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MailerLite vs Brevo for Agencies (2026): Which Is Better?
By Red Kite Search Agency Created Updated 7 min read
Summary
Choose Brevo for send-based pricing and the stronger evidence. Choose MailerLite for simplicity and steady lists. Prices and ratings were checked in October 2026.
MailerLite vs Brevo: which is better for agencies in 2026?
MailerLite and Brevo are both affordable email tools with free plans. MailerLite prices by subscribers. Brevo prices by emails sent.
We compared price, agency fit and evidence.
| Tool | Editorial score | Review-site ratings | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MailerLite | 4.2 / 5 | No review-site rating found | Prices at 500 subscribers. Free $0 for 250 subscribers. Growing Business $12 monthly or $10.80 billed yearly. Advanced $25 monthly or $22.50 billed yearly. Enterprise is custom. Each account needs its own plan and billing. | Freelancers to small agencies |
| Brevo | 4.2 / 5 | G2 4.5 | Free plan. Starter $8.08, Standard $16.17 and Professional $449.08 a month on annual billing ($9, $18 and $499 monthly); Enterprise from $2,499 a month. | Small to enterprise teams |
How do MailerLite and Brevo compare on price?
MailerLite costs $12 on Growing Business a month at 500 subscribers. Brevo costs $8.08 on Starter and $16.17 on Standard a month billed yearly.
| Tool | Plan | Price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| MailerLite | Free | $0 per month at 500 subscribers (monthly billing) | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails a month, 2 seats |
| MailerLite | Growing Business | $10.80 per month at 500 subscribers (annual billing); $12 monthly | At 500 subscribers, 5,000 emails a month, 3 seats |
| MailerLite | Advanced | $22.50 per month at 500 subscribers (annual billing); $25 monthly | At 500 subscribers, unlimited emails and seats |
| MailerLite | Enterprise | Custom | Custom sending volume, unlimited seats |
| Brevo | Free | $0 per month (monthly billing) | 300 emails a day; transactional email features |
| Brevo | Starter | $8.08 per month (annual billing); $9 monthly | From 5,000 emails a month; email and SMS; AI content generator; no Brevo logo |
| Brevo | Standard | $16.17 per month (annual billing); $18 monthly | Starter plus marketing automation, A/B testing, landing page, AI send-time optimization |
| Brevo | Professional | $449.08 per month (annual billing); $499 monthly | From 150,000 emails a month; 10 seats; WhatsApp, push and popups; phone support; 3 hours of deliverability support a year |
| Brevo | Enterprise | From $2,499 a month | Multi-account management, dedicated IP, SSO and SAML, CSM support |
Which costs less?
Brevo Starter lists lower at entry, and its send-based pricing suits clients with large lists who send rarely. MailerLite suits steady senders with small lists.
Estimate monthly sends before you compare.
Run a short side-by-side test before you decide. Give both tools the same real list and campaign, time how long each takes, and ask a colleague who did not set them up to review the result. The result is usually clearer than any feature table.
Also check how each vendor handles renewal. Yearly plans are often billed in advance, price rises are common at renewal, and cancelling late can lock you into another term. Put the renewal date in the team calendar the day you buy.
Which is better for agencies?
Neither has a dedicated agency plan on the pages we read, and MailerLite says each account needs its own plan and billing. Brevo has a free plan and send-based pricing that can suit varied clients.
Compare cost per client over a year.
Ask for a written statement of plan limits when you buy, because caps on contacts, sends, and seats change from time to time, and a record of what you were promised is useful if a limit moves.
Remember that you can start small. Most vendors offer a free plan or trial, so begin with the cheapest plan that covers your real work, and upgrade only when a specific limit blocks you.
A useful habit is to record each trial in one short note: the list used, the setup time, and the main frustration. Comparing two notes is far easier than comparing two memories.
Which has stronger evidence?
Brevo has 4.5 on G2 from 2,768 reviews. MailerLite lists 1,115 reviews with no score in the snippet we read.
Neither stated SOC 2 on the pages we read.
Finally, think about exit costs. Check how easily you can export your lists, templates and reports, and keep notes on how your automations are built, so a later switch does not mean starting from scratch.
Keep the client in the loop on billing. Whether the client pays the vendor directly or you resell the tool, agree who owns the account and the data in writing.
How do MailerLite and Brevo compare on integrations, security, and support?
Beyond price, agencies ask about connections to their other tools, what to tell clients about security, and how quickly they can get help. This is what each vendor states publicly, as checked in October 2026.
| Area | MailerLite | Brevo |
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | Limited API and MCP access on Free (without sending); a full integrations list was not read | More than 150 digital tools |
| Security | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR certification and SSO were not stated on the pages we read | SSO and SAML on Enterprise; Certifications, 2FA and hosting regions were not stated (the security page returned an error) |
| Support | Knowledge base support on Free; other support channels were not stated | Starter and Standard: email in 6 languages; Professional: phone and deliverability-specialist support; Enterprise: tailored onboarding and CSM support |
| Apps | A mobile app was not stated | A mobile app was not stated; mobile and web push is on Professional |
What are the pros and cons of MailerLite and Brevo?
