MailerLite vs Brevo: which one fits your business in 2026?
MailerLite vs Brevo comes down to how each one charges. MailerLite prices by subscribers. Brevo prices by emails sent. This page compares their free plans, paid plans, SMS, WhatsApp and paying from Nigeria, using each company's own pricing page.
The short answer
MailerLite suits a small list that you email often, because it charges by subscribers. Brevo suits a large list that you email rarely, because it charges by emails sent. Brevo also suits a team that needs SMS and WhatsApp, which come on its higher plans. If you are choosing the best email marketing tool for a Nigerian business, also check how you will pay.
How each one charges
MailerLite is priced by active subscribers. The more people on your list, the more you pay, however often you email them.
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is priced by emails sent per month. The more you send, the more you pay.
Here is one example. You have 1,000 subscribers and you email them 4 times a month. That is 4,000 emails a month.
- On MailerLite, 1,000 subscribers is more than the Free plan allows (250), so you need a paid plan. Comfort starts at $12 a month, and the price rises with your subscriber count.
- On Brevo, 4,000 emails fit inside Starter, which starts at $9 a month for 5,000 emails.
This is the core of MailerLite vs Brevo pricing: count your subscribers and the emails you send, then compare.
Side-by-side comparison
| MailerLite | Brevo | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Priced by active subscribers | Priced by emails sent per month |
| Free plan | Up to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month | 300 emails a day |
| Entry paid plans | Comfort from $12 a month, Power from $25 a month | Starter from $9 a month (5,000 emails), Standard from $18, Professional from $499 |
| Billing and payment | Billed in USD or EUR | Credit card through Adyen, or PayPal |
| SMS | Not in MailerLite; SMS and transactional email are sold separately through MailerSend | From Starter; SMS credits sold separately |
| Not listed on the pricing page | Professional plan and above | |
| Automation | Visual builder; 3 active automations on Free, 50 on Comfort, unlimited on Power | Standard plan and above |
Free plans compared
For MailerLite vs Brevo, the free plan limits are:
- MailerLite Free: up to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month.
- Brevo Free: 300 emails a day.
SMS and WhatsApp
Brevo offers SMS from the Starter plan, and you buy SMS credits separately. WhatsApp is on the Professional plan and above.
MailerLite does not send SMS itself. SMS and transactional email are sold separately through MailerSend. The MailerLite pricing page does not list WhatsApp.
Paying from Nigeria
MailerLite bills in US dollars or euros. Brevo takes a credit card, processed by Adyen, or PayPal.
Many Nigerian bank cards have limits on spending in foreign currency. Check your card's limit before you choose a plan, and before each renewal.
A third option built in Lagos
EngageIQ is an email marketing platform built in Lagos for Nigerian businesses. You design emails with a drag-and-drop designer and preview them on desktop, tablet and mobile. You can send a campaign now or schedule it for later. You target static or rule-based Groups. Automated journeys start when a customer does something, or when they join a Group.
EngageIQ prices by subscribers, with a monthly email allowance. Starter is $29 a month for 1,000 subscribers and 5,000 emails. You can send from your own domain, with DKIM, SPF and DMARC checked for you. Every email has one-click unsubscribe, and bounces and complaints are suppressed automatically. Every new workspace starts with a 14-day free trial, and no card is required.
Compare EngageIQ directly: a MailerLite alternative and a Brevo alternative.
Frequently asked questions
- Is MailerLite or Brevo cheaper?
- It depends on how you send. MailerLite charges by active subscribers, so a small list that you email often costs less there. Brevo charges by emails sent, so a large list that you email rarely costs less there.
- Do MailerLite and Brevo have free plans?
- Yes. MailerLite Free covers up to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month. Brevo Free lets you send 300 emails a day.
- Which one sends WhatsApp messages?
- Brevo offers WhatsApp on its Professional plan and above. The MailerLite pricing page does not list WhatsApp.
- What was Brevo called before?
- Brevo was called Sendinblue until it changed its name in 2023.
Try EngageIQ free for 14 days
No card required. Import your contacts and send your first campaign today.
Sources
- MailerLite pricing page, https://www.mailerlite.com/pricing, checked on 10 October 2026.
- Brevo pricing page, https://www.brevo.com/pricing/, checked on 1 October 2026.
MailerLite and Brevo are trademarks of their respective owners. EngageIQ is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by them. Competitor details come from their public pages on the date shown and can change.