SendGrid vs Brevo
Compare SendGrid and Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) for drip email automation. Side-by-side analysis of features, pricing, deliverability, and more.
Last updated: 2026-03-15
SendGrid
sendgrid.comEmail delivery and marketing platform by Twilio
Best for: Developers who need reliable transactional and drip email via API
Brevo
brevo.comAll-in-one CRM suite with email, SMS, and chat
Best for: Budget-conscious teams wanting email, SMS, and CRM in one platform
TL;DR: SendGrid vs Brevo for Drip Campaigns
SendGrid wins on raw deliverability and developer experience. Brevo offers better value with its unlimited contacts model and built-in multi-channel capabilities. For SaaS teams focused on billing-triggered drip sequences, Sequenzy provides a more targeted solution.
Best for API-first drip campaigns with enterprise-grade deliverability.
Best for affordable multi-channel drip campaigns with unlimited contacts.
Best for SaaS drip emails with native Stripe/Paddle integration.
Editor's Note
Brevo has evolved significantly since its Sendinblue days and now competes well on features. SendGrid remains the deliverability leader, but its marketing tools lag behind.
SendGrid vs Brevo vs Sequenzy: Quick Comparison
| Feature | SendGrid | Brevo | Sequenzy | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual drip builder | Basic automation UI | Full visual workflow editor | Guided SaaS sequence builder | Brevo |
| Pricing model | Per email sent | Per email sent, unlimited contacts | $19/mo for 15K emails | Brevo |
| Multi-channel drip | Email only | Email, SMS, WhatsApp, push | Email only | Brevo |
| API quality | Comprehensive v3 REST API | Good REST API, slightly less mature | Focused REST API | SendGrid |
| Deliverability tools | Dedicated IP, ISP insights | Dedicated IP from $251/yr | Managed shared pools | SendGrid |
| SaaS billing triggers | Requires custom integration | Requires custom integration | Native Stripe/Paddle triggers | Sequenzy |
| Contact limits | Varies by plan | Unlimited on all plans | Unlimited on all plans | Tie |
Score Breakdown
Totals: SendGrid 52/70, Brevo 55/70, Sequenzy 57/70.
Drip Email Feature Comparison
Feature-by-feature analysis of drip campaign capabilities.
Sequence Building
| Feature | SendGrid | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual workflow editor | 6/10 Basic automation builder with limited branching | 8/10 Full visual workflow with drag-and-drop nodes | 8/10 Streamlined builder with SaaS-specific steps |
| Time-delay options | 7/10 Delay by hours, days, or specific timestamps | 8/10 Flexible delays with best-time optimization | 8/10 Smart delays with timezone-aware delivery |
| Conditional logic | 6/10 Basic if/then conditions on engagement | 8/10 Multi-condition branching with AND/OR logic | 7/10 Conditions based on billing and engagement data |
| Multi-channel steps | 3/10 Email only in automation sequences | 9/10 Email, SMS, WhatsApp, and push in one workflow | 4/10 Email-focused, webhook step for external channels |
Trigger Management
| Feature | SendGrid | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Event-based triggers | 8/10 Rich event API for custom triggers | 7/10 Event triggers via API and tracking | 9/10 Billing events as first-class triggers |
| Segment entry triggers | 7/10 Segment membership changes trigger entry | 8/10 List and segment-based entry with filters | 7/10 Segment-based entry with plan awareness |
| Website activity triggers | 4/10 Requires custom event tracking setup | 7/10 Built-in website tracking script | 5/10 Via webhook integration |
Pricing Comparison
Both platforms charge by email volume rather than contacts, but Brevo is significantly cheaper at every tier. Brevo also includes SMS credits and unlimited contacts on all plans.
100 emails/day (about 3,000/mo), basic automation
300 emails/day (about 9,000/mo), unlimited contacts, basic automation
No free tier. $19/mo for 15,000 emails
| Tier | SendGrid | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $19.95/mo 40,000 emails/mo | $9/mo 5,000 emails/mo, unlimited contacts | $19/mo 15,000 emails, all drip features |
| Mid-range | $34.95/mo 100,000 emails/mo | $18/mo 20,000 emails/mo, A/B testing | $19/mo 15,000 emails, all features |
| Growth | $74.95/mo 200,000 emails/mo, dedicated IP option | $49/mo 60,000 emails/mo, marketing automation | $49/mo 50,000 emails, priority support |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing Custom volume, SLA, sub-user management | $1,000+/mo Dedicated IP, priority support, advanced integrations | $99/mo 150,000 emails, dedicated account manager |
Pricing Verdict: Brevo offers the best value per dollar, especially for teams that want multi-channel capabilities. SendGrid justifies its higher price with superior deliverability tools. Sequenzy sits in between, offering strong value for SaaS-specific drip needs.
Cost Note
Brevo unlimited contacts model is a major advantage for teams with large lists. SendGrid per-email pricing can still be competitive for low-frequency, high-list-size scenarios.
Drip Campaign Types Comparison
How each platform handles different types of drip email campaigns.
