Mailchimp vs ActiveCampaign
Pricing last verified from each vendor's own site.
Verdict
Mailchimp: free plan; Essentials from $13/mo, Standard from $20. ActiveCampaign: Starter $15/mo billed yearly, Plus $49, Pro $79.
- Consider Mailchimp if: You want to start free with simple campaigns.
- Consider ActiveCampaign if: You want deeper automation and CRM features.
Factual summary
- Both are listed under Sales CRMs.
- Lowest listed monthly price: Mailchimp $13, ActiveCampaign $15 (plans and billing terms differ; check each vendor page).
This is a factual comparison drawn from vendor sites, not a recommendation. Which fits depends on your channels, volume and budget.
| Mailchimp | ActiveCampaign | |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Email marketing platform with automations, audience management and basic CRM features. | Email marketing and marketing automation platform with CRM and sales automation features. |
| Starting price | From $13/mo | From $15/mo |
| Pricing details | Free 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 | Marketing 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 guarantee |
| Model | freemium | subscription |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Channels | email, sms | email, sms |
| Last verified | 2026-10-30 | 2026-10-30 |
FAQ
What is the difference between Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign?
Mailchimp: free plan; Essentials from $13/mo, Standard from $20. ActiveCampaign: Starter $15/mo billed yearly, Plus $49, Pro $79.
Which is cheaper, Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign?
Mailchimp has the lower listed entry price ($13 vs $15 per month), but plan limits and billing terms differ.
When should I choose Mailchimp over ActiveCampaign?
Consider Mailchimp if: You want to start free with simple campaigns. Consider ActiveCampaign if: You want deeper automation and CRM features.
More options
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