logo
Brevo is the better choice for small businesses that want SMS as part of a wider marketing system, while Textedly is stronger for simple, SMS-first promotional blasts. Neither platform is truly “free” for ongoing SMS marketing, so treat free access as a test period, not a long-term campaign plan. SMS still deserves attention because promotional texts can get read quickly; SimpleTexting reports SMS open rates of about 98% [source: SimpleTexting].
TLDR: Choose Brevo if your small business already uses email marketing, contact lists, forms, or basic automation, and you want SMS to support those channels. Choose Textedly if you mainly need to send coupons, flash sale alerts, appointment reminders, or event promos by text. For example, a local salon with 1,000 opted-in customers could test a “20% off Tuesday” SMS campaign and track redemptions; even a 6% redemption rate means 60 bookings or purchases from one send. The practical issue is cost after testing, since SMS credits and monthly plans can rise fast as your contact list grows.
What “free SMS marketing” really means
Small businesses often search for free SMS marketing because they want to test text promotions without another monthly bill. That is reasonable. Cash flow matters.
But here is the truth: free SMS marketing is usually limited. Platforms may offer a free trial, free email tools, free incoming messages, or a small test allowance. They rarely offer unlimited promotional SMS at no cost. Carriers charge fees, compliance work takes resources, and bulk texting needs infrastructure.
The better question is not, “Which one is free forever?” It is: Which tool lets me test an SMS promotion with the least waste?
Brevo for promotional SMS campaigns
Brevo, formerly Sendinblue, is best known for email marketing, CRM tools, forms, automation, and transactional messaging. SMS is part of that wider system. This matters if your promotions are not only text-based.
For example, a boutique might send an email campaign on Monday, a reminder SMS on Wednesday, and a final coupon message on Friday. Brevo can support that kind of mixed campaign. You can manage contacts in one place, segment your list, and build workflows around behavior.
Brevo is strongest when:
- You already send newsletters or promotional emails.
- You want SMS and email contact records in one system.
- You need segmentation based on customer behavior.
- You run occasional SMS offers, not daily text blasts.
- You want a serious tool with room to grow.
The downside is that Brevo’s “free” appeal mostly applies to email, not ongoing SMS. SMS credits are typically paid separately. That can surprise owners who sign up expecting a no-cost texting machine. Honestly, it feels like the word free does too much heavy lifting here.
Textedly for promotional SMS campaigns
Textedly is more direct. It is built around SMS marketing. That makes it simpler for businesses that just want to send promotional text messages without dealing with broader marketing software.
A pizza shop, gym, dental office, nail salon, or local event organizer may prefer Textedly because the workflow is clear. Build a list. Create a keyword. Collect opt-ins. Send campaigns. Track replies and performance.
Textedly is strongest when:
- SMS is your main promotional channel.
- You want keywords such as “JOIN” or “DEALS” for signups.
- You need fast campaign creation.
- You send regular coupons, alerts, or reminders.
- You prefer a simpler interface focused on texting.
Textedly’s free trial can help a small business test the workflow. Still, once the trial ends, you need a paid plan. Also, campaign setup can feel a bit rigid if you are used to full email automation tools. Expect to waste time checking plan limits, message counts, and feature tiers before your first serious send.
Brevo vs Textedly: quick comparison
| Category | Brevo | Textedly |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Email plus SMS campaigns | SMS-first promotions |
| Free option | Free email plan, SMS usually paid by credits | Free trial, then paid subscription |
| Ease of use | Moderate, more tools to learn | Simple for texting |
| Automation | Better for multi-channel workflows | Better for basic SMS campaigns |
| Ideal user | Growing business with email lists | Local business running frequent text offers |
Promotional campaign example
Say a coffee shop has 800 customers who opted in at checkout. The owner wants to promote a slow Thursday afternoon.
With Textedly, the shop could send: “Today only: show this text for $2 off any latte before 4 PM. Reply STOP to opt out.” This is quick, clear, and easy to track at the register.
With Brevo, the shop could do more. It might send an email to the full list in the morning, then send an SMS only to people who opened the email but did not click the coupon. That reduces unnecessary texts and may save SMS credits.
If the SMS reaches 800 people and 7% redeem the offer, that is 56 redemptions. If the average order is $6.50, the promotion brings in $364 before costs. That gives the owner a simple way to judge whether the platform is worth paying for.
Compliance is not optional
Promotional SMS has rules. You need clear consent before sending marketing texts. Customers must know what they are signing up for. You also need an easy way to opt out, usually by replying STOP.
This applies whether you use Brevo, Textedly, or any other SMS provider. Do not upload random phone numbers from old invoices and start sending coupons. That is risky and unprofessional. It can also damage trust with loyal customers.
A clean SMS signup process should include:
- Clear consent: Tell users they are joining a marketing text list.
- Message frequency: Say how often they may receive texts.
- Opt-out wording: Include STOP instructions.
- Business name: Make the sender obvious.
- Value: Give customers a real reason to stay subscribed.
Which is better for small businesses?
Brevo is better for small businesses that think beyond one-off SMS blasts. If you want email, forms, CRM features, contact segmentation, and SMS in one account, it is the more complete choice. It can also reduce messy tool switching, which matters as your marketing grows.
Textedly is better for businesses that want quick promotional texting without extra software layers. If your main goal is to send coupons, reminders, event notices, or limited-time offers, Textedly feels more direct. It is easier to explain to a staff member who just needs to send Friday’s promo.
The pricing question depends on volume. A business sending one monthly promotion to 500 contacts has very different needs from a gym sending weekly reminders to 5,000 members. Before choosing, estimate your monthly texts. Include follow-ups, replies, and seasonal campaigns.
Practical recommendation
Start with your current marketing setup. If email is already central to your promotions, test Brevo. The combined email and SMS workflow will likely give better control. If texting is the main plan, test Textedly first. It is built for that job.
Do not judge either platform only by a free plan or trial. Run one real campaign with a measurable goal. Track send volume, opt-outs, clicks, redemptions, and revenue. A tool that costs money can still be cheaper if it saves staff time and brings repeat sales.
For most small businesses, the sensible path is simple: use Brevo for integrated promotional marketing, and use Textedly for focused SMS promotions. Free access is useful for testing, but sustainable SMS marketing comes from clean consent, sharp offers, and careful tracking.
