ActiveCampaign vs Drip: Which Is Better in 2026?

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

Too Close to Call

Both tools are closely matched with similar overall ratings

Quick Comparison

Aspect
A
ActiveCampaign
D
Drip
Overall Rating
8/10
8/10
Starting Price
$29/mo
$39/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
small
small
Ease of Use
7/10
8/10
Features
9/10
8/10
Value for Money
8/10
7/10
Support
8/10
8/10

Overview

A

ActiveCampaign

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

D

Drip

Drip is an e-commerce-focused email marketing platform with powerful segmentation and personalization. Known for deep e-commerce integrations and visual workflow builder.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: ActiveCampaign
A

ActiveCampaign

Better Value
Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$29/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
D

Drip

Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$39/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

Winner: ActiveCampaign
FeatureActiveCampaignDrip
Automation
Templates
Segmentation
Ab Testing
Landing Pages
Transactional Emails
Add-on
Ecommerce Features
Form Builder
Free Subscribers
0
0
Emails Per Month
10x contacts
Unlimited

1

features unique to ActiveCampaign

0

features unique to Drip

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
D

Drip

Pros

  • Excellent e-commerce automation
  • Visual workflow builder
  • Deep Shopify integration
  • Good personalization options
  • Revenue attribution

Cons

  • Expensive for small lists
  • No free tier
  • Limited outside e-commerce
  • Fewer templates

The Verdict: It's a Tie

Both ActiveCampaign and Drip are excellent email marketing tools that deliver strong value. With nearly identical overall ratings, the choice between them comes down to your specific requirements rather than one being objectively better.

ActiveCampaign shines in b2b companies, while Drip excels at e-commerce stores. Consider trying both with their free trials to see which fits your workflow better.

Our recommendation: We recommend ActiveCampaign if you prioritize powerful automation builder, and Drip if excellent e-commerce automation matter more to you.

Choose ActiveCampaign if you...

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

Choose Drip if you...

  • • Need e-commerce stores
  • • Need shopify merchants
  • • Need revenue-focused marketing

Ready to Get Started?

Try ActiveCampaignTry Drip

Read our full reviews:

ActiveCampaign Full ReviewDrip 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 Drip FAQ

Both ActiveCampaign and Drip are excellent choices with similar ratings. The better option depends on your specific requirements and preferences.
Yes, ActiveCampaign is more affordable with plans starting at $29/month, compared to $39/month for the other.
Drip scores higher in ease of use (8/10) compared to ActiveCampaign (7/10).
Yes, migration between ActiveCampaign and Drip 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. Both tools require paid plans, so factor pricing into your runway calculations.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. ActiveCampaign excels at: B2B companies, Teams needing email + CRM. Drip is better for: E-commerce stores, Shopify merchants. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Both tools have similar support ratings at 8/10.
ActiveCampaign offers better value for money with a rating of 8/10 compared to Drip's 7/10.
Consider switching if Drip's strengths (E-commerce stores) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.