Brevo vs MailerLite Free Plan (2026): We Tested Both — Here’s the Honest Verdict
- ✓Brevo wins: Unlimited contacts free
- ✓Free CRM + sales pipeline
- ✓No subscriber cap ever
- ✓GDPR-compliant infrastructure
- ✕MailerLite wins: Much better email editor
- ✕3 free automations
- ✕Website + landing pages builder
- ✕$12/mo vs Brevo pay-per-email paid
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you sign up for a paid plan through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We tested all tools on free plans first. Our recommendations are based on hands-on use, not compensation. Last tested: June 2026.
- Large existing contact list
- Send infrequently (monthly)
- Need free CRM + pipeline
- European/GDPR requirements
- Starting from zero (0–500 subs)
- Want A/B testing at $0
- Need website builder + email
- Plan to upgrade to $12/mo fast
Last updated: June 26, 2026 | Tested by: Mr Review AI Team | Both accounts verified June 2026 | Data from brevo.com/pricing and mailerlite.com/pricing
MailerLite cut its free plan three times in two years. As of June 16, 2026, the free plan currently offers 500 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month (as of June 16, 2026). Brevo’s free plan has unlimited contacts but limits you to 300 emails per day — and you can’t run live automations without upgrading. Both are genuinely free, no credit card required, no auto-charge traps. But they are built for completely different users. This comparison will tell you exactly who should use which one.
Bottom line up front: If you already have hundreds of contacts and send infrequently, Brevo is the better free tool. If you’re starting from zero and want the best free editor with A/B testing, MailerLite is the pick — just know you’ll hit the 250-contact ceiling sooner than you expect.
What We Tested — And How
We hold real free accounts on both platforms. Our Brevo account was created and tested June 2026 — we built a campaign, set up signup forms, explored the CRM, and attempted to configure automations. Our MailerLite account was created before June 16, 2026 (so it still runs under the old limits until July 1), but we verified all new free plan restrictions against MailerLite’s official help documentation and pricing page, accessed June 22, 2026. We do not have paid plans on either tool. Where we describe paid features, we note it clearly.
Brevo Free Plan — What You Actually Get in 2026
Brevo (rebranded from Sendinblue in 2023) prices by emails sent, not by contacts. This makes it a fundamentally different math than almost every other email marketing tool. Here is exactly what the free plan includes:
- Contacts: Unlimited — no ceiling, ever
- Email sends: 300 per day (~9,000/month). No monthly cap — just a daily limit that resets every 24 hours
- Automations: You can draft workflows but cannot activate them on the free plan
- CRM: Full CRM included — contacts, deals (50 open), companies, tasks, pipeline, live chat, meeting scheduler
- Signup forms: Embedded and full-page forms only. Popup forms require Professional ($499/mo)
- Landing pages: Not available on free — requires Standard plan ($18/mo)
- Email templates: Available on free
- Transactional email: Full SMTP and API access — free
- A/B testing: Not available — Standard plan only
- Branding: “Sent by Brevo” footer on every email — $12/month extra to remove on Starter plan
- GDPR tools: Built-in on free — form GDPR fields, declarations, captcha
The 300 emails/day cap is the most critical constraint to understand. If you have 500 contacts, you cannot email your full list in a single day. You’d need to split the send across two days. With 3,000 contacts, a single broadcast takes 10 days. For weekly newsletters or time-sensitive campaigns, this is a serious practical problem. For monthly newsletters or businesses that send infrequently, the math works fine.
MailerLite Free Plan — What Changed in June 2026
MailerLite restructured its free plan on June 16, 2026. The changes are significant enough that any review written before that date is now outdated. Here is what the free plan looks like today:
- Subscribers: 500 (restored as of June 16, 2026 — had been cut to 250, which itself was cut from ~1,000 in late 2025)
- Emails/month: 12,000 (restored as of June 16, 2026 — had been cut to 2,500)
- Active automations: 3 max (was unlimited)
- Active forms: 3 max
- Landing pages: 1
- Website: 1
- Email templates: Now unlocked on free (previously paid only) — genuine improvement
- Promotional pop-ups: Now free (previously paid) — genuine improvement
- A/B testing campaigns: Free — this remains MailerLite’s biggest free plan differentiator
- Custom sender domain: Not on free — emails send from @ml.mailerlite.com
- Branding: “Powered by MailerLite” footer — requires Comfort plan ($12/mo) to remove
- User seats: 2 (increased from 1) — small improvement
- Support: Chat and email for the first 14 days only. After that, you’re on the knowledge base
The pattern matters: MailerLite has cut its free plan three times in two years. Each cut was paired with a feature unlock (templates, pop-ups, seats), but the core numbers — subscribers and sends — have gone in one direction only: down. If you plan to use MailerLite free long-term and expect the limits to stay where they are, be aware this is the third time they’ve changed. That is not a prediction of a fourth cut, but it is a pattern worth knowing.
Head-to-Head: Feature by Feature
| Feature | 📬 Brevo Free | 📧 MailerLite Free |
|---|---|---|
| Free contacts / subscribers | Unlimited contacts | 500 subscribers |
| Monthly email sends | ~9,000 (300/day) | 12,000/month |
| Email automations | Draft only — can’t activate on free | 3 active automations |
| Landing pages | ❌ Paid only | ✅ 1 landing page |
| Website builder | ❌ Not available | ✅ 1 website free |
| A/B testing | ❌ Paid only | ✅ Free |
| Email templates | ✅ Free | ✅ Free (unlocked June 2026) |
| CRM (contacts, deals, pipeline) | ✅ Full CRM — unique | ❌ Not available |
| Custom sender domain | ✅ Verify own domain free | ❌ Paid only (sends @ml.mailerlite.com) |
| Popup/slide-in forms | ❌ Professional plan ($499/mo) | ✅ Free (unlocked June 2026) |
| Remove branding | ❌ $12/mo add-on | ❌ Paid only |
| GDPR compliance tools | ✅ Built-in | ⚠️ Basic |
| Transactional email (SMTP/API) | ✅ Full access free | ❌ Separate product (MailerSend) |
| Trial trap risk | None — truly free | None — truly free |
| Customer support on free | Email support | Chat + email first 14 days only |
| First paid plan | $9/mo (5,000 emails) | $12/mo (500 subscribers) |
The Verdict by Use Case
There is no single winner. Brevo and MailerLite serve genuinely different use cases. Here is exactly who should use which tool:
| Use Case | 📬 Pick Brevo | 📧 Pick MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Large existing contact list | ✅ WIN — Unlimited contacts | ❌ Hits 500 fast |
| Just starting (0–500 subs) | ⚠️ Overkill — complex setup | ✅ WIN — Best beginner UX |
| Weekly newsletter | ❌ 300/day limit breaks flow | ✅ WIN — 2,500/mo covers weekly |
| Monthly newsletter (large list) | ✅ WIN — Send over multiple days | ❌ 500 contacts ceiling |
| Email automation sequences | ❌ Can’t activate on free | ✅ WIN — 3 active automations |
| CRM + sales pipeline | ✅ WIN — Full CRM free | ❌ No CRM |
| A/B testing subject lines | ❌ Paid only | ✅ WIN — Only free A/B testing |
| Landing pages for lead gen | ❌ Paid only | ✅ WIN — 1 landing page free |
| GDPR / European business | ✅ WIN — Best GDPR tools | ⚠️ Basic |
| Transactional / SMTP email | ✅ WIN — Full SMTP/API free | ❌ Separate MailerSend product |
| Selling digital products | ❌ Not available | ✅ WIN — 1 digital product free |
Deliverability: How Do They Compare?
Deliverability is the number that actually matters — not features, not design. If your email lands in spam, nothing else is relevant.
Brevo deliverability on free: Shared IP infrastructure. Free plan sends from Brevo’s shared IP pool. During our June 2026 test, a campaign sent to Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail accounts landed in the primary inbox on all three — not spam. We used a clean, authenticated sending domain (SPF + DKIM configured), a clean subject line, and a small contact list (under 50 contacts). Brevo prompts you to authenticate during onboarding and provides the exact DNS records to add. DMARC is not set up automatically but documentation is provided. Dedicated IP is Enterprise-only. Custom sender domain is free — this is a significant advantage vs MailerLite.
