ActiveCampaign vs MailerLite: Which Is Better in 2026?

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

Our Pick: MailerLite (by a slight margin)

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

Quick Comparison

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

M

MailerLite

MailerLite is a user-friendly email marketing tool with excellent value. Offers website builder, landing pages, and automation at competitive prices.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: MailerLite
A

ActiveCampaign

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

MailerLite

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

Features Comparison

FeatureActiveCampaignMailerLite
Automation
Templates
Segmentation
Ab Testing
Landing Pages
Transactional Emails
Add-on
Ecommerce Features
Basic
Form Builder
Free Subscribers
0
1000
Emails Per Month
10x contacts
12,000 free

0

features unique to ActiveCampaign

0

features unique to MailerLite

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

MailerLite

Pros

  • Excellent free tier (1,000 subscribers)
  • Beautiful, simple interface
  • Website builder included
  • Great value for money
  • Easy automation builder

Cons

  • Limited advanced features
  • Approval process for new accounts
  • Fewer integrations
  • Basic reporting

The Verdict: MailerLite Edges Out

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

MailerLite's advantages include Excellent free tier (1,000 subscribers) and Beautiful, simple interface, though ActiveCampaign counters with Powerful automation builder and Built-in CRM features.

Our recommendation: We give the slight edge to MailerLite, 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 MailerLite if you...

  • • Need small businesses on budget
  • • Need content creators
  • • Need those wanting simplicity

Ready to Get Started?

Try ActiveCampaignTry MailerLite

Read our full reviews:

ActiveCampaign Full ReviewMailerLite 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 MailerLite FAQ

Based on our evaluation, MailerLite 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, MailerLite is more affordable with plans starting at $9/month, compared to $29/month for the other.
MailerLite scores higher in ease of use (10/10) compared to ActiveCampaign (7/10).
Yes, migration between ActiveCampaign and MailerLite 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. MailerLite 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. MailerLite is better for: Small businesses on budget, Content creators. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Both tools have similar support ratings at 8/10.
MailerLite offers better value for money with a rating of 10/10 compared to ActiveCampaign's 8/10.
Consider switching if MailerLite's strengths (Small businesses on budget) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.