Ultimate Email Marketing Showdown in 2025: ConvertKit vs Sendinblue, Which Tool Is the BEST for Marketing Automation?
Email marketing continues to be one of the most effective ways for startups and SMEs to attract and retain customers. In fact, research from 2025 shows that for every $1 invested in email marketing, the ROI stands at a staggering $36. Whether you’re just starting your email strategy or scaling up, the choice of the right platform can make or break your marketing efforts.
For startups, the hardest part isn’t building the product, it’s marketing it effectively to validate the idea and gain traction. This is why investing in email marketing automation tools like ConvertKit or Sendinblue (now Brevo) is critical. But which one is better for YOU in 2025? Let’s explore an in-depth comparison, backed by expert insights, features, and statistics.
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Why Email Marketing Automation Matters for Startups and SMEs
Startups and SMEs face the dual challenge of limited resources and the need for personalized communication at scale. Marketing automation tools help:
- Save Time: Automate repetitive tasks like sending welcome emails.
- Scale Growth: Personalize communication even as your subscriber list grows.
- Refine Strategy: Use analytics to measure engagement and optimize campaigns.
According to a 2025 survey, nearly 72% of startups agree that email marketing automation remains their most effective strategy for lead nurturing and sales conversions. With tools like ConvertKit and Sendinblue, achieving this is no longer a technical hurdle but a competitive advantage.
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Who’s Who: A Quick Overview of ConvertKit & Sendinblue (Brevo)
Before diving deeper, here’s an overview of the platforms:
- ConvertKit: Targeted at content creators (think bloggers, YouTubers, and solopreneurs). Known for its intuitive interface, automation workflows, and focus on community building.
- Sendinblue (Brevo): Caters to broader business needs. It’s loved for its competitive pricing, multi-channel offerings (email, SMS, chat), and advanced features like transactional emails and lead generation tools.
Let’s break it down.
Features Breakdown (2025 Version): ConvertKit vs Sendinblue
1. Ease of Use
Engaging with your audience shouldn't feel like rocket science. Here’s how the two platforms stack up:
- ConvertKit: With a stripped-down dashboard, setting up email automation is a breeze. Its visual automation builder makes creating complex workflows surprisingly simple. Perfect for those without tech skills.
- Example Use Case: Content creators can easily set up a freebie opt-in landing page and funnel new subscribers into tailored email sequences.
- Sendinblue (Brevo): Offers a drag-and-drop editor, but because of its full-service suite (email, SMS, CRM), the platform can feel overwhelming for newcomers.
- Example Use Case: Ideal for SMEs that want to synchronize email with SMS campaigns for a multichannel strategy.
Winner: ConvertKit for simplicity.
2. Automation Flexibility
Automation is where both platforms shine:
- ConvertKit: Its automation editor is intuitive and creator-focused. Features include tagging, segmentation, and audience behavior tracking.
- What We Love: Visual sequences are seamless to execute. Bloggers and coaches appreciate its personal touch automation for delivering exclusive materials.
- Sendinblue: Offers advanced workflow automation, including multi-condition triggers, marketing campaigns, and A/B testing tools. Send time optimization ensures messages hit the inbox at the perfect moment.
- Must Know: You can use it for dynamic segmentation based on behavior or lead scoring (perfect for e-commerce).
Winner: Sendinblue, for its advanced AI-fueled workflows.
3. Pricing
Pricing transparency is crucial, especially for budget-conscious startups:
- ConvertKit: Basic pricing starts at $15/month for up to 300 subscribers and includes automation. However, the more subscribers, the higher the cost. Some find progress premium limiting.
- Sendinblue: Known for affordability, its free plan allows up to 300 emails/day. Paid plans start at $25/month, but the sheer volume of included advanced features makes this a win for SMEs.
Winner: Sendinblue, for cost-effective scalability options.
4. Ideal For
- ConvertKit: Ideal for content creators, online educators, and solopreneurs.
- Sendinblue: Perfect for startups scaling fast and e-commerce businesses. Advanced reporting, CRM integration, and SMS campaigns make it a killer choice.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid in Email Marketing
- Neglecting Segmentation: Sending the same email to all subscribers can tank your open rates. Both ConvertKit and Sendinblue offer tools for segmentation. Use them!
- Lack of Testing: Many startups skip A/B testing. With tools like Sendinblue’s send-time AI, you can optimize your campaigns without guesswork.
- Poor Subject Lines: If your emails aren’t being opened, the subject line might be the culprit.
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Conclusion: Which Tool Should You Choose?
The best platform depends on what you value:
- For solopreneurs and content creators, ConvertKit is an intuitive option that simplifies email automation.
- For startups and SMEs looking for scalability, Sendinblue (Brevo) offers advanced features and unbeatable value.
Additional Resources for Your 2025 Marketing Playbook
- Need backlinks to boost email landing pages? Use the F/MS Directory List of 1,500+ free directories to get started.
- Looking for expert support? Learn more about F/MS Marketing Services for personalized listicle placement and SEO growth.
Invest in the right tool, start validating your idea with a well-executed marketing strategy, and watch your audience grow.
FAQ on ConvertKit vs Sendinblue: Email Marketing in 2025
1. Which platform is better for content creators, ConvertKit or Sendinblue?
ConvertKit is designed for content creators such as bloggers, YouTubers, and educators. Its simple, intuitive interface and community-building features make it an ideal choice for solopreneurs. Learn more about ConvertKit
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3. Which platform offers better pricing structures for startups and SMEs?
Sendinblue (now Brevo) offers more competitive pricing, starting at $25/month with advanced features. It also has a free plan for sending up to 300 emails/day. Explore Sendinblue's pricing
4. What’s the main advantage of Sendinblue over ConvertKit?
Sendinblue excels in advanced automation workflows and multi-channel capabilities, like SMS marketing and transactional emails, making it a great choice for e-commerce and fast-scaling startups. Check out Sendinblue benefits
5. Is ConvertKit easy to use for beginners?
Yes, ConvertKit is particularly beginner-friendly with its simplified interface and visual automation builder, making it easy to set up email sequences without technical skills. Learn about ConvertKit’s ease of use
6. Which platform provides better tools for analytics and reporting?
Sendinblue provides more advanced analytics and reporting capabilities, including lead scoring, send-time AI, and behavior tracking. These features are ideal for data-driven strategy optimization.
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8. What are some common mistakes startups make in email marketing?
Startups often neglect audience segmentation, skip A/B testing, and use poor subject lines, which negatively affect email performance. Both ConvertKit and Sendinblue offer tools to avoid these pitfalls.
9. Which platform is better for e-commerce businesses?
Sendinblue is the preferred choice for e-commerce, thanks to its dynamic segmentation, transactional email tools, and marketing automation features that cater to growing online stores.
10. Can ConvertKit and Sendinblue help enhance customer retention?
Both platforms are effective in enhancing customer retention. ConvertKit focuses on personalized experiences for creators, while Sendinblue offers scalable solutions for SMEs and multi-channel campaigns. Find out more about ConvertKit and Sendinblue
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
