9 ActiveCampaign Alternatives for Email Automation (2026)

Choosing an email automation platform often comes down to how much complexity your team can realistically manage alongside cost and scalability. This page is an email marketing software comparison guide for those looking for Active Campaign alternatives, focusing on automation depth, usability, pricing structure, and real-world flexibility. 

We hope this guide will help teams evaluate comparable tools side by side, understand key trade-offs, and identify platforms that better match their workflows, budgets, or growth stage. Each option is assessed using consistent criteria relevant to modern email marketing and automation needs.

Disclaimer: This article evaluates ActiveCampaign alternatives, including Sender, which our company owns. Assessments are based on research, industry standards, and user feedback. No commissions are earned from links in this article.

Why Consider ActiveCampaign Alternatives?

ActiveCampaign is a decent marketing solution, but like all tools, great or not—it’s simply not for everyone. You might be on the hunt for budget-friendly alternatives or find its interface as welcoming as a tax audit. 

That said, here are the most common reasons for exploring the best ActiveCampaign alternatives:

• Complexity. ActiveCampaign’s interface is often considered difficult to learn and navigate, even for experienced marketers. (Gartner) 
• Price hikes. Users report sudden price increases and broken pricing agreements, leaving them feeling frustrated and misled. (Reddit user)
• Poor support. Once praised for excellent customer service, users now complain of slow response times and unhelpful support staff. (G2)
• Cumbersome automation. Editing email sequences within automations is time-consuming and inefficient, driving users towards platforms with more streamlined workflows. (FluentCRM)

How We Evaluated ActiveCampaign Alternatives

• Automation capabilities – Workflow depth, behavioral email trigger variety, conditional logic, and overall flexibility compared to ActiveCampaign’s automation builder, along with advanced reporting;
• Email campaigns & editor – Ease of use, template quality, drag-and-drop editing, and design customization options for campaigns and newsletters;
• Segmentation & personalization – Use of tags, dynamic segments, behavioral rules, and ecommerce or event-based targeting where supported;
• Pricing & scalability – Free plan availability, pricing structure, feature gating on lower tier plans, and how costs scale as subscriber counts increase;
• Integrations – Range of native integrations, API and webhook support, and availability of third-party connections such as Zapier, and support for companion mobile apps where available;
• Usability & support – Onboarding experience, documentation clarity, platform intuitiveness, and level of customer support across pricing tiers.

ActiveCampaign Quick Overview

Pros

• Powerful behavioral automation. Trigger targeted campaigns based on real-time user actions, helping to boost engagement and conversions.
• In-depth performance tracking. Advanced analytics tools create custom reports that help refine your strategy and measure ROI effectively.
• Top-tier CRM functionality. Integrates effortlessly with leading CRM platforms to simplify contact management and enable precise audience targeting.
• Extensive Template Library. Provides a wide selection of professionally designed templates to speed up and enhance the email creation process.

Limitations

• Complicated automation setup. Building automated workflows can be difficult to navigate and more time-intensive than with competing platforms.
• Clunky interface. The design and layout may feel unintuitive, especially for newcomers, making initial setup more challenging.
• Predatory pricing plan. Pricing increases rapidly with usage, and many key features are only accessible on more expensive plans.

Top Email Automation Platforms at a Glance: Comparison Table

If you’re comparing the best ActiveCampaign alternatives and newsletter platforms—from creator-focused options to enterprise-grade platforms—the following table gives you a quick overview of pricing, limits, and standout features to help you choose the right marketing automation solution.

Tool	Best For	Starting Price	Free Plan
Sender	SMBs looking for scalable email and transactional email marketing tool	$7/month (1,000 contacts)	Up to 2,500 contacts
GetResponse	Good automation, webinar tools, and landing pages	$15/month (1,000 contacts)	Up to 500 contacts
Brevo	Affordable price, multi-channel marketing with intuitive interface	$8/month (20,000 emails)	Up to 300 emails/day
Omnisend	Ecommerce-focused automation and omnichannel marketing	$16/month (500 contacts)	Up to 250 contacts
Drip	Ecommerce personalization, customer lifecycle automation	$39/month (2,500 contacts)	Free trial only
Klaviyo	Powerful segmentation, great for ecommerce, deep integrations	$20/month (500 contacts)	Up to 250 contacts
Mailchimp	Easy to use, great templates, all-in-one marketing platform	$13/month (500 contacts)	Up to 250 contacts
Constant Contact	Mid-sized businesses needing strong support and event tools	$12/month (500 contacts)	Free trial only
HubSpot	Comprehensive CRM, powerful automation, and analytics	$20/month (1,000 contacts, Marketing Starter)	Up to 1,000 contacts

9 ActiveCampaign Alternatives Compared

Need a new email marketing platform but feeling overwhelmed by all the comparable choices?

