Choosing the right email marketing platform can feel like picking a favorite child – impossible!
But if automation is your jam, this comparison of ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp in 2024 will make your decision way easier.
We’ll break down the key differences between ActiveCampaign vs Mailchimp & their automation features so you can see which one comes out on top for your needs.
Let’s dive in!
ActiveCampaign vs Mailchimp: Overview
To give you the most accurate comparison, we’ve spent weeks testing both ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp.
We built email sequences, set up automation, and explored all the nooks and crannies of each platform.
Now, we’re sharing our firsthand experience to help you make the right choice.
Boost your email marketing with ActiveCampaign’s powerful automation & advanced segmentation. Enjoy access to 850+ integrations & a built-in CRM nurture leads.
Pricing: It has a free Trial. Paid plan Starts at $15/month
Key Features:
- Visual automation builder
- CRM with lead scoring
- Advanced segmentation
Start your email marketing journey with Mailchimp. Its free plan and user-friendly interface make it easy to create and send beautiful emails, even with zero experience.
Pricing: It has a free plan. Paid plan Starts at $20/month
Key Features:
- Pre-built automation templates
- Creative Assistant
- Website builder
What is ActiveCampaign?
Have you ever wished your email marketing could run on autopilot? That’s where ActiveCampaign shines.
It’s more than just email blasts – think powerful automation that helps you nurture leads and build real relationships.
Imagine sending of the right message at the perfect moment without lifting a finger. Pretty cool, right? That’s ActiveCampaign in a nutshell.
Level up your email marketing. ActiveCampaign’s automation and segmentation empower you to personalize customer journeys and boost conversions.
Key Benefits
- Visual automation builder: No coding needed! Design complex workflows with easy drag-and-drop tools.
- Advanced segmentation: Go beyond basic lists—target contacts based on behavior, interests, and more.
- Built-in CRM: Organize your contacts, track interactions, and score leads for better follow-up.
- Over 850+ integrations: Connect with your favorite tools and streamline your workflow.
- Personalized email marketing: Send emails that feel like a one-on-one conversation.
Pricing
ActiveCampaign offers you a tiered pricing based on the number of contacts and features you need.
- Starter: Starts at $15/month for 10x Email sends, 1 User, Multi-step marketing automation.
- Plus: Starts at $49/month for 10x Email sends 1 User, Multi-step marketing automation, Automation triggers & actions.
- Pro: Starts at $79/month for 12x Email sends, 3 Users, Multi-step marketing automation, and Unlimited actions.
- Enterprise: Starts at $145/month for 15x Email sends, 5 Users, Multi-step marketing automation, Email campaigns & newsletters.
Pros
Cons
What is Mailchimp?
Need to send out a quick email newsletter? Mailchimp’s got you covered.
It’s known for its user-friendly design and helpful guides, making it perfect for beginners.
But don’t let the simplicity fool you – Mailchimp offers powerful features to help you to grow your audience and your business.
Think beautiful email templates, helpful automation, and even a website builder, all in one place!
Grow your audience with Mailchimp. Enjoy easy-to-use tools, stylish templates, and helpful resources to create effective email campaigns, even on a free plan.
Key Benefits
- Beginner-friendly interface: Easy to navigate, even for those who are new to email marketing.
- Free plan available: Perfect for getting started and testing the waters.
- Creative Assistant: Generate eye-catching visuals for your emails and landing pages.
- Pre-built automation templates: Automate common tasks like welcome emails and abandoned cart reminders.
- Comprehensive resources: Access tutorials, guides, and support to help you succeed.
Pricing
Mailchimp offers a forever-free plan with limited features & a variety of paid plans to suit their different needs.
- Free: $0 per month, Email support for first 30 days, Limited reporting & analytics.
- Essentials: Starting at $13/month, 24/7 Email & chat support, Limited reporting & analytics.
- Standard: Starting at $13/month, 24/7 Email & chat support.
- Premium Starting at $13/month, Phone & priority support.
Pros
Cons
ActiveCampaign vs Mailchimp: Feature Comparison
Let’s dive deep into the features that make these email marketing platforms tick.
We’ll compare ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp side-by-side across seven key areas, giving you a clear picture of their strengths and weaknesses.
Automation
When it comes to marketing automation, ActiveCampaign emerges as the clear winner.
While Mailchimp offers basic automation with pre-built templates, ActiveCampaign provides a visual workflow editor that allows for complex, highly customized automation.
