ActiveCampaign vs Mailchimp: Which is better? [2024]

ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp are both email marketing platforms offering a range of features to help manage and grow your business. Although ActiveCampaign is less well-known, it offers more advanced features, whereas Mailchimp is more popular and easier to use. Wondering which one is right for your business? Keep reading as we dive into a head-to-head comparison of ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp.

ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp: A Quick Overview

There is no doubt that both ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp can make your marketing campaigns more successful.

Mailchimp is easy to use, has a free plan, and is great for small businesses that don’t need much beyond basic email marketing. The free plan allows users to send emails, manage contacts, and access basic templates, making it a good starting point for those new to email marketing. However, as your business grows and your contact list expands, you might find that Mailchimp’s pricing increases quickly.

ActiveCampaign, on the other hand, offers deeper features such as complex automation, a robust CRM, and advanced analytics, making it a stronger choice for e-commerce compared to Mailchimp. That said, it has a steeper learning curve. Overall, it’s ideal for businesses aiming to grow and refine their marketing strategies.

Feature ActiveCampaign Mailchimp
Ease of Use Less intuitive but more powerful More user-friendly and easier to navigate
Automation Advanced automation features Basic automation features
Integration Options Wide range of integrations Extensive app marketplace
Pricing Paid plans only: starting at $15/month Free plan available
CRM Advanced CRM Basic CRM
Customer Support 24/7 support with personalized help, and one-on-one training available 24/7 chat support for paid plans
Analytics Detailed reporting and analytics Basic reporting and insights
Target Audience Best for businesses that need advanced features Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses

ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp: Which Platform Reigns Supreme?

Ease of Use

Mailchimp gained popularity largely due to its user-friendly interface. It’s designed to be accessible regardless of technical skill level, making it easy for anyone to use. The platform features a drag-and-drop builder, which simplifies the email creation process. With over 130 responsive templates available for various industries and preferences, Mailchimp offers a low learning curve, allowing users to get started quickly.

ActiveCampaign provides more advanced features, but its interface can be slightly more complex for beginners. While it offers extensive control over design elements and customization options, the automation builder can initially be challenging. However, with experience, the platform becomes intuitive. Overall, mastering all the features of ActiveCampaign takes more time compared to simpler platforms.

All things considered, the clear winner in terms of simplicity and ease of use is Mailchimp.

Editor

Both platforms include a drag-and-drop editor, a variety of email templates, and a landing page builder. However, their similarities end there.

A notable distinction in the ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp debate is that ActiveCampaign allows you to send the same email campaign to different lists, segment contacts using tags and custom fields, and manage these through automation. In fact, Mailchimp only offers design tests for free on all platforms, while ActiveCampaign also provides spam testing capabilities.

Automation

Automation saves time and improves the efficiency of email marketing campaigns. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that email marketing platforms are expected to offer at least some degree of automation.

Mailchimp offers basic automation tools that are great for simple tasks like sending welcome emails or follow-up messages after a purchase. Additionally, it’s easy to use, making it suitable for beginners. Paid plans include the Customer Journey Builder for creating simple automated workflows based on how customers interact. Standard and Premium plans have a more advanced version that allows for more detailed and personalized automation.

Meanwhile, ActiveCampaign provides more advanced automation features. For instance, you can create complex workflows with multiple steps and conditions. Furthermore, it also offers over 850 ready-made automation recipes, like reminders for abandoned carts or post-meeting follow-ups. As a result, managing and improving your marketing tasks becomes significantly easier.

Ultimately, ActiveCampaign excels in automation. In particular, reviews on platforms like Capterra and G2 frequently highlight automation as one of the standout features for choosing ActiveCampaign.

Pricing of ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp

Mailchimp offers a free plan with limited features and a maximum of 500 contacts. This plan allows sending up to 1,000 emails per month. For more features, you can choose from three paid plans—Essentials, Standard, and Premium. Each plan offers increasingly advanced features and higher pricing, with costs scaling based on the number of contacts you have.

ActiveCampaign does not offer a free plan; however, it provides a free trial. In addition, it has four paid plans: Starter, Plus, Professional, and Enterprise. Pricing for these plans varies based on your business needs and the number of contacts, similar to Mailchimp’s approach.

If we compare the plans for 5,000 contacts using their cheapest paid options—Essentials for Mailchimp and Starter for ActiveCampaign—we find that the pricing is quite similar. Essentials costs €52.34 (discounted from €69.79), while Starter costs $79 per month. Generally, ActiveCampaign is slightly more expensive but offers better value for money with advanced features.

Email Deliverability

There is, of course, no reason to consider an email marketing platform that does not have an excellent deliverability score. After all, an email is useless if it ends up in the spam folder.

When comparing ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp, Email Tool Tester notes that both platforms have impressive deliverability rates. ActiveCampaign leads with a score of 93.4%, while Mailchimp is close behind at 92.6%. Although the scores are similar, ActiveCampaign has a slight edge in email deliverability.

Some might consider cheaper Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign alternatives, such as Sendinblue or SendPulse. However, these services have poorer email deliverability scores, typically below 83%.

Support

Both companies claim to offer 24/7 chat and email support, and they provide many helpful resources on their websites. However, Trustpilot reviews are mixed. While it’s possible that only those with negative experiences leave reviews, Mailchimp has a rating of 1.3 out of 5, whereas ActiveCampaign scores 3.5 out of 5, which is a lot higher.

ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp: Final Verdict

Choosing between ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp depends on your needs. For basic email marketing needs, you can’t go wrong with either. However, Mailchimp lacks the advanced automation and flexibility that ActiveCampaign provides. Even with Mailchimp’s upgraded plans, it doesn’t match the capabilities of ActiveCampaign, and the cost is similar.

It may take time to learn ActiveCampaign, but it’s worth it. In conclusion, ActiveCampaign offers better features and advanced automation, making it a more effective and cost-efficient choice for your business in the long run.

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Ross Jenkins

Ross Jenkins is the founder of DigitalME and is an ActiveCampaign Certified Consultant. He is ranked #1 on UpWork for his proficiency in digital marketing. DigitalME offers targeted digital solutions and is perfect for anyone who wants to increase leads, sales, and productivity through automation.

ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp 2022 (side by side comparison)

ActiveCampaign vs. Mailchimp 2022 (side by side comparison)

ActiveCampaign or mailchimp: Which one is better?

Are you thinking of using a marketing automation tool for your business but don’t know which one to buy? Do you use Mailchimp but want to see an alternative? Do you want to know if ActiveCampaign is worth the price? This article will explain the difference between each tool and which is better for your business. Note that this isn’t a sponsored article, and we’ll show you what we consider are the ins and outs of each tool.

Tools overview (Brief history)

ActiveCampaign was created in 2003 by Jason VandeBoom. He started the company started as a marketing consultancy provider. Jason had developed some marketing tools for some clients, so he decided to offer a solution capable of doing what he was already selling. That’s how he created his first marketing software. However, it wasn’t until several years later that ActiveCampaign started to grow to its current state. Although ActiveCampaign started as an email marketing tool, now it includes a sales CRM and website and SMS integrations. Now ActiveCampaign is one of the leading tools for marketing automation, surpassing more than 140,000 active customers globally and employing more than 300 people.

Mailchimp was created in 2001 by Ben Chestnut and Dan Kurzius. They wanted to offer an affordable email marketing tool for small-sized businesses. At that time, most marketing software was expensive, focusing on large enterprises. At the same time, Chestnut and Kurzius were running a web design agency, and it wasn’t until 2007 that Ben and Dan focused entirely on the email software they had created years ago. What has made the software so famous is that its purpose isn’t to provide email marketing tools but to help small businesses grow. That’s why Mailchimp has expanded its arsenal of tools to ther areas aside from email marketing over the years. They offer a complete marketing platform, websites and eCommerce development services, and its traditional transactional email tool.

