Picking the right CRM can feel like a headache, right?
You’re looking at ActiveCampaign vs Zoho CRM, and both seem good.
But which one is actually best for your business in 2025?
It’s tough to know where to start.
Don’t worry, we’re here to break it down.
We’ll look at the key differences between ActiveCampaign and Zoho CRM so you can decide which is the best CRM tool for your needs.
Overview
We’ve spent countless hours diving deep into both ActiveCampaign and Zoho CRM, testing their features, workflows, and integrations.
This hands-on experience allows us to provide a real, practical comparison, not just a surface-level review.
Ready to explore the power of ActiveCampaign? Sign up for free Now!
Pricing: It has a free plan. The premium plan starts at $15/month.
Key Features:
- Automation
- Email Marketing
- CRM
Zoho is one of the most powerful CRMs for organizing your customer relationships.
Pricing: It has a free plan. The premium plan starts at $14/month.
Key Features:
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 enables you to keep track of customers and makes your marketing smarter.
Ready to explore the power of ActiveCampaign? Sign up for free and see how it could transform your marketing and sales efforts!
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 Zoho CRM?
Now, let’s switch gears and talk about Zoho CRM.
Zoho offers a comprehensive suite of business tools. Their CRM is part of that ecosystem.
It has features to help you manage your sales, marketing, and customer support.
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Key Benefits
- Feature-rich: Zoho CRM packs a ton of features into its platform. You get sales automation, marketing tools, and even help desk functionality.
- Affordable: Zoho CRM offers a free plan for up to 3 users. Even their paid plans are very competitive.
- Customization options: Tailor Zoho CRM to fit your business needs. You can create custom fields, modules, & workflows.
- Excellent integrations: Zoho CRM integrates with over 500 other apps, including popular tools like Google Workspace and Mailchimp.
- Strong reporting: Get detailed insights into your sales performance with customizable reports and dashboards.
Pricing
Zoho CRM offers you a free plan for up to 3 users with limited features. Their paid plans start at just $10 per user per month, billed annually.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Standard: $14 per user per month.
- Professional: $23 per user per month.
- Enterprise: $40 per user per month.
- Ultimate: $52 per user per month.
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
Let’s dive into the core differences.
We’ll break down key features, highlighting strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which CRM best fits your needs.
Email Marketing and Automation
ActiveCampaign combines email marketing with crm software, offering robust automation. Think complex workflows, segmentation, and tag-based triggers.
It’s designed for deep, personalized campaigns.
Zoho CRM uses automation too, but it’s more focused on streamlining the sales process.
While zoho’s automation is solid, activecampaign’s depth in email and marketing automation is generally seen as superior.
CRM and Sales Management
Zoho CRM shines in crm capabilities and management features. It helps your sales team track and manage leads and customers effectively.
With zoho’s robust sales pipeline and funnel management software, you can visualize and optimize your entire sales process.
Activecampaign also has sales features, however, it is not as robust as zoho’s.
If you’re working heavily within the sales process, Zoho is likely the better choice.
Customization and Flexibility
Both platforms offer customization, but Zoho CRM allows for deeper custom sales and adjustments to specific business needs.
You can customize almost every aspect, from fields to workflows.
Activecampaign uses drag-and-drop interfaces for easier, quicker adjustments.
This means Zoho CRM is better for businesses with very specific needs, while Activecampaign is easier to set up and use.
User Interface and Usability
Activecampaign is known for its user-friendly interface, which makes it easier for SMS to get started.
Zoho CRM, while powerful, can have a steeper learning curve due to its advanced functionalities.
If ease of use is your priority, choose the best for your team’s skill level.
Reporting and Analytics
Zoho CRM provides comprehensive dashboard and reporting tools, offering real-time insights into your sales and customer data.
Activecampaign also provides reports, but Zoho crm offers more granular control, allowing you to predict trends and optimize your strategies.
Integrations and API
Both platforms offer extensive API integrations.
However, zoho’s ecosystem of apps gives it an edge. Zoho CRM may be a better fit if you need to centralize many tools.
Customer Support and User Reviews
Both platforms offer support team access.
However, user reviews often highlight Activecampaign’s responsive support.
When deciding, make sure to read real users’ feedback to find the best fit for your customer experience.
Customer satisfaction is key.
What to Look For When Choosing CRM Software?
- Scalability: Can the CRM grow with your business?
- Integration with Existing Tools: Does it seamlessly connect with the software you already use (e.g., email, marketing automation, accounting)?
- Reporting and Analytics: Can you quickly generate insightful reports to track performance and identify trends?
- User Training and Onboarding: How easy can your team learn and adopt the CRM?
- Industry-Specific Features: Does the CRM offer features tailored to your industry’s needs?
- Automation Capabilities: Can it automate repetitive tasks to save time and improve efficiency?
- Data Migration: How easy is transferring your existing data into the new CRM?
- Customer Reviews and Reputation: What are other users saying about CRM’s rCRM’s reliability and performance?
- Budget and ROI: Does the CRM offer your business a good return on investment?
Final Verdict (Our Pick)
After thorough testing, if your main focus is robust email marketing, deep automation, and a user-friendly interface, ActiveCampaign is our top pick.
It excels at nurturing potential customers and driving engagement.
However, Zoho CRM is the stronger choice if your business heavily relies on a comprehensive sales pipeline and detailed CRM capabilities.
We’ve seen firsthand how each platform performs.
This detailed breakdown should help grow your business by selecting the right tool to close more deals and prioritize your leads and customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for small businesses, ActiveCampaign or Zoho CRM?
For smbs focusing on lead generation and email campaigns, ActiveCampaign is often easier to use. If your small business needs deep crm capabilities and sales pipeline management, Zoho CRM provides more robust tools. Choose the best based on your specific needs.
Can ActiveCampaign and Zoho CRM integrate with other tools?
Yes, both crm software solutions offer extensive integrations. Zoho CRM has a broader ecosystem of apps, while ActiveCampaign connects with popular third-party tools via api. Check if your existing tools are compatible to help you stay connected.
How does ActiveCampaign handle email marketing compared to Zoho CRM?
Activecampaign excels in email marketing with advanced segmentation, automation, and tag-based triggers. Zoho CRM offers email marketing, but it’s more integrated with its sales process features. Compare ActiveCampaign vs Zoho to see which fits your target audience.
Is Zoho CRM more customizable than ActiveCampaign?
Yes, Zoho CRM generally offers deeper customization for specific business needs. You can tailor fields, workflows, and modules extensively. Activecampaign provides easier, drag-and-drop customization, making it more user friendly for quick setups.
Which platform offers better customer support?
User reviews often highlight Activecampaign’s responsive support team. However, both platforms offer support resources, including documentation and help centers. Consider your preferred support style when deciding which platform best fits your needs.
