Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Brevo · 📮 newsletters
Brevo vs listmonk
Fast campaigns plus a transactional API and explicit subscriber states; the visual polish is utilitarian. Here is how listmonk ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Brevo ($9/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
listmonk
$0.00/mo · AGPL-3.0
Brevo vs listmonk Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Brevo (Paid) | listmonk (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $9 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $108 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $108) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $540 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $540) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,080 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,080) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source AGPL-3.0 |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hosteddocker to self-host |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 23k (active jul 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Brevo to listmonk
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
listmonk is fast and explicit about subscriber states, but it lacks Brevo's managed deliverability, broad automation suite, CRM-style contact tools, and polished visual workflow builder.
How to deploy listmonk
Docker Compose or a single release binary plus PostgreSQL
What it takes to run
You still need a PostgreSQL database and a trustworthy SMTP/API sender with authenticated DNS.
Where your data lives
Subscribers, campaigns, templates, and analytics live in a PostgreSQL database on your server.
Why fork listmonk instead of vibe-coding a Brevo clone?
The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Brevo, send a low-volume newsletter and transactional messages with clear consent records. The hard boundary is deliverability infrastructure, multichannel messaging, crm, automation, and support, plus deliverability, growth network, and integrations.
Brevo vs listmonk FAQ
Is listmonk a good free alternative to Brevo?+
Yes. listmonk is a verified open-source (AGPL-3.0) replacement for Brevo. Fast campaigns plus a transactional API and explicit subscriber states; the visual polish is utilitarian.
What is the catch when switching from Brevo to listmonk?+
listmonk is fast and explicit about subscriber states, but it lacks Brevo's managed deliverability, broad automation suite, CRM-style contact tools, and polished visual workflow builder.
How much do you save switching from Brevo to listmonk?+
Brevo costs $9/mo ($108/yr) per seat, whereas listmonk is $0/mo. Switching saves $108/yr for a solo user, $540/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,080/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host listmonk instead of Brevo?+
Install: Docker Compose or a single release binary plus PostgreSQL. Setup: You still need a PostgreSQL database and a trustworthy SMTP/API sender with authenticated DNS.
