When people ask me which email marketing tool they should start with without burning money, Brevo’s Free Plan is almost always part of my answer.
After more than a decade of working in digital marketing — managing blogs, affiliate sites, SaaS funnels, ecommerce stores, and client campaigns — I’ve tested nearly every major email marketing platform. Very few free plans are genuinely useful beyond basic testing.
Brevo is one of those rare exceptions.
This article is based on real, hands-on usage of Brevo’s free plan over the years — not just feature lists. I’ll show you exactly what you get, what you don’t, and how to use the free plan strategically before upgrading.
What Is Brevo? (Quick Overview)
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is an all-in-one marketing platform that combines:
- Email marketing
- CRM
- Marketing automation
- SMS & WhatsApp marketing
- Transactional emails
Unlike many tools that focus only on newsletters, Brevo is designed for growing businesses, not just beginners.
Is Brevo Really Free? (Short Answer: Yes, But With Limits)
Brevo offers a forever-free plan — not a time-limited trial.
You don’t need:
- A credit card
- A paid upgrade to keep using it
- Any commitment
However, like any free plan, there are clear limits — which I’ll break down honestly.
Brevo Free Plan: What You Get (Full Breakdown)
Here’s exactly what Brevo gives you on the free plan in 2025.
Brevo Free Plan Features at a Glance
| Feature | Included on Free Plan |
|---|---|
| Email Sending | 300 emails per day |
| Contacts | Unlimited |
| Email Campaigns | Yes |
| Email Templates | Yes |
| Drag & Drop Editor | Yes |
| Transactional Emails | Yes (limited) |
| CRM | Yes |
| Automation | Limited |
| SMS Marketing | No |
| WhatsApp Marketing | No |
| Branding | Brevo logo included |
| Support | Email support |
1. Email Sending Limits (The Most Important Rule)
Brevo’s free plan allows:
👉 300 emails per day
👉 ~9,000 emails per month
This is a daily cap, not monthly rollover.
Why This Is Better Than It Sounds
Most tools limit you by number of contacts. Brevo limits you by emails sent.
That means:
- You can have unlimited subscribers
- You only pay when your sending volume grows
Real-world example:
If you have 1,000 subscribers and send emails 2–3 times per week, Brevo’s free plan can last a long time.
2. Unlimited Contacts (Huge Advantage)
This is where Brevo beats most competitors.
You can:
- Store unlimited subscribers
- Import large lists
- Segment contacts freely
Even on the free plan.
Why this matters:
Other tools force you to upgrade just because your list grows — even if you barely email them.
3. Email Campaigns & Editor (Surprisingly Powerful)
Brevo includes its full drag-and-drop email editor on the free plan.
You can:
- Create newsletters
- Promotional emails
- Announcements
- Simple funnels
Editor features:
- Pre-built templates
- Mobile-responsive layouts
- Custom HTML support
- Image & button blocks
My experience:
Brevo’s editor is clean, fast, and reliable. It’s not overloaded with design gimmicks — which actually improves deliverability.
4. Email Templates (Good Enough for Real Campaigns)
On the free plan, you get access to:
- Newsletter templates
- Product announcement templates
- Basic marketing layouts
These templates are:
- Lightweight
- Clean
- Conversion-focused
Perfect for:
- Bloggers
- Affiliate marketers
- Small businesses
- Startups
5. Brevo CRM (Free & Functional)
This is one of Brevo’s most underrated features.
On the free plan, you get a real CRM, not just a contact list.
CRM features include:
- Contact profiles
- Notes & activity tracking
- Deal pipelines
- Tasks & reminders
This alone makes Brevo valuable for:
- Freelancers
- Agencies
- Consultants
- Service-based businesses
Many platforms charge extra just for CRM access.
6. Basic Marketing Automation (Limited but Useful)
Brevo includes automation workflows on the free plan — but with limits.
You can:
- Create simple workflows
- Trigger emails based on events
- Use basic conditions
Limitations:
- Fewer automation steps
- No advanced branching
- Not ideal for complex funnels
Best use cases on free plan:
- Welcome email
- Lead magnet delivery
- Simple onboarding email
7. Transactional Emails (Rare on Free Plans)
Brevo allows transactional emails even on the free plan.
Examples:
- Account confirmation emails
- Password reset emails
- Order notifications
This is extremely useful if you run:
- A website
- An app
- A membership platform
Most competitors charge separately for this.
