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ActiveCampaign vs Close

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

Email marketing + automation + CRM.

The CRM built for inside sales teams.

The verdict

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

Choose ActiveCampaign if you want a lower starting price (from $15/mo). Email marketing + automation + CRM.

Close — The CRM built for inside sales teams.

ActiveCampaign vs Close: side by side

DimensionActiveCampaignClose
Starting priceFrom $15/moWinnerFrom $19/user/mo
Free planNoNo
Free trial14 days14 days
Pricing modelSubscriptionSubscription
Best forSmb, MarketersStartups, Sales Teams
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiWeb, Ios, Android, Api
Rating4.5/54.6/5

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

Close key facts

Vendor
Close
Pricing
Subscription — From $19/user/mo
Free tier
Free trial (14 days)
Platforms
Web, Ios, Android, Api
Best for
Startups, Sales Teams
Editor rating
4.6 / 5
Founded
2013
Headquarters
Remote

Frequently asked questions

Is ActiveCampaign better than Close?

Neither is universally better — Close 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 Close cheaper?

ActiveCampaign is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $15/mo. ActiveCampaign starts at from $15/mo; Close starts at from $19/user/mo.

Can ActiveCampaign replace Close?

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.