Updated 2025-12-23

12 ActiveCampaign Alternatives for Growing Teams

ActiveCampaign is the automation powerhouse. But the learning curve is steep and pricing climbs fast. Here are simpler options.

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TL;DR

Quick answer: For SaaS with AI, Sequenzy ($49/mo for 10k). For simpler automation, Brevo or MailerLite. For e-commerce, Klaviyo. For CRM-focused, HubSpot. ActiveCampaign is still best if you need the most powerful automation builder.

12 Best ActiveCampaign Alternatives

Our Pick for SaaS Companies
#1
Sequenzy

AI-powered email for SaaS with native Stripe integration. Much simpler than ActiveCampaign, and the AI writes your sequences for you.

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Best for
SaaS founders who want AI + simplicity
Pricing
$49/month for 10,000 subscribers

Pros

  • AI generates email sequences automatically
  • Native Stripe integration
  • Marketing + transactional in one
  • Much simpler than ActiveCampaign
  • Direct founder support

Cons

  • Automation not as powerful
  • No CRM features
  • No SMS support
  • Newer platform
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#2
Brevo

Budget-friendly automation with unlimited contacts. Pay per email instead of per contact. Good automation without the complexity.

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Best for
Budget-conscious teams
Pricing
$25/mo for unlimited contacts

Pros

  • Unlimited contacts
  • SMS and chat included
  • Decent automation builder
  • Transactional included
  • Actually affordable

Cons

  • Automation less powerful than ActiveCampaign
  • Interface feels dated
  • Pay-per-email can add up
  • Support can be slow
#3
MailerLite

Simple, affordable email with decent automation. Great for small businesses who don't need ActiveCampaign's complexity.

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Best for
Small businesses wanting simplicity
Pricing
$50/month for 10,000 subscribers

Pros

  • Very easy to use
  • Landing pages included
  • Good automation for the price
  • Generous free tier
  • Website builder included

Cons

  • Automation much simpler than ActiveCampaign
  • No CRM features
  • Advanced features limited
  • Deliverability reviews mixed
#4
HubSpot

The all-in-one marketing platform with CRM. More expensive than ActiveCampaign but includes everything from email to CRM to landing pages.

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Best for
Teams wanting full marketing suite + CRM
Pricing
$800+/mo for Marketing Hub Professional

Pros

  • Complete marketing + sales platform
  • Excellent CRM included
  • Great reporting and analytics
  • Strong brand recognition
  • Lots of training resources

Cons

  • Much more expensive than ActiveCampaign
  • Can be overkill for email-only needs
  • Complexity rivals ActiveCampaign
  • Pricing tiers are confusing
#5
Klaviyo

E-commerce email powerhouse. If you're on Shopify, Klaviyo's e-commerce features beat ActiveCampaign. Not for non-e-commerce.

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Best for
E-commerce stores, especially Shopify
Pricing
$150+/month for 10,000 profiles

Pros

  • Best Shopify integration
  • Product recommendations
  • Abandoned cart flows
  • SMS included
  • E-commerce-specific automation

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Only makes sense for e-commerce
  • No CRM like ActiveCampaign
  • Learning curve for non-e-commerce
#6
Drip

E-commerce automation that's simpler than ActiveCampaign. Good visual workflows, reasonable pricing for smaller stores.

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Best for
Small e-commerce stores
Pricing
$39/month for 2,500 contacts

Pros

  • Good visual workflow builder
  • E-commerce focused
  • Revenue attribution
  • Easier than ActiveCampaign
  • Good segmentation

Cons

  • Less powerful than ActiveCampaign
  • No SMS
  • No CRM
  • Fewer integrations
#7
Customer.io

Behavioral automation for PLG companies. More developer-focused than ActiveCampaign, with multi-channel support.

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Best for
PLG companies with complex user journeys
Pricing
$100/month for 5,000 profiles

Pros

  • Powerful behavioral triggers
  • Multi-channel (email, push, SMS, in-app)
  • Built for product-led growth
  • Good API
  • Transactional included

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Complex setup
  • No CRM like ActiveCampaign
  • Steep learning curve
#8
Mailchimp

The one everyone knows. Simpler than ActiveCampaign but less powerful. Good if you need something familiar with landing pages.

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Best for
People who want familiar + simple
Pricing
$110-135/mo for 10,000 contacts

Pros

  • Everyone knows how to use it
  • Landing pages included
  • Website builder included
  • Tons of integrations
  • Good templates

Cons

  • Automation much weaker than ActiveCampaign
  • Expensive for what you get
  • Counts unsubscribed contacts
  • No CRM
#9
Loops

Modern SaaS email platform. Much simpler than ActiveCampaign, built specifically for software companies.