From budget-friendly marketing automation software options to those brimming with advanced features, I’ll break down the best CRM email marketing tools to help you find the perfect alternatives to ActiveCampaign CRM.

Sender — Best Alternative for Automation & Email Campaigns

Sender is a marketing automation platform designed for teams that want behavior-based automation, campaign analytics, and high deliverability without the complexity or cost of enterprise tools like ActiveCampaign.

Sender pricing: Starts at $7/month | Free plan available (up to 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails)

Sender focuses on core email automation functionality, including triggered workflows, segmentation, and campaign reporting. Its interface is built for ease of use, allowing teams to launch automated campaigns quickly while maintaining control over personalization and performance tracking.

Key Features

• Advanced segmentation: Create audience segments based on subscriber attributes and engagement behavior;
• Visual automation builder: Build email workflows triggered by actions such as opens, clicks, and purchases;
• Drag-and-drop email builder: Design responsive email campaigns using pre-built templates without coding;
• Landing page builder: Create and publish landing pages using customizable layouts and forms;
• Email A/B testing: Test subject lines, content, and calls to action to improve campaign results.
  

Use Cases by Industry

• SaaS companies: Automate onboarding sequences, feature announcements, and re-engagement campaigns based on user behavior;
• Ecommerce stores: Send cart abandonment emails, product recommendations, and post-purchase follow-ups;
• Nonprofits: Manage donor communications, automate thank-you emails, and promote fundraising campaigns and events.

ActiveCampaign vs. Sender Breakdown

Feature	ActiveCampaign	Sender	Winner
Free Plan Contacts	250 (limited features)	2,500	Sender
Starting Price	$29/month (1,000 contacts)	$7/month (1,000 contacts)	Sender
Deliverability Rate	93.4%	99.3%	Sender
SMS Marketing	Available on higher-tier plans	Included on all plans	Sender
Customer Support	Email + chat (standard)	Instant live chat + email	Sender
Automation Builder	Advanced visual workflows	Visual builder on all plans	ActiveCampaign
Landing Pages	Available on Plus plan and above	Available	Sender
Market Experience	Established (2003)	Newer platform (2012)	ActiveCampaign
Pricing Transparency	Tier-based + add-ons	Flat pricing, no hidden fees	Sender
Email A/B Testing	Comprehensive testing	Comprehensive testing	Tie

Limitations

• Lighter CRM layer. Sales pipelines, deal stages, and task automation are less developed than ActiveCampaign’s CRM-first setup;
• Fewer deal-based triggers. Automations focus more on subscriber behavior than sales pipeline events;
• Simpler lead scoring. Lead scoring exists but is not as granular or sales-oriented;
• Smaller CRM ecosystem. Fewer third-party CRM extensions compared to ActiveCampaign’s mature integrations.

See why businesses choose Sender:

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GetResponse — All-in-One Marketing Automation Suite

GetResponse is your one-stop shop for advanced marketing automation. But that’s far from all. From email automation and landing pages builder to conversion funnels and webinars, this ActiveCampaign alternative has all the bells and whistles.

GetResponse pricing: Starts at $13/month | GetResponse free plan available

I found GetResponse refreshingly easy to navigate, even with its long list of features. The drag-and-drop builder for both emails and landing pages is a big win—it keeps branding consistent without needing to jump between tools. Compared to ActiveCampaign, which separates design elements across modules, GetResponse feels more unified and beginner-friendly.

The automation tools are worthy of praise too. I was able to build detailed workflows that guided subscribers from welcome emails to re-engagement campaigns in just a few clicks. While ActiveCampaign still offers deeper logic and CRM triggers, GetResponse makes advanced automation accessible to marketers who don’t want to spend hours mapping out conditions.

Key Features

• Webinar hosting. Connect with your audience in real-time using GetResponse’s built-in webinar platform. No need to juggle multiple tools.
• Conversion funnels. Easily build sales funnels that guide leads toward purchase with automated email sequences and dedicated landing pages.
• Lead scoring tools. Prioritize your hottest leads based on their engagement and behavior. Combine it with a built-in lead management dashboard and convert those leads into loyal customers.

Use Cases by Industry

• Course creators. Launch and market your online courses with ease, deliver content to students through automated emails, and keep communication flowing smoothly.
• Coaches and consultants. Attract potential clients by hosting webinars, build trust through value-packed email sequences, and showcase your services using GetResponse’s compact marketing toolkit.
• Ecommerce. Boost conversions with automated cart recovery emails, personalized product suggestions, and thoughtful follow-ups after purchase.

