Quick Verdict: Choose MailerLite if you want the simplest interface and unlimited emails on paid plans. Choose Brevo if you need multi-channel (SMS/WhatsApp), more powerful automation, or volume-based pricing that gets cheaper at scale. Both are excellent — the right choice depends on your list size and feature needs.
1. At a Glance
| Dimension | MailerLite | Brevo |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (1K subs, 12K/mo) | Free (300 emails/day) |
| Paid From | $10/mo (1K subs) | $9/mo (5K emails) |
| At 5K subs, 50K/mo | $45/mo | $25/mo |
| Pricing Model | Contact-based (fair) | Volume-based |
| Unlimited Emails | ✅ On paid plans | ❌ Per-tier volume caps |
| Free Plan Limit | 1K subs, 12K/mo | 300/day, no contact cap |
| Email Builder | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Clean | ⭐⭐⭐ Functional |
| Automation | ⭐⭐⭐ Good basics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Advanced |
| SMS / WhatsApp | ❌ | ✅ Built-in |
| Deliverability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 95-97% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 97-99% |
| Integrations | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 50+ | ⭐⭐⭐ 50+ |
| Landing Pages | ✅ Included | ✅ Standard+ |
| Capterra Rating | 4.7 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
2. Pricing Face-Off
Both platforms are affordable, but their pricing models differ significantly:
| Subscribers | MailerLite | Brevo (Starter) | Savings With |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $10/mo (Free) | $9/mo | Brevo (-$1) |
| 2,500 | $20/mo | $18/mo | Brevo (-$2) |
| 5,000 | $45/mo | $25/mo | Brevo (-$20) |
| 10,000 | $59/mo | $39/mo | Brevo (-$20) |
| 25,000 | $135/mo | $69/mo | Brevo (-$66) |
→ Detailed pricing: Brevo Review · MailerLite Review
3. Ease of Use
MailerLite wins this round — it's the simplest email tool on the market. The interface is clean, uncluttered, and intuitive. Creating a campaign takes 5 clicks. Brevo has more features packed into its UI, which means more menus and options. It's still user-friendly, but MailerLite's simplicity is in a league of its own.
Winner: MailerLite — cleanest interface in email marketing.
4. Email Builder
MailerLite's drag-and-drop builder is clean and responsive, with ~50 templates. Brevo's builder is functional with ~40 templates. Neither matches Mailchimp's design polish, but both get the job done. MailerLite's editor feels slightly more modern and fluid.
Winner: MailerLite — slightly better templates and editing experience.
5. Automation
Brevo wins decisively. Its visual workflow builder supports multi-branch journeys with conditions, splits, and goals — all available on the Starter plan ($9/mo). MailerLite's automation covers basic triggers and simple flows, but it lacks the depth for complex, multi-step journeys with conditional logic.
→ Compare automation depth: Klaviyo vs ActiveCampaign
Winner: Brevo — significantly more powerful automation at a lower price.
6. Multi-Channel (SMS & WhatsApp)
Brevo wins by default — MailerLite doesn't offer SMS or WhatsApp. If your audience engages via text or WhatsApp (retail, e-commerce, local services), Brevo is the only choice between these two.
Winner: Brevo — SMS and WhatsApp built-in.
7. Deliverability
Both platforms have good deliverability. Brevo's 97-99% edges out MailerLite's 95-97%, thanks to Brevo's own EU-based email infrastructure. For most businesses, both are more than adequate. For high-stakes campaigns where every percentage point matters, Brevo has the edge.
Winner: Brevo — slightly better, especially for high-volume senders.
8. Pros & Cons
✅ MailerLite
- Cleanest, most intuitive interface
- Free up to 1K subs, 12K/mo
- Unlimited emails on paid plans
- No charge for unsubscribes
- Built-in landing pages included
✅ Brevo
- Volume-based pricing = cheaper at scale
- SMS & WhatsApp built-in
- Advanced automation on all plans
- No contact limit (store 100K+)
- Better deliverability (97-99%)
9. The Winner
• Free up to 1K subscribers is enough to start
• Unlimited emails matter for your sending frequency
• You don't need SMS or multi-channel
• Simplicity > features
• Your list is growing past 5K — Brevo gets cheaper
• You want advanced automation without a premium plan
• Deliverability is a top priority
• You want a free plan with no contact limit