If you pit ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp, which provider reigns supreme?
Choosing between these two platforms isn’t just a matter of preference; it’s a strategic decision that could affect how you engage with your audiences.
In fact, data from Tidio highlights the power of email marketing in today’s digital landscape, with 35% of respondents hailing email marketing as the most effective digital marketing channel in driving sales, followed by social media marketing and landing pages.
Whether you're a seasoned marketer considering a switch or a newcomer piecing together your first campaign, this comparison will help you decide which of the two provider best fits your needs.
What is ActiveCampaign?
ActiveCampaign is a marketing automation platform designed to help businesses streamline their marketing processes, scale their customer interactions, and boost their overall sales efficiency.
It allows users to automate personalized emails and other marketing activities to deliver unique customer experiences and convert leads into revenue effectively. With ActiveCampaign, companies can engage customers across various channels, creating responsive marketing flows that exceed customer expectations.
Key features
- Complex marketing tasks automation
- Integration with over 900 marketing tools
- Handling email, SMS, and cross-channel marketing campaigns
- CRM tools to help manage sales engagement
What is Mailchimp?
Mailchimp, meanwhile, takes pride in being a dynamic email marketing and automation platform that empowers b
usinesses to turn emails into a powerful revenue stream.
Positioned as the top email marketing platform, Mailchimp offers tools that enhance the effectiveness of marketing campaigns through data-driven recommendations to improve open rates, clicks, and sales.
The platform is equipped with automation capabilities that allow users to practice ecommerce email marketing best practices and grow their brand.
Key features
- Use of generative AI to create on-brand content
- Extensive customer segmentation
- Advanced analytics to optimize campaign performance
- Journey Builder, which automates email sequences tailored to customers
ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp: Pricing
Choosing the right platform means selecting an option that fits your budget. Here’s a look at ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp cost:
ActiveCampaign Pricing
ActiveCampaign doesn’t offer a free tier, but you can avail of a free trial for 14 days, which includes 100 contacts and 100 email sends. It’s a good way to try the platform and gauge if it’s for you before committing to a paid tier.
After the trial period, ActiveCampaign pricing starts at $39 per month and up to $323 per month for their highest package. Their most popular plan, Professional, which costs $187 per month offers access to five users and 2,500 marketing contacts. It also offers the features like:
- Predictive Sending AI
- Split Automations
- Website and In Application Messages
- Marketing Attribution Reporting
- Conversions
Mailchimp Pricing
Mailchimp offers a free package, which allows users to easily create email campaigns and learn more about their customers. This free tier, however, is only limited to 1,000 sends.
Meanwhile, paid Mailchimp pricing tiers are priced from $13 to $350 per month, with monthly sends ranging from 5,000 to 150,000. Their Standard plan, tagged by the platform as their plan with the best value, is priced at $20 per month, and offers features like
- Creative Assistant
- Email Scheduling
- Predictive Segmentation
- Advanced Segmentation
- Behavioral Targeting
ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp: Pros and Cons
Both platforms have advantages and disadvantages. Let’s dive deep into each service provider’s key features, usability, and support offerings to better understand which might be the right choice for your marketing needs.
ActiveCampaign Pros
- Advanced Automation. ActiveCampaign offers comprehensive automation capabilities, allowing for complex workflow customizations with triggers based on a wide range of user behaviors and conditions.
- Segmentation and Personalization. Users can leverage deep segmentation to target emails more precisely.
- Sales CRM Integration. The platform has a built-in CRM system that helps align marketing and sales efforts.
ActiveCampaign Cons
- Steep Learning Curve. The wealth of features can be overwhelming for new users, requiring a significant time investment to learn.
- Higher Cost. Generally more expensive than Mailchimp, especially as businesses scale up their contacts.
- No Free Plan. Unlike Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign does not offer a free plan, which might deter small businesses or startups from trying the service initially.
Mailchimp Pros
- User-Friendly Interface. Known for its ease of use, Mailchimp offers a clean, intuitive interface that is ideal for beginners or small businesses.
- Free Plan Available. Offers a robust free plan that is quite generous in terms of features and the number of contacts and emails, making it attractive for smaller operations.
- Content Creation Tools. Includes creative assistant and generative AI tools that help users quickly produce on-brand content, saving time and resources.
Mailchimp Cons
- Limited Automation Capabilities. While improving, Mailchimp's automation features are not as advanced or flexible as ActiveCampaign's.
- Segmentation Limitations. Although it offers basic segmentation, it might lack the depth and flexibility needed by larger businesses or those with more complex marketing strategies.
- Support Restrictions. Customer support can be limited, especially on the free or lower-tier plans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are a few frequently asked questions about the two platforms:
Why is ActiveCampaign better than Mailchimp?
For users who require advanced automation and CRM functionalities, ActiveCampaign might be considered better than Mailchimp due to its robust automation tools and the integrated CRM system. However, for those prioritizing ease of use and a gentle learning curve, especially small businesses and beginners in email marketing, Mailchimp’s intuitive interface and free starter plan make it a better choice.
Who is ActiveCampaign best for?
ActiveCampaign is best suited for medium to large businesses that require sophisticated marketing automation tools and CRM integration. It is ideal for companies looking to automate complex workflows and tailor communications to individual customer behaviors and needs.
Does anyone still use Mailchimp?
Yes, Mailchimp remains widely used, particularly among small to medium-sized businesses. Its user-friendly interface, free plan, and robust template designs make it accessible and popular for those new to email marketing or businesses with straightforward marketing needs.
