ActiveCampaign vs Keap

Brevo

Mailchimp

MailerLite

Brevo is a CRM and email marketing solution that helps businesses run multi-channel marketing campaigns across email, WhatsApp, SMS, web push, and Facebook ads. Teams can trigger transactional emails, SMS, