Drip vs Brevo
A detailed comparison of Drip and Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) for drip email campaigns, covering automation, sequences, pricing, transactional email, and multi-channel marketing.
Last updated: 2026-03-15
Drip
www.drip.comMarketing automation built for ecommerce
Best for: Ecommerce brands running behavior-driven drip sequences
Brevo
www.brevo.comThe all-in-one marketing platform for growing businesses
Best for: Businesses needing affordable marketing and transactional email with multi-channel support
TL;DR: Drip vs Brevo for Drip Campaigns
Drip offers superior drip automation and ecommerce integration, while Brevo provides better value with multi-channel marketing (email, SMS, WhatsApp, chat), transactional email, and a generous free plan. Drip is the better choice for ecommerce automation; Brevo is better for budget-conscious businesses needing multiple channels. Sequenzy fits SaaS companies best.
Best for ecommerce brands that need advanced, behavior-driven drip sequences.
Best for budget-conscious businesses that need multi-channel marketing with transactional email.
Best for SaaS companies needing subscription lifecycle drip campaigns at an affordable price.
Editor's Note
Drip and Brevo serve very different market segments. Drip is a premium ecommerce automation tool, while Brevo is a budget-friendly multi-channel marketing platform. The automation gap between them is substantial. If drip email sophistication matters, Drip is the clear choice. If budget and channel breadth matter, Brevo wins.
Drip vs Brevo vs Sequenzy: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Drip | Brevo | Sequenzy | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Automation Builder | Yes, workflow-based | Yes, scenario-based builder | Yes, sequence-focused builder | Drip |
| Free Plan | No (14-day trial) | Yes (300 emails/day, unlimited contacts) | No (14-day trial) | Brevo |
| Email Volume Pricing | Contact-based pricing | Email volume-based pricing | Email volume-based pricing | Brevo |
| Transactional Email | Not included | Built-in transactional email API | Not included | Brevo |
| SMS Marketing | Not included | Built-in SMS with automation | Not included | Brevo |
| WhatsApp Campaigns | Not supported | Native WhatsApp messaging | Not supported | Brevo |
| Ecommerce Integration | Deep Shopify/WooCommerce | Basic Shopify/WooCommerce | Limited ecommerce | Drip |
| SaaS Trial Sequences | Manual setup | Manual setup | Pre-built trial conversion | Sequenzy |
| Dunning Sequences | Not built-in | Not built-in | Native Stripe/Paddle dunning | Sequenzy |
| Live Chat | Not included | Built-in live chat widget | Not included | Brevo |
| CRM | Not included | Built-in sales CRM | Not included | Brevo |
| Liquid Templating | Full Liquid support | Basic merge tags | Merge fields with subscription vars | Drip |
Score Breakdown
Totals: Drip 76/100, Brevo 72/100, Sequenzy 85/100.
Drip Email Feature Comparison
Feature-by-feature analysis of drip campaign capabilities.
Sequence Building
| Feature | Drip | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Workflow Editor | 9/10 Clean drag-and-drop with ecommerce actions | 7/10 Scenario builder with visual workflow editor | 8/10 Streamlined sequence builder for drip flows |
| Pre-built Sequence Templates | 7/10 Ecommerce templates: welcome, cart, post-purchase | 6/10 Basic automation templates for common scenarios | 9/10 SaaS templates: onboarding, trial, dunning, win-back |
| Multi-step Sequences | 9/10 Complex multi-step with parallel paths | 7/10 Multi-step workflows with basic branching | 8/10 Multi-step with subscription triggers |
| Sequence Scheduling | 8/10 Time windows, timezone-aware sending | 7/10 Delay-based scheduling with send time optimization | 8/10 Timezone detection and optimal send times |
| Goal Tracking | 7/10 Purchase-based conversion goals | 5/10 Limited goal tracking in automations | 8/10 Subscription conversion goals |
Trigger System
| Feature | Drip | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Triggers | 9/10 Deep ecommerce behavior tracking | 6/10 Basic page visit and link click triggers | 8/10 In-app event and feature usage tracking |
| Event-Based Triggers | 8/10 Custom events via API, Shopify events | 6/10 Custom event triggers via API (limited) | 9/10 Subscription events: trial, payment, plan change |
| Segment Entry Triggers | 8/10 Dynamic segment entry/exit | 7/10 List and segment-based triggers | 8/10 Segment triggers with subscription context |
