When it comes to email marketing solutions, ActiveCampaign often comes into the spotlight as a reliable choice. However, as your mailing list grows, so can the platform’s costs. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly yet feature-rich solution, we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll compare top ActiveCampaign alternatives to help you find the perfect match for your needs.
Disclaimer: The information in this post is accurate as of November 2025.
TL;DR ActiveCampaign alternatives at a glance
Here’s a quick rundown of the best ActiveCampaign alternatives covered in this post, along with their noteworthy features, limits, and pricing details. Click on each tool to jump to its detailed overview.
| Platform |
Free plan + monthly limits |
Starting price + monthly limits |
Unique features |
| SendPulse |
✅
500 contacts / 15k emails |
$8/mo for
500 contacts / ∞ emails |
Multi-channel automation (email, SMS, chatbots), AI writing assistant, built-in CRM system |
| AWeber |
❌
14-day free trial |
$12.50/mo for
500 contacts / 5k emails |
Canva tools within the template builder, AI-driven content repurposing |
| Kit |
✅
10k contacts |
$33/mo for
1k contacts |
Paid newsletters, direct connection of creator apps |
| Salesforce |
❌
30-day free trial |
$2,000/mo for
15k contacts / 2.5M emails |
AI-powered personalization and automation |
| Drip |
❌
14-day free trial |
$33/mo for
2,5k contacts / ∞ emails |
Campaign revenue metrics, custom and fallback fonts |
| Omnisend |
✅
500 contacts / 500 emails |
$16/mo for
500 contacts / 6k emails |
eCommerce blocks and workflow templates |
| Mailjet |
✅
1k contacts / 6k emails |
$15.30/mo for
∞ contacts / 15k emails |
AI-assisted content creation, real-time collaboration on templates |
| MailerLite |
✅
500 contacts / 12k emails |
$9/mo for
500 contacts / ∞ emails |
Free images, GIFs, and icons, editable email links |
| Flodesk |
✅
limited |
$35/mo for
∞ contacts / ∞ emails |
Reusable styles, Instagram feed integration |
ActiveCampaign features
ActiveCampaign is an autonomous marketing platform that combines multiple communication channels, advanced automations, lots of flexible integrations, and purpose-built AI agents. The platform offers a built-in CRM system to help unify your sales and marketing, the WhatsApp Business API to connect with your audience, and a landing page builder to boost lead generation as well.
Since this post reviews ActiveCampaign competitors specializing in email marketing, let’s explore what the platform offers in this field:
- Diverse email campaigns. Using the platform, you can reach a wider audience with broadcast emails, set up autoresponders and triggered messages based on specific actions or events, and incorporate transactional campaigns for time-sensitive communication.
- Email design and creation. You can use customizable email templates designed to suit various styles and needs. The platform also offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop email builder, allowing you to put the design process in your hands without coding skills.
- AI features. Using the platform, you can give a conversational prompt to generate email content or images. AI can also predict the optimal time for sending your campaign based on past customer behavior and recommend high-impact audience segments.
- Vast segmentation options. Using tags, custom fields, and dynamic content capabilities, you can create different customer groups, personalize your message, and ensure precise targeting.
- Robust analytics. Reports and analytics allow you to analyze your email performance and optimize your next campaign. You can also incorporate split testing if necessary.
These were some email-related features the platform offers. Still, there are quite a few reasons you might decide to look for an alternative to ActiveCampaign.
Reasons to look for an ActiveCampaign alternative
While the platform offers excellent email marketing and automation features, it’s essential to be aware of potential drawbacks. Based on ActiveCampaign’s reviews, we’ve identified some challenges users faced:
- High cost. The platform doesn’t offer a free plan. As your mailing list grows or if you wish to access more features, ActiveCampaign’s cost jumps pretty fast.
- Pricing complexity. Users have sometimes mentioned that ActiveCampaign’s pricing structure is complex, especially when you need to scale.
- Steep learning curve. Some users, especially beginners, have reported navigating the platform as challenging. It may take time for new users to fully harness the platform’s capabilities.
- Limited template design flexibility. While ActiveCampaign provides customizable templates, users have commented on desiring more flexibility in design options. Some customers find that achieving highly unique or specific designs may require additional effort.
- Feature limitations. Some advanced features are exclusive to higher-priced plans. For instance, previewing emails across various clients requires an upgrade. However, even after upgrading, users on the higher-tier plans receive only five monthly previews.
