ActiveCampaign
by ActiveCampaign
Email marketing, automation, and CRM for growing businesses
6.4
/ 10
Overall Score
ActiveCampaign scores 6.4/10 overall. Email marketing, automation, and CRM for growing businesses. Best for: Businesses needing complex automation sequences. Starting at $15/month. Last verified Mar 20, 2026.
Score Breakdown
How we score →Scores are editorial assessments on a 1–10 scale. Overall score uses a weighted formula: Value (25%), Power (20%), Transparency (20%), Ease (15%), Setup (10%), Migration (10%). Full methodology
Switching Intelligence
Sasanova ExclusiveMigration Difficulty
Implementation Complexity
MediumWhat triggers people to switch AWAY
- Price increases as contacts grow
- Complexity for simple use cases
What blocks people from leaving
- Deep automation trees
- CRM pipeline data
- Site tracking history
Data Export & Portability
CSV export, API access
Best For
- Businesses needing complex automation sequences
- Sales teams wanting CRM + email in one tool
- E-commerce brands with lifecycle marketing needs
Avoid If
- You want a simple tool to send newsletters
- You have a very small list and tight budget
- You don't need advanced automation
Features
Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Billing | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $15/mo | $108/yr | flat | 1,000 contacts, email marketing, basic automations |
| PlusPopular | $49/mo | $348/yr | flat | 1,000 contacts, CRM, landing pages, lead scoring |
| Pro | $79/mo | $588/yr | flat | 1,000 contacts, predictive sending, split automations, site messaging |
| Enterprise | $145/mo | $1068/yr | flat | 1,000 contacts, custom objects, HIPAA support, dedicated account rep |
Pricing Calculator
Estimate your monthly cost for ActiveCampaign. Click a plan to select it.
Estimates based on published pricing. Usage-based plans are approximated. Verify with vendor for exact quotes.
Integrations
Alternatives
Mailchimp
Intuit Mailchimp
6
/ 10
All-in-one email marketing and automation platform
Brevo
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
7.2
/ 10
All-in-one marketing platform for growing businesses
HubSpot CRM
HubSpot Inc.
6.3
/ 10
Free CRM software with something for everyone
Jasper
Jasper AI Inc.
6.2
/ 10
AI copilot for enterprise marketing teams
Recommended Reading
Related Comparisons
ActiveCampaign vs Mailchimp
ActiveCampaign has the most powerful automation builder with CRM integration starting at $15/mo. Mailchimp is easier to use and starts free but has weaker automation.
ActiveCampaign vs HubSpot CRM
ActiveCampaign has the most powerful email automation builder with CRM starting at $15/mo. HubSpot offers a broader platform with a free CRM but expensive marketing automation at $890/mo.
ActiveCampaign vs Brevo
ActiveCampaign has the most powerful automation builder with conditional logic and CRM pipeline. Brevo wins on price with unlimited contacts and built-in SMS/WhatsApp channels.
ActiveCampaign vs Kit (ConvertKit)
Kit offers a free tier for up to 10,000 subscribers and excels at creator commerce (digital products, paid newsletters). ActiveCampaign has far deeper automation with conditional logic, split testing, and a built-in CRM, starting at $15/mo.
ActiveCampaign vs beehiiv
beehiiv excels at newsletter growth and monetization with a free tier for 2,500 subscribers and built-in ad revenue. ActiveCampaign is better for complex lifecycle marketing with the deepest automation builder and CRM integration.
ActiveCampaign vs Substack
ActiveCampaign is an enterprise-grade email automation platform with CRM and predictive sending starting at $15/mo. Substack is a free-to-start newsletter platform for writers monetizing through paid subscriptions with a 10% revenue cut.
ActiveCampaign vs Ghost
ActiveCampaign wins for complex marketing automation with conditional workflows, CRM pipeline, and lead scoring. Ghost wins for publishers wanting an open-source content platform with membership billing, custom themes, and zero platform fees.
ActiveCampaign vs Buttondown
ActiveCampaign wins for businesses needing sophisticated automation, CRM, and lifecycle marketing. Buttondown is a lightweight newsletter tool for developers and writers who want Markdown simplicity at $9/mo, not a full marketing suite.
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