List of features (2022)

ActiveCampaign supports multiple languages. Not only you’ll get support in these languages, but the entire interface will be set in:

ActiveCampaign

— Automation Builder —

— Email Builder —

— Landing Page Builder —

— Form Builder —

— SMS Marketing —

— Sales CRM —

— Website tracking —

— Reports and analytics —

Mailchimp

— CRM —

— Email Builder —

— Form Builder —

— Landing Page builder —

— Workflows Automation —

— Social Posting —

— Social Ads —

— Split Testing —

Feature by feature comparison

Email Builder
Contact Management
Form Builder
Reports
Landing Page Builder
Extra Features
Automations Builder
Pricing

✉️ Email Builder ✉️

ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign’s drag and drop builder lets you build simple emails in a breeze. You can also create complex and personalized ones with the same editor or use HTML code. Also, if you don’t want to make your emails from scratch, ActiveCampaign has more than 125 templates.

Ins:

– HTML integration.

– Plain Text builder.

– Drag and Drop Builder.

– You can save the blocks to reuse them.

Outs:

– We’ve experienced some glitches in the editor’s appearance,

but it doesn’t impact functionality.

– You can’t apply styles in bulk.

Mailchimp

Mailchimp also has its drag and drop builder. It lets you choose a layout for your emails to use multiple formats, and it also includes a code block so you can insert HTML.

Ins

– Layout selector.

– Simple interface.

– You can apply the same style to all

blocks with the same name.

– Easy to add columns to change the layout.

Outs

– Although the editor is simple, it lacks some intuitiveness.

– You can’t save the blocks to reuse them.

⭐⭐ Winner: ActiveCampaign ⭐⭐

Although Mailchimp’s email builder is easier to use, we believe ActiveCampaign’s one has more capabilities and is more professional. That’s why we give this match to ActiveCampaign.

📝 Form Builder 📝

ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign’s form builder is one of the best form builders we have ever tested. It allows you to choose between different layouts such as inline forms, floating, and modal, and its builder makes it very easy for you to give it the style you need.

Ins

– Drag and drop builder.

– Easy to integrate with automations

(like triggering actions when someone completes).

– You can add custom fields.

– Rules after completion

(redirect to a custom page, overwrite existing data).

– Real-time preview.

Outs

– Although the editor is simple, it lacks intuitiveness.

– You can’t save the blocks to reuse them.

Mailchimp

Mailchimp’s forms can get tricky since the form editor will change depending on the type of form you want to use. For example, if you’re building a  pop-up form, the editor will differ from the sign-up form builder. We like the Mailchimp sign-up editor (the default one) because it allows you to give exactly the appearance you need for your form. However, the other editors are minimal.

Ins

– You can use different layouts.

– Sign Up forms builder is excellent.

– You can edit response emails in the same builder.

Outs

– It gets confusing when the editor

changes depending on the form type.

– Pop-up and embedded form editors are minimal.

– Not intuitive at all.

⭐⭐ Winner: ActiveCampaign ⭐⭐

ActiveCampaigns is the best form builder. Not only can you integrate them with your automations from the very beginning, but the builder is simple to use and very complete. If Mailchimp unified all of its editors and made the process simpler, they could rule this one, but in the meantime, ActiveCampaign wins this match by far.

✈️ Landing Page Builder ✈️

ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign has a powerful page builder natively integrated into its dashboard. The drag and drop builder it’s thoroughgoing and intuitive, so you can fully customize your page. On the downside, it may be hard to learn if you’re a complete beginner.

Ins

– Intuitive interface.

– Add or remove columns easily.

– Build responsive pages.

– Allows forms integration.

– Payment buttons.

– Theme Editor.

Outs

– It may be hard to use for beginners.

– Although you can see the design inside the editor,

it lacks a preview mode before publishing.