MailerLite deliverability on free: MailerLite’s deliverability reputation is consistently strong — independent testing places it above 90% inbox placement. The platform has invested heavily in deliverability infrastructure. However, the free plan sends from a MailerLite shared domain (not your custom domain), which limits the long-term reputation you build. Every email goes from @ml.mailerlite.com, not from your domain. Kit.com gives you a verified custom sender domain on free. Brevo lets you verify your own domain for free. MailerLite keeps custom sender domain behind a paid tier — this is the single biggest deliverability gap on the MailerLite free plan.
Bottom line on deliverability: Brevo edges ahead on free-plan deliverability because it allows you to authenticate and send from your own custom domain at no cost. MailerLite’s overall platform deliverability is excellent, but the custom domain lock is a real constraint for anyone building long-term sender reputation.
Pricing: When Do You Have to Pay?
Brevo’s upgrade triggers: You will need to upgrade when you need to send more than 300 emails per day, when you need marketing automation to run live (not just draft), or when you need landing pages or popup forms. The first paid tier — Starter — starts at $9/month for 5,000 emails/month. However, removing the “Sent by Brevo” footer costs an extra $12/month add-on, bringing the real minimum to $18/month on Standard plan (logo removal included as of July 2026). Standard plan at $18/month unlocks automation and landing pages.
MailerLite’s upgrade triggers: You will need to upgrade when you hit 500 subscribers (which can happen within a few months for an active content creator), when you need more than 3 automations, or when you need a custom sender domain. The Comfort plan is $12/month for 500 subscribers — the most affordable first paid tier of any major platform. This makes MailerLite’s upgrade path the cheapest, even if the free plan ceiling is low.
Important: Neither Brevo nor MailerLite free plans carry auto-charge risk. Unlike Mailchimp (which has a documented $20 trial-to-paid auto-charge trap), both Brevo and MailerLite require explicit action to upgrade. You will not be charged by accident on either platform.
Who Should Use Brevo Free?
Brevo free is the right choice if you have a large existing contact list but send infrequently. The unlimited contact ceiling is genuinely unmatched — no other major email marketing tool offers unlimited contacts for free. If you are an e-commerce business with 5,000 past customers and you want to send one newsletter per month, Brevo handles this without you paying a cent (spread the send over 17 days and you’re within the 300/day limit). It is also the right choice if you need a free CRM alongside your email marketing — deals pipeline, company tracking, tasks, and live chat are all included. European businesses that need built-in GDPR form fields and declarations will also find Brevo’s tools more comprehensive than MailerLite’s.
Brevo is not the right choice for weekly newsletter writers, anyone who needs live automations running from day one, or marketers who need landing pages or popup lead capture without paying. The 300/day limit makes real-time campaigns impossible at any reasonable list size.
Who Should Use MailerLite Free?
MailerLite free is the right choice if you are just starting out and expect to stay under 500 subscribers for the first several months. The drag-and-drop editor is genuinely the best of any free email marketing tool — cleaner, more modern, and more intuitive than Brevo’s interface. The A/B testing on subject lines is a unique feature at $0 — no other major platform offers split testing free. If you are building your first newsletter, launching a small online course, or want to test email marketing before committing to a paid tool, MailerLite gives you the best editorial experience.
MailerLite is not the right choice if you expect your list to grow past 500 quickly, if you need more than 3 automations, or if you want a custom sender domain without paying. The history of free plan cuts is also worth factoring in — three reductions in two years is a pattern, not a one-off. If platform stability matters to you, that is a legitimate concern.
The Honest Answer: Which One Should You Actually Use?
If your contact list is large (or will be): Brevo. Unlimited contacts is an advantage that compounds — you will never pay just because your list grew. The 300/day cap is manageable for infrequent senders.
If you’re starting from zero and value quality over capacity: MailerLite. The editor is better, A/B testing is unique at $0, and the $12/month upgrade path is the cheapest in the market when you need to scale. Just plan for the 250-contact ceiling.
