ActiveCampaign is a solid marketing automation software option, but it’s not the only player in the digital marketing game. Whether you’re on the hunt for the best tools for small business marketing or you need a cheaper replacement for ActiveCampaign, plenty of ActiveCampaign substitutes can help you achieve those marketing goals.
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 not for everyone. You might be on the hunt for budget-friendly alternatives or find its interface as welcoming as a tax audit. Maybe you need specific features ActiveCampaign lacks or want an ActiveCampaign replacement that speaks your industry’s language.
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)
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.
Cons
- 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
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 | Generous free plan, excellent customer support, user-friendly interface | $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 500 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) | Free trial only |
- Sender — Best Alternative for Automation & Email Campaigns;
- GetResponse — Best for Full-Suite Marketing Automation;
- Brevo — Best for SMS and Transactional Emails;
- Omnisend — Great Alternative for Ecommerce Email Marketing;
- Drip – Ecommerce-Focused Automation and Email Marketing;
- Klaviyo — Best for Data-Driven Ecommerce Marketers;
- Mailchimp — Best Email Templates & Automation for Beginners;
- Constant Contact — Best for Small Businesses and Nonprofits;
- HubSpot — Best CRM-Integrated Email Automation Platform.
9 ActiveCampaign Alternatives Compared
Need a new email marketing platform but feeling overwhelmed by all the comparable choices? Numerous tools like ActiveCampaign exist, each offering unique key features and pricing plans. From budget-friendly email software options to those brimming with advanced features, I’ll break down the best alternative email marketing tools to find your perfect match.
Sender — Best Alternative for Automation & Email Campaigns
Sender is the reliable friend who always delivers, not to mention one of the best ActiveCampaign alternatives. This platform is all about streamlined email automation tools and creating email campaigns that pack a punch.
Sender pricing: Starts at $7/month | Sender free plan available
Sender’s drag-and-drop email builder makes building beautiful, mobile-friendly emails a walk in the park. Its automation workflows help you create personalized email campaigns, triggered by specific user behavior, so you can nurture leads like a pro.
Its analytics dashboard is refreshingly straightforward, giving you clear insights into what’s working and what needs tweaking. And if there’s any concerns about emails missing the inbox folder, Sender’s 99% inbox deliverability rate should put all worries to rest.
Key features
- Advanced segmentation. Target the right people at the right time by segmenting based on demographics, behavior, and more.
- Visual email automation builder. Build sophisticated email sequences triggered by subscriber behavior like opens, clicks, and purchases.
- Landing page builder. Design high-converting landing pages with customizable templates and a drag-and-drop editor, no coding needed.
- Email A/B testing. Test subject lines, CTAs, and layouts to find winning combinations and optimize performance.
Use Cases by Industry
Sender is a flexible email marketing solution that works well across a variety of industries. Its powerful features help automate lead-nurturing workflows, deliver personalized marketing, and boost customer engagement.
By combining multi-channel marketing, Sender also offers a unified approach that strengthens your messaging and helps you get more out of your campaigns. This multi-channel strategy can lead to better results, not to mention a higher ROI.
- SaaS companies. Tap into detailed analytics to monitor user behavior, automate onboarding emails, and win back users with targeted re-engagement messages.
- Ecommerce stores. Automate personalized product suggestions, cart abandonment reminders, and follow-up emails after purchases.
- Nonprofits. Use targeted email and SMS campaigns to engage donors, share impact stories, and promote upcoming initiatives. Automate thank-you messages, donation reminders, and volunteer outreach.
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 |
Explore our thorough comparison to understand the major differences between ActiveCampaign vs. Sender.
See why businesses choose Sender:
GetResponse — Best for Full-Suite Marketing Automation
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. Combined with built-in lead management dashboard, it helps you organize, track, and convert those leads into loyal customers.
Use Cases by Industry
The great thing about GetResponse is that no matter what industry you’re in, this email marketing platform offers an all-in-one solution for your goals. You can launch email campaigns, build unlimited landing pages, host webinars to engage your audience, and set up advanced automation workflows—all without needing a stack of different tools.
- 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 |
Take a closer look at ActiveCampaign vs. GetResponse and see what really sets them apart.
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
Also read: 10 Best GetResponse Alternatives: Free & Paid Options (2025)
Brevo — Best for SMS and Transactional Emails
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 charging by contact count 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 and reliable 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
If you’re in need of a platform that goes beyond basic email marketing, Brevo offers a reliable and effective way to connect with your audience through multiple channels. From personalized email campaigns and targeted SMS messages to live chat functionality, Brevo helps you stay in touch with your customers at every step of their journey.