ActiveCampaign vs. GetResponse Breakdown

Feature	ActiveCampaign	GetResponse	Winner
Free Plan Contacts	Trial only (no permanent free plan)	Free plan available (up to 500 contacts)	GetResponse
Starting Price	$15/month (1,000 contacts)	$15/month (1,000 contacts)	Tie
Deliverability Rate	93.4%	84–86%	ActiveCampaign
SMS Marketing	Available on higher-tier plans	Included on all paid plans	GetResponse
Customer Support	Email + chat (priority on higher tiers)	24/7 live chat + email support	GetResponse
Automation Builder	Industry-leading visual workflows + CRM system	Powerful workflows but less CRM depth	ActiveCampaign
Landing Pages	Available on Plus plan and above	Built-in on all paid plans	GetResponse
Market Experience	Established (2003)	Established (1998)	GetResponse
Pricing Transparency	Tiered pricing; costs scale with list size	Straightforward pricing across tiers	GetResponse
A/B Testing	Comprehensive and data-driven	Available, but simpler	ActiveCampaign

Limitations

• Less sales automation depth. Deal-driven workflows and pipeline automation are more limited;
• Simpler branching logic. Advanced conditional paths can feel less flexible in complex journeys;
• Basic lead scoring. Lead qualification features are lighter for sales-heavy teams;

Broad, not specialized. All-in-one scope can trade depth for convenience.

“I like the fact I can create my own websites / landing pages, I can setup my email, communications, autoresponders and more with it. You don’t need to be an expert in programming because you drag and remove sections from your pages as you go. And they have great customer service.”

– Alvaro from G2

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Brevo — Email, SMS, and Transactional Messaging Platform

Brevo steps in when you need more than email marketing campaigns. This platform excels at SMS marketing and transactional emails, making it a versatile choice for businesses that rely on multiple communication channels.

Brevo pricing: Starts at $8/month | Brevo free plan available

There’s a case to be made that Brevo has the slickest user interface amongst the ActiveCampaign alternatives. Even when juggling multiple campaigns, the clean design keeps navigation effortless. And while its inbox deliverability is slightly lower (at least on paper) than ActiveCampaign’s, I didn’t notice much difference in how many emails actually reached the target.

What really sets Brevo apart, though, is its pay-per-email pricing model. Instead of using contact-based pricing like ActiveCampaign, Brevo lets you send to unlimited contacts and only pay for the number of emails you actually send. It’s a smart, flexible approach that pushes Brevo amongst the best of the best of ActiveCampaign alternatives.

Key Features

• Multi-channel marketing. Connect with your audience across multiple channels—email, SMS, in-app chat, and even Facebook Messenger—all from one centralized platform.
• Transactional email management. Ensure timely delivery of critical transactional emails, such as order confirmations, shipping updates, and password resets.
• Marketing automation. Level the playing field by implementing sophisticated automated workflows for welcome series, lead nurturing campaigns, and other key marketing processes.

Use Cases by Industry

• Travel and hospitality. Enhance the guest experience by using SMS to send instant booking confirmations, real-time travel updates, and exclusive offers right to their mobile devices.
• Real estate. Keep prospects engaged with automated emails featuring new listings, use SMS to schedule and confirm showings, and provide ongoing updates to your clients.
• Healthcare providers. Streamline patient outreach by sending appointment reminders, delivering essential health updates, and collecting feedback through coordinated email and SMS communications.

ActiveCampaign vs. Brevo Breakdown

Feature	ActiveCampaign	Brevo	Winner
Free Plan Contacts	Trial only (no free plan)	Unlimited contacts (300 emails/day limit)	Brevo
Starting Price	$15/month (1,000 contacts)	$9/month (up to 20,000 emails/month)	Brevo
Deliverability Rate	93.4%	88–89%	ActiveCampaign
SMS Marketing	Available on higher-tier plans	Included on all plans	Brevo
Customer Support	Email + chat (priority on higher tiers)	24/7 chat + multilingual support	Brevo
Automation Builder	Advanced visual builder with CRM workflows	Strong automation for email + SMS	ActiveCampaign
Landing Pages	Available on Plus plan and above	Built-in landing page editor	Brevo
Market Experience	Established (2003)	Established (2012)	ActiveCampaign
Pricing Transparency	Tiered pricing by contact volume	Straightforward, email-based pricing	Brevo
Email A/B Testing	Advanced testing features	Available on paid plans	ActiveCampaign

Limitations

• Shallower automation logic. Complex multi-branch workflows are harder to replicate;
• Basic CRM automation. Pipeline movement and sales task automation are minimal;
• Lighter segmentation rules. Behavioral targeting is less granular for advanced lifecycle programs;
• Simpler reporting. Attribution and performance analysis are less detailed.

