Navigating the software market can be an overwhelming experience. Whether you’re looking for a CRM, an email marketing platform, or a live chat tool, you are bombarded with buzzwords, flashy feature lists, and promises that sound too good to be true.
It’s hard to know who to trust. Many comparison sites are pay-to-play, ranking tools based on commission rather than quality.
At Brevo, we do things differently. We believe you deserve transparent, expert advice to make the right business decision.
Here is exactly how we test, rate, and review software – so you know what goes on behind the scenes of every comparison guide we publish.
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The Brevo compass: careful, transparent, practical
Our editorial philosophy is simple: we write the guides we wish we had when we were starting out.
Because Brevo builds software (CRM, Email, SMS, Chat), we have a unique advantage. We know what happens "under the hood." We can tell the difference between a feature that is truly engineered for scale and one that is just marketing fluff.
We operate by three core principles:
- Careful: We don't skim. We dive deep into the specs.
- Transparent: We are open about our criteria and our own bias.
- Practical: We prioritize usability and real-world value over vanity metrics.
Important: Despite our own market position, our central concern is to provide objective and unbiased comparisons. We do not accept payment, affiliate commissions, or fees from other vendors to influence their ranking in our articles.
How we test: the Brevo 6-point check
To ensure every review is fair and consistent, we run every tool through a rigorous 6-step evaluation process.
1. Market check
Before we even start testing, we look at the market. We analyze search trends and industry reports to ensure we are reviewing the tools that are relevant today, not the legacy giants of ten years ago.
Questions we ask:
- What developments are shaping the market right now?
- Which new technologies or features are relevant?
- Which solutions are people searching for most frequently?
- Which providers are the current market leaders in this category?
2. Feature check
At the core of our selection is a detailed functional comparison. We don't just count the number of features; we value the quality and relevance for typical use cases.
Questions we ask:
- Which features are absolutely essential for using this type of software?
- Which comparable criteria can be applied fairly to all tools?
- Does the feature actually solve a business problem?
3. Practical check
Outstanding software must not only be powerful but also intuitive. A tool that is difficult to use kills productivity. Therefore, we place great value on evaluating usability and user experience (UX).
Questions we ask:
- Which target audience is this software built for?
- Does it cover the necessary application scenarios?
- Is the interface intuitive for a new user?
4. User voice check
We trust our experts, but we also trust the crowd. We cross-reference our findings with thousands of verified user reviews from trusted third-party platforms like G2 and Capterra. This helps us spot recurring issues that might not appear during a short testing period.
Questions we ask:
- What are verified users complaining about?
- Are there recurring issues with downtime or support?
5. Security & privacy check
Data protection is not just a buzzword for us; it is a central component of our evaluation. We place the highest value on ensuring that the software solutions we compare meet high standards (like GDPR compliance) and have comprehensive security measures in place.
Questions we ask:
- Where are the company's servers located?
- How sensitively is customer data handled?
- How transparent are the company's privacy policies?
- Which encryption technologies are used?
- Are there additional security certifications (e.g., ISO)?
6. Price check
We hate hidden fees as much as you do. We analyze pricing structures to find the "true cost" of ownership.
Questions we ask:
- How are the pricing models structured?
- Are there hidden costs?
- Does the price jump astronomically as you grow?
- Is the free version actually usable?
Real-time transparency: keeping reviews fresh
Software changes fast. A tool that was the market leader in 2024 might fall behind by 2026. We commit to regularly updating our comparison articles to reflect:
- New pricing models
- Feature launches (and deprecations)
- Updated compliance standards
A note on Brevo: Yes, we include Brevo in our lists. However, we hold ourselves to the exact same standards as our competitors. We highlight our strengths but we are also honest about where another tool might be a better fit for a specific niche.
Good to know
Our reviews are based on careful research by our team of software experts. We work hard to give you reliable and helpful advice. However, software prices and features change often. We recommend you always check the provider's website for the latest details. This ensures you see the most current offers and pricing.
8 questions to ask before you buy (checklist)
Our comparisons give you a foundation, but the "best" software always depends on your individual needs. Use this checklist to finalize your decision:
- Essentials: Does the software cover your absolute "must-have" features?
- Budget: Does it fit your budget, and are there hidden costs?
- Ease of use: Can your team start using it without weeks of training?
- Integration: Does it connect seamlessly with your existing tech stack (e.g., Shopify, WordPress)?
- Compliance: Does it meet the legal data standards for your region?
- Support: Is help available when you need it (chat, phone, email) and in your time zone?
- Localization: Are the interface and support available in your language?
- Trial: Can you test the tool for free before paying?
Find the right tool: our top comparisons
Ready to start your search? Browse our most popular software guides, researched and written using the methodology above.
Start with Brevo
If you are looking for a platform that balances power, ease of use, and fair pricing, give Brevo a try.
We’ve built our all-in-one CRM suite to pass our own rigorous tests – offering you email, SMS, WhatsApp, and automation in one intuitive interface.
Sign up for free and see why over 600,000 businesses trust us to grow their customer relationships.