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Best for
SaaS teams wanting simplicity
Pricing
$49/mo for 5k, roughly $99/mo for 10k

Pros

  • Clean, modern interface
  • Built for SaaS
  • Transactional + marketing
  • Good deliverability
  • Simple pricing

Cons

  • Automation basic compared to ActiveCampaign
  • No CRM
  • No AI content generation
  • Smaller company
#10
GetResponse

Full marketing suite with automation, landing pages, and webinars. Good mid-market option between simple tools and ActiveCampaign complexity.

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Best for
Teams needing webinars + automation
Pricing
$69/month for 10,000 contacts

Pros

  • Webinar hosting included
  • Landing page builder
  • Decent automation builder
  • Conversion funnels
  • Good value for features

Cons

  • Automation not as powerful as ActiveCampaign
  • No CRM features
  • Interface can feel cluttered
  • SMS costs extra
#11
ConvertKit

Creator-focused email with visual automation. Simpler than ActiveCampaign, built for creators rather than marketers.

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Best for
Creators and course sellers
Pricing
$119/month for 10,000 subscribers

Pros

  • Visual automation builder
  • Landing pages included
  • Sell digital products
  • Creator community
  • Free migration help

Cons

  • Not for B2B or marketing teams
  • No CRM
  • Limited compared to ActiveCampaign
  • Recent price increase
#12
Omnisend

E-commerce automation with SMS. Good Shopify integration and reasonable pricing. Simpler than ActiveCampaign for e-commerce.

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Best for
E-commerce stores
Pricing
$59/month for 6,000 contacts

Pros

  • Strong e-commerce integrations
  • SMS and push included
  • Pre-built e-commerce automations
  • Lower price than ActiveCampaign
  • Generous free tier

Cons

  • Only for e-commerce
  • No CRM features
  • Automation less flexible
  • Reporting less sophisticated

Why Consider Alternatives to ActiveCampaign

The learning curve is steep

ActiveCampaign's power comes with complexity. It can take weeks to fully learn the platform. If you don't need advanced automation, simpler tools get you results faster.

Pricing climbs quickly

ActiveCampaign starts affordable but scales fast. At 10k contacts, you're paying $79+/month. At 50k, it's $200+. Alternatives like Brevo offer unlimited contacts for $25/month.

You might not need the power

Most businesses use 20% of ActiveCampaign's features. If you're sending newsletters and basic automations, simpler tools do the job without the complexity.

Recent pricing changes

ActiveCampaign restructured pricing in 2024, affecting many legacy accounts. Some users saw significant price increases, prompting a search for alternatives.

Feature Comparison

FeatureActiveCampaignSequenzyBrevoMailerLiteHubSpotCustomer.ioLoops
Price at 10k
$79+
$49
$25+
$50
$800+
$150+
$99
Automation power
Best
Good
Good
Basic
Good
Good
Basic
CRM included
Basic
Best
Learning curve
Steep
Easy
Easy
Easy
Medium
Steep
Easy
AI content
Transactional

When to Use Each Platform

Choose Sequenzy if...
  • You want AI to write your email sequences
  • You run a SaaS and use Stripe
  • You prefer simplicity over power
  • You need transactional + marketing together
Choose Stay with ActiveCampaign if...
  • You need the most powerful automation available
  • CRM integration is essential
  • You've already invested in learning the platform
  • Complex conditional logic is required
Choose Brevo if...
  • Budget is your primary concern
  • You want unlimited contacts
  • Good enough automation is fine
  • You need SMS alongside email
Choose MailerLite if...
  • You want the simplest option
  • Landing pages matter to you
  • You're a small business or creator
  • Basic automation covers your needs
Choose HubSpot if...
  • You need a full marketing + sales platform
  • CRM is as important as email
  • Budget isn't a constraint
  • You want everything in one place

Honest take: Is ActiveCampaign too complex for you?

ActiveCampaign deserves its reputation. The automation builder is genuinely the most powerful available. You can create workflows with complex conditional logic, integrate with your CRM, and automate almost anything.

But power comes with complexity. Here's when simpler alternatives make sense:

If you want AI to help: Sequenzy

ActiveCampaign expects you to build everything manually. Sequenzy takes a different approach - describe what you want ("a 5-email onboarding sequence for a project management SaaS") and AI generates it. You edit and polish, but you're not starting from scratch.

At $49/month for 10k subscribers with native Stripe integration, it's also cheaper and simpler.

If budget is tight: Brevo

Brevo offers unlimited contacts for $25/month. The automation isn't as powerful as ActiveCampaign, but it covers the basics well. SMS and transactional are included, making it a good all-rounder for cost-conscious teams.

If you want the simplest option: MailerLite

MailerLite is what email marketing looks like without the complexity. Easy to use, affordable ($50/mo for 10k), and includes landing pages. The automation is basic, but if you're sending newsletters and simple sequences, that's fine.

