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ActiveCampaign vs Mailchimp

Pricing last verified from each vendor's own site.

Verdict

ActiveCampaign: Starter $15/mo, Plus $49, Pro $79, Enterprise $145 billed yearly for 1,000 contacts. Mailchimp: free plan; Essentials from $13/mo, Standard from $20, Premium from $350.

Factual summary

This is a factual comparison drawn from vendor sites, not a recommendation. Which fits depends on your channels, volume and budget.

ActiveCampaignMailchimp
SummaryEmail marketing and marketing automation platform with CRM and sales automation features.Email marketing platform with automations, audience management and basic CRM features.
Starting priceFrom $15/moFrom $13/mo
Pricing detailsMarketing plans billed yearly for 1,000 contacts: Starter $15/mo, Plus $49/mo, Pro $79/mo, Enterprise $145/mo ("starts at"; prices rise with contacts); free trial; 30-day money-back guaranteeFree plan (limited features); paid plans start at Essentials $13/mo, Standard $20/mo and Premium $350/mo, rising with contacts; 15% off on 10,000+ contacts; 14-day Standard trial; pay-as-you-go email credits also sold; overages apply above contact or send limits
Modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free trialYesYes
Free plan—Yes
Channelsemail, smsemail, sms
Last verified2026-10-302026-10-30

FAQ

What is the difference between ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp?

ActiveCampaign: Starter $15/mo, Plus $49, Pro $79, Enterprise $145 billed yearly for 1,000 contacts. Mailchimp: free plan; Essentials from $13/mo, Standard from $20, Premium from $350.

Which is cheaper, ActiveCampaign or Mailchimp?

Mailchimp has the lower listed entry price ($13 vs $15 per month), but plan limits and billing terms differ.

When should I choose ActiveCampaign over Mailchimp?

Consider ActiveCampaign if: Marketing automation and sales automation are your priority. Consider Mailchimp if: You want a free plan and simple email campaigns.

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