We recently founded our company. Thanks to Brevo we were able to connect our platform for sending transactional emails very quickly, and because its UI is so simple we were also able to send news and improve our customers’ experience.

– Brian from Trustpilot

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Omnisend — Ecommerce-Focused Email Marketing Platform

Omnisend is another ecommerce-focused platform that knows how to make online stores shine. With pre-built automation for abandoned carts, product recommendations, and SMS campaigns, Omnisend helps you create a seamless and engaging customer experience that drives sales.

Omnisend pricing: Starts at $16/month | Omnisend free plan available

For starters, I have to say it’s hard not to be impressed by how Omnisend integrates with Shopify. Within minutes, I was looking at live customer data: purchase history, browsing behavior, even preferences that helped me understand exactly what my audience wanted. While it’s similar to ActiveCampaign, it takes more time and tinkering to reach the same level of insight.

That seamless data flow is where Omnisend really shines. I could send product recommendations that actually felt personal—not generic blasts—and tailor promotions based on what shoppers were browsing in real time. It turns everyday emails into smart, sales-driven conversations. 

Key Features

• Ecommerce-specific automation. Recover abandoned carts, recommend relevant products, and win back lapsed customers with pre-built workflows.
• Pop-ups and forms. Grow your email list and capture leads with engaging pop-ups and forms that integrate seamlessly with your online store.
• Omnichannel marketing. Provide a cohesive customer experience by reaching your audience across multiple channels, including email, SMS, and push notifications, all from a single platform.

Use Cases by Industry

• Subscription Box Businesses. Keep subscribers engaged between deliveries with sneak peeks, renewal reminders, and exclusive offers.
• Ecommerce. Drive more revenue with personalized product recommendations, automated abandoned cart recovery, and post-purchase follow-ups. 

ActiveCampaign vs. Omnisend Breakdown

Feature	ActiveCampaign	Omnisend	Winner
Free Plan Contacts	Trial only (no permanent free plan)	250 contacts (up to 500 emails/month)	Omnisend
Starting Price	$15/month (1,000 contacts)	$16/month (500 contacts)	ActiveCampaign
Deliverability Rate	93.4%	91–92%	ActiveCampaign
SMS Marketing	Available on higher-tier plans	Included on all paid plans	Omnisend
Customer Support	Email + chat (priority on higher tiers)	24/7 live chat + email support	Omnisend
Automation Builder	Advanced visual builder with CRM logic	Prebuilt ecommerce automations	ActiveCampaign
Landing Pages	Available on Plus plan and above	Built-in landing page builder	Omnisend
Market Experience	Established (2003)	Established (2014)	ActiveCampaign
Pricing Transparency	Tiered pricing by contacts	Straightforward ecommerce-based pricing	Omnisend
A/B Testing	Comprehensive and data-driven	Available, but simpler	ActiveCampaign

Limitations

• Ecommerce-first focus. Less suitable for B2B or sales pipeline–driven automation;
• Limited CRM features. No deep deal management or lead scoring comparable to AC;
• Narrow automation scope. Strong for retail flows, weaker for custom journeys;
• Platform-dependent value. Benefits decrease outside Shopify or WooCommerce ecosystems.

Omnisend has been a great ESP solution for my business. I have used several marketing & digital platforms in my professional career and overall, the ease of use and features for the cost are outstanding.

– Jessie from Capterra

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Drip — Ecommerce Lifecycle Marketing Automation

Drip, while being on the more expensive marketing solution side, is built for ecommerce professionals who want powerful automation without the complexity of enterprise custom pricing.

Drip pricing: Starts at $39/month for up to 2,500 contacts and unlimited emails.| Drip Free trial available.

Drip stands out for its ecommerce automation. After spending some time with this ActiveCampaign alternative, I’ve found the integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce to be much simpler to set up than in ActiveCampaign. Once connected, Drip automatically tracks customer behavior, from browsing to purchase, letting me trigger highly personalized messages with ease.

The workflow builder feels faster and more intuitive than ActiveCampaign’s, though not as deep for complex logic as I hoped. I also enjoyed that Drip’s analytics and revenue attribution go beyond basic open rates, showing which emails actually drive sales.

Overall, Drip feels tailor-made for ecommerce brands that want results-focused automation without the technical overhead. If that’s you, you’re looking at one of the best ActiveCampaign alternatives.

