveals where recipients are located.
Key metrics available include:
- Open rates and unique opens
- Click-through rates and link tracking
- Unsubscribe rates
- Bounce rates (hard and soft)
- Delivery rates
Google Analytics integration connects email data with website traffic. This lets users track what happens after someone clicks an email link.
The reports show conversion paths and revenue tied to specific campaigns.
Email Deliverability and Bounce Rates
Sendinblue manages dedicated SMTP servers to maintain strong sender reputation. The staff monitors these servers to keep deliverability rates high across major email providers.
The platform automatically handles bounce management by sorting contacts into categories. Hard bounces get removed from lists right away.
Soft bounces get tracked, and the system tries to resend to these addresses. Authentication tools include SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup.
These protocols verify that emails come from legitimate sources. Sendinblue provides guidance on configuring these settings correctly.
The system flags potential deliverability issues before sending. It checks for spam trigger words and formatting problems.
Users can preview how emails appear in different inbox providers.
Send Time Optimization and Engagement
Sendinblue offers scheduling tools to reach recipients when they are most likely to engage. Users can set specific send times based on recipient time zones.
The platform analyzes past email engagement patterns to suggest optimal sending windows. This data looks at when individual contacts typically open and click emails.
A/B testing lets users compare different send times to find what works best. Tests can run on small segments before sending to the full list.
The system automatically selects the winning variation based on engagement metrics. The automation features include triggered emails based on user behavior.
These messages send at times when recipients are actively engaging with content.
Integrations and Advanced Capabilities
Sendinblue connects with major e-commerce platforms, CRM systems, and content management tools. The platform provides robust technical features for businesses that need more control over their email operations.
Supported Integrations
Sendinblue works with popular platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and WordPress. The WordPress plugin has been downloaded over 50,000 times and allows users to create subscription forms and set up marketing automations directly from their sites.
The platform integrates with CRM tools like Salesforce. This connection lets businesses sync contact data and track customer interactions across different systems.
E-commerce integrations enable automated workflows for abandoned cart emails and purchase follow-ups. Users can access dozens of third-party apps through native integrations.
The setup process is simple and doesn't require technical knowledge for most connections.
API and SMTP Server Use
Sendinblue provides both API access and SMTP servers for sending transactional messages. Developers can use the API to build custom integrations and automate complex workflows beyond the standard interface.
The SMTP server handles high email volume for applications that need to send automated notifications, password resets, and order confirmations. Users can configure their applications to route transactional emails through Sendinblue's infrastructure.
This approach ensures reliable delivery and provides tracking for system-generated messages. Dedicated IP addresses are available for businesses that send large volumes of email.
A dedicated IP helps maintain sender reputation and improves deliverability rates for companies with established sending patterns.
Security and Compliance
Sendinblue implements security measures to protect user accounts and data. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection beyond passwords.
Users can enable this feature to prevent unauthorized access to their accounts. The platform complies with data protection regulations including GDPR.
Contact data is stored securely and businesses can manage subscriber consent preferences through built-in tools. Email authentication protocols like SPF and DKIM are supported to verify sender identity and reduce the chance of messages being marked as spam.
Pricing and Plans Explained
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) structures its pricing based on the number of emails sent per month rather than the number of contacts. The platform offers a free plan alongside three paid tiers, plus enterprise options for larger organizations.
Free Plan Details
The Sendinblue free plan allows users to store up to 100,000 contacts and send 300 emails per day. This gives small businesses or startups room to build their contact list without worrying about storage limits.
The daily sending limit translates to roughly 9,000 emails per month. Users get access to basic email templates, automation workflows, and signup forms.
The free plan includes a Brevo logo in sent emails. SMS credits are not included in the free tier.
Users who need text messaging capabilities must purchase credits separately or upgrade to a paid plan.
Starter and Business Plans
The Starter plan removes the daily sending limit and the Brevo logo from emails. Pricing starts based on email volume, with users selecting how many emails they need each month.
This plan adds A/B testing and basic reporting features. The Business plan (formerly called Premium plan) includes advanced automation, marketing analytics, and personalized support.
Multi-user access allows teams to collaborate on campaigns. Landing page creation and phone support become available at this level.
Both plans offer pay-as-you-go options for users who prefer flexibility. Brevo charges based on actual email volume rather than contact count.
This benefits businesses with large lists but infrequent sending schedules.
| Feature | Starter | Business |
|---|---|---|
| Daily limit | No limit | No limit |
| A/B testing | Yes | Yes |
| Phone support | No | Yes |
| Advanced automation | No | Yes |
Enterprise Solutions and Add-Ons
The Enterprise plan provides custom pricing based on specific business needs. Companies get a dedicated account manager and priority support.
Advanced security features and custom contract terms are available. Brevo offers several add-ons across all paid plans.
SMS credits can be purchased separately for text message campaigns. Additional users, landing pages, and inbox features require extra fees depending on the plan level selected.
Ease of Use and Support Options
Sendinblue (now Brevo) provides a straightforward platform that caters to users with varying levels of technical expertise. The service includes multiple support channels and educational materials to help users navigate the platform effectively.
User Interface and Onboarding
The platform features a clean, intuitive interface that allows new users to start creating campaigns quickly. The dashboard organizes key functions like email campaigns, automation, and contact management in accessible menus.
New users can begin sending emails within minutes of signing up. The drag-and-drop email editor simplifies newsletter creation without requiring coding knowledge.
The setup process guides users through essential tasks like domain verification and contact list imports. Most users find the learning curve manageable compared to more complex marketing platforms.
The interface uses clear labels and logical navigation paths that reduce confusion during initial use.
