Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) has established itself as one of the most cost-effective all-in-one marketing platforms in 2026. With its unique pricing model based on emails sent rather than contacts stored, Brevo offers exceptional value for businesses with large subscriber lists. This guide covers everything you need to know about using Brevo for email marketing, automation, SMS, and CRM.
What is Brevo in 2026?
Brevo is an all-in-one digital marketing platform that combines email marketing, SMS campaigns, marketing automation, CRM, and transactional messaging. Originally launched as Sendinblue in 2012, the company rebranded to Brevo in 2023 to reflect its expanded suite of tools beyond email.
In 2026, Brevo serves over 500,000 businesses worldwide and processes billions of emails monthly. The platform stands out for its competitive pricing, especially for businesses with large contact lists, as it charges based on email volume rather than subscriber count.
Brevo 2026 Key Features
Email campaigns, marketing automation, SMS marketing, transactional email API, CRM, landing pages, Facebook ads integration, and WhatsApp campaigns. All features designed for businesses of all sizes.
Getting Started with Brevo 2026
Creating Your Brevo Account
Step 1: Sign Up
Visit brevo.com and create a free account. The free plan includes 300 emails per day with unlimited contacts, making it perfect for testing the platform.
Step 2: Complete Profile Setup
Fill in your business details, including company name, address, and website. This information is required for email footer compliance with anti-spam laws.
Step 3: Configure Sender Settings
Add and verify your sender email address. Brevo will send a verification email to confirm ownership. Consider using a professional domain email for better deliverability.
Step 4: Import Contacts
Upload your existing email list via CSV or connect integrations to sync contacts automatically. Create lists and segments to organize subscribers.
Step 5: Authenticate Your Domain
Set up DKIM, SPF, and DMARC records for your sending domain. This improves email deliverability and protects your sender reputation.
Understanding the Brevo Dashboard
The Brevo dashboard in 2026 provides access to all platform features:
- Campaigns: Create and manage email and SMS campaigns
- Automation: Build automated marketing workflows
- Transactional: Manage transactional email and SMS
- Contacts: Manage subscribers, lists, and segments
- Conversations: Live chat and chatbot features
- Sales CRM: Pipeline and deal management
Email Marketing with Brevo 2026
Creating Email Campaigns
Brevo offers multiple ways to create email campaigns:
Drag-and-Drop Editor
Build beautiful emails without coding using pre-designed content blocks and templates.
Rich Text Editor
Create simple text-based emails for a more personal feel or quick updates.
HTML Editor
Code custom email designs with full control over HTML and CSS.
AI Assistant
Generate subject lines and email copy with Brevo's built-in AI writing tools.
Email Design Best Practices
- Mobile-first design: Over 60% of emails are opened on mobile devices
- Clear call-to-action: Include one primary CTA button above the fold
- Personalization: Use merge tags for names and dynamic content
- Preheader text: Optimize the preview text for better open rates
- Image optimization: Compress images and use alt text
- Unsubscribe link: Make it visible for compliance and list hygiene
Segmentation and Targeting
Brevo offers powerful segmentation options in 2026:
- Demographics: Location, language, device type
- Behavior: Email opens, clicks, website visits
- Purchase history: Products bought, order value, frequency
- Engagement: Active, inactive, new subscriber
- Custom attributes: Any data you collect about contacts
- Dynamic lists: Automatically updated based on criteria
Marketing Automation in Brevo 2026
Building Automation Workflows
Brevo's automation builder enables sophisticated marketing workflows:
Automation Components
- Entry points: Form submission, purchase, date-based, API trigger
- Actions: Send email, send SMS, update contact, add to list
- Conditions: If/else branches based on attributes or behavior
- Delays: Wait specific time or until condition is met
- Exit conditions: Stop workflow when goal is achieved
Essential Automation Templates
1. Welcome Series
Automatically welcome new subscribers with a sequence introducing your brand, best content, and offers. Set up email 1 on signup, email 2 after 2 days, and email 3 after 5 days.
2. Abandoned Cart Recovery
Send reminders to shoppers who left items in their cart. Include product images, cart contents, and a link to complete checkout. Consider offering a discount in follow-up emails.
3. Birthday and Anniversary
Celebrate customer milestones with personalized messages and special offers. Use date attributes to trigger emails automatically.
4. Re-engagement Campaign
Win back inactive subscribers with targeted messaging. If no engagement after the sequence, consider removing them from your active list.
5. Post-Purchase Follow-up
Thank customers, provide order information, request reviews, and suggest related products based on their purchase.
SMS Marketing with Brevo 2026
Setting Up SMS Campaigns
Brevo supports SMS marketing for promotional and transactional messages:
SMS Campaign Setup
- Purchase SMS credits (pay-as-you-go pricing)
- Ensure contacts have phone numbers with country codes
- Create SMS campaign with 160-character message
- Include opt-out instructions for compliance
- Schedule or send immediately
SMS Best Practices
- Keep it short: SMS charges per 160 characters
- Identify yourself: Start with your brand name
- Clear CTA: Tell recipients exactly what to do
- Timing matters: Send during appropriate hours
- Opt-out compliance: Include STOP instructions
- Reserve for important messages: Do not overuse SMS
Combining Email and SMS
Create multi-channel automation workflows that use both email and SMS:
Multi-Channel Example
Abandoned cart workflow: Send email reminder at 1 hour, follow up with SMS at 24 hours if no purchase, send final email with discount at 48 hours. This approach increases recovery rates significantly.
