ActiveCampaign is the automation powerhouse for SMBs. Its visual automation builder is the most capable in its price range, and the included CRM makes it a full sales and marketing platform. ActiveCampaign is the top mid-market automation choice, but teams sometimes look for alternatives when they need a more integrated CRM or a simpler interface for less technical marketers.
Below we compare the 5 best ActiveCampaign alternatives on pricing, G2 user ratings, and the specific use cases where each one outperforms ActiveCampaign.
Top ActiveCampaign alternatives compared
#1 HubSpot
★★★★½ 4.4/5 on G2 · Free; paid from $15/mo
HubSpot combines CRM, marketing automation, email, and sales tools in one platform. The free CRM is genuinely useful; the Marketing Hub Professional tier at $800/mo unlocks real automation.
- Generous free CRM tier
- All-in-one platform
- Strong integration ecosystem
#2 Mailchimp
★★★★☆ 4.3/5 on G2 · Free; paid from $13/mo
Mailchimp is the most recognized email marketing platform. It is easy to start with a free plan, but its automation is less sophisticated than ActiveCampaign or Klaviyo for complex workflows.
- Easy to use
- Strong template library
- Good deliverability
#3 Brevo
★★★★½ 4.5/5 on G2 · Free; paid from $25/mo
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) offers one of the best free email marketing tiers; 300 emails/day with no contact limit. Paid plans add automation, SMS, and transactional email at budget-friendly prices.
- Generous free tier (300 emails/day)
- Affordable transactional email
- SMS included
#4 Kit (ConvertKit)
★★★★½ 4.4/5 on G2 · Free up to 1,000 subscribers; paid from $25/mo
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is designed for creators, newsletter writers, and solopreneurs. Its subscriber tagging, automation, and paid newsletter features are optimized for content-driven businesses.
- Built for creator monetization
- Clean subscriber tagging
- Strong community
#5 Adobe Marketo Engage
★★★★☆ 4.1/5 on G2 · Custom (typically $36,000+/yr)
Marketo Engage (now Adobe) is the enterprise marketing automation standard for large B2B organizations. It handles complex lead management, scoring, and nurturing workflows that HubSpot can't match at scale.
- Most powerful B2B marketing automation
- Deep Salesforce integration
- Handles complex enterprise workflows
Quick comparison table
| Tool | Starting price | G2 rating |
|---|---|---|
| ActiveCampaign (original) | From $29/mo | 4.5/5 |
| HubSpot | Free; paid from $15/mo | 4.4/5 |
| Mailchimp | Free; paid from $13/mo | 4.3/5 |
| Brevo | Free; paid from $25/mo | 4.5/5 |
| Kit (ConvertKit) | Free up to 1,000 subscribers; paid from $25/mo | 4.4/5 |
| Adobe Marketo Engage | Custom (typically $36,000+/yr) | 4.1/5 |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best ActiveCampaign alternatives?
The top ActiveCampaign alternatives in 2026 are: HubSpot, Mailchimp, Brevo, Kit (ConvertKit). Each serves a different core use case; see the full comparison above for a breakdown by pricing and fit.
Is there a free alternative to ActiveCampaign?
Yes; HubSpot offers a free tier (Free; paid from $15/mo). HubSpot combines CRM, marketing automation, email, and sales tools in one platform.
Why do teams switch from ActiveCampaign?
ActiveCampaign is the top mid-market automation choice, but teams sometimes look for alternatives when they need a more integrated CRM or a simpler interface for less technical marketers.