Here is where each tool helps agencies and where it can get in the way, based on plan details and public feedback.
MailerLite pros
- Free costs $0 for 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails a month and 2 seats.
- Growing Business costs $12 a month, or $10.80 billed yearly, at 500 subscribers with 3 seats.
- Advanced costs $25 a month, or $22.50 billed yearly, at 500 subscribers with unlimited emails and seats.
- A referral programme and an affiliate programme are offered to agencies and freelancers.
MailerLite cons
- No agency plan, sub-accounts or multi-account discounts: each account needs its own plan and billing.
- Prices rise with subscriber count, so each client list is priced separately.
- Free plan limits are tight: 1 website, 1 landing page and 3 active forms.
- Security certifications and a mobile app were not stated.
Brevo pros
- A free plan with 300 emails a day and transactional email features on every plan.
- Starter from $8.08 a month on annual billing.
- Unlimited automated multi-step workflows from Standard.
- Email, SMS and WhatsApp channels, with 150+ integrations.
Brevo cons
- Professional costs $449.08 a month on annual billing and Enterprise starts at $2,499 a month.
- Starter has basic reporting and no marketing automation.
- Security certifications and hosting regions were not captured (the security page returned an error).
- Only Professional lists phone support, and a mobile app was not stated.
What do reviewers say about MailerLite and Brevo?
G2 shows Brevo at 4.5 from 2,768 reviews. MailerLite lists 1,115 reviews with no overall score in the snippet we read.
| Tool | Source | Rating | Number of reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brevo | G2 | 4.5 / 5 | 2,768 |
Reviewer themes for MailerLite
- G2 lists 1,115 reviews for MailerLite; the snippet we read showed no overall score.
- Reviewers say it is easy to use, intuitive, and good value for what you get.
- One reviewer notes it feels more organised and easier to navigate than most email software.
Reviewer themes for Brevo
- G2 shows Brevo at 4.5 from 2,768 reviews.
- Reviewers cite solid deliverability, automation without custom code and an EU-hosted service that fits GDPR needs.
- Reviewers call it intuitive and cost-effective.
How does setup differ between MailerLite and Brevo?
Getting value from either tool depends on how you set it up, and the first steps differ. Here is the practical starting point for each.
MailerLite: Start on the Free plan with one client list.
Brevo: Start on the free plan with one client, and send a campaign within the daily limit.
What should agencies check before choosing between MailerLite and Brevo?
Small details in plans and limits decide whether a tool works in practice. Check these points for each tool during a trial on a real client account.
Before you buy MailerLite
- Count client accounts.
- Check subscriber tiers.
- Decide who owns billing.
- Start on the Free plan.
Before you buy Brevo
- Estimate monthly send volume.
- Price SMS credits.
- Ask for security documents.
- Start on the free plan.
How should you test MailerLite and Brevo before deciding?
The fairest test is to run both tools on the same real client account for two weeks, with the same people, and compare the results rather than first impressions.
What to measure
- How long it takes a new team member to be productive in MailerLite versus Brevo.
- How often people open each tool without being reminded.
- Whether the plan you need includes the features you tested, not just the entry price.
- How a client reacts if you invite them to either tool.
- How much time the team spends on notifications, setup, and cleanup each week.
Which should you choose: MailerLite or Brevo?
Choose Brevo for send-based pricing and the stronger evidence. Choose MailerLite for simplicity and steady lists.
Trial both on one client list.
Choose MailerLite if
- Your clients own their email accounts.
- You want a free plan and low prices.
- You want a simple editor.
Skip MailerLite if
- You want sub-accounts and white label.
- You want to bill clients through the tool.
- You need stated security certifications.
Choose Brevo if
- You send high volumes at a low cost.
- You need transactional email and SMS.
- You want unlimited automation from Standard.
Skip Brevo if
- You need security certifications confirmed up front.
- You need a mobile app.
- You need a mid-priced step between Standard and Professional.
Frequently asked questions
- Is MailerLite or Brevo better?
- Brevo for send-based pricing, MailerLite for simplicity.
- Which is cheaper?
- Brevo at entry.
- Do both have free plans?
- Yes.
- Which prices by emails sent?
- Brevo.
- Which has more G2 reviews?
- Brevo.
Sources
Prices, plan limits, and ratings were gathered in October 2026 from:
- MailerLite pricing page
- Brevo pricing page
- G2