Key Features

• Behavior-based automation. Trigger personalized email and SMS workflows based on real-time user activity, like product views or cart abandonment.
• Revenue attribution. Track exactly how much revenue each campaign generates with advanced ecommerce analytics.
• Dynamic segmentation. Automatically group your audience by behavior, purchase frequency, or customer lifetime value to deliver hyper-relevant campaigns.

Use Cases by Industry

• Ecommerce stores. Automate product recommendations, upsell campaigns, and win-back flows to increase conversions and lifetime value.
• Subscription brands. Keep subscribers engaged with renewal reminders, personalized content, and reward sequences.
• Boutique retailers. Build lasting customer relationships with branded, data-driven email and SMS campaigns tailored to unique audiences.

ActiveCampaign vs. Drip Breakdown

Feature	ActiveCampaign	Drip	Winner
Free Plan Contacts	Trial only	Trial only	Tie
Starting Price	$15/month (1,000 contacts)	$39/month (2,500 contacts)	ActiveCampaign
Deliverability Rate	93.4%	90–91%	ActiveCampaign
SMS Marketing	Available on higher-tier plans	Included on all plans	Drip
Customer Support	Email + chat (priority on higher tiers)	Email + live chat support	Tie
Automation Builder	Advanced visual builder with CRM logic	Behavior-based ecommerce workflows	Tie
Landing Pages	Available on Plus plan and above	Built-in popups and forms, no standalone builder	ActiveCampaign
Market Experience	Established (2003)	Established (2013)	ActiveCampaign
Pricing Transparency	Tiered by contacts, clear pricing	Straightforward, based on contact count	Drip
A/B Testing	Comprehensive and data-driven	Available for emails and workflows	ActiveCampaign

Limitations

• Minimal CRM functionality. No native deal pipelines or sales task automation;
• Ecommerce-biased workflows. Non-retail automation use cases feel secondary;
• Simpler journey logic. Advanced branching and multi-path automation are more constrained;
• Smaller feature surface. Broader marketing tools beyond lifecycle automation are limited.

Excellent. I need data to survive and I need to know what my customers are looking at. I can segment things, see which headlines work best, and give my customers a better product.

— Steven from Capterra

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Klaviyo — Data-Driven Ecommerce Marketing Automation

Built specifically for ecommerce, Klaviyo offers advanced segmentation, AI-driven personalization, and deep Shopify integration.

Klaviyo pricing: Starts at $20/month | Klaviyo free plan available

What stands out about Klaviyo is how naturally it connects your ecommerce data to marketing tools. After linking it to my Shopify store, it immediately pulled in key details—purchases, browsing behavior, and engagement history—giving me a clear, data-rich view of each customer. While ActiveCampaign can achieve similar results, it usually takes more setup and custom integration to get there.

With Klaviyo, that information translates directly into highly targeted email campaigns. I could segment customers by purchase patterns, engagement level, or even predicted lifetime value, then tailor offers that felt relevant instead of repetitive. It’s a platform built around data—turning raw ecommerce info into personalized communication that drives measurable results.

Key Features

• Predictive analytics. Use Klaviyo’s AI-powered insights to predict customer behavior and tailor your marketing messages for maximum impact and increased conversions.
• Dynamic content. Create truly personalized email experiences by leveraging individual customer data, from browsing history to past purchases, within every message.
• Pre-built ecommerce flows. Quickly automate essential marketing tasks with pre-designed workflows for welcome series, abandoned cart recovery, and other crucial touchpoints.

Use Cases by Industry

• Ecommerce businesses. Use Klaviyo’s powerful automation and targeting tools to scale marketing efforts, deliver personalized experiences at every touchpoint, and unlock new revenue opportunities.
• Health & wellness brands. Drive customer engagement by sending tailored product recommendations, wellness tips, and habit-based reminders. Use automation to deliver timely messages that support healthy lifestyles and build long-term loyalty.
• Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands. Strengthen customer relationships, build lasting brand loyalty, and encourage repeat purchases with personalized email and SMS strategies that truly connect with your audience.

ActiveCampaign vs. Klaviyo Breakdown

Feature	ActiveCampaign	Klaviyo	Winner
Free Plan Contacts	Trial only (no permanent free plan)	250 contacts (500 email sends/month)	Klaviyo
Starting Price	$15/month (1,000 contacts)	$20/month (500 contacts)	ActiveCampaign
Deliverability Rate	93.4%	86–88%	ActiveCampaign
SMS Marketing	Available on higher-tier plans	Included on all paid plans	Klaviyo
Customer Support	Email + chat (priority on higher tiers)	Email + chat; community and partner support	Tie
Automation Builder	Advanced visual workflows with CRM logic	Ecommerce-focused flows and triggers	ActiveCampaign
Landing Pages	Available on Plus plan and above	Built-in landing page templates	Klaviyo
Market Experience	Established (2003)	Established (2012)	ActiveCampaign
Pricing Transparency	Tiered by contacts, clear pricing	Tiered by contacts, transparent	Tie
A/B Testing	Comprehensive and data-driven	Available for emails and flows	ActiveCampaign