8. Deliverability & Infrastructure (Very Strong)
Brevo has consistently shown:
- Strong inbox placement
- Stable sending infrastructure
- Good sender reputation
Even on the free plan, emails are not treated as “low priority” — which is critical.
What You DON’T Get on the Free Plan
To use Brevo strategically, you must know the limits.
Main Limitations
❌ Brevo branding in emails
❌ Advanced automation
❌ SMS & WhatsApp campaigns
❌ A/B testing
❌ Send-time optimization
❌ Priority support
These are reasonable trade-offs for a free plan.
How to Use Brevo Free Plan the RIGHT Way (Expert Strategy)
Here’s how I recommend using the free plan based on real experience.
Step 1: Use Brevo for List Building First
Focus on:
- Lead magnets
- Blog opt-ins
- Free resources
Don’t rush promotions.
Step 2: Send 2–3 High-Value Emails Per Week
Instead of daily emails:
- Send fewer, better emails
- Maximize value per send
- Stay under daily limits
Step 3: Clean Your List Regularly
Because you have unlimited contacts:
- Remove inactive subscribers
- Improve engagement
- Protect deliverability
Step 4: Use CRM Notes for Sales Conversations
Even on free:
- Track leads
- Add notes
- Follow up manually
This replaces basic CRM tools.
Step 5: Upgrade Only When Revenue Justifies It
Brevo’s free plan is ideal until:
- You hit daily sending limits
- You need automation at scale
- Branding removal matters
Who Is Brevo Free Plan BEST For?
Brevo’s free plan is ideal for:
✔ Bloggers
✔ Affiliate marketers
✔ Startups
✔ Freelancers
✔ Small businesses
✔ Creators building email lists
✔ Side projects & MVPs
Who Should NOT Use the Free Plan?
You may outgrow it quickly if you:
- Send daily emails to large lists
- Need advanced automation
- Run high-volume ecommerce campaigns
- Require SMS marketing
Brevo Free Plan vs Other Free Email Tools (Quick Comparison)
| Feature | Brevo | Mailchimp | ConvertKit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Contacts | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Daily Email Limit | 300/day | Monthly cap | Subscriber-based |
| CRM Included | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Automation on Free | Limited | Very limited | Limited |
| Transactional Emails | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Brevo consistently offers more real value.
When Should You Upgrade from Brevo Free Plan?
Upgrade when:
- Your list is engaged
- You’re generating revenue
- You need automation depth
- You want branding removal
Brevo’s paid plans scale smoothly — without pricing shocks.
Final Verdict: Is Brevo Free Plan Worth It?
After years of hands-on use:
👉 Yes — Brevo offers one of the best free email marketing plans available in 2025.
It’s not a “demo.”
It’s a real tool you can build a business on.
If you use it strategically, Brevo’s free plan can take you from:
- Zero subscribers
to - A profitable email list
without forcing early upgrades.
Common Questions:
1. What does Brevo’s free plan include in 2025?
Brevo’s free plan includes 300 emails per day, unlimited contacts, the drag-and-drop email editor, access to email templates, basic CRM features, and limited automation and transactional emails. It’s a fully usable starter tier that lets creators and small businesses build and manage a list without a credit card.
2. How many subscribers can I store on Brevo’s free plan?
You can store unlimited subscribers on Brevo’s free plan. The plan limits emails sent per day (300/day) rather than the number of contacts, which makes it cost-effective for large lists that are emailed infrequently.
3. Can I send transactional emails and use CRM on Brevo’s free tier?
Yes. Brevo’s free plan supports basic transactional emails (like confirmations and password resets) and includes a functional CRM with contact profiles, notes, and deal pipelines — features that many competitors reserve for paid plans.
4. When should I upgrade from Brevo’s free plan to a paid plan?
Upgrade when you consistently exceed the 300 emails/day limit, need advanced automation, want to remove Brevo branding, require SMS or priority support, or need features like A/B testing and send-time optimization that are available on paid tiers.
5. Is Brevo free plan better than other free email tools?
For many users, yes — Brevo’s free plan stands out because it offers unlimited contacts, a usable CRM, and transactional emails at no cost. Compared to other free tiers that limit contacts or remove key features, Brevo provides more real value for growing lists and early businesses.