Comparison · Email marketing software
ActiveCampaign vs Brevo: which is better in 2026?
Brevo ranks higher in our list of email marketing software (#3 against #4, score 89.0 against 88.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.
- 88.0Editorial score89.0
- 1Platforms1
- NoFree to useYes
- NoOpen sourceNo
Which should you choose?
Choose ActiveCampaign if you want
Teams that combine marketing automation with sales.
Multi-step automation, contact scoring and a sales CRM in one platform. It is sold as paid plans after a free trial, and it is more than a newsletter writer usually needs.
Choose Brevo if you want
Small businesses that want several channels in one account.
Email, SMS, WhatsApp and a contact CRM under one account, with a free forever plan aimed at individuals. Paid plans charge by email volume and add channels and seats.
The main differences
- Brevo can be used for free; ActiveCampaign requires payment.
Side by side
 ActiveCampaign |  Brevo | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 88.0 | 89.0 |
| Rank in list | #4 of 11 | #3 of 11 |
| Price | SubscriptionPaid Starter, Plus, Pro and Enterprise plans; free trial | Free plan, paid upgradesFree forever plan; paid plans by email volume and channels |
| Free to use | No | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | WebWeb | WebWeb |
| Made by | ActiveCampaign, LLC | Brevo |
| Self-hosting | No | No |
| Channels | Email, CRM, automation | Email, SMS, WhatsApp, push |
| Visual automations | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Teams that combine marketing automation with sales | Small businesses that want several channels in one account |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about ActiveCampaign vs Brevo
- Is Brevo better than ActiveCampaign?
- Brevo ranks higher in our list of email marketing software (#3 against #4, score 89.0 against 88.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. ActiveCampaign is best for: teams that combine marketing automation with sales. Brevo is best for: small businesses that want several channels in one account.
- Which is cheaper, ActiveCampaign or Brevo?
- ActiveCampaign: Paid Starter, Plus, Pro and Enterprise plans; free trial. Brevo: Free forever plan; paid plans by email volume and channels.
- Do ActiveCampaign and Brevo run on the same platforms?
- ActiveCampaign supports Web. Brevo supports Web.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.