Brevo CRM Features 2026
Sales Pipeline Management
Brevo includes a built-in CRM for managing sales processes:
- Custom pipelines: Create multiple pipelines for different products
- Deal tracking: Move deals through stages with drag-and-drop
- Task management: Assign tasks and follow-ups to team members
- Contact timeline: View complete history of interactions
- Notes and activities: Log calls, meetings, and notes
Contact Management
Manage contacts with comprehensive profiles:
- Custom attributes for any data you need
- Activity history across all channels
- List and segment membership
- Automation workflow status
- Deal and revenue tracking
Transactional Email with Brevo 2026
API and SMTP Setup
Brevo provides robust transactional email capabilities:
SMTP Relay
Send transactional emails through your existing application using SMTP credentials.
API Integration
Use Brevo's API to send emails programmatically with full control over content and metadata.
Templates
Create reusable templates for order confirmations, password resets, and notifications.
Webhooks
Receive real-time notifications for opens, clicks, bounces, and complaints.
Common Transactional Use Cases
- Order confirmations and receipts
- Shipping notifications and tracking
- Password reset emails
- Account verification
- Appointment reminders
- Invoice and billing notifications
Brevo Pricing 2026
| Plan | Price | Emails/Month | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 300/day | Unlimited contacts, email campaigns, CRM |
| Starter | $25/mo | 20,000 | No daily limit, basic reporting |
| Business | $65/mo | Unlimited | Marketing automation, A/B testing, advanced stats |
| Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited | Priority support, dedicated IP, SSO |
Pricing Advantage
Unlike most competitors, Brevo charges by email volume, not contact count. This means you can store unlimited contacts on all plans and only pay for emails you actually send. This is particularly valuable for businesses with large lists but moderate sending frequency.
Brevo vs Competitors 2026
| Feature | Brevo | Mailchimp | ActiveCampaign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per email sent | Per contact | Per contact |
| Free Plan | 300 emails/day | 500 contacts | 14-day trial |
| SMS Marketing | Built-in | Add-on | Via integration |
| Transactional Email | Built-in | Separate product | Via integration |
| CRM | Built-in | Basic | Advanced |
| Best For | Large lists, all-in-one | Beginners, creators | Complex automation |
Brevo Best Practices 2026
Email Deliverability Tips
- Authenticate your domain with DKIM, SPF, and DMARC
- Warm up new sending domains gradually
- Clean your list regularly by removing inactive contacts
- Use double opt-in for new subscribers
- Monitor bounce rates and address issues promptly
- Avoid spam trigger words in subject lines
List Growth Strategies
- Website forms: Use Brevo's form builder on your site
- Landing pages: Create dedicated pages for lead magnets
- Pop-ups: Deploy exit-intent or timed pop-ups
- Social media: Promote signup benefits on social channels
- Contests: Run giveaways requiring email entry
Performance Metrics to Track
- Open rate: Aim for 20%+ (industry dependent)
- Click rate: Target 2-5% for promotional emails
- Unsubscribe rate: Keep below 0.5%
- Bounce rate: Should be under 2%
- Spam complaints: Keep under 0.1%
- Conversion rate: Track goal completions from email traffic
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brevo and is it the same as Sendinblue?
Brevo is the new name for Sendinblue, rebranded in 2023. In 2026, Brevo offers email marketing, SMS campaigns, marketing automation, CRM, and transactional messaging. The platform retained all features while expanding its capabilities under the new brand.
How much does Brevo cost in 2026?
Brevo offers a free plan with 300 emails/day. Paid plans start at $25/month for Starter (20K emails/month), $65/month for Business (unlimited emails), and custom pricing for Enterprise. Pricing is based on email volume rather than contact count, making it cost-effective for large lists.
Is Brevo good for email marketing in 2026?
Yes, Brevo is excellent for email marketing in 2026, especially for businesses wanting an all-in-one platform with email, SMS, automation, and CRM. Its pricing model based on emails sent (not contacts) makes it particularly attractive for businesses with large lists but moderate sending frequency.
Can Brevo send SMS messages in 2026?
Yes, Brevo supports SMS marketing in 2026. You can send promotional SMS campaigns, transactional messages, and create automated SMS workflows. SMS credits are purchased separately from your email plan, with pricing varying by country.
How does Brevo compare to Mailchimp in 2026?
Brevo is more affordable than Mailchimp for large contact lists since it charges by emails sent, not contacts. Mailchimp offers more design templates and integrations. Brevo provides better SMS capabilities and transactional email features. Choose based on your specific needs and list size.
Conclusion
Brevo offers one of the most compelling value propositions in email marketing for 2026. Its unique pricing model, combined with a comprehensive feature set including email, SMS, automation, and CRM, makes it an excellent choice for growing businesses. Whether you are just starting with email marketing or looking for a more cost-effective alternative to your current platform, Brevo delivers professional-grade tools at accessible prices.
Start with the free plan to explore the platform, then upgrade as your needs grow. Focus on building a quality subscriber list, creating engaging content, and leveraging automation to scale your marketing efforts efficiently.
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