ActiveCampaign vs beehiiv
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Email marketing + automation + CRM.
The verdict
Both ActiveCampaign and beehiiv are credible marketing automation tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose ActiveCampaign if you want a longer free trial (14 days) and broader platform coverage. Email marketing + automation + CRM.
Choose beehiiv if you'd rather have a lower starting price (free – $42/mo), a free plan to start on and a higher overall rating (4.7/5). The newsletter platform built for growth.
ActiveCampaign vs beehiiv: side by side
| Dimension | ActiveCampaign | beehiiv |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $15/mo | Free – $42/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | YesWinner |
| Free trial | 14 daysWinner | — |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Best for | Smb, Marketers | Creators, Publishers |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android, ApiWinner | Web, Api |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5Winner |
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
beehiiv key facts
- Vendor
- beehiiv
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $42/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Creators, Publishers
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2021
- Headquarters
- New York, NY, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is ActiveCampaign better than beehiiv?
Neither is universally better — beehiiv 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 ActiveCampaign or beehiiv cheaper?
beehiiv is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $42/mo. ActiveCampaign starts at from $15/mo; beehiiv starts at free – $42/mo.
Can ActiveCampaign replace beehiiv?
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.