ActiveCampaign vs Kit (ConvertKit)
ActiveCampaign and Kit (ConvertKit) are two of the email marketing tools people compare most — but they're built for different users. ActiveCampaign starts at $15 USD/mo and is best for businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation, while Kit (ConvertKit) has a free plan (paid from $33 USD/mo) and suits creators, bloggers, newsletter writers and course sellers.
The main trade-offs: ActiveCampaign is cheaper to start, Kit (ConvertKit) is easier to learn. They end up closely matched overall, so your best pick depends on which of those matters most to you.
ActiveCampaign
★★★★★★★★★★4.617,028+ reviews · G2 & CapterraBest-in-class email marketing & automation, with a solid CRM.
USD/mo
Kit (ConvertKit)
★★★★★★★★★★4.5458+ reviews · G2 & CapterraEmail marketing built for creators, with simple automation and a free tier.
USD/mo
ActiveCampaign and Kit (ConvertKit) are closely matched — your best pick comes down to what you need most.
Key differences
- ActiveCampaign is cheaper to start ($15 USD/mo vs $33 USD/mo).
- ActiveCampaign is notably stronger on features (9.2 vs 7.8).
Full comparison
The winning option in each row is highlighted in green.
| Criteria | ActiveCampaign | Kit (ConvertKit) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | ★★★★★★★★★★4.6 | ★★★★★★★★★★4.5 |
| Starting price | $15 USD/mo | $33 USD/mo |
| Free trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Integrations | 900+ native integrations | 100+ native integrations |
| Affiliate commission | 20-30% recurring | 30% recurring |
| Best for | Businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation | Creators, bloggers, newsletter writers and course sellers |
| Ease of use | 7.9 | 8.9 |
| Value for money | 8.2 | 8.3 |
| Features | 9.2 | 7.8 |
| Support | 8.5 | 8.0 |
| CRM | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Email Marketing | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Funnel / Landing Builder | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Automation / Workflow | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| SMS Marketing | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Booking / Scheduling | — No | — No |
| Membership / Courses | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Built-in Affiliate Program | — No | — No |
| White-label | — No | — No |
| Mobile App | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Pricing plans
The main paid tiers for each tool (billed annually where applicable).
ActiveCampaign
✅ Verified from the vendor's pricing page · checked June 2026. View official pricing →
Kit (ConvertKit)
✅ Verified from the vendor's pricing page · checked June 2026. View official pricing →
Pros & cons
ActiveCampaign
- The most flexible automation/workflow engine
- Excellent email deliverability and segmentation
- Built-in sales CRM
- No true funnel builder
- Pricing scales up fast with contact count
Kit (ConvertKit)
- Creator-first features (paid newsletters, tip jar)
- Generous free plan up to 10k subscribers
- Simple, visual automation
- Fewer design options than Mailchimp
- Not built for e-commerce-heavy stores
Which one should you pick?
Choose ActiveCampaign if…
Best for businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation. The automation engine to beat. If your growth runs on sophisticated email journeys and segmentation, nothing here is more capable — just watch the per-contact pricing.
Choose Kit (ConvertKit) if…
Best for creators, bloggers, newsletter writers and course sellers. The creator's email tool. Clean automation, a generous free plan and creator-friendly features like paid newsletters make it a top pick for solo audiences.
Frequently asked questions
Is ActiveCampaign or Kit (ConvertKit) better?
They're closely matched. ActiveCampaign is best for businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation, while Kit (ConvertKit) suits creators, bloggers, newsletter writers and course sellers.
Which is cheaper, ActiveCampaign or Kit (ConvertKit)?
ActiveCampaign is cheaper to start at $15 USD/mo, compared with $33 USD/mo for Kit (ConvertKit).
Which is easier to use for beginners?
Kit (ConvertKit) scores higher on ease of use (8.9/10), making it the friendlier choice if you're just getting started.
Can I try ActiveCampaign and Kit (ConvertKit) before paying?
ActiveCampaign: 14 days. Kit (ConvertKit): 14 days. We recommend trialling your top pick before committing.
Does ActiveCampaign or Kit (ConvertKit) have a free plan?
Kit (ConvertKit) has a free plan, making it the lower-risk way to start. The other relies on a time-limited free trial rather than a permanent free tier.
Which is better value for money, ActiveCampaign or Kit (ConvertKit)?
Kit (ConvertKit) scores higher on value in our review (8.3/10) — it gives you more for what you pay. Weigh that against the features you'll actually use.
Is ActiveCampaign just email?
No — it includes a capable sales CRM and automation, but it isn't a funnel/landing-page builder like GoHighLevel.
Is Kit the same as ConvertKit?
Yes — ConvertKit rebranded to Kit. Same product, focused on creators and newsletter businesses.
The bottom line
ActiveCampaign and Kit (ConvertKit) are genuinely close, so you won't go far wrong either way. Lean toward ActiveCampaign for businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation, or Kit (ConvertKit) for creators, bloggers, newsletter writers and course sellers. You can try it free with ActiveCampaign and start free with Kit (ConvertKit), so shortlist both and test them before you commit.
→ See ActiveCampaign alternatives→ Read the full ActiveCampaign review