By taking a multichannel approach, with this budget-friendly marketing solution you can meet your audience where they are—whether that’s their inbox, their phone, or real-time chat.
- 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 |
Take an in-depth look at the similarities and differences between ActiveCampaign vs. Brevo.
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
Also read: 11 Best Brevo Alternatives for Email Marketing (July 2025)
Omnisend — Great Alternative for Ecommerce Email Marketing
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 $11/month | Omnisend free plan available
For starters, I have to say it’s hard not to be impressed by how Omnisend integrates with Shopify—no complicated setup, no third-party connectors. 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. Omnisend doesn’t just automate marketing—it makes your ecommerce communication feel human again.
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
An absolute industry veteran, Omnisend delivers a versatile, multichannel solution designed to boost sales and simplify customer communication. With advanced automation, robust segmentation, and deep ecommerce integrations, this email marketing all-rounder helps you turn one-time shoppers into loyal repeat customers.
From dynamic email campaigns and SMS messaging to web push notifications and workflow automation, Omnisend gives you a simple yet effective solution to grow your brand and increase revenue.
- 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) | $11/month (500 contacts) | Omnisend |
| 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 |
Find out how ActiveCampaign compares to Omnisend with our detailed, head-to-head overview.
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
Drip — Ecommerce-Focused Automation and Email Marketing
Drip, while being on the more expensive marketing solution side, is built for ecommerce professionals who want powerful automation without the enterprise-level complexity.
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
Drip is purpose-built for ecommerce brands and digital retailers that prioritize personalization and lifecycle marketing. By combining automation, behavioral insights, and sales tracking, it helps brands scale revenue while maintaining a human touch.
- 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 |
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
Klaviyo — Best for Data-Driven Ecommerce Marketers
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
Klaviyo is tailor-made specifically for ecommerce businesses. This means robust tools for segmentation, personalization, and analytics-driven insights that help online retailers grow faster.
With Klaviyo, brands can send laser-focused email and SMS campaigns that speak directly to their audience, boost customer lifetime value, and fuel long-term business success with a little help from state-of-the-art predictive AI.
- 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 |
Dive into our in-depth look at ActiveCampaign vs. Klaviyo to see how they stack up against each other.
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
Also read: 10 Klaviyo Alternatives: Top Platforms for Ecommerce Businesses
Mailchimp — Best Email Templates & Automation for Beginners
Known for its user-friendly interface and strong automation, Mailchimp is a great alternative to ActiveCampaign for those seeking a versatile all-in-one email marketing solution.
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.
- Free 14-day trial. Dip your toes into the world of email marketing with its free trial. You’ll get access to premium features, making it easy for you to decide.
Use Cases by Industry
This ActiveCampaign alternative is a versatile and user-friendly marketing solution that supports businesses of all sizes and across various industries. It offers much more than email, offering a full suite of tools for building eye-popping campaigns, automating complex customer journeys, and tracking performance.
With this email marketing powerhouse, businesses can grow their audience, strengthen relationships, and drive measurable results—all from a single, easy-to-use dashboard.
- 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) | 500 | 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 |
Read our detailed evaluation of ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp to see which one stands out.
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
Also read: Best Mailchimp Alternatives 2025: 14 Cheaper Tools to Try
Constant Contact — Best for Small Businesses and Nonprofits
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
With a focus on simplicity and effectiveness, Constant Contact offers drag-and-drop email builders, customizable templates, and list growth features like sign-up forms and landing pages.
Paired with real-time reporting and responsive customer support, Constant Contact empowers users to create professional campaigns, promote events, and drive engagement—without needing any technical knowledge.
- 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 |
See how ActiveCampaign and Constant Contact measure up against each other in features, value, and overall performance.
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
Also read: 10 Constant Contact Alternatives That Offers Better Value
HubSpot — Best CRM-Integrated Email Automation Platform
HubSpot is like the Swiss Army Knife of marketing and sales. This robust platform combines email marketing, automation, CRM, and sales pipeline management tools under one roof.
HubSpot pricing: Paid plans start at $50/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 makes it easier to spot where someone is in their journey—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 an automation engine, 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
HubSpot’s versatility makes it a strong fit for a wide range of industries, particularly those that require a seamless connection between marketing, sales, and customer service. Its powerful CRM and sales automation features allow businesses to track every touchpoint and nurture leads from that first click to conversion.
