ActiveCampaign vs Nutshell CRM: Which CRM Tool Wins in 2025?

by | Last updated Feb 28, 2025

Winner
ActiveCampaign logo
9.0
Runner Up
Nutshell CRM
8.0
Fahim AI 4 2 21

Picking the right CRM is tough, right?

You need to keep track of customers, emails, and deals. But, which one?

ActiveCampaign vs Nutshell- it’s a real head-scratcher.

Good news!

We’re breaking down ActiveCampaign vs Nutshell to see which CRM wins in 2025.

We’ll look at what each one does, how easy they are to use, and which might be best for you. Let’s find the CRM that helps you win!

Overview

To give you the best comparison, we dove deep.

We used ActiveCampaign and Nutshell CRM for weeks, testing their features, ease of use, and ability to handle real-world sales and marketing tasks. 

This hands-on experience led to our detailed analysis.

ActiveCampaign

Ready to explore the power of ActiveCampaign? Sign up for free Now!

9out of 10

Pricing: It has a free plan. The premium plan starts at $15/month.

Key Features:

Nutshell CRM CTA

Ready to simplify your sales process? Nutshell CRM, known for its ease of use.

7out of 10

Pricing: It has a free plan. The premium plan starts at $13/month.

Key Features:

  • Sales Reporting
  • Lead Tracking
  • Pipeline Management

What is ActiveCampaign?

ActiveCampaign? It’s a powerhouse.

Think marketing automation, email, and CRM all in one spot.

Do you want to automate your sales?

This tool can help. It also lets you track customers and makes your marketing smarter.

ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign
9.0

Ready to explore the power of ActiveCampaign? Sign up for free and see how it could transform your marketing and sales efforts!

Key Benefits

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.
Activecampaign-pricing

Pros

  • Easy to use interface.
  • Powerful automation features.
  • Robust CRM capabilities.
  • Excellent deliverability rates.
  • Helpful support resources.

Cons

  • Steeper Learning Curve
  • Can be pricey.
  • Limited design options.

What is Nutshell CRM?

Nutshell CRM? It’s all about keeping your sales pipeline organized.

It’s designed for teams that love detailed reporting.

Its focus on clarity and simplicity makes it easy to track leads and deals.

Nutshell CRM CTA
Nutshell
7.0

Ready to boost your sales? Nutshell users report seeing a 20% increase in closed deals on average.

Key Benefits

  • Streamlined Sales Process: Nutshell emphasizes clear pipeline visualization. It helps you move deals forward.
  • Team Collaboration: Built-in tools support team selling. Everyone stays on the same page.
  • Reporting & Analytics: Gain insights into sales performance. Track key metrics easily.
  • Integration Options: Connect with other business tools. Extend Nutshell’s functionality.
  • Automation Features: Automate repetitive tasks. Save time and boost productivity.

Pricing

Nutshell offers several different pricing tiers. The plans vary based on the features you need and the number of users.

  • Foundation: $13/month
  • Growth: $25/month
  • Pro: $42/month
  • Business: $59/month
  • Enterprise: $79/month
nutshell pricing

Pros

Cons

Feature Comparison

Let’s break down the key features of these two CRMs.

Compare them side by side so you can see where each shines and which might best suit your needs.

CRM Functionality

ActiveCampaign and Nutshell offer solid crm functionality but cater to different needs.

Nutshell focuses primarily on contact management and sales tracking, offering a straightforward approach.

ActiveCampaign, on the other hand, is a more robust platform, offering marketing automation and advanced funnel management in addition to core CRM features.

activecampaign integrated ai new

Email Deliverability

Email deliverability is crucial for any business.

ActiveCampaign is known for its strong email marketing capabilities, including advanced segmentation and automation, significantly impacting deliverability. 

While offering email integration, it doesn’t provide the same level of granular control and automation.

Template and Landing Page

ActiveCampaign offers various template options for emails and landing page creation, allowing for highly customized marketing campaigns.

Nutshell provides basic email templates, but its landing page features are more limited.

If design flexibility is important, ActiveCampaign has the edge.

Contact Management

Both crms offer robust contact management features.

Nutshell’s strength lies in its simplicity and ease of use, making it ideal for smaller teams focused on sales. 

ActiveCampaign, while offering strong contact management, integrates it with its marketing automation, providing a more comprehensive view of customer interactions.

Nutshell CRM Top Benefits

Salesforce Integration

Neither platform offers direct, seamless integration if you need to integrate with Salesforce.

However, both platforms offer API access and other integrations that might facilitate data transfer.

Newsletter and Marketing Automation

ActiveCampaign excels in newsletter creation and marketing automation.

Its advanced features allow for highly targeted campaigns and personalized customer journeys.

Nutshell’s email marketing is more basic, suitable for simple newsletters and follow-ups, but lacks the advanced automation of ActiveCampaign.

Free Trial and Customer Support

Both platforms offer a free trial, allowing you to test their features before committing.

Customer support is also a key consideration. 

ActiveCampaign provides various support channels, including live chat, email, and phone support.

Nutshell also offers responsive support, primarily through email and chat, focusing on providing quick, personalized assistance.

What to Look For When Choosing a CRM Tool?

  • Consider your budget and the features you need. Don’t pay for features you won’t use.
  • Think about your team’s technical skills. Choose a platform that matches their comfort level.
  • Read online reviews from other users. This can give you valuable insights into real-world experiences.
  • Take advantage of free trials. Test out both Keap and Insightly to see which one you prefer.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Both companies offer excellent customer support.
  • Evaluate the mobile experience. If you need to access your CRM on the go, ensure the mobile app meets your needs.
  • Check out the vendor’s track record. How long has it been in business? What is its reputation like?
  • Consider future growth. Choose the Best CRM that can scale with your business as it expands.

Final Verdict (Our Pick)

After thorough testing, we lean toward ActiveCampaign for businesses seeking a comprehensive CRM and marketing automation solution.

While Nutshell excels in simplicity and sales-focused contact management.

ActiveCampaign’s robust features offer greater scalability and include advanced email deliverability.

If your priority is streamlined sales and basic contact management, Nutshell is a solid choice.

But if you want a tool that grows with your marketing needs, ActiveCampaign is our pick.

We spent weeks testing to give you this information so you can make the best choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ActiveCampaign better for email marketing than Nutshell?

Yes, ActiveCampaign is significantly stronger for email marketing. It offers advanced automation, segmentation, and template options, improving email deliverability. Nutshell provides basic email features, but it lacks the depth and sophistication of ActiveCampaign’s marketing tools.

Which CRM is easier to use, ActiveCampaign or Nutshell?

Nutshell is generally considered easier to use, especially for small teams focused on sales. Its interface is straightforward, and its contact management is simple. ActiveCampaign, while powerful, has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive feature set.

Does ActiveCampaign or Nutshell offer a free trial?

ActiveCampaign and Nutshell offer a free trial, allowing you to test their features before committing. This lets you experience their user interfaces and determine which CRM best suits your business needs.

Which CRM is more suitable for a small business?

For small businesses that prioritize sales and simple contact management, Nutshell is a strong choice. However, if a small business also requires robust marketing automation and email capabilities from its CRM, ActiveCampaign is the better option.

Can ActiveCampaign or Nutshell integrate with Salesforce?

Neither ActiveCampaign nor Nutshell offers direct, seamless integration with Salesforce. However, both platforms provide API access, which can be used to build custom integrations or facilitate data transfer between the systems.

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