| Webhook Triggers | 8/10 Incoming webhooks | 6/10 Basic webhook support | 8/10 Webhooks with Stripe/Paddle parsing |
| Date-Based Triggers | 7/10 Anniversary and date-field triggers | 7/10 Date-based automation triggers | 8/10 Trial expiry, billing date triggers |
Personalization
| Feature | Drip | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Content Blocks | 8/10 Show/hide based on tags and purchase data | 7/10 Conditional display rules in email builder | 8/10 Dynamic blocks for plan type and status |
| Liquid Templating | 9/10 Full Liquid template support | 4/10 Basic merge tags and contact attributes only | 7/10 Merge fields with subscription variables |
| Product Recommendations | 9/10 AI product recommendations | 4/10 No product recommendation engine | 5/10 Feature recommendations (limited) |
| Send Time Optimization | 7/10 Timezone-based sending | 7/10 Machine learning send time optimization (Business plan) | 7/10 Timezone-aware with engagement optimization |
| Subscriber Preferences | 7/10 Preference center via custom fields | 7/10 Subscription management page | 7/10 Subscription-aware preferences |
Lifecycle Management
| Feature | Drip | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Sequences | 8/10 Ecommerce welcome with product highlights | 7/10 Welcome email automation template | 9/10 SaaS onboarding with activation milestones |
| Re-engagement Campaigns | 8/10 Win-back for inactive buyers | 6/10 Basic re-engagement automation | 9/10 Pre-built win-back for SaaS subscribers |
| Churn Prevention | 5/10 Not subscription-focused | 4/10 Not subscription-focused | 9/10 Native churn prevention with dunning |
| Upsell/Cross-sell | 9/10 Product recommendation upsells | 5/10 Basic upsell via manual workflows | 8/10 Usage-based plan upgrades |
| Trial Conversion | 5/10 Not SaaS-focused | 5/10 Basic time-delay sequences | 10/10 Purpose-built trial conversion |
Pricing Comparison
Brevo is one of the most affordable platforms with email volume pricing (not contact-based) and a generous free plan. Drip is pricier but offers far superior automation for ecommerce. Sequenzy offers strong SaaS value between the two.
14-day free trial with all features
Free plan: 300 emails/day, unlimited contacts, basic automations
14-day free trial with all features
| Tier | Drip | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry / Starter | $39/mo 2,500 contacts, unlimited emails, all features | $9/mo 5,000 emails/mo, unlimited contacts, no Brevo branding removed | $19/mo 1,000 contacts, 15,000 emails, all drip features |
| Growth / Business | $89/mo 5,000 contacts, all features | $18/mo 5,000 emails/mo, marketing automation, A/B testing, send time opt. | $49/mo 5,000 contacts, 75,000 emails, priority support |
| Scale / Enterprise | $154/mo 10,000 contacts | $65/mo 20,000 emails/mo, advanced stats, multi-user access, phone support | $99/mo 15,000 contacts, 200,000 emails, dedicated IP |
Pricing Verdict: Brevo is dramatically cheaper than Drip for basic email needs. However, Brevo's automation is significantly less powerful. For sophisticated ecommerce drip campaigns, Drip justifies its premium. Sequenzy offers the best value for SaaS drip email.
Cost Note
The pricing difference is dramatic. Brevo starts at $9/mo versus Drip at $39/mo. More importantly, Brevo charges by email volume while Drip charges by contacts. For businesses with large lists and moderate send frequency, Brevo can be 5-10x cheaper. Sequenzy offers a middle ground at $19/mo with SaaS-specific value.
Drip Campaign Types Comparison
How each platform handles different types of drip email campaigns.
Welcome/Onboarding
Introduce new subscribers and drive first actions.
Drip
Ecommerce welcome with product highlights
Brevo
Basic welcome automation template
Sequenzy
SaaS onboarding with activation milestones
Verdict: Drip offers deeper welcome flows; Sequenzy wins for SaaS onboarding.
Abandoned Cart
Recover abandoned carts.
Drip
Best-in-class cart recovery with product blocks
Brevo
Basic cart recovery via Shopify plugin
Sequenzy
Basic support
Verdict: Drip dominates cart recovery with native ecommerce features.
Trial Conversion
Convert trial users to paying customers.
Drip
Not SaaS-focused
Brevo
Basic timed sequences
Sequenzy
Purpose-built trial conversion sequences
Verdict: Sequenzy is purpose-built for SaaS trial conversion.
Transactional Email
Send order confirmations, receipts, and system emails.
Drip
Not included (marketing only)
Brevo
Built-in transactional email API (separate from marketing)
Sequenzy
Not included
Verdict: Brevo uniquely offers transactional email alongside marketing automation.
