9 best ActiveCampaign alternatives for small businesses

Criteria for choosing an email marketing platform

Picking an email marketing tool is like hiring a team member. It needs to fit your workflow, budget, and long-term goals. Instead of getting stuck in feature overload, focus on these key trade-offs:

1. Simplicity vs. advanced features

Some platforms prioritize ease of use, making it simple to create and send emails without a steep learning curve. Others offer deep customization, automation, and segmentation but come with added complexity. Choose based on how much control and flexibility you need.

2. Automation capabilities

Basic tools let you send scheduled emails and simple drip campaigns. More advanced platforms offer complex automation, behavioral triggers, and multi-step workflows. If your business relies on personalized, data-driven engagement, look for tools with robust automation.

3. Cost vs. scalability

Free or budget-friendly tools often cover the basics but may limit features like advanced reporting, A/B testing, or API access. More expensive options offer scalability, which is ideal if you expect to grow and need a long-term solution.

4. Design and collaboration

If polished emails are a priority, look for drag-and-drop editors, pre-built templates, and collaboration features. Some tools also support team workflows, allowing multiple users to edit and approve campaigns.  

5. Integration and data syncing

Your email tool should work seamlessly with your existing CRM, e-commerce platform, or customer database. If syncing contact lists, purchase history, and engagement data is crucial, prioritize tools with strong native integrations or an open API.

6. Deliverability and analytics

Great emails mean nothing if they don’t land in inboxes. Look for tools that emphasize high deliverability rates, spam compliance, and in-depth analytics to track open rates, conversions, and customer behavior.

With that in mind, let’s run through our ActiveCampaign alternatives.

Best for affordability: Mailjet

Mailjet is more than just affordable. It’s packed with value. Every plan comes loaded with features that integrate into an intuitive platform for creating and deploying marketing and transactional emails, forms, and landing pages—all without breaking a sweat.

Unlike other providers, Mailjet doesn’t charge based on the number of contacts you have. You only pay for the emails you want to send, meaning as your audience grows, your price stays the same.

Its user-friendly interface and affordability make it popular with small businesses and growing teams looking to improve their email game. Mailjet helps you save time, cut costs, and focus on what truly matters.

Mailjet key features

• Intuitive drag-and-drop email editor

• Pre-built and customizable templates for campaigns

• Automated email workflows for transactional and marketing emails

• Seamless API integration to build custom experiences

• Real-time collaboration tools for team-based editing

Mailjet limitations

• No CRM features

• Does not have SMS, WhatsApp or other channels

Mailjet pricing

• Free: Up to 6,000 emails/month

• Essential: $17/month for basic email tools

• Premium: $27/month for advanced automation and analytics

• Custom Enterprise: Contact Mailjet for tailored solutions

Best for beginners: Mailchimp

Mailchimp often pops up as a frontrunner for those embarking on their email marketing journey. Its user-friendly interface and a free plan (offering up to 500 contacts) make it appealing for beginners. However, its limitations in advanced email marketing automation and customization mean it might not serve more complex marketing strategies.

Key features:

• User-friendly interface

• Free plan with up to 500 contacts

• Basic website builder

Limitations:

• Lacks split testing in automations

• Basic pop-up and landing page customization

• Overpriced for advanced features

Pricing:

• Free: Up to 500 contacts and up to 1,000 emails/month

• Paid plans available for additional features

Best for creators: Kit (formerly ConvertKit)

Kit targets creators and businesses looking to grow their email lists with efficient automation tools.

It offers a free plan supporting up to 10,000 subscribers and includes powerful integrations with platforms like Shopify and Zapier. However, more advanced features require a paid plan.

Key features:

• Powerful automation features

• Wide range of integrations

• Custom domain and landing page creation

Limitations:

• Advanced features require paid plans

• Limited free plan features

Pricing:

• Free: Up to 10,000 subscribers on a single email sequence

• Paid plans start at $29/month

Best for social media: Constant Contact

Constant Contact is ideal for businesses aiming to combine email marketing with social media strategies. Its drag-and-drop editor and high delivery rates are significant draws, though its higher-tier plans may be costly for small businesses.

Key features:

• Automated email campaigns

• High email delivery rates

• Integration with social media platforms

Limitations:

• Basic registration forms

• Costly higher-tier plans

Pricing:

• Free trial for up to 30 days

• Starts at $12/month

Best for simplicity and ease of use: MailerLite

MailerLite excels in simplicity, making it a go-to for users who prioritize ease of creating campaigns and automations. Its visual data representation and intuitive automation builder are standout features, though its website building capabilities are limited.

Key features:

• User-friendly dashboard

• Visual data representation

• Easy automation builder

Limitations:

• Lack of spam and design testing tools

• Basic embedded forms

Pricing:

• Free up to 1,000 subscribers with basic features

• Paid plans start at $10/month

Best for long-standing reliability: AWeber

With over 20 years in the industry, AWeber is a trusted choice for solopreneurs and users requiring basic CRM capabilities. Its innovative features like ‘ready to send’ email templates and automations that integrate with apps like YouTube and Etsy set it apart, though it lacks advanced features for large-scale campaigns.

Key features:

• Strong email automation

• Split testing and web analytics

• Comprehensive app marketplace

Limitations:

• Lack of spam and design testing tools

• Available only in English

Pricing:

• Free: Available for up to 500 subscribers

• Paid: Starts at $15/month

Best for all-in-one marketing solutions: HubSpot

HubSpot stands out for its all-in-one platform that combines CRM, email marketing, and more. The generous free plan is a boon for small businesses, though advanced automation features require a costly upgrade.

Key features:

• Generous free plan with CRM integration

• Powerful contact management

• Excellent reporting features

Limitations:

• Expensive advanced features

• Branding on free plan outputs

Pricing:

• Free: CRM and basic features

• Professional plan starts at $800/month

Best for e-commerce marketers: Omnisend

Omnisend is tailored for e-commerce marketers needing advanced features in a cost-effective package. Its free plan includes omnichannel marketing and automation workflows, though it falls short on deliverability rates and template variety.

Key features:

• Advanced features in free plan

• Designed for e-commerce

• Responsive email editor

Limitations:

• Limited email templates

• Poor deliverability rate

• Available only in English

Pricing:

• Free: Up to 250 contacts

• Paid plans start at $16/month

Best for multi-channel integration: Brevo

Brevo shines with its integration of multiple marketing channels, including email, SMS, and live chat. It offers an intuitive interface and extensive automation options, yet its reporting features are limited on lower-tier plans.  

Key features:

• Seamless multi-channel integration

• User-friendly interface

• Free CRM integration

Limitations:

• Limited reporting features

• Fluctuating deliverability rates

  Pricing:

• Free: Up to 300 emails/day

• Starter plan starts at $9/month

Choose the right ActiveCampaign alternative today

Choosing the right email marketing tool hinges on your specific needs and budget. Whether you seek simplicity, comprehensive engagement, or advanced automation, there's a platform out there tailored for you.

Mailchimp, Kit, and MailerLite are great for beginners, while Constant Contact and HubSpot provide more robust solutions for businesses ready to scale. Mailjet is best for small businesses that want an affordable and comprehensive platform.

Ultimately, the perfect alternative to ActiveCampaign is one that aligns with your business goals and offers room for growth.

So, take your time, explore these options, and find the platform that will help take your email marketing efforts to new height.