Support Channels and Quality
Sendinblue offers email support to all users regardless of their plan tier. Paid plan subscribers gain access to live chat support for faster responses to urgent issues.
Phone support is not available through Sendinblue's standard offerings. Users who need immediate assistance rely on the live chat feature or submit email tickets through the support portal.
Response times vary based on plan level and inquiry complexity. The customer support team handles technical questions, billing issues, and general platform guidance.
The comprehensive knowledge base provides self-service options for common problems and questions.
Educational Resources and Tutorials
The Sendinblue Academy provides structured learning paths for users who want to master specific features. These courses cover topics like email marketing fundamentals, automation workflows, and deliverability best practices.
Brevo tutorial content includes video guides, written documentation, and step-by-step walkthroughs. The resource library addresses both beginner topics and advanced marketing strategies.
Users can access webinars and case studies that demonstrate real-world applications. The platform regularly updates its educational materials to reflect new features and industry changes.
These resources help users maximize their marketing results without external training costs.
Comparison With Other Email Marketing Platforms
Sendinblue (now Brevo) stands out in the email marketing software space with its unique pricing model based on email volume rather than contact list size. While Mailchimp dominates the market with brand recognition, and ActiveCampaign excels in advanced automation, Sendinblue offers a middle ground that appeals to businesses seeking affordability without sacrificing essential features.
Sendinblue vs Mailchimp
Mailchimp remains one of the most recognized email marketing platforms, but Sendinblue offers distinct advantages in pricing structure and contact management. Mailchimp charges based on the number of contacts in a user's list, which can become expensive as lists grow.
Sendinblue takes a different approach by charging based on the number of emails sent, allowing users to maintain unlimited contacts even on lower-tier plans. Both email marketing services provide drag-and-drop email builders and automation features.
Mailchimp offers a more polished interface and a wider selection of templates. Sendinblue includes SMS marketing and chat features in its base plans, while Mailchimp requires additional purchases for these channels.
The free plan differences are notable. Sendinblue allows 300 emails per day on its free tier, while Mailchimp limits users to 500 total contacts and 1,000 monthly emails.
For small businesses with growing contact lists but moderate sending needs, Sendinblue's model proves more cost-effective.
Sendinblue vs ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign positions itself as a premium email marketing solution with sophisticated automation capabilities. The platform excels in complex workflow creation and CRM integration, making it suitable for businesses with advanced marketing needs.
Sendinblue offers automation features but keeps them simpler and more accessible to users without technical expertise. Pricing represents a significant difference between these email marketing services.
ActiveCampaign starts at a higher price point and increases substantially as contact lists grow. Sendinblue's entry-level plans cost less and scale based on sending volume.
This makes Sendinblue more accessible to startups and small businesses with limited budgets. ActiveCampaign provides deeper sales pipeline management and lead scoring features.
Sendinblue includes basic CRM functionality but focuses primarily on email and multi-channel marketing communication rather than complex sales processes.
Sendinblue vs Constant Contact
Constant Contact is an established email marketing service known for its user-friendly approach and strong customer support. The platform targets small businesses and nonprofits with straightforward tools and extensive educational resources.
Sendinblue matches this accessibility while adding more advanced features like transactional email and SMS capabilities. Both platforms offer email templates and list management tools.
Constant Contact provides more hand-holding through its onboarding process and live support options. Sendinblue's interface requires slightly more learning but rewards users with greater flexibility in campaign customization and multi-channel marketing options.
Constant Contact uses contact-based pricing similar to Mailchimp, which can become costly as lists expand. Sendinblue's send-based model again provides an advantage for businesses maintaining large contact databases but sending emails selectively.
Event marketing tools are stronger in Constant Contact, while Sendinblue offers better value for businesses needing SMS and email together.
Pros and Cons for Different User Profiles
Sendinblue works better for some businesses than others based on their size, needs, and technical skills. The platform offers different advantages and challenges depending on whether a user runs a small online shop or manages marketing for a larger company.
Benefits for Small Businesses
Small businesses get access to a free plan that includes unlimited contacts and up to 300 emails per day. This makes Sendinblue a low-risk option for companies just starting with email marketing.
The drag-and-drop editor helps users create professional emails without design experience. E-commerce professionals can connect their online stores and send automated cart abandonment emails.
The platform includes basic CRM tools that let small teams track customer interactions in one place. Marketing managers appreciate the SMS marketing feature, which many competitors charge extra for or don't offer at all.
The SMTP service allows businesses to send transactional emails like order confirmations and shipping updates. Small teams can manage multiple marketing tools from a single dashboard instead of paying for separate services.
Drawbacks and Limitations
The CRM features lack depth compared to dedicated CRM tools like Salesforce or HubSpot. Businesses with complex sales processes may find the contact management too basic.
The template library is smaller than competitors like Mailchimp or Constant Contact. Advanced users sometimes report that the automation builder feels limited for complex workflows.
Marketing managers who need detailed customer segmentation may struggle with the available filtering options. The reporting dashboard provides basic metrics but lacks the detailed analytics that data-driven teams require.
Who Should Consider Sendinblue?
Sendinblue fits best for small to medium businesses that need email marketing, SMS, and basic automation in one affordable platform.
E-commerce professionals running Shopify or WooCommerce stores benefit from the transactional email features and cart recovery tools.
Startups and solopreneurs who want to test email marketing without upfront costs should consider the free plan.
Marketing managers with limited budgets can access multiple marketing tools without paying for premium services they don't need yet.
Companies that send high volumes of transactional emails get good value from the pricing structure.
Businesses that already use advanced CRM tools or need complex automation should look at more specialized platforms.