Multi-Channel Drip
Coordinate email with SMS, WhatsApp, and chat.
Drip
Email only
Brevo
Email, SMS, WhatsApp, and live chat in automations
Sequenzy
Email with webhook actions
Verdict: Brevo wins for multi-channel drip campaigns across messaging platforms.
Win-Back / Re-engagement
Re-activate dormant subscribers.
Drip
Win-back flows for inactive buyers
Brevo
Basic re-engagement automation
Sequenzy
Pre-built win-back for SaaS subscribers
Verdict: Drip for ecommerce win-back; Sequenzy for SaaS re-engagement.
Dunning / Payment Recovery
Recover failed payments.
Drip
Not natively supported
Brevo
Not supported; transactional API could be used
Sequenzy
Native Stripe/Paddle dunning
Verdict: Sequenzy is the only option with native dunning sequences.
Upsell / Cross-sell
Drive additional revenue from customers.
Drip
Product recommendation upsells
Brevo
Basic manual upsell workflows
Sequenzy
Plan upgrade sequences
Verdict: Drip leads for ecommerce upsell with product recommendations.
The Bigger Picture
Brevo's unique strength is combining transactional and marketing email in one platform. If you currently use separate providers for receipts/confirmations and marketing drips, Brevo consolidates them. Drip and Sequenzy are marketing-only platforms that pair well with dedicated transactional providers like Postmark or Amazon SES.
Automation Builder Comparison
| Feature | Drip | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drag-and-Drop Builder | Yes Visual workflow with ecommerce actions | Yes Scenario builder with step-based flows | Yes Streamlined drip sequence builder |
| Conditional Branching | Yes If/else splits with conditions | Yes Basic yes/no branching conditions | Yes Subscription-aware condition branches |
| A/B Split Testing | Yes Email split testing in workflows | Yes A/B testing in campaigns (Business plan) | Yes Subject and content A/B tests |
| Goal/Conversion Tracking | Yes Purchase-based goals | No No automation goal tracking | Yes Subscription conversion goals |
| Nested Automations | No Can trigger other workflows | No Flat automation structure | No Cross-sequence triggers |
| Wait Conditions | Yes Time delays and date waits | Yes Time delays in workflow steps | Yes Time delays, event waits, state waits |
| Multi-Channel Steps | No Email only | Yes Email, SMS, and WhatsApp in automations | No Email with webhook actions |
| Automation Templates | Yes Ecommerce blueprints | Yes Basic automation scenario templates | Yes SaaS sequence templates |
Email Templates & Editor
| Aspect | Drip | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editor Type | Visual point-and-click with Liquid | Drag-and-drop block editor | Block-based editor with merge fields |
| Pre-built Templates | Ecommerce-focused templates | Over 40 responsive templates | SaaS-optimized drip templates |
| Custom HTML | Full HTML with Liquid | HTML editor available | HTML with subscription merge tags |
| Dynamic Content | Liquid-powered dynamic blocks | Conditional display rules | Dynamic sections for plan and status |
| Mobile Preview | Built-in mobile preview | Responsive preview | Mobile preview with responsive defaults |
| Brand Kit | Saved brand colors and fonts | Brand settings with logo upload | Brand settings across templates |
Deliverability Comparison
| Factor | Drip | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Inbox Rate | 93-95% | 88-93% | 94-96% |
| Dedicated IP | Available at higher volumes | Available as add-on ($24/mo+) | Available on Scale plan ($99/mo) |
| SPF/DKIM/DMARC | Full support | Full support with domain setup | Full support with one-click verification |
| Spam Testing | Basic spam score | No built-in spam testing | Spam score before send |
| List Hygiene Tools | Engagement-based cleanup | Basic bounce and unsubscribe management | Auto bounce handling, engagement suppression |
| Sending Reputation | Good shared IPs | Mixed; large, diverse sender pool | SaaS-focused pool with clean reputation |
Drip has better deliverability than Brevo on average. Brevo's large, diverse sender base (including free plan users) can affect shared IP reputation. A dedicated IP from Brevo helps but adds cost. Sequenzy's SaaS-focused pool maintains consistently high inbox rates.
Integration Ecosystem
Drip: ~150 integrations. Brevo: ~60. Sequenzy: ~45.