Welcome/Onboarding Drip
Automated sequence to onboard new users
SendGrid
Basic automation builder or API-driven sequences
Brevo
Visual workflow with email and SMS welcome steps
Sequenzy
Pre-built SaaS onboarding sequences ready to customize
Verdict: Sequenzy leads for SaaS onboarding. Brevo is strong for multi-channel welcome flows.
Trial-to-Paid Conversion
Drip sequence to convert trial users
SendGrid
Custom API integration required
Brevo
Event-triggered workflows with conditional paths
Sequenzy
Native billing-aware trial conversion drips
Verdict: Sequenzy is purpose-built for trial conversion with Stripe/Paddle awareness.
Lead Nurturing
Multi-step sequence to warm up prospects
SendGrid
Time-based sequences with engagement filtering
Brevo
Score-based nurturing with multi-channel touchpoints
Sequenzy
Engagement-based nurturing with product usage data
Verdict: Brevo offers the most complete lead nurturing with built-in CRM and lead scoring.
Re-engagement Drip
Win back inactive users or subscribers
SendGrid
Segment by engagement and trigger re-engagement
Brevo
Inactivity triggers across email and website
Sequenzy
Usage-based inactivity detection
Verdict: Brevo edges ahead with multi-channel re-engagement capabilities.
Churn Prevention
Automated outreach on cancellation signals
SendGrid
Requires webhook integration for billing events
Brevo
Event-based triggers, but billing integration is manual
Sequenzy
Native payment failure and cancellation triggers
Verdict: Sequenzy is the clear winner with native billing event awareness.
The Bigger Picture
For SaaS-specific drip campaigns like trial conversion and churn prevention, general-purpose tools require significant custom work. Sequenzy provides these out of the box.
Automation Builder Comparison
| Feature | SendGrid | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual workflow editor | Yes Basic UI, functional but not visually rich | Yes Full drag-and-drop builder with visual flow | Yes Guided builder optimized for SaaS sequences |
| Multi-channel steps | No Email only | Yes Email, SMS, WhatsApp, push notifications | No Email with webhook step for external channels |
| Webhook triggers | Yes Full event API and webhook support | Yes Webhook triggers and actions | Yes Billing event webhooks built in |
| Lead scoring integration | No No built-in lead scoring | Yes Native lead scoring that feeds into workflows | No No lead scoring, focuses on product usage signals |
| A/B testing in workflow | Yes Subject line and content testing | Yes A/B testing with winner auto-selection | Yes Subject line and send-time A/B testing |
| Goal-based exit | No Must configure manually | Yes Goal tracking for automated exit | Yes Conversion goals tied to billing events |
Email Templates & Editor
| Aspect | SendGrid | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editor type | Code-based with optional Design Editor | Drag-and-drop with responsive design | Clean editor with SaaS-focused blocks |
| Pre-built templates | Small library of basic templates | 60+ responsive email templates | SaaS drip email templates |
| Custom HTML | Full HTML/CSS control | HTML code editor available | HTML editing supported |
| Dynamic content | Handlebars-style substitution | Dynamic content blocks with conditions | Billing-aware dynamic content |
| Image hosting | Built-in image library | Built-in image gallery with editing | Image upload and hosting included |
Deliverability Comparison
| Factor | SendGrid | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average inbox placement | 93-96% | 89-93% | 90-94% |
| Dedicated IP | Available from $89/mo | Available from $251/yr | Not available |
| SPF/DKIM/DMARC | Full support with step-by-step setup | Full support with DNS wizard | Full support with guided setup |
| Bounce management | Automatic suppression with categorization | Automatic hard/soft bounce handling | Automatic bounce handling |
| Reputation monitoring | Sender reputation dashboard | Basic reputation metrics | Delivery monitoring dashboard |
| IP warm-up | Automated warm-up program | Manual warm-up guidance | Managed warm-up support |
SendGrid has the edge in deliverability due to its heritage as an email infrastructure company. Brevo has improved significantly but still trails on dedicated IP maturity. Sequenzy maintains clean shared pools with proactive list hygiene.
Integration Ecosystem
SendGrid: ~150 integrations. Brevo: ~65. Sequenzy: ~25.