These seem to be solid reasons to consider some ActiveCampaign alternatives, right?
Top ActiveCampaign alternatives to consider
With a focus on email marketing features, here’s our compilation of noteworthy alternatives to ActiveCampaign you can try.
SendPulse
G2: 4.6 ⭐ | Capterra: 4.6 ⭐
SendPulse is one of the top ActiveCampaign competitors, offering an omnichannel marketing approach. The platform combines marketing and transactional emails, chatbots across messaging apps, and SMS campaigns.
Users can craft emails from scratch using the intuitive drag-and-drop template builder. Alternatively, there are over 140 email templates you can customize and personalize to your liking. For instance, you can personalize your emails by addressing recipients by name or communicating in their preferred language. You can also build dynamic emails based on your subscriber’s location, age, or gender and add payment buttons for quick checkout.
Editing an email template in SendPulse
This cost-effective alternative to ActiveCampaign comes equipped with robust automation capabilities as well. Using the Automation tool, you can set up complex, multi-step flows to let your contacts progress down your sales pipeline. There are also automation templates that cover various use cases, from simple registration to a webinar to post-purchase communication and feedback request.
With the built-in AI assistant, you can refine, translate, and create copy for your email campaigns. You can also use the email verifier, dynamic segmentation, and A/B testing tools. On top of that, you can assign categories to your campaigns so that recipients can unsubscribe from specific email types you send rather than from all of them at once.
Key email marketing features of this ActiveCampaign alternative include:
- drag-and-drop and HTML email builders;
- 140+ email templates;
- picture editor within the template builder;
- multi-channel auto-flows;
- built-in spam checker;
- email verifier;
- dynamic segmentation;
- AI content generation tools;
- contact tags and custom variables;
- resend to non-openers;
- A/B testing;
- API, webhooks, and integrations;
- bot-generated activity filtering.
Pricing. SendPulse offers a free plan that includes 500 subscribers and 15,000 email per month. The cheapest paid plan costs $8/month, billed annually, for the same number of contacts and unlimited monthly emails. Alternatively, you can choose the pay-as-you-go option to pay for a specific number of emails you can send throughout the year.
AWeber
G2: 4.2 ⭐ | Capterra: 4.4 ⭐
AWeber is another tool you should consider as a strong alternative to ActiveCampaign. What sets this platform apart is its seamless integration with Canva, allowing you to design eye-catching emails and add a creative touch to them without leaving the platform.
With dynamic content capabilities, AWeber enables you to tailor each email to specific individuals on your mailing list to ensure that your content is highly personalized and relevant. You can set up automated flows based on how a subscriber interacts with your message. Additionally, the platform provides AI tools to help you generate subject lines, brainstorm campaign ideas, transform your blog posts into clear and concise email copy, and more.
Creating a template in AWeber’s email builder
To optimize your email strategy, AWeber includes A/B testing features. You can experiment with concepts, headers, images, and more to determine what resonates best with your audience.
Key email marketing features of this ActiveCampaign alternative include:
- drag-and-drop email builder;
- 500+ email templates;
- AI-powered subject line and copy assistant;
- RSS-triggered and AMP emails;
- dynamic content;
- tagging and segmentation;
- A/B testing;
- paid newsletters.
Pricing. AWeber doesn’t offer a free plan, but you can test its features during 14 days for free. Paid plans vary in the number of subscribers and emails you can send, starting from $12.50/month (billed annually) for 500 subscribers and 5,000 emails.
Kit
G2: 4.4 ⭐ | Capterra: 4.6 ⭐
Kit is a user-friendly platform designed to simplify the email marketing workflow for content creators. With a focus on simplicity and functionality, the platform’s email builder allows users to create engaging emails effortlessly. Besides, Kit offers some customizable templates with a professional aesthetic that align with different content types. Another great feature is the possibility to save your templates to the library for convenient access.
Creating a newsletter in Kit
Allowing users to run paid newsletters, set up tip jars, and sell various digital products, this platform might be a great alternative to ActiveCampaign for those who want to monetize their content. Kit also provides customizable opt-in forms, subscriber tagging, and automation capabilities so that users can efficiently manage their mailing lists, target specific audience segments, and automate email workflows.