- 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 |
Dive into our complete evaluation of ActiveCampaign vs. HubSpot, covering features, costs, pros, and cons.
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 H2
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 $8 for up to 1,000 subscribers | $29/month for 10,000 subscribers and 120,000 emails per month |
| GetResponse | Free plan available with limited features | Starts at $13 for up to 1,000 subscribers | Starts at $59 for advanced features |
| Brevo | Free plan allows up to 300 emails/day | Starts at $8 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 $11 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 for 2,500 contacts and most advanced features | N/A* |
| Klaviyo | Free for up to 250 contacts and 500 emails/month | Starts at $20 for up to 500 contacts | Starts at $35/month for 251-500 contacts, including SMS credits |
| Mailchimp | Free 14-day plan available to try out all the advanced features | Starts at $13 for 500 contacts | Starts at $20 for additional features |
| Constant Contact | Free 14-day trial available with limited sends | Starts at $12 for basic features | Starts at $45 for advanced features |
| HubSpot | Free plan available with limited features | Starts at $50 for basic features | Starts at $800 for advanced marketing tools |
* Drip doesn’t offer pre-bundled plans, instead opting for custom pricing. It’s worth pointing out that most of its marketing features are accessible at its entry price.
ActiveCampaign Alternatives Pricing & Free Plan Comparison
Sender
It’s hard to find an email marketing solution these days that ticks all the boxes without locking key features under a paywall. Based on our experience, Sender strikes the perfect balance—giving users unlimited access to explore the platform while keeping things fair and transparent. That’s exactly why Sender stands out as the best free alternative to ActiveCampaign available today.
What’s included in the Free plan:
- Up to 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 monthly emails;
- Advanced segmentation & email automation;
- Access to all email & popup templates;
- Drag & Drop Editor.
GetResponse
Another great free alternative to ActiveCampaign is GetResponse. Offering a great range of easily-accessible features like email automation and website builder for 30 days, GetResponse makes it easy for users to get started with no upfront costs.
With an intuitive interface and generous usage limits, GetResponse allows its users to build and scale their email marketing campaigns effectively.
What’s included in the Free plan:
- Up to 2,500 emails per 500 contacts;
- Basic automation & workflow builder;
- 1 Landing Page;
- 24/7 live chat email support.
Omnisend
Omnisend positions itself as an all-in-one email, SMS, and push-notification solution tailored for ecommerce services. With its Forever Free plan, users get to try out most of its features with some understandable limitations, making it one of the best ActiveCampaign alternatives at the moment.
What’s included in the Free plan:
- Up to 500 emails up to 250 contacts;
- Basic sales & performance Reports;
- Email automation;
- Library of pre-made templates.
FAQs
What’s the best free ActiveCampaign alternative?
Sender is widely considered one of the best ActiveCampaign alternatives. This budget-friendly email software provides a surprising number of features without costing you a penny.
You’ll get access to easy-to-use email automation, professionally designed email templates that make your brand look amazing. Plus, Sender’s customer support is top-notch, ensuring you’ll always have someone to help you out if you get stuck.
Which alternative is better for small businesses?
Sender is a fantastic choice for small businesses looking for affordable email marketing alternatives. It boasts an intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate, and their free plan is truly generous, providing enough features for most small businesses to thrive.
As your business grows, Sender grows with you, offering paid plans with even more advanced automation features and higher sending limits.
Do these tools integrate with popular CRMs?
Most of these ActiveCampaign alternatives offer seamless integration with popular CRM features like Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and Pipedrive.
This means you can easily keep your marketing teams and sales teams on the same page by syncing valuable customer data. Some platforms, like HubSpot, even come equipped with their own built-in CRM, allowing you to manage your entire sales funnel and customer relationships all in one central location.
What advanced features should I look for?
While needs and requirements vary by industry, you should always make sure that your marketing software is equipped with behavior-based automation. Not only does this take extra workload off your shoulders, it helps to nurture those leads.
Equally important is advanced segmentation, which allows you to tailor your messaging to different audience segments for better engagement. Also, look for robust analytics functionality and comprehensive A/B testing tools to continuously fine-tune your campaigns and drive better results
Also read: Cheap Email Marketing: 13 Affordable Platforms for SMBs