Ecommerce
| Service | Drip | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Yes (Deep native integration) | Yes (Plugin-based integration) | Yes (Basic webhook) |
| WooCommerce | Yes (Deep native integration) | Yes (Plugin integration) | No (Not supported) |
| PrestaShop | Yes (Via integration) | Yes (Native integration (French roots)) | No (Not supported) |
Payment/Billing
| Service | Drip | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Yes (Via Zapier) | Yes (Via Zapier) | Yes (Deep native integration) |
| Paddle | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) | Yes (Deep native integration) |
| PayPal | Yes (Via integration) | Yes (Via Zapier) | No (Not supported) |
CRM
| Service | Drip | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salesforce | Yes (Via integration) | Yes (Via Zapier) | Yes (Via Zapier) |
| HubSpot | Yes (Via Zapier) | Yes (Via Zapier) | Yes (Via Zapier) |
| Brevo CRM | No (N/A) | Yes (Built-in sales CRM) | No (N/A) |
Developer Tools
| Service | Drip | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| REST API | Yes (Full API) | Yes (Marketing and transactional APIs) | Yes (Full API with subscription endpoints) |
| Webhooks | Yes (Outgoing and incoming) | Yes (Event webhooks) | Yes (Stripe/Paddle webhook parsing) |
| Transactional API | No (Not available) | Yes (SMTP relay and API for transactional emails) | No (Not available) |
Analytics & Reporting
| Metric | Drip | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Rate Tracking | Standard tracking with trends | Open tracking with campaign reports | Open tracking with sequence aggregation |
| Click Tracking | Click maps and link tracking | Click tracking and heat maps | Click tracking with feature attribution |
| Revenue Attribution | Ecommerce revenue per email | Basic revenue tracking | MRR impact per sequence |
| Sequence Performance | Workflow conversion rates | Automation step-level stats | Sequence funnel with drop-off analysis |
| Cohort Analysis | Segment-based reporting | Not available | Trial cohort analysis by signup date |
| Export Options | CSV and API | CSV and API | CSV and API |
Drip: Unique
- + Revenue per subscriber
- + Product performance
- + Cart recovery analytics
- + Lifetime value by source
Brevo: Unique
- + Transactional email delivery stats
- + SMS delivery reports
- + WhatsApp campaign metrics
- + Chat conversation analytics
Sequenzy: Unique
- + MRR impact dashboard
- + Trial conversion funnel
- + Dunning recovery rate
- + Subscription lifecycle reports
Pros & Cons
Drip
Pros
- + Far superior automation builder for drip sequences
- + Deep ecommerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce)
- + Full Liquid templating for advanced personalization
- + AI product recommendation engine
- + All features included at every price tier
- + Better deliverability than Brevo on average
- + Revenue attribution tied to emails and workflows
- + Behavioral tracking for ecommerce events
Cons
- - No free plan (Brevo offers free tier)
- - Significantly more expensive than Brevo
- - No transactional email capability
- - No SMS, WhatsApp, or live chat features
- - No built-in CRM
- - Contact-based pricing (vs Brevo's email volume pricing)
- - Not designed for SaaS subscription lifecycle
- - Fewer multi-channel marketing options
Brevo
Pros
- + Extremely affordable with generous free plan
- + Email volume pricing means unlimited contacts
- + Built-in transactional email API
- + Multi-channel: email, SMS, WhatsApp, live chat
- + Built-in sales CRM at no extra cost
- + Dedicated IP available as affordable add-on
- + Good for businesses with large contact lists but low send volume
- + EU-based company with strong GDPR compliance
Cons
- - Automation builder is basic compared to Drip
- - Limited behavioral and event-based triggers
- - No product recommendation engine
- - Deliverability can be inconsistent on shared IPs
- - No Liquid templating or advanced personalization
- - Ecommerce integrations are less deep than Drip
- - Analytics and reporting are basic
- - Marketing automation requires Business plan ($18/mo+)
Best For: Who Should Use What?
Ecommerce Store Needing Drip Automation
An online store wants sophisticated cart recovery, post-purchase, and browse abandonment sequences.
Drip's ecommerce automation is dramatically better than Brevo's basic workflows.
Budget-Conscious Small Business
A small business wants email marketing on the tightest possible budget.
Brevo's free plan and $9/mo entry price are unmatched for budget-constrained businesses.
SaaS Startup with Trial Model
A SaaS startup needs trial conversion and onboarding drip sequences.
Sequenzy's pre-built SaaS sequences and Stripe integration save weeks of development time.
Business Needing Transactional + Marketing Email
A company wants both marketing automation and transactional email from one provider.
Brevo uniquely combines marketing automation with a transactional email API.
Subscription Business with Payment Issues
A subscription company needs dunning and payment recovery sequences.
Only Sequenzy provides native Stripe/Paddle dunning without custom development.
Business with Large Contact List, Low Volume
A company has 50,000 contacts but only sends 10,000 emails/month.