Mailchimp

Mailchimp landing page builder is more straightforward, with fewer functionalities but easier to learn for beginners. The drag and drop interface lets you easily add, remove and edit blocks. The major drawback is that it misses an undo button to return to previous versions of the document quickly.

Ins

– Simple and easy to learn.

– Form Integration.

– Payment buttons.

– Store integrations.

– Theme editor.

– Preview Mode.

Outs

– The layout and styles options are limited.

– It misses a dedicated editor for the mobile version.

⭐⭐ Winner: ActiveCampaign ⭐⭐

Although the Mailchimp builder is more straightforward for beginners, the ActiveCampaigns one is just more complete and intuitive. Once you learn how to use it, you can create complex and fully customized landing pages. If you have used popular page builders before like Elementor or Wix, ActiveCampaign’s page builder is just as good, and that’s why this match goes to ActiveCampaign.

🤖 Automations Builder 🤖

ActiveCampaign

Marketing automations is ActiveCampaign’s specialty. Although you probably will need to check on the help articles and tutorials, ActiveCampaign can help you automate all of the workflows in your marketing campaigns. It gives you some “recipes”, which are nothing more than frequent use automations, so you use one of those and customize it to your needs. Or you can build a new one from scratch.

Ins

– You can choose frequent use templates.

– You can use actions on your website as triggers.

– Integrate with third-party apps.

– User sentiment triggers (for example,

send an email when the user’s mood changes).

– CRM integration.

– Connect to eCommerce.

– Use webhooks.

– API integration.

Outs

– Hard at first for beginners.

– Navigation can get tricky if you open an email template,

for example.

 

Mailchimp

Mailchimp Marketing automation uses the Customer Journey Builder. Mailchimp’s customer journey builder interface is cleaner and easier to learn. Just like ActiveCampaign, it lets you use frequent use templates. You can also integrate with third-party apps to use actions occurring on them as triggers.

Ins

– Templated automations.

– Clean interface.

– Integrate with third-party apps.

– Integrate with eCommerce.

– API integration.

Outs

– The list of triggers and actions is limited compared to AC.

– Shorter list of apps.

⭐⭐ Winner: ActiveCampaign ⭐⭐

ActiveCampaign wins this match since it can do everything Mailchimp does and more. Also, Its CRM and machine learning integration allows performing actions based on lead score and sentiments. ActiveCampaign’s automations make it one of the best marketing software in the market.

📒 Contact Management 📒

ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign makes it very easy to add and import your lists of contacts. Using tags, you can create different lists and segments depending on the users’ characteristics and behaviors. Use your lists and tags to create more custom campaigns and automations.

Ins

– Add different lists.

– Add contacts manually or in bulk.

– Add tags.

– Import from third-party apps.

– Search and filter your contacts easily.

– Add custom fields easily.

Outs

– Your lists and contacts are accessed

through different locations of your dashboard.

– Manual contacts edits are saved in real-time,

so it may not be easy to restore it to its previous state

if you update something mistakenly.

 

Mailchimp

Mailchimp lets you add your contacts manually or import them in bulk. You can also segment your lists based on contacts’ behavior, characteristics, and behavior. However, you can’t use multiple audiences on your campaigns, meaning that if you want to include contacts on your campaigns, they should be on the same list.

Ins

– Add contacts manually or in bulk.

– Add segments and tags.

– Group your contacts.

– Import from third-party tools.

– Access your contacts, tags,

and segments from the same menu.

– Your contacts are rated.

Outs

– To add custom fields, you need to set them on your forms.

– You can’t send a campaign to more than one audience.

⭐⭐ Winner: Tie ⭐⭐

Both Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign let you add and manage your contacts easily. Although it may seem that Mailchimp’s audience limitation is a downside, it fulfills the purpose of using your account for a single marketing project, and you can use tags and segments to split your audience. So, for this match, we consider it’s a tie.