Limitations

• Diminished value outside ecommerce. Data advantages depend heavily on store integrations.
• Retail-centric design. Built mainly for ecommerce, not sales-driven B2B workflows;
• No deal pipelines. Lacks CRM-style sales automation and task management;
• Event-heavy automation. Works best with commerce data, less flexible otherwise;

I signed up a month ago and found Klaviyo far superior to the other four platforms I used in the past. The live chat has been a lifesaver; I’ve been using it for over an hour every day for the last three weeks. Every other app I use on Shopify works with Klaviyo, so I no longer have to use annoying Zapier.

– Alan from Trustpilot

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Mailchimp — Beginner-Friendly Email Marketing Platform

Known for its user-friendly interface and strong automation, Mailchimp is a great alternative to ActiveCampaign for email marketing newcomers seeking a versatile all-in-one platform.

Mailchimp pricing: Starts at $20/month | Mailchimp free plan available

For starters, Mailchimp makes getting started with email marketing surprisingly easy—I haven’t had such a smooth onboarding experience (with minimal learning curve) since getting my hands on tools like Sender or MailerLite. The user-friendly email editor, meanwhile, works like a charm, and the collection of 130+ pre-built templates gives you an instant head start on any campaign. 

Whether you’re sending a newsletter or launching a promotion, it takes just minutes to put together something that looks polished. Add in Mailchimp’s step-by-step guides and resources, and creating professional emails quickly becomes second nature.

Key Features

• Content studio. Store and manage all your images, videos, and other marketing assets in one central location. No more digging through endless folders.
• Subject line helper. Craft compelling subject lines that entice recipients to open your emails with Mailchimp’s AI-powered tool.
• Advance segmentation. Group your audience based on behavior, preferences, purchase history, and engagement so every message feels relevant. Send smarter campaigns, boost conversions, and stop blasting one-size-fits-all emails.

Use Cases by Industry

• Nonprofits. Boost fundraising efforts with personalized donation appeals, automate thank-you messages, and keep supporters informed with compelling stories and campaign updates.
• Ecommerce. Use Mailchimp’s integrations with major ecommerce platforms to send abandoned cart reminders, personalized product suggestions, and promotional emails—all while tracking sales and customer behavior with built-in analytics.
• Service-based businesses. Schedule appointment reminders, follow up with satisfied clients for reviews, and send tailored offers based on customer history to keep your pipeline full and engaged.

ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp Breakdown

Feature	ActiveCampaign	Mailchimp	Winner
Free Plan Contacts	Trial only (no permanent free plan)	250	Mailchimp
Starting Price	$15/month (1,000 contacts)	$13/month (500 contacts)	ActiveCampaign
Deliverability Rate	93.4%	89–90%	ActiveCampaign
SMS Marketing	Available on higher-tier plans	Separate add-on	ActiveCampaign
Customer Support	Email + chat (priority on higher tiers)	15+ min wait on support	ActiveCampaign
Automation Builder	Advanced visual builder with CRM integration	Limited on lower plans	ActiveCampaign
Landing Pages	Available on Plus plan and above	Available	Mailchimp
Market Experience	Established (2003)	Established (2001)	Mailchimp
Pricing Transparency	Tiered pricing by contacts	Hidden overage fees	ActiveCampaign
A/B Testing	Comprehensive and data-driven	Limited features	ActiveCampaign

Limitations

• Basic automation depth. Advanced conditional logic and branching are limited;
• Weak CRM functionality. Sales pipelines and deal automation are minimal;
• Restricted segmentation. Complex behavioral targeting is harder to achieve;
• Lighter analytics. Reporting lacks deeper attribution and lifecycle insights.

I’ve been using Mailchimp on and off for about 6 years. As a brand strategist, I use it for my personal brand use and often interact with it for my clients. It is easy to use and set up; I like the user-friendliness of it and often recommend it to brands that want a visually engaging, easy-to-use email service.

– Susie from Capterra

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Constant Contact — Newsletter-Focused Email Marketing

Offering an effortless, easy-to-use email builder with event management tools, Constant Contact helps you stay connected with your audience without the headaches.

Constant Contact pricing: Starts at $12/month | Constant Contact free trial available

What I appreciate most about Constant Contact is how it helps me make sense of my results. The visual analytics turn campaign data into clear, actionable insights—I can instantly see what’s working and what needs tweaking.

