ActiveCampaign vs Mailchimp
By Itai Varochik | Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Overall Winner: ActiveCampaign (4.5/5)
We tested ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp side-by-side. ActiveCampaign comes out ahead overall, but Mailchimp may be better for specific use cases.
Score Breakdown
| Criteria | ActiveCampaign | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Ease of Use | 7.5/10 | 9/10 |
| Value for Money | 8.8/10 | 7/10 |
| Customer Support | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Overall | 8.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Automation Builder | Yes | No |
| CRM | Yes | Yes |
| Predictive Sending | Yes | No |
| Email Builder | No | Yes |
| Automation | No | Yes |
| Landing Pages | No | Yes |
| Analytics | No | Yes |
| Social Posting | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
ActiveCampaign: From $29/mo
Mailchimp: Free – $350/mo
ActiveCampaign Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best automation builder
- Advanced segmentation
- CRM included
- Great deliverability
Cons
- Steeper learning curve
- No free tier
- Can get expensive
- Complex for beginners
Mailchimp Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best email template builder in the industry
- Creative Assistant generates brand-matched designs
- Generous (if reduced) free plan
- Built-in landing pages and social ads
- Excellent reporting with industry benchmarks
Cons
- Free plan reduced to 500 contacts
- Pricing scales quickly with list size
- Automations less powerful than Klaviyo/ActiveCampaign
- Phone support only on $350+ plan
- Increasing upsells since Intuit acquisition
Key Specifications
| Spec | ActiveCampaign | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Pricing | From $29/mo | Free – $350/mo |
| Year Founded | 2003 | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, IL | Atlanta, GA |
| Employees | N/A | 1,200+ |
| Best For | N/A | Small businesses |
| Free Plan | N/A | Yes (500 contacts) |
Our Verdict
ActiveCampaign wins overall. Choose ActiveCampaign if you value Advanced marketers. Choose Mailchimp if you prioritize Small businesses just starting email marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ActiveCampaign better than Mailchimp?
Based on our testing, ActiveCampaign scores higher with a rating of 4.5/5 compared to Mailchimp's 4.3/5. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs.
What is the main difference between ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp?
ActiveCampaign is known for: Advanced email marketing and automation platform for sophisticated customer journeys.. Mailchimp is known for: The most recognized email marketing platform with templates, automations, landing pages, and a basic CRM for small businesses..
Which is cheaper, ActiveCampaign or Mailchimp?
ActiveCampaign pricing: From $29/mo. Mailchimp pricing: Free – $350/mo.
Can I use ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp together?
While both tools serve similar purposes in the Email Marketing category, some users do use complementary features from both platforms.
What are the pros of ActiveCampaign?
Best automation builder. Advanced segmentation. CRM included
What are the pros of Mailchimp?
Best email template builder in the industry. Creative Assistant generates brand-matched designs. Generous (if reduced) free plan
Which email marketing should I choose?
Choose ActiveCampaign if you value Advanced marketers. Choose Mailchimp if you prioritize Small businesses just starting email marketing.