ActiveCampaign vs ConvertKit: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right email marketing tool for your needs.

Our Pick: ConvertKit (by a slight margin)

ConvertKit edges out with a slightly higher rating (8.5 vs 8)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
A
ActiveCampaign
C
ConvertKit(Winner)
Overall Rating
8/10
8.5/10
Starting Price
$29/mo
$9/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
small
solo
Ease of Use
7/10
9/10
Features
9/10
8/10
Value for Money
8/10
8/10
Support
8/10
9/10

Overview

A

ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign combines email marketing, automation, and CRM in one platform. Known for powerful automation capabilities and reasonable pricing.

C

ConvertKit

ConvertKit is built specifically for creators, bloggers, and online course sellers. Focuses on simplicity, powerful automations, and subscriber-centric design.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: ConvertKit
A

ActiveCampaign

Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$29/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
C

ConvertKit

Better Value
Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting Price$9/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

FeatureActiveCampaignConvertKit
Automation
Templates
Text-focused
Segmentation
Ab Testing
Landing Pages
Transactional Emails
Add-on
Ecommerce Features
Basic
Form Builder
Free Subscribers
0
1000
Emails Per Month
10x contacts
Unlimited

0

features unique to ActiveCampaign

0

features unique to ConvertKit

Pros & Cons

A

ActiveCampaign

Pros

  • Powerful automation builder
  • Built-in CRM features
  • Great deliverability rates
  • Conditional content in emails
  • Site tracking included

Cons

  • Learning curve for automation
  • No free tier
  • Can feel overwhelming
  • Reporting could be better
C

ConvertKit

Pros

  • Built for creators (bloggers, YouTubers)
  • Visual automation builder
  • Tag-based subscriber management
  • Free tier for 1,000 subscribers
  • Great deliverability

Cons

  • Limited email design options
  • No traditional templates
  • Basic reporting
  • Less suitable for e-commerce

The Verdict: ConvertKit Edges Out

This was a close comparison, but ConvertKit edges out ActiveCampaign with a slightly higher overall rating of 8.5/10 versus 8/10. Both are solid choices, but ConvertKit offers a marginally better overall package.

ConvertKit's advantages include Built for creators (bloggers, YouTubers) and Visual automation builder, though ActiveCampaign counters with Powerful automation builder and Built-in CRM features.

Our recommendation: We give the slight edge to ConvertKit, but don't count out ActiveCampaign if its specific strengths align better with your needs.

Choose ActiveCampaign if you...

  • • Need b2b companies
  • • Need teams needing email + crm
  • • Need complex automation workflows

Choose ConvertKit if you...

  • • Need bloggers and content creators
  • • Need online course sellers
  • • Need newsletter operators

Ready to Get Started?

Try ActiveCampaignTry ConvertKit

Read our full reviews:

ActiveCampaign Full ReviewConvertKit Full Review

* We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit these tools through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or comparisons.

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ActiveCampaign vs ConvertKit FAQ

Based on our evaluation, ConvertKit has a slight edge with an overall rating of 8.5/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Yes, ConvertKit is more affordable with plans starting at $9/month, compared to $29/month for the other.
ConvertKit scores higher in ease of use (9/10) compared to ActiveCampaign (7/10).
Yes, migration between ActiveCampaign and ConvertKit is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
For small teams, ActiveCampaign is specifically designed for this use case. Consider your budget and specific feature needs when choosing.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. ConvertKit offers a free tier which is great for bootstrapped startups.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. ActiveCampaign excels at: B2B companies, Teams needing email + CRM. ConvertKit is better for: Bloggers and content creators, Online course sellers. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
ConvertKit rates higher in customer support (9/10) compared to ActiveCampaign (8/10).
Both tools offer similar value for money, each rated 8/10.
Consider switching if ConvertKit's strengths (Bloggers and content creators) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.