The timezone-based scheduling, powered with robust email automation, has also been a game-changer. And whenever I’ve needed a hand, Constant Contact’s support team has been quick to respond and genuinely helpful—something I can’t say for every ActiveCampaign alternative I’ve tried.

Key Features

• Event management. Streamline your event planning and execution by promoting events, selling tickets, and managing attendee registrations all within a single, integrated platform.
• Email deliverability. Maximize your email marketing ROI with Constant Contact’s excellent deliverability rates, ensuring your messages reach the inbox and engage your target audience
• Customer support. Receive prompt and effective assistance from Constant Contact’s knowledgeable customer support team whenever you encounter challenges or require guidance.

Use Cases by Industry

• SMBs. Leverage customizable email templates and landing pages to expand your reach and increase conversions—ideal for capturing leads from events, special offers, or social media promotions.
• Nonprofits. Create and send newsletters, event updates, and fundraising appeals with Constant Contact’s user-friendly platform and reliable customer support.
• Content creators. Grow your audience with automated lead capture, deliver personalized content recommendations, and nurture subscribers through targeted email series.

ActiveCampaign vs. Constant Contact Breakdown

Feature	ActiveCampaign	Constant Contact	Winner
Free Plan Contacts	Trial only (no permanent free plan)	No permanent free plan (trial only)	Tie
Starting Price	$15/month (1,000 contacts)	$12/month (500 contacts)	Constant Contact
Deliverability Rate	93.4%	91–92%	ActiveCampaign
SMS Marketing	Available on higher-tier plans	Limited availability	ActiveCampaign
Customer Support	Email + chat (priority on higher tiers)	Phone + chat support	Constant Contact
Automation Builder	Advanced visual builder with CRM logic	Basic automation (welcome, drip, birthdays)	ActiveCampaign
Landing Pages	Available on Plus plan and above	Available	Constant Contact
Market Experience	Established (2003)	Established (1995)	Constant Contact
Pricing Transparency	Clear tiered pricing by contact volume	Tiered pricing with add-ons	ActiveCampaign
A/B Testing	Comprehensive and data-driven	Available on higher-tier plans	ActiveCampaign

Limitations

• Very limited automation. Few triggers, conditions, or multi-step workflows;
• Minimal behavioral targeting. Lifecycle-based segmentation is basic;
• No real CRM automation. No deal management, scoring, or sales workflows;
• Short journey support. Complex customer paths are difficult to model.

My overall experience with Constant Contact has been very positive. I have seen a noticeable increase in customer engagement and sales since I started using their services. The automation features have saved me time by allowing me to schedule campaigns and follow-ups effortlessly.

– Hedi from Capterra

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HubSpot — CRM-Based Email Automation Platform

HubSpot is like the Swiss Army Knife of marketing and sales. This robust marketing automation platform combines email marketing, automation, CRM, and sales pipeline management tools under one roof.

HubSpot pricing: Paid plans start at $20/month | HubSpot free plan available

Building on that Swiss Army knife analogy, HubSpot truly brings marketing, sales, and customer service together within the same ecosystem. While its built-in pipeline management tools ensure that every lead and deal is tracked seamlessly without the sales pipeline getting overwhelmed. 

Compared to ActiveCampaign, which feels reserved when you start layering more complex automations or syncing data between tools, HubSpot’s unified setup just flows better. Having that 360-degree view of every interaction, including entire customer journeys, makes it easier to see the big picture—and to personalize every touchpoint along the way.

For anyone building long-term customer relationships, this ActiveCampaign alternative isn’t just a marketing platform—it’s a marketing suite, powered with robust CRM infrastructure, that keeps the whole experience running in sync.

Key Features

• CRM integration. Centralize customer data by integrating your CRM.  Track interactions, manage contacts, and gain a comprehensive understanding of your customer relationships for more effective engagement.
• Landing page builder. Create high-converting landing pages directly within the platform. Seamlessly integrate these pages with your email campaigns to drive conversions and capture leads.
• Workflow automation. Streamline repetitive marketing and sales tasks with powerful workflow automation. Automate everything from lead nurturing and onboarding to task assignment and follow-up communications.

Use Cases by Industry

• B2B Services. Do lead generation the right way with advanced workflows, then pass them to sales teams with full context using HubSpot’s integrated CRM. Automate follow-up emails and track pipeline progress without breaking a sweat.
• SaaS Companies. Manage user onboarding, run behavior-triggered campaigns, and keep churn low with automated engagement sequences and customer health tracking.
• Consulting. Using HubSpot as a dedicated account manager, agencies can streamline client communications, track performance metrics, and build stronger long-term relationships—all while managing multiple accounts from one digital hub.