Key email marketing features of this ActiveCampaign alternative include:
- customizable email templates;
- broadcast emails;
- audience tags, segments, and engagement scores;
- paid newsletters and subscriptions;
- reusable content snippets;
- RSS campaigns;
- visual automation builder;
- A/B testing;
- API and integrations.
Pricing. Kit has a limited free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers. Paid plans with higher limits and advanced features range from $33/month to $66/month (billed annually).
Salesforce
G2: 4.0 ⭐ | Capterra: 4.4 ⭐
Salesforce’s Email Marketing Platform uses AI-powered automation to let businesses deliver highly personalized experiences at every stage of their campaigns. Since the platform is connected directly to the Salesforce CRM system, it can use existing customer data to tailor each email’s content to customer demographics, past interactions, and behavioral signals.
For non-tech-savvy users or those who want to send a quick email, the platform offers a wide range of pre-made templates that are fully customizable.
Editing email content in the Salesforce email builder; source: MarTech
This ActiveCampaign alternative also includes a strong A/B testing feature that lets you track how your emails are performing in real time. From these tests, you can get clear reports that show what’s working and how you can improve. Besides, Salesforce supports multiple ways of reaching your prospects and customers so that you can manage email, SMS, and messaging apps from a single platform.
Key email marketing features of this ActiveCampaign alternative include:
- drag-and-drop email builder and pre-designed templates;
- AI-powered personalization and copy generation;
- CRM-driven segmentation based on real customer data;
- real-time A/B testing and performance reporting;
- multi-channel messaging (email, SMS, messaging apps);
- automation workflows powered by AI agents;
- advanced audience insights via Salesforce Data Cloud.
Pricing. Salesforce doesn’t offer a free plan, but you can trial the platform for 30 days. The entry plan for Marketing Cloud Engagement (the package that includes email marketing) starts at $2,000/month for one org and includes 2.5M email messages, 15,000 contacts, and AI-powered personalization and automation.
Drip
G2: 4.4 ⭐ | Capterra: 4.4 ⭐
Drip is a powerful marketing platform that enables you to build on-brand emails. With a focus on eCommerce, its point-and-click email builder lets you seamlessly integrate your online store to be able to insert dynamic product-related content blocks directly into your emails. Whether you want to showcase best-selling products to newcomers or send custom links to recover abandoned carts, the platform makes it a breeze.
With over 50 professionally designed eCommerce templates, this ActiveCampaign competitor provides a solid foundation for creating your email campaigns. It enables you to customize every template element — brand logo, colors, fonts, and more — to align it with your brand identity.
Editing elements in Drip’s email builder; source: YouTube
Drip also allows you to run A/B tests, experimenting with up to four email content variations or subject lines simultaneously.
Key email marketing features of this ActiveCampaign alternative include:
- visual, HTML, and text email builders;
- visual workflow builder and pre-made templates;
- 1,000+ Google Fonts for campaigns with fallback options;
- Custom content and Product content blocks;
- dynamic segments;
- A/B testing;
- API access and 80+ integrations.
Pricing. Drip doesn’t offer a free plan, but you can test the service within its 14-day free trial period. The cheapest plan costs $39/month for up to 2,500 contacts on your mailing list and unlimited emails.
Omnisend
G2: 4.6 ⭐ | Capterra: 4.7 ⭐
Omnisend is another compelling alternative to ActiveCampaign for eCommerce businesses, as it incorporates features focusing on marketing automation and sales. The platform provides a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor with pre-made mobile-first templates and interactive components like Product Recommender, Product Listing, Discount Code, etc.
Creating an email template; source: Omnisend
Omnisend lets businesses set up targeted campaigns through segmentation based on visitor behavior and purchase data and launch automated workflows, including abandoned cart emails, welcome series, order confirmation messages, and product recommendations. Besides, you can engage your customers across multiple channels since the platform lets you add SMS and push notifications to your flows.
Key email marketing features of this ActiveCampaign alternative include:
- no-code email builder;
- 250+ pre-designed email templates;
- AI subject line and writing assistant;
- personalization through dynamic fields;
- pre-built workflows and segments;
- email scheduling and auto-resend to non-openers;
- subject line, content, and timing A/B testing.
Pricing. Omnisend offers a free plan for small businesses to reach up to 250 contacts and send up to 500 emails/month. The most affordable plan costs $16/month and lets you send up to 6,000 emails to 500 contacts.