Brevo's email volume pricing means you only pay for emails sent, not contacts stored.
Multi-Channel Marketing Team
A team wants to coordinate email, SMS, and WhatsApp in automated campaigns.
Brevo is the only option with native SMS and WhatsApp alongside email automation.
DTC Brand Maximizing LTV
A DTC brand wants purchase-triggered upsell and loyalty drips.
Drip's product recommendations and revenue attribution are purpose-built for DTC revenue growth.
Migration Guide
Drip to Brevo
- 1. Export contacts from Drip with tags and custom fields
- 2. Import contacts into Brevo with attribute mapping
- 3. Recreate tags as Brevo lists or attributes
- 4. Rebuild workflows as Brevo automation scenarios
- 5. Recreate email templates in Brevo editor
- 6. Connect ecommerce store plugin
- 7. Test automations before activating
- 8. Update signup forms and tracking
Watch Out
- ! Liquid templates will need to be converted to Brevo merge tags
- ! Automation complexity will need to be simplified significantly
- ! Product recommendation blocks will not transfer
- ! Revenue attribution depth will decrease
Brevo to Drip
- 1. Export contacts from Brevo with attributes
- 2. Import contacts into Drip with field mapping
- 3. Convert Brevo lists to Drip tags and segments
- 4. Rebuild automation scenarios as Drip workflows
- 5. Migrate templates (rebuild in Drip editor)
- 6. Connect ecommerce store integrations
- 7. Set up Drip site tracking
- 8. Test all workflows
Watch Out
- ! Transactional email will need a separate provider (Drip does not offer it)
- ! SMS and WhatsApp campaigns will be lost
- ! CRM data will need to be migrated to a separate tool
- ! Budget will increase significantly
The Bottom Line
Choose Drip if...
- ✓ You need powerful ecommerce drip automation with deep store integration
- ✓ Product recommendations and revenue attribution are important
- ✓ You want advanced Liquid templating for personalization
- ✓ Deliverability is a top priority for your campaigns
- ✓ You need behavior-driven triggers based on purchases and browsing
- ✓ You want all features included without upgrading plans
Choose Brevo if...
- ✓ Budget is your primary concern and you want to start free
- ✓ You need transactional email alongside marketing automation
- ✓ Multi-channel marketing (SMS, WhatsApp, chat) is important
- ✓ You have a large contact list but low email volume
- ✓ You want a built-in CRM without paying extra
- ✓ You need GDPR-compliant, EU-based infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Drip better than Brevo for drip email?
Yes, Drip has a significantly more powerful automation builder with deeper triggers, branching, and ecommerce features. Brevo's automation is adequate for simple workflows but lacks the depth needed for complex drip campaigns.
Is Brevo really free?
Brevo offers a free plan with 300 emails/day (roughly 9,000/month) and unlimited contacts. It includes basic automations but lacks advanced features like A/B testing and send time optimization.
Can Brevo handle ecommerce drip campaigns?
Brevo can handle basic ecommerce automations like cart recovery and welcome emails through its Shopify and WooCommerce plugins. However, it lacks the depth of Drip's ecommerce features, especially product recommendations and browse abandonment.
Does Brevo support SaaS drip campaigns?
Brevo is not designed for SaaS. It can send basic timed sequences but lacks subscription-specific triggers and templates. Sequenzy is purpose-built for SaaS drip email.
Which has better deliverability?
Drip generally has better deliverability (93-95%) than Brevo (88-93%). Brevo's large free plan user base can affect shared IP quality. A dedicated IP add-on improves Brevo's deliverability.
Can I send transactional emails with Drip?
No, Drip is a marketing automation platform only. Brevo offers a transactional email API alongside its marketing tools, making it a two-in-one solution.
Which is more affordable?
Brevo is dramatically cheaper, starting at $9/mo compared to Drip's $39/mo. Brevo's email volume pricing is also more cost-effective for businesses with large lists and low send frequency.
Does either platform support dunning emails?
Neither offers native dunning. Both require third-party integrations for payment failure detection. Sequenzy provides native Stripe and Paddle dunning sequences.
Can Brevo send SMS and WhatsApp messages?
Yes, Brevo supports SMS and WhatsApp messaging natively, both as standalone campaigns and within automation workflows. This is a unique advantage over Drip.
Should I choose Drip or Brevo?
Choose Drip for sophisticated ecommerce automation with deep store integration. Choose Brevo for affordable multi-channel marketing with transactional email. Choose Sequenzy for SaaS subscription lifecycle drip campaigns.