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Act-On vs ActiveCampaign

Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.

Marketing automation for growing teams.

Email marketing + automation + CRM.

The verdict

Both Act-On and ActiveCampaign are credible marketing automation tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.

Act-On - Marketing automation for growing teams.

Choose ActiveCampaign if you'd rather have a lower starting price (from $15/mo), a longer free trial (14 days), broader platform coverage and a higher overall rating (4.5/5). Email marketing + automation + CRM.

Act-On vs ActiveCampaign: side by side

DimensionAct-OnActiveCampaign
Starting priceCustomFrom $15/moWinner
Free planNoNo
Free trial-14 daysWinner
Pricing modelSubscriptionSubscription
Best forSmb, EnterpriseSmb, Marketers
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb, iOS, Android, APIWinner
Rating4.1/54.5/5Winner

Act-On key facts

Vendor
Act-On Software
Pricing
Subscription - Custom
Free tier
No
Platforms
Web, API
Best for
Smb, Enterprise
Editor rating
4.1 / 5
Founded
2008
Headquarters
Portland, Oregon

ActiveCampaign key facts

Vendor
ActiveCampaign
Pricing
Subscription - From $15/mo
Free tier
Free trial (14 days)
Platforms
Web, iOS, Android, API
Best for
Smb, Marketers
Editor rating
4.5 / 5
Founded
2003
Headquarters
Chicago, IL, USA

Frequently asked questions

Is Act-On better than ActiveCampaign?

Neither is universally better - ActiveCampaign edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.

Is Act-On or ActiveCampaign cheaper?

ActiveCampaign is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $15/mo. Act-On starts at custom; ActiveCampaign starts at from $15/mo.

Can Act-On replace ActiveCampaign?

Yes for most teams - both are marketing automation tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.

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