Email marketing for small business · 2026
For small French businesses, Brevo, Mailjet, and Sarbacane stand out due to GDPR compliance and EU-based data hosting, matching local requirements. MailerLite, ActiveCampaign, and Mailchimp are included for affordable pricing and solid features, making them relevant even with a limited team.
Updated on
The ranking
Brevo
French origin, EU-hosted data, free plan, and affordable pricing. GDPR-compliant.
Mailjet
French provider with GDPR compliance, EU servers, and a free plan. Accessible for small teams.
MailerLite
Generous free plan, simple interface, low pricing from $10/month suitable for tight budgets.
ActiveCampaign
Integrated automation and CRM in one tool, valuable for growing small businesses. Plans from $15/month.
Mailchimp
Limited free plan, widely recognized, many ready-to-use templates and moderate learning curve.
Sarbacane
French solution with local support and GDPR compliance, suitable for SMEs seeking domestic assistance.
Ranking based on verified data (up-to-date pricing, tested features) and our methodology.
Comparison table
| Feature | Brevo | Mailjet | MailerLite | ActiveCampaign | Mailchimp | Sarbacane |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A/B testing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| API | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visual automation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deliverability | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI email editor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ? |
| Forms & pop-ups | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| E-commerce integrations | ✓ | WooCommerce, Shopify, HubSpot, etc. | ✓ | 1000+ apps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Landing pages | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Contact/send limits | Illimité (contacts), quota emails/mois | 1,000–2,000 illimité (selon plan) | ? | Variables selon tarifs, dès 1 000 | ✓ (limité suivant offre) | ? |
| Free plan | ✓ | 6 000/mois, 1 000 contacts | ✓ | Essai seulement | ✓ | Essai gratuit |
| GDPR & EU servers | EU | EU, RGPD | ? | À vérifier | ✗ Serveurs US | EU, ISO 27001 |
| Segmentation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (limitée à premium selon plan) | ✓ | ✓ |
| SMS marketing | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| French support | ✓ | ✓ | ? | À vérifier | Partiel (support EN majoritaire) | ✓ |
FAQ
- Which email marketing tool should a small French business prioritize?
- Brevo and Mailjet are top choices due to GDPR compliance, EU data hosting, and simple campaign tools, all with free tiers. Sarbacane is also relevant for those seeking local support.
- Are there free email marketing tools for small businesses?
- Yes, Brevo, Mailjet, MailerLite, ActiveCampaign, and Mailchimp all offer limited free plans suitable for starting with small lists and testing the platforms before upgrading.
- How to choose between Brevo and MailerLite?
- Brevo provides advanced GDPR compliance and French presence, which matters for the local market. MailerLite is known for its simple interface and low price. Choose based on local support needs and budget.