Why I Switched to Brevo for My Marketing Needs (Honest Experience)
For years, email marketing felt more complicated — and more expensive — than it needed to be.
Like many small business owners and marketers, I started with popular tools that promised everything: powerful automation, deep insights, and “easy” growth. But over time, those promises came with rising costs, confusing interfaces, and features I barely used — while still paying premium prices.
That frustration is exactly what pushed me to re-evaluate my marketing stack.
After testing multiple platforms and running real campaigns, I eventually made a full switch to Brevo (formerly Sendinblue). This article is not a sales pitch. It’s a detailed breakdown of why I switched, what actually improved, where Brevo still has limits, and who should (and shouldn’t) consider using it in 2025.
If you’re overwhelmed by email marketing tools, pricing tiers, or bloated platforms, this honest experience may save you months of trial and error.
My Marketing Setup Before Brevo (And Why It Stopped Working)
Before Brevo, I relied on a combination of tools:
- One platform for email marketing
- Another tool for automation
- A separate CRM
- An external SMS provider
- A transactional email service
At first, this seemed normal. But over time, several problems became impossible to ignore.
1. Costs Were Rising Faster Than Revenue
Most platforms price based on contacts, not emails sent. As my list grew, my monthly bill increased — even when engagement didn’t.
Some months, I was paying more for inactive subscribers than active customers.
2. Automation Was Locked Behind Expensive Plans
Simple workflows like:
- Welcome emails
- Abandoned cart reminders
- Follow-ups after downloads
…required upgrading to higher plans — even though these automations are basic needs, not advanced features.
3. Too Many Tools, Too Much Friction
Switching between dashboards slowed everything down:
- Campaigns lived in one tool
- Leads in another
- Deals in a CRM that didn’t sync properly
Instead of focusing on growth, I was managing software.
That’s when I started looking for a simpler, more cost-effective all-in-one solution.
What First Attracted Me to Brevo
Brevo wasn’t the first platform I tested, but it stood out immediately for three reasons:
1. Pricing Based on Emails, Not Contacts
This was the biggest relief.
Brevo charges based on emails sent, not list size. That means:
- You can grow your list without fear
- Inactive contacts don’t inflate costs
- Budgeting becomes predictable
For small businesses and creators, this alone is a game-changer.
2. Automation + CRM Included (Not Add-Ons)
Brevo didn’t force me into multiple upgrades just to unlock basic workflows. Even at reasonable pricing tiers, I had access to:
- Email automation
- Contact segmentation
- CRM pipelines
- Transactional emails
3. Clean Interface That Didn’t Feel Overwhelming
Some platforms try to do everything — and feel like enterprise software. Brevo felt intentionally designed for small teams and real users, not just marketers.
The Actual Reasons I Switched to Brevo (Real Experience)
After testing Brevo with live campaigns, I fully migrated within a few weeks. Here’s why.
1. Email Campaigns Became Faster and Easier
Brevo’s email editor is straightforward, stable, and efficient.
What I noticed immediately:
- Emails loaded faster
- Templates were practical (not over-designed)
- Drag-and-drop editor worked smoothly
- No constant glitches or formatting bugs
Instead of fighting the editor, I could focus on:
- Writing better copy
- Improving subject lines
- Testing CTAs
Result: Faster campaign creation with fewer errors.
2. Automation That Actually Makes Sense
Brevo’s automation builder is visual, logical, and practical.
I was able to set up:
- Welcome sequences
- Lead nurturing workflows
- Re-engagement campaigns
- Post-purchase follow-ups
…without feeling like I needed a technical background.
What I liked most:
- Clear triggers and actions
- Multi-step workflows
- Email + SMS automation in one flow
While it’s not as complex as enterprise automation tools, it covers 90% of real business needs — without the learning curve.
3. Built-In CRM Simplified Everything
I didn’t expect much from Brevo’s CRM — but it surprised me.
It allowed me to:
- Track leads and customers
- Manage deals visually
- Add notes and tasks
- Move contacts through pipelines
For small businesses, agencies, and freelancers, this CRM is more than enough.
Instead of syncing tools, everything stayed in one place.
4. SMS & WhatsApp Marketing Changed Engagement
One of the biggest advantages of Brevo is native SMS and WhatsApp marketing.
I used it for:
- Appointment reminders
- Limited-time offers
- Transactional updates
- High-priority messages
The engagement difference was obvious:
- SMS open rates were significantly higher than email
- WhatsApp messages felt more personal
- Customers responded faster
This multi-channel approach improved conversions without extra tools.
5. Transactional Emails Worked Flawlessly
Brevo handles transactional emails exceptionally well.
I used it for:
- Order confirmations
- Account notifications
- Password resets
- System alerts
Deliverability was excellent, and setup was simpler than dedicated transactional platforms.
For eCommerce and SaaS projects, this feature alone saved money and complexity.
What Improved After Switching to Brevo (Measured Results)
After fully switching, I noticed real improvements:
| Area | Before Brevo | After Brevo |
|---|---|---|
| Email open rates | Average | More consistent |
| Automation setup | Complex | Simple & fast |
| Tool costs | High | Significantly lower |
| Campaign creation time | Slow | Much faster |
| System management | Fragmented | Centralized |
The biggest improvement wasn’t just performance — it was peace of mind.
Where Brevo Isn’t Perfect (Honest Downsides)
No tool is perfect, and Brevo is no exception.
Limitations I Noticed:
- Automation is powerful but not as advanced as enterprise tools
- CRM lacks deep reporting for large sales teams
- Landing page builder is basic
- Fewer native integrations than some competitors
That said, none of these limitations affected my core marketing goals.
Who I Recommend Brevo For
Based on real use, Brevo is ideal for:
- Small businesses
- Freelancers and consultants
- Digital agencies
- eCommerce stores
- Bloggers and content creators
- Startups watching their budget
If you want value, simplicity, and control, Brevo fits perfectly.
Who Might Need a Different Tool
Brevo may not be ideal if:
- You run enterprise-level operations
- You need extremely advanced behavioral automation
- You rely heavily on AI-driven predictive analytics
In those cases, specialized platforms may be better — but they come at a cost.
Final Verdict: Was Switching to Brevo Worth It?
Yes — without hesitation.
Brevo helped me:
- Reduce costs
- Simplify my marketing stack
- Improve consistency
- Focus on strategy instead of software
It didn’t try to impress with flashy features. It focused on what actually works.
For most businesses in 2025, that’s exactly what matters.