If you need live automations from day one: Neither — look at Kit.com (1 automation free, 10,000 subscribers) or consider MailerLite’s paid Comfort plan ($12/mo) which gives you 50 automations. Brevo’s free plan literally cannot run live automations.
If you need landing pages: MailerLite (1 landing page free) or Kit.com (unlimited landing pages free). Brevo has no landing pages on any free tier.
Our verdict: Brevo 3.8/5 | MailerLite 3.6/5 — Brevo edges ahead on overall free plan value for most users because unlimited contacts is a more durable advantage than MailerLite’s feature quality at a 250-contact ceiling. But if you are a solo creator just starting out, the gap is thin, and MailerLite’s editor experience makes it the better tool to learn on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brevo or MailerLite free plan better in 2026?
Brevo wins on contacts (unlimited vs 500) and CRM. MailerLite wins on editor quality, A/B testing, and automations (3 active vs none on Brevo). The right choice depends on your list size and use case. Large existing list: Brevo. Starting from zero: MailerLite.
Can I use Brevo free plan for automation?
You can draft automations on Brevo free but not activate them. Live automations require the Standard plan at $18/month. This is the most significant limitation of Brevo’s free plan for marketers who need sequences running from day one.
What happened to MailerLite’s free plan in June 2026?
MailerLite restructured its free plan on June 16, 2026. The current free plan allows up to 500 subscribers and 12,000 emails/month, with automations capped at 3. Email templates and promotional pop-ups are included for free users. Note: we initially reported 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails/month based on pre-launch announcements — the live Plan and Billing dashboard confirmed 500 subscribers and 12,000 emails as of June 26, 2026.
Does Brevo free plan include a custom sender domain?
Yes — Brevo lets you verify and send from your own domain on the free plan. This is a meaningful advantage over MailerLite, where custom sender domain is a paid feature. Sending from your own domain (hello@yourdomain.com instead of a shared platform domain) improves deliverability and professional appearance.
Is there a trial trap on Brevo or MailerLite?
No. Both Brevo and MailerLite offer genuinely free plans with no credit card required and no auto-charge risk. MailerLite does offer a 14-day trial of premium features when you sign up, but it does not auto-charge when the trial ends — you simply revert to the free plan. This stands in contrast to Mailchimp, which has a documented $20 auto-charge when a free trial converts to paid.
How many automations do Brevo and MailerLite free plans include?
Brevo: 0 active automations on free (you can draft them, but can’t run them). MailerLite: 3 active automations with up to 5 steps each — reduced from unlimited as of June 2026. If automations are essential, MailerLite free is the only viable option between the two. For full automation, Kit.com (1 automation) or MailerLite Comfort plan ($12/mo, 50 automations) are better choices.
Your readers get live ratings pulled from mrreviewai.com. You get a useful tool. We get a backlink. Both win.
<script src="https://mrreviewai.com/widget.js" data-tool="beehiiv"></script><script src="https://mrreviewai.com/widget.js" data-tool="mailerlite"></script><script src="https://mrreviewai.com/widget.js" data-tool="kit"></script><script src="https://mrreviewai.com/widget.js" data-tool="brevo"></script><script src="https://mrreviewai.com/widget.js" data-tool="mailchimp"></script>This comparison was researched and written hands-on by the Mr Review AI editorial team. We hold real free accounts on both Brevo and MailerLite — both tested in June 2026. No vendor paid for this comparison. Scores reflect our genuine assessment of each free plan’s value for real users.
Our editorial rule: “tell it like it is”. If a tool’s free plan has been cut three times in two years, we say so. If another tool has a daily send limit that makes weekly newsletters painful, we say that too. Money never affects our rankings.
About the Author
Mr Review AI Team
This review was researched and tested hands-on by the Mr Review AI editorial team. We create real accounts, run actual campaigns, and document every limitation we encounter — no vendor demos, no copied spec sheets. Our reviews are editorially independent: no tool pays for a score or placement, ever. Where we have affiliate relationships, we disclose them transparently on each page.
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