Mailjet
G2: 4.0 ⭐ | Capterra: 4.2 ⭐
Mailjet, now part of the Sinch group, is another ActiveCampaign alternative for businesses looking for effective communication solutions. The platform offers an intuitive email builder that caters to all skill levels and allows users to craft responsive emails in minutes. There is also a range of customizable templates that suit different campaign objectives and an option to employ an AI Template Generator and Assistant to create your campaign in over 21 languages.
Creating an email template with Mailjet
Moreover, you can easily design templates that reflect your brand by using your pre-set brand kit with logos, colors, and fonts. Notably, you can collaborate with teammates directly within the builder, with options to leave comments and lock sections to prevent unwanted changes.
Beyond its core email-building capabilities, Mailjet provides advanced personalization and segmentation tools for targeted email campaigns. With its dynamic sections, you can send a single email that displays differently for each recipient. Besides, the platform provides email validation, A/B testing, and analytics tools.
Key email marketing features of this ActiveCampaign alternative include:
- drag-and-drop, HTML, and MJML builders;
- 100+ pre-designed templates;
- AI-powered email tools;
- saved email sections;
- brand kit;
- personalization and segmentation;
- A/B testing;
- multi-user collaboration;
- API and integrations.
Pricing. Mailjet offers a free plan that includes up to 6,000 emails/month or 200 emails/day to a maximum of 1,000 contacts. The cheapest paid plan lets you send 15,000 without a daily sending limit to unlimited contacts for $15.30/month (billed annually).
MailerLite
G2: 4.6 ⭐ | Capterra: 4.7 ⭐
MailerLite is a great marketing platform, especially for small teams or solopreneurs that have a modest budget or are complete beginners in email marketing. With its user-friendly visual editor, customizable templates, reusable pre-made content blocks, and free image library, you can design a variety of email campaigns. You can also personalize your messages, set up triggered emails, and run A/B tests.
The platform comes with a helpful AI writing assistant that supports up to 30 languages and offers an MCP server to automate some tasks, like sending out campaigns or creating segments, through ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, etc. On top of that, this alternative to ActiveCampaign supports paid newsletter subscriptions, eCommerce integrations, and other monetization options.
Key email marketing features of this ActiveCampaign alternative include:
- drag-and-drop, rich text, and HTML editors;
- 100+ customizable email templates;
- ready-to-use content blocks;
- free images, GIFs, and icons;
- AI text generator;
- automation builder with templates;
- segmentation, tags, and custom variables;
- paid newsletters;
- multivariate testing.
Pricing. MailerLite offers a free plan with 500 subscribers and 12,000 monthly emails. Paid plans start from $9/month (billed annually) for the same number of subscribers and unlimited monthly emails.
Flodesk
G2: 4.5 ⭐ | Capterra: 4.4 ⭐
Flodesk is a dedicated email marketing solution known for its unique email designs and minimalist aesthetics with true small-business value. The platform includes an easy-to-use email builder, signup forms, subscriber management tools, and flexible automations to create a cohesive customer experience from send to sale.
Thanks to the eCommerce block, your email becomes a virtual storefront that showcases up to nine products in a one-, two-, or three-column layout. The products you add are shoppable so that you can make sales directly from your emails.
eCommerce block layout options; source: Flodesk
For a consistent look and feel, you can save font and button styles to reuse them across all your emails. Besides, this ActiveCampaign alternative seamlessly integrates with Canva, making it easy to import your Canva designs into Flodesk as images and edit them within the builder. You can also include a handwritten signature in your campaign to make it unique, as well as create urgency and fuel FOMO with customizable countdown timers.
Key email marketing features of this ActiveCampaign alternative include:
- visual email and automation builders;
- customizable email templates;
- custom layouts and fonts;
- reusable blocks and styles;
- Canva and Instagram integrations;
- countdown timers, interactive polls, and shoppable products;
- subject line generator.
Pricing. Flodesk offers a limited free plan and a 14-day free trial. Paid plans start from $35/month (billed annually) for unlimited subscribers and emails.
Conclusion
All the ActiveCampaign competitors we’ve reviewed are great tools that offer unique features and pricing models. To choose the right platform, define your marketing goals, consider how much you plan to scale, and determine other priorities. Then test the ActiveCampaign alternative that offers the best package for your needs.
If you need a gentle nudge in one direction, we invite you to try SendPulse, a fully-featured marketing and sales automation platform. You can get started by creating your free account — no credit card information is required!