This means you can create intricate sequences with branching logic, conditional content, and even website tracking, going far beyond the capabilities of Mailchimp.
Segmentation
Effective email marketing campaigns rely on precise segmentation.
Both platforms offer segmentation features, but ActiveCampaign provides more granular control.
You can segment contacts based on a wide array of data, including website behavior, email engagement, lead scores, and more.
This allows for hyper-targeted messaging and personalized experiences that drive better results.
Contact Management
ActiveCampaign boasts a built-in CRM with robust contact management features, allowing you to organize contacts, track interactions, and segment them effectively.
Mailchimp, while offering basic contact management, lacks the depth and sophistication of ActiveCampaign’s CRM.
Email Design and Templates
Both platforms offer a variety of email templates to get you started.
However, ActiveCampaign provides more modern and customizable templates, giving you greater control over the look and feel of your emails.
Mailchimp’s templates, while decent, can feel somewhat limited in comparison.
Landing Pages
Making effective landing pages is crucial for lead generation.
ActiveCampaign offers a powerful landing page builder with advanced features and customization options.
Mailchimp’s landing page builder is more basic, lacking the flexibility and depth of ActiveCampaign’s offering.
Pricing
Mailchimp’s free plan makes it an attractive option for businesses on a tight budget.
However, ActiveCampaign’s advanced features come at a cost. There is no ActiveCampaign Mailchimp free plan available.
You’ll need to weigh your budget and needs when choosing between these email marketing services.
Integrations
ActiveCampaign offers a wider range of integrations, connecting seamlessly with over 850+ apps and services.
This ensures that your email marketing tool can integrate smoothly with your existing tech stack.
While Mailchimp offers a decent number of integrations, it falls short of ActiveCampaign’s extensive library.
Choosing the right email marketing software that can be tricky. If you’re just starting and need a user-friendly platform with Mailchimp’s free plan, Mailchimp is a solid choice.
But if you require powerful marketing automation capabilities and advanced features to scale your business, ActiveCampaign is worth the investment.
Don’t be afraid to explore other email marketing platforms and try a new email marketing platform if you’re still unsure. The perfect fit is out there!
What to Look for When Choosing an Email Marketing Platform?
- Your budget: Free plans, tiered pricing, and feature sets vary widely.
- Your technical skills: Some platforms are more user-friendly than others.
- Your automation needs Basic autoresponders vs. complex workflows.
- Your list size: Pricing often scales with the number of contacts.
- Your integration requirements: Ensure compatibility with your existing tools.
- Your support needs: Consider the level of customer support offered.
- Your design preferences: Evaluate the quality and customizability of templates.
- Your reporting needs: Look for platforms with robust analytics and reporting features.
- Your deliverability needs: Research the platform’s sender reputation and deliverability rates.
- Your specific industry needs: Some platforms cater to particular industries or business types.
- Your growth plans: Consider how your needs may evolve as your business grows.
- Your data security needs: Ensure the platform complies with data privacy regulations.
- Your A/B testing needs: Look for platforms with robust A/B testing capabilities.
Final Verdict (Our Pick)
In this showdown, ActiveCampaign takes the crown. Why?
Because it offers more powerful automation and deeper segmentation than Mailchimp.
This means you can send the right message to the same contact at the perfect time, boosting your results.
ActiveCampaign also has a built-in CRM to organize your contacts and find your best leads.
Mailchimp is still a solid choice, especially if you’re new to email marketing. It’s easy to use and has a free plan.
But if you’re serious about growing your business, ActiveCampaign is the way to go.
As marketers who’ve used tons of popular email marketing services, we recommend ActiveCampaign for anyone who wants power and flexibility.
It’s the best tool to create a truly personalized experience for your audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ActiveCampaign better than Mailchimp?
It depends on your needs. ActiveCampaign offers more powerful automation and segmentation, while Mailchimp is simpler and more affordable.
Can I switch from Mailchimp to ActiveCampaign?
Yes! You can easily import your contacts and data from Mailchimp to ActiveCampaign.
Does ActiveCampaign have a free plan?
No, ActiveCampaign does not offer a free plan. However, they do have a free trial period.
What are some good Mailchimp alternatives?
Besides ActiveCampaign, other Mailchimp alternatives include ConvertKit, GetResponse, and AWeber, each with its strengths.
Which is the most popular email marketing service?
Mailchimp is generally considered the most popular email marketing service due to its user-friendly interface and free plan. However, ActiveCampaign is rapidly gaining popularity, especially among businesses that need advanced automation features.