📊 Reports 📊

ActiveCampaign

On ActiveCampaign, you get detailed reports for each of your marketing workflows:

Ins

– Email performance.

– Campaigns Performance.

–  Automation Performance.

– Deal Reports.

– Trends.

– Conversation reports.

Outs

– The reports section is confusing.

It may be hard for you to find the specific report you need.

– Some reports are limited to higher subscription plans.

 

Mailchimp

On Mailchimp, your reports are easy to find and properly segmented.

Ins

– Email reports.

– Automation reports.

– Landing Pages reports.

– Ads and social reports.

– Surveys reports.

– Postcards reports.

Outs

– Your campaign  reports are segmented by audience

 

⭐⭐ Winner: Mailchimp ⭐⭐

Since we consider reports should be easy to find and read, we’re going to give this match to Mailchimp for the simplicity of its reports dashboard.

🚀 Extra Features 🚀

Both ActiveCampaign extend their features beyond email marketing. Let’s compare the special features for each one.

ActiveCampagin

– Create and send SMS campaigns.

– CRM (create sales pipelines)

– Use conversations (webchat and Facebook messenger)

and add them to automations.

Outs

– Website creator

– Store builder 

– Create and publish Facebook and Instagram posts.

– Create and run Facebook and Instagram ads.

– Send postcards.

 

⭐⭐ Winner: Mailchimp ⭐⭐

When it comes to extra functionalities to your marketing campaigns, Mailchimp includes more features out of the box. Although you might find better choices for these unique features, having the ability to control them all from a single dashboard can make it attractive for small businesses. Without a doubt, this match goes to Mailchimp.

💰 Pricing 💰

ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaigns plans start at $9 per month if you acquire the yearly subscription. Their most basic plan allows you to upload up to 500 contacts and gives access to 1 user only. See our ActiveCampaign pricing page to get details for each subscription plan.

Ins

– Get a discount for yearly subscriptions.

– The Plus plan gives access to 25 users for $49 a month.

– You get support via chat and email.

Outs

– Doesn’t offer a free plan.

– Prices can get very expensive if your lists of contacts

are long.

 

Mailchimp

Mailchimp subscription plans start at $0 for 2,000 contacts included on its free plan, which gives you the basics to launch your marketing campaigns. The premium plan costs $299/ month, giving you unlimited seats for your marketing team.

Ins

– It offers a free plan which is perfect

if you want to try the tool.

– You can get 50,000 contacts for $9,99 a month.

– You get unlimited audiences with the premium plan.

Outs

– You get a limit for email sendings per month.

– The non-premium plans offer up to 5 seats per month.

 

⭐⭐ Winner: Mailchimp ⭐⭐

ActiveCampaign and MailChimp offer affordable prices for small and middle-sized businesses. But having the chance to try the tool for free and for up to 2,000 contacts makes Mailchimp ideal for beginners. Also, you’ll get a friendly and professional tool with unlimited seats at a more affordable price. That’s why we give this match to MailChimp.

5/5
Side by Side Winner: ActiveCampaign
5/5
ActiveCampaign
(Winner)
Mailchimp
Email Builder
4.5/5
4/5
Form Builder
4.5/5
4/5
Landing Page Builder
5/5
4/5
Automations Builder
5/5
4/5
Contact Management
5/5
5/5
Reports
4.5/5
5/5
Extra Features
4/5
4.5/5
Pricing
4.5/5
5/5
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Need some Help?

Both ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp are great tools for managing and automating your marketing. However, in terms of quality and streamlining marketing operations, ActiveCampaign is just the best. Also, consider that ActiveCampaign gives you access to a sales CRM where you can automate your sales flows and score your leads. But that doesn’t mean Mailchimp is a bad tool, but we consider it to be more for small-sized businesses, and that’s what Mailchimp’s aim is, to help small businesses. At DigitalME, we can advise you on which tool might best fit your business by auditing your current marketing strategy. If you’re interested, don’t hesitate to complete our contact form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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