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Comparison

Mailchimp vs ActiveCampaign

Mailchimp is simpler and cheaper for small lists. ActiveCampaign has far more powerful automation and CRM features.

Mailchimp logo

Mailchimp

4.34.3 out of 5 stars

The world's most popular email marketing platform — free for up to 500 contacts.

Freefrom $13/mo
Overall4.3
Ease of use4.5
Value for money4.4
Features4.3
Support3.9

✓Pros

  • ✓Generous free plan (500 contacts)
  • ✓Beginner-friendly interface
  • ✓Landing pages and forms included
  • ✓Large integration ecosystem

✕Cons

  • ✕Pricing scales quickly as list grows
  • ✕Automation less powerful than ActiveCampaign
  • ✕Email deliverability behind Klaviyo
ActiveCampaign logo

ActiveCampaign

4.64.6 out of 5 stars

Advanced email automation and CRM for businesses that take marketing seriously.

Freefrom $15/mo
Overall4.6
Ease of use4.1
Value for money4.2
Features4.8
Support4.5

✓Pros

  • ✓Best-in-class automation builder
  • ✓Built-in CRM with deal pipelines
  • ✓Excellent deliverability rates
  • ✓Deep personalisation and segmentation

✕Cons

  • ✕Steeper learning curve than Mailchimp
  • ✕More expensive at scale
  • ✕Interface can feel complex for beginners

Our verdict

Which should you choose?

Choose Mailchimp if you're starting out or sending simple campaigns. Choose ActiveCampaign when your email sequences become complex or you need CRM integration.

Ratings are the WebsiteToolReviews editorial scores shown on each review. All comparisons →