ActiveCampaign vs Mailchimp: 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
M
Mailchimp
Overall Rating
8/10
8/10
Starting Price
$29/mo
$13/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
small
any
Ease of Use
7/10
9/10
Features
9/10
8/10
Value for Money
8/10
6/10
Support
8/10
7/10

Overview

A

ActiveCampaign

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

M

Mailchimp

Mailchimp is the most popular email marketing platform, offering email campaigns, automation, landing pages, and CRM features. Known for ease of use and generous free tier.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: Mailchimp
A

ActiveCampaign

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

Mailchimp

Better Value
Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting Price$13/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

FeatureActiveCampaignMailchimp
Automation
Templates
Segmentation
Ab Testing
Landing Pages
Transactional Emails
Add-on
Paid add-on
Ecommerce Features
Form Builder
Free Subscribers
0
500
Emails Per Month
10x contacts
10x contacts

0

features unique to ActiveCampaign

0

features unique to Mailchimp

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
M

Mailchimp

Pros

  • Free tier up to 500 contacts
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop builder
  • Huge template library
  • Strong brand recognition
  • All-in-one marketing features

Cons

  • Gets expensive as list grows
  • Limited automation on free plan
  • Support quality varies
  • Pricing changed negatively

The Verdict: It's a Tie

Both ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp 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 Mailchimp excels at small businesses starting email. 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 Mailchimp if free tier up to 500 contacts matter more to you.

Choose ActiveCampaign if you...

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

Choose Mailchimp if you...

  • • Need small businesses starting email
  • • Need beginners needing simplicity
  • • Need those wanting all-in-one platform

Ready to Get Started?

Try ActiveCampaignTry Mailchimp

Read our full reviews:

ActiveCampaign Full ReviewMailchimp 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 Mailchimp FAQ

Both ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp are excellent choices with similar ratings. The better option depends on your specific requirements and preferences.
Yes, Mailchimp is more affordable with plans starting at $13/month, compared to $29/month for the other.
Mailchimp scores higher in ease of use (9/10) compared to ActiveCampaign (7/10).
Yes, migration between ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp 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. Mailchimp 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. Mailchimp is better for: Small businesses starting email, Beginners needing simplicity. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
ActiveCampaign rates higher in customer support (8/10) compared to Mailchimp (7/10).
ActiveCampaign offers better value for money with a rating of 8/10 compared to Mailchimp's 6/10.
Consider switching if Mailchimp's strengths (Small businesses starting email) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.