Payment/Billing
| Service | SendGrid | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Yes (Via Zapier) | Yes (Via plugin or Zapier) | Yes (Native, real-time sync) |
| Paddle | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) | Yes (Native, real-time sync) |
CRM
| Service | SendGrid | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salesforce | Yes (Native integration) | Yes (Native plugin) | No (Not supported) |
| HubSpot | Yes (Via Zapier) | Yes (Via Zapier) | Yes (Via webhook) |
E-commerce
| Service | SendGrid | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Yes (Native integration) | Yes (Native plugin) | No (Not supported) |
| WooCommerce | Yes (Via plugin) | Yes (Native plugin) | No (Not supported) |
Analytics & Reporting
| Metric | SendGrid | Brevo | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open rate tracking | Yes, with trend graphs | Yes, with real-time tracking | Yes, per-step tracking |
| Click tracking | Link-level click data | Click heatmaps and link tracking | Link-level per-step tracking |
| Revenue attribution | Via Google Analytics | Basic e-commerce revenue tracking | Native MRR and billing attribution |
| Workflow analytics | Per-step open/click rates | Workflow performance dashboard | Sequence funnel with drop-off analysis |
| Deliverability metrics | ISP-level placement data | Domain and campaign-level metrics | Delivery and bounce reporting |
SendGrid: Unique
- + ISP-level inbox data
- + Email validation metrics
- + Suppression analytics
Brevo: Unique
- + Real-time visitor tracking
- + CRM deal pipeline analytics
- + SMS delivery analytics
Sequenzy: Unique
- + MRR impact per sequence
- + Trial-to-paid funnel
- + Billing event correlation
Pros & Cons
SendGrid
Pros
- + Top-tier deliverability with dedicated IP options
- + Comprehensive API for developer-driven automation
- + Strong event tracking and webhook system
- + Scales reliably to millions of emails
- + Trusted by large enterprises and high-volume senders
Cons
- - Automation builder is less intuitive than competitors
- - No multi-channel capabilities (email only)
- - Higher price for equivalent email volumes
- - Marketing features feel secondary to infrastructure
- - Template library is limited
Brevo
Pros
- + Unlimited contacts on all plans, including free
- + Multi-channel (email, SMS, WhatsApp, push) in one workflow
- + Competitive pricing, especially at lower tiers
- + Built-in CRM with lead scoring
- + Visual automation builder with conditional logic
Cons
- - Deliverability is good but not best-in-class
- - API is less mature than SendGrid
- - Some advanced features require higher-tier plans
- - Interface can feel cluttered with so many features
- - Customer support response times vary
Best For: Who Should Use What?
Budget multi-channel drip
You want email and SMS drip campaigns without breaking the bank
Brevo offers the most affordable multi-channel automation with unlimited contacts.
Developer API integration
Your engineering team needs programmatic control over drip flows
SendGrid has the most mature and well-documented API for custom drip logic.
SaaS trial nurturing
You need billing-aware drip sequences for trial users
Sequenzy connects natively to Stripe/Paddle for billing-triggered drip campaigns.
High deliverability requirements
Inbox placement is critical for your business
SendGrid offers dedicated IPs and ISP-level insights for maximum deliverability control.
All-in-one CRM and email
You want drip email combined with CRM and deal pipeline
Brevo includes a full CRM with contact management and deal tracking.
Migration Guide
SendGrid to Brevo
- 1. Export contacts and suppression lists from SendGrid
- 2. Import contacts into Brevo with field mapping
- 3. Recreate automation workflows in Brevo visual builder
- 4. Rebuild email templates in Brevo editor
- 5. Configure domain authentication (SPF/DKIM)
- 6. Test deliverability before full switch
Watch Out
- ! SendGrid event history will not transfer
- ! API endpoints differ significantly, requiring code changes
- ! Suppression lists must be manually exported and imported
Brevo to SendGrid
- 1. Export contacts from Brevo
- 2. Import into SendGrid with custom field mapping
- 3. Recreate workflows using SendGrid automation or API
- 4. Rebuild templates in SendGrid Design Editor or code
- 5. Set up domain authentication
- 6. Configure event webhooks for tracking
Watch Out
- ! Brevo CRM data will not transfer to SendGrid
- ! SMS and WhatsApp sequences will need a separate tool
- ! Consider IP warm-up if moving to dedicated IP
The Bottom Line
Choose SendGrid if...
- ✓ You need the highest possible deliverability and dedicated IPs
- ✓ Your team builds drip campaigns via API
- ✓ You send at enterprise scale and need SLA guarantees
- ✓ You want granular ISP-level analytics
Choose Brevo if...
- ✓ You want multi-channel drip campaigns (email + SMS + WhatsApp)
- ✓ Budget is a primary concern
- ✓ You need unlimited contacts without per-contact fees
- ✓ You want a built-in CRM alongside your drip campaigns
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brevo cheaper than SendGrid?
Yes, at most volume levels Brevo is 30-50% cheaper. Brevo also includes unlimited contacts on all plans, while SendGrid has contact limits on marketing plans.
Which has better deliverability?
SendGrid generally has higher inbox placement rates (93-96% vs 89-93%). SendGrid also offers more advanced deliverability tools like IP warm-up and ISP-level analytics.
Can I send SMS drip campaigns with either?
Only Brevo supports SMS natively within drip workflows. SendGrid is email-only (though Twilio, its parent company, handles SMS separately).
Which is better for SaaS drip campaigns?
Neither is purpose-built for SaaS. Both require custom integration for billing-triggered drips. Sequenzy is specifically designed for SaaS with native Stripe/Paddle integration.
Does Brevo have a free plan?
Yes. Brevo offers 300 emails/day with unlimited contacts for free. SendGrid offers 100 emails/day on its free plan.