If you need full marketing + CRM: HubSpot

HubSpot is more expensive than ActiveCampaign ($800+/month for Professional), but it's a complete marketing and sales platform. If you need CRM, landing pages, email, and analytics in one place, HubSpot consolidates everything.

The pricing comparison

At 10,000 contacts:

  • ActiveCampaign: $79/month (Plus plan)
  • Sequenzy: $49/month (AI + Stripe included)
  • Brevo: $25+/month (unlimited contacts)
  • MailerLite: $50/month
  • Loops: roughly $99/month
  • HubSpot: $800+/month (Professional)

When ActiveCampaign is still the right choice

Stick with ActiveCampaign if:

  • You need complex conditional automation logic
  • CRM integration is essential to your workflow
  • You've already invested time learning the platform
  • You genuinely use the advanced features

Don't switch just to save money if you'll lose capabilities you actually use. But if you're paying for power you never touch, simpler alternatives make sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

MailerLite for simplicity ($50/mo for 10k). Brevo for budget ($25/mo unlimited contacts). Both are much easier to use than ActiveCampaign with good automation for basic needs.

Yes, if you need complex conditional automation, CRM integration, and advanced workflows. No, if you're just sending newsletters and basic sequences. Most businesses use 20% of the features.

ActiveCampaign has better automation at a lower price. HubSpot has a better CRM and full marketing suite. Choose ActiveCampaign for email-focused automation, HubSpot for full marketing + sales platform.

Brevo: $25/mo unlimited contacts. MailerLite: $50/mo for 10k. Sequenzy: $49/mo for 10k with AI. All significantly cheaper than ActiveCampaign's $79+ for 10k contacts.

ActiveCampaign offers a 14-day free trial with 100 contacts and 100 emails. No permanent free plan. Alternatives like MailerLite (1,000 subs free) and Brevo (300 emails/day free) offer free tiers.

ActiveCampaign has much better automation. Mailchimp is simpler and more familiar. ActiveCampaign is better for complex workflows; Mailchimp for simple newsletters and landing pages.

HubSpot has the best CRM (but expensive). Brevo has basic CRM. Most alternatives focus on email without full CRM. If CRM is essential, HubSpot or staying with ActiveCampaign makes sense.

Contact export is straightforward. Automations need to be recreated manually in the new platform. Complex automations can take time to rebuild. Budget 1-2 weeks for full migration.

Klaviyo for e-commerce, especially Shopify. ActiveCampaign for general automation and CRM. Klaviyo has better product recommendations and abandoned cart flows. ActiveCampaign has better general automation.

MailerLite is the easiest to use. Loops is modern and simple for SaaS. Sequenzy uses AI to generate sequences, reducing manual work. All are significantly easier than ActiveCampaign.

Ready to try Sequenzy?

Start your free trial today. AI-generated sequences, Stripe integration, and direct founder support included.

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Sequenzy - Complete Pricing Guide

Pricing Model

Sequenzy uses subscriber-based pricing. You only pay for subscribers active in sequences (automations). Inactive subscribers are free to store.

All Pricing Tiers

  • 0-100 subscribers: Free (Free annually) - 2k emails/month
  • 101-1,000 subscribers: $19/month ($205/year annually) - 20k emails/month
  • 1,001-5,000 subscribers: $29/month ($313/year annually) - 125k emails/month
  • 5,001-10,000 subscribers: $49/month ($529/year annually) - 300k emails/month
  • 10,001-25,000 subscribers: $99/month ($1069/year annually) - 875k emails/month
  • 25,001-50,000 subscribers: $199/month ($2149/year annually) - 2M emails/month
  • 50,001-100,000 subscribers: $349/month ($3769/year annually) - 4.5M emails/month
  • 100,000+ subscribers: Custom pricing (Custom annually) - Unlimited emails/month

Yearly billing: All plans offer a 10% discount when billed annually.

Free Plan Features (0-100 subscribers)

  • Up to 100 subscribers in sequences
  • 2,000 emails/month
  • Email campaigns
  • Email sequences
  • Advanced analytics
  • Advanced segments
  • Stripe integration
  • API access
  • "Built by Sequenzy" branding

Paid Plan Features (1,000 - 100,000 subscribers)

  • Subscribers in sequences
  • Monthly email quota
  • Email campaigns
  • Email sequences
  • Advanced analytics
  • Advanced segments
  • Stripe integration (Segment by LTV & MRR)
  • API access
  • Priority support
  • No branding

Enterprise Plan Features (100,000+ subscribers)

  • Unlimited subscribers
  • Unlimited emails
  • Advanced analytics
  • Advanced segments
  • Stripe integration
  • Dedicated support
  • Custom integrations
  • SLA guarantee
  • No branding

Important Pricing Notes

  • You only pay for subscribers who are active in automations/sequences
  • Storing inactive subscribers is free
  • No hidden fees - all features included in the price
  • No credit card required for free tier

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