Kit (ConvertKit) vs ActiveCampaign
Kit (ConvertKit) and ActiveCampaign are two of the email marketing tools people compare most — but they're built for different users. Kit (ConvertKit) has a free plan (paid from $33 USD/mo) and is best for creators, bloggers, newsletter writers and course sellers, while ActiveCampaign starts at $15 USD/mo and suits businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation.
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.
Kit (ConvertKit)
★★★★★★★★★★4.5458+ reviews · G2 & CapterraEmail marketing built for creators, with simple automation and a free tier.
USD/mo
ActiveCampaign
★★★★★★★★★★4.617,028+ reviews · G2 & CapterraBest-in-class email marketing & automation, with a solid CRM.
USD/mo
Kit (ConvertKit) and ActiveCampaign 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 | Kit (ConvertKit) | ActiveCampaign |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | ★★★★★★★★★★4.5 | ★★★★★★★★★★4.6 |
| Starting price | $33 USD/mo | $15 USD/mo |
| Free trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Integrations | 100+ native integrations | 900+ native integrations |
| Affiliate commission | 30% recurring | 20-30% recurring |
| Best for | Creators, bloggers, newsletter writers and course sellers | Businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation |
| Ease of use | 8.9 | 7.9 |
| Value for money | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| Features | 7.8 | 9.2 |
| Support | 8.0 | 8.5 |
| CRM | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Email Marketing | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Funnel / Landing Builder | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Automation / Workflow | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| SMS Marketing | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Booking / Scheduling | — No | — No |
| Membership / Courses | ✓ Yes | — No |
| 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).
Kit (ConvertKit)
✅ Verified from the vendor's pricing page · checked June 2026. View official pricing →
ActiveCampaign
✅ Verified from the vendor's pricing page · checked June 2026. View official pricing →
Pros & cons
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
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
Which one should you pick?
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kit (ConvertKit) or ActiveCampaign better?
They're closely matched. Kit (ConvertKit) is best for creators, bloggers, newsletter writers and course sellers, while ActiveCampaign suits businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation.
Which is cheaper, Kit (ConvertKit) or ActiveCampaign?
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 Kit (ConvertKit) and ActiveCampaign before paying?
Kit (ConvertKit): 14 days. ActiveCampaign: 14 days. We recommend trialling your top pick before committing.
Does Kit (ConvertKit) or ActiveCampaign 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, Kit (ConvertKit) or ActiveCampaign?
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 Kit the same as ConvertKit?
Yes — ConvertKit rebranded to Kit. Same product, focused on creators and newsletter businesses.
Is ActiveCampaign just email?
No — it includes a capable sales CRM and automation, but it isn't a funnel/landing-page builder like GoHighLevel.
The bottom line
Kit (ConvertKit) and ActiveCampaign are genuinely close, so you won't go far wrong either way. Lean toward Kit (ConvertKit) for creators, bloggers, newsletter writers and course sellers, or ActiveCampaign for businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation. You can start free with Kit (ConvertKit) and try it free with ActiveCampaign, so shortlist both and test them before you commit.
→ See Kit (ConvertKit) alternatives→ Read the full Kit (ConvertKit) review