Mailchimp vs ActiveCampaign
Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign are two of the email marketing tools people compare most — but they're built for different users. Mailchimp starts at $13 USD/mo and is best for beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns, while ActiveCampaign starts at $15 USD/mo and suits businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation.
The main trade-offs: Mailchimp covers more of the features we track (6 of 10 vs 5), Mailchimp is cheaper to start, Mailchimp is easier to learn. They end up closely matched overall, so your best pick depends on which of those matters most to you.
Mailchimp
★★★★★★★★★★4.130,515+ reviews · G2 & CapterraThe most popular email tool, beginner-friendly with a free starter plan.
USD/mo
ActiveCampaign
★★★★★★★★★★4.617,028+ reviews · G2 & CapterraBest-in-class email marketing & automation, with a solid CRM.
USD/mo
Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign are closely matched — your best pick comes down to what you need most.
Key differences
- Mailchimp is cheaper to start ($13 USD/mo vs $15 USD/mo).
- ActiveCampaign is notably stronger on features (9.2 vs 7.4).
- Mailchimp covers more of the tracked features (6 vs 5).
Full comparison
The winning option in each row is highlighted in green.
| Criteria | Mailchimp | ActiveCampaign |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | ★★★★★★★★★★4.1 | ★★★★★★★★★★4.6 |
| Starting price | $13 USD/mo | $15 USD/mo |
| Free trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Integrations | 300+ native integrations | 900+ native integrations |
| Affiliate commission | Varies (partner program) | 20-30% recurring |
| Best for | Beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns | Businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation |
| Ease of use | 8.8 | 7.9 |
| Value for money | 6.9 | 8.2 |
| Features | 7.4 | 9.2 |
| Support | 7.2 | 8.5 |
| CRM | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Email Marketing | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Funnel / Landing Builder | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Automation / Workflow | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| SMS Marketing | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Booking / Scheduling | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Membership / Courses | — No | — 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).
Mailchimp
✅ 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
Mailchimp
- Very easy to start, polished templates
- Free plan for small lists
- Recognized brand with broad integrations
- Gets expensive as your list grows
- Automation is weaker than ActiveCampaign
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 Mailchimp if…
Best for beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns. The friendliest on-ramp to email marketing. Great templates and a free tier, but value erodes as your list grows and advanced automation lags rivals.
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 Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign better?
They're closely matched. Mailchimp is best for beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns, while ActiveCampaign suits businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation.
Which is cheaper, Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign?
Mailchimp is cheaper to start at $13 USD/mo, compared with $15 USD/mo for ActiveCampaign.
Which is easier to use for beginners?
Mailchimp scores higher on ease of use (8.8/10), making it the friendlier choice if you're just getting started.
Can I try Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign before paying?
Mailchimp: 14 days. ActiveCampaign: 14 days. We recommend trialling your top pick before committing.
Which is better value for money, Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign?
ActiveCampaign scores higher on value in our review (8.2/10) — it gives you more for what you pay. Weigh that against the features you'll actually use.
Is Mailchimp still worth it in 2026?
For simple newsletters and beginners, yes. For advanced automation or large lists, cheaper and more powerful options exist.
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
Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign are genuinely close, so you won't go far wrong either way. Lean toward Mailchimp for beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns, or ActiveCampaign for businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation. You can try it free with Mailchimp and try it free with ActiveCampaign, so shortlist both and test them before you commit.
→ See Mailchimp alternatives→ Read the full Mailchimp review