Pipedrive vs ActiveCampaign: Which is Best for You in 2025?

Choosing the right CRM can feel like trying to navigate a maze blindfolded.

You know you need a system to manage your customer relationships, but with so many options out there, how do you pick the right one?

Two popular contenders often top the list: Pipedrive and ActiveCampaign.

In this post, we’ll break down the key differences between Pipedrive vs ActiveCampaign to help you decide which one is the perfect fit for you.

Pipedrive vs ActiveCampaign: Overview

To give you the most accurate comparison, we’ve spent weeks testing both Pipedrive and ActiveCampaign.

We’ve explored their features, navigated their interfaces, and even built out sample sales funnels and email campaigns to see them in action.

Now, let’s dive into how they stack up!

What is Pipedrive?

Think of Pipedrive as your trusty sidekick for all things sales.

It helps you keep track of deals, nurture leads, and ultimately, close more sales.

It’s super visual, so you can easily see where each deal stands in your pipeline. No more messy spreadsheets or sticky notes!

Key Benefits

Pipedrive is built to help you sell smarter, not harder. Here’s what makes it stand out:

• Visual Pipeline: See exactly where each deal stands in your sales process.
• Activity Reminders: Never let a follow-up slip through the cracks.
• Powerful Reporting: Track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Mobile App: Manage your sales on the go from anywhere.
• Integrations: Connect with over 300 apps to streamline your workflow.

Pricing

Pipedrive offers a range of plans to fit your budget and needs. They have a 14-day free trial, so you could try before you buy!

• Essential: $24/month
• Advanced: $44/month
• Professional: $64/month
• Power: $79/month
• Enterprise: $129/month

What is ActiveCampaign?

ActiveCampaign is like having a whole marketing and sales team rolled into one platform.

It’s known for its powerful automation features that help you nurture leads and close deals.

Think email marketing, automated workflows, and even building landing pages – ActiveCampaign can do it all!

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.

Pipedrive vs ActiveCampaign: Feature Comparison

Now for the head-to-head matchup! Let’s see how Pipedrive and ActiveCampaign compare across key features that are essential for effective customer relationship management (CRM).

Sales Pipeline Management

• Pipedrive: Excels in this area with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface. It’s designed to help sales teams visualize and manage their sales processes efficiently.
• ActiveCampaign: Offers solid pipeline management, but it’s not as visually intuitive as Pipedrive.

Marketing Automation

• Pipedrive: Offers basic automation features, but it’s primarily focused on sales pipeline management and streamlining sales operations.
• ActiveCampaign: A true marketing automation platform with advanced features like email sequences, lead scoring, and website tracking.

Email Marketing

• Pipedrive: Includes basic email marketing tools, but it’s not as robust as dedicated email marketing platforms.
• ActiveCampaign: Provides a full suite of email marketing features, including automation, segmentation, and A/B testing.

CRM and Contact Management

• Pipedrive: Offers a solid CRM tool for managing contacts, tracking customer interactions, and organizing sales activities.
• ActiveCampaign: Includes a CRM as part of its platform, allowing you to manage customer relationships and track customer behavior alongside your marketing efforts.

Integrations

• Pipedrive: Integrates with a wide range of popular business tools, extending its functionality.
• ActiveCampaign also boasts a large library of integrations that connect various marketing, sales, and e-commerce platforms.

Reporting and Analytics

• Pipedrive: Provides detailed reports and insights into your sales performance, helping you identify areas for improvement.
• ActiveCampaign: Offers comprehensive reporting and analytics across both marketing and sales, giving you a holistic view of customer engagement.

Customer Support

• Pipedrive: Offers various support channels, including email, chat, and a knowledge base.
• ActiveCampaign: Provides excellent customer support with multiple options for assistance, including live chat and a comprehensive help center.

What to Look for When Choosing a CRM?

• Your Business Needs: Consider your specific requirements. Do you need a CRM primarily for sales management, or do you require a more comprehensive platform with robust marketing automation?
• Ease of Use: Choose a CRM that’s intuitive and easy to navigate, especially if you have a team with varying levels of technical expertise.
• Scalability: Think about your future growth. Can the CRM accommodate your expanding contact list and evolving needs?
• Integrations: Ensure the CRM integrates seamlessly with your existing business tools and software.
• Customer Support: Look for a CRM provider with responsive and helpful customer support to assist you when needed.
• Budget: Consider your budget and choose a CRM with pricing that aligns with your financial resources.
• Free Trial or Demo: Take advantage of free trials or demos to test the CRM and see if it’s the right fit for your business.

Final Verdict (Our Pick)

Choosing the right CRM software can be tough. Both Pipedrive and ActiveCampaign have a lot to offer.

But for us, Pipedrive takes the crown.

It’s a true all-in-one powerhouse that helps you track customer interactions, manage customer data, and create targeted marketing campaigns.

While ActiveCampaign is great for deal management and sales strategies, Pipedrive simply offers more.

We love its advanced automation, powerful email marketing features, and extensive integration capabilities.

If you’re looking for a CRM that can help you grow your business, Pipedrive is the way to go.

We’ve used it to achieve real results, and we’re confident it can do the same for you!

Frequently Asked Questions