ActiveCampaign
Marketing automation for growing businesses
Mailchimp
All-in-one marketing platform
ActiveCampaign vs Mailchimp Comparison
Compare ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp side-by-side — pricing, features, scores, and which one is right for you.
The bottom line
ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp are both strong contenders in the email marketing space, but they serve different needs. ActiveCampaign edges ahead with an overall score of 85/100 compared to Mailchimp's 78/100. Mailchimp is easier to get started with (9/10 for ease of use vs 7/10). On pricing, Mailchimp offers a free tier while ActiveCampaign requires a paid plan from $29/mo. ActiveCampaign rates higher for value for money (8/10 vs 6/10), making it a better pick if budget is a concern.
At a glance
| ActiveCampaign | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 85/100 | 78/100 |
| Starting price | $29/mo | $13/mo |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Best for | Marketing automation for growing businesses | All-in-one marketing platform |
Pricing comparison
ActiveCampaign
No free tier
Starter$29/mo
Plus$49/mo
Pro$149/mo
Pricing verified 2026-03-16
Mailchimp
Free tier available
FreeFree
Essentials$13/mo
Standard$20/mo
Premium$350/mo
Pricing verified 2026-03-16
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Email builder | Yes | Yes |
| Automation | Yes | Yes |
| A/B testing | Yes | Yes |
| Landing pages | Yes | Yes |
| Signup forms | Yes | Yes |
advanced
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| SMS marketing | Yes | Yes |
| Social posting | No | Yes |
| CRM | Yes | Yes |
| Predictive analytics | Yes | Premium only |
integrations
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Yes | Yes |
| WordPress | Yes | Yes |
| Zapier | Yes | Yes |
| Salesforce | Yes | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
ActiveCampaign
Ease of use7/10
Value for money8/10
Features9/10
Support8/10
Mailchimp
Ease of use9/10
Value for money6/10
Features8/10
Support6/10
Choose ActiveCampaign if...
- You're ready to invest from $29/mo
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Choose Mailchimp if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
