ActiveCampaign vs Mailchimp
ActiveCampaign vs Mailchimp is one of the most common comparisons in email marketing, and I've run real campaigns on both platforms. While Mailchimp leads with a 9.1/10 rating, the "better" choice depends heavily on your business model and technical comfort level.
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Quick Answer
Mailchimp beats ActiveCampaign for most users. It scores 9.1/10 vs 8.7/10 and free plan for up to 500 contacts. Choose ActiveCampaign if you need most powerful automation builder.
ActiveCampaign
Advanced automation with built-in CRM
Starting from
$29/mo
Mailchimp
WinnerMost popular email platform with powerful automation
Starting from
$13/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 |
| Starting Price | $29/mo | $13/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Contacts | Starts at 1,000 | 500 (free) |
| Emails per Month | 10x contacts | 1,000 (free) |
| Automation & Testing | ||
| Automation | ||
| A/B Testing | ||
| Segmentation | ||
| Features | ||
| Landing Pages | ||
| Templates | 250+ | 100+ |
| Analytics | ||
| Integrations | 900+ | 300+ |
| API Access | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
ActiveCampaign
- Most powerful automation builder
- Built-in CRM included
- Excellent deliverability rates
- Site and event tracking
- Advanced segmentation
- Great for complex workflows
- No free plan
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
- CRM features require higher tier
Mailchimp
- Free plan for up to 500 contacts
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor
- Extensive template library
- Powerful automation features
- Detailed analytics and reporting
- Integrates with 300+ apps
- Pricing increases quickly with list size
- Limited features on free plan
- Customer support can be slow
Key Difference
The most significant difference is value positioning. Mailchimp offers excellent quality at a lower price point ($0.00/mo), while ActiveCampaign ($29.00/mo) targets users who want premium features and are willing to pay for them.
Which Should You Choose?
ActiveCampaign
Choose ActiveCampaign if you prioritize most powerful automation builder, or value built-in crm included.
Mailchimp
Choose Mailchimp if you prioritize free plan for up to 500 contacts, want to start with a free tier, or value easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, Mailchimp is our winner with a rating of 9.1/10 compared to ActiveCampaign's 8.7/10. Mailchimp stands out for its free plan for up to 500 contacts and easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor. Mailchimp also offers better value at its price point. However, ActiveCampaign remains an excellent choice if most powerful automation builder is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Moving email lists between ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp is doable but plan carefully. Export your subscriber data, recreate your templates, and rebuild automations. Give yourself at least a week for a proper migration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ActiveCampaign better than Mailchimp?
Mailchimp scores higher in our testing (9.1/10 vs 8.7/10). Mailchimp excels at free plan for up to 500 contacts, while ActiveCampaign is better for most powerful automation builder.
Which is cheaper, ActiveCampaign or Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $29.00/mo. Mailchimp offers 100% savings.
ActiveCampaign vs Mailchimp: which should I choose?
Choose ActiveCampaign if you prioritize most powerful automation builder. Choose Mailchimp if you need free plan for up to 500 contacts. Both are solid email marketing options.
What's the main difference between ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp?
The main difference is ActiveCampaign offers advanced automation with built-in crm, while Mailchimp focuses on most popular email platform with powerful automation.