ActiveCampaign vs Mailchimp2026
ActiveCampaign
Email Marketing
Advanced email marketing and CRM automation platform for businesses serious about customer experience.
Mailchimp
Email Marketing
The world's most popular email marketing platform with automation, landing pages, and a website builder.
Our Verdict
Mailchimp is the more affordable option with a free tier.
Choose ActiveCampaign if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage and teams that need more power and don't mind paying for it
Choose Mailchimp if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage and budget-conscious buyers who want to start for free or at lower cost
Side-by-Side Comparison
Green highlight = advantage on that metric.
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting price | $15/mo | $13/mo |
| Free tier | ||
| Free trial | 14 days | |
| Ratings & Reviews | ||
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Features & Capabilities | ||
| Best for | small to mid-sized businesses | small to mid-sized businesses |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2003 | 2001 |
| Verified listing | ||
Pricing
ActiveCampaign
SubscriptionMailchimp
FreemiumActiveCampaign
$15/moMailchimp
$13/moActiveCampaign
Mailchimp
ActiveCampaign
14 daysMailchimp
Ratings & Reviews
ActiveCampaign
No reviews yetMailchimp
No reviews yetFeatures & Capabilities
ActiveCampaign
small to mid-sized businessesMailchimp
small to mid-sized businessesCompany
ActiveCampaign
2003Mailchimp
2001ActiveCampaign
Mailchimp
Key Differences
ActiveCampaign
Subscription
Mailchimp
✓Freemium
ActiveCampaign
$15/mo
Mailchimp
✓$13/mo
ActiveCampaign
14 days✓
Mailchimp
Not available
ActiveCampaign is best for…
Strengths
- Most powerful automation in its price class
- Built-in CRM included
- Predictive sending and content
- Excellent segmentation
Mailchimp is best for…
Strengths
- Very easy for beginners
- Generous free plan
- Huge template library
- Strong e-commerce integrations
Pricing Comparison
ActiveCampaign
From $15/mo
Starter plan from $15/month for 1,000 contacts.
Mailchimp
From $13/mo
Free for up to 500 contacts. Essentials from $13/month.
Pricing information is verified periodically. Visit each vendor's pricing page for current rates and plan details.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp?
- Mailchimp is the more affordable option with a free tier. Choose ActiveCampaign if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage and teams that need more power and don't mind paying for it. Choose Mailchimp if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage and budget-conscious buyers who want to start for free or at lower cost.
- Is ActiveCampaign cheaper than Mailchimp?
- Mailchimp is cheaper at From $13/mo vs From $15/mo. Note that pricing tiers vary — check each vendor's current pricing page for up-to-date details.
- Can I switch from ActiveCampaign to Mailchimp?
- Yes — most teams can migrate from ActiveCampaign to Mailchimp with a data export/import process. Check whether both tools support CSV or API data export before starting. It's advisable to run both tools in parallel for a short period to verify your data migrated correctly.
- Does ActiveCampaign or Mailchimp offer a free trial?
- ActiveCampaign offers a free trial of 14 days. Mailchimp does not currently offer a free trial — check their pricing page for any trial promotions.