ActiveCampaign vs. HubSpot Breakdown

Feature	ActiveCampaign	HubSpot	Winner
Free Plan Contacts	Trial only (no permanent free plan)	2,000 contacts (limited features)	HubSpot
Starting Price	$15/month (1,000 contacts, Lite plan)	$20/month (1,000 contacts, Marketing Starter)	ActiveCampaign
Deliverability Rate	93.4%	90–92%	ActiveCampaign
SMS Marketing	Available on higher-tier plans	Requires integration or add-on	ActiveCampaign
Customer Support	Email + chat (priority on higher tiers)	Email & chat (24/7 on paid plans)	Tie
Automation Builder	Advanced automation with CRM logic	Visual workflows (available from Professional plan)	ActiveCampaign
Landing Pages	Available on Plus plan and above	Available (even on free plan)	HubSpot
Market Experience	Established (2003)	Established (2006)	ActiveCampaign
Pricing Transparency	Clear tiered pricing by contact volume	Tiered pricing with premium add-ons	ActiveCampaign
A/B Testing	Comprehensive and data-driven	Available on Professional plan and above	ActiveCampaign

Limitations

• Less email-centric. Marketing automation is part of a broader CRM-first system.
• Ecosystem dependency. Email automation works best when bundled with other HubSpot hubs;
• Heavier platform footprint. Can feel excessive if only email automation is needed;
• Tier-based depth. Advanced automation often requires higher plans;

The software is the go-to platform at the start of every workday. I am a business/media coach. I use it to log emails, calls, and coaching sessions with each client. I also now use Hubspot Forms on my website to build my email list and automatically send newsletters to potential clients using the Hubspot Email option and workflows.

– Tim from G2

Price Comparison of ActiveCampaign Competitors

Finally, let’s compare the pricing of the best ActiveCampaign alternatives:

Brand	Free plan	Standard plan	Professional plan
Sender	Up to 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails/month	Starts at $7 for up to 12,000 emails/month	Starts at $14 for 24,000 emails/month
GetResponse	Free plan available with limited features	Starts at $13/month for up to 1,000 subscribers	Starts at $60/month for advanced features and 1,000 contacts
Brevo	Free plan allows up to 300 emails/day	Starts at $8/month for up to 1,000 subscribers	Starts at $18/month for 5,000 emails per month; includes advanced features
Omnisend	Free plan for up to 250 subscribers and 500 emails/month	Starts at $16/month for standard features	Starts at $59/month for up to 500 contacts
Drip	Free 14-day plan available to try out all the advanced features	Starts at $39/month for 2,500 contacts and most advanced features	N/A*
Klaviyo	Free for up to 250 contacts and 500 emails/month	Starts at $20/month for up to 500 contacts	N/A*
Mailchimp	Free for up to 250 contacts and 500 emails/month	Starts at $13/month for 500 contacts	Starts at $20/month for additional features
Constant Contact	Free 14-day trial available with limited sends	Starts at $12/month for basic features and 500 contacts	Starts at $35/month for advanced features
HubSpot	Free plan available with limited features	Starts at $20/month for basic features	Starts at $880/month for advanced marketing tools

FAQs

Who should consider switching from ActiveCampaign?

Teams that need email automation but find advanced workflows difficult to maintain or scale should explore ActiveCampaign alternatives. This includes small businesses, ecommerce brands, and SaaS teams seeking simpler automation, clearer pricing models, or built-in SMS and transactional messaging without managing multiple tools or complex configurations.

What is the best ActiveCampaign alternative for small businesses?

For small businesses, platforms like Sender provide straightforward email and automation workflows with built-in segmentation and campaign tools. While others may offer deeper ecommerce or CRM features if those align with specific business requirements.

How do automation features differ across ActiveCampaign alternatives?

Automation depth varies from platform to platform. Some platforms focus on visual workflows with basic triggers, while others, such as Sender and Omnisend, support advanced conditions, behavioral tracking, and ecommerce events. Differences often appear in trigger flexibility, branching logic, and how easily workflows can be edited or reused as requirements change.

Are ActiveCampaign alternatives suitable for ecommerce businesses?

Yes, many ActiveCampaign alternatives are designed specifically for ecommerce use cases. These tools typically support purchase-based triggers, product-level segmentation, abandoned cart workflows, and lifecycle messaging tailored to online retail operations.

Do ActiveCampaign alternatives support both marketing and transactional emails?

Yes, most ActiveCampaign alternatives combine marketing campaigns and transactional emails within a single system. The best platform that combines both marketing and transactional emails is Sender, since it supports automation workflows, shared sending infrastructure, dedicated IPs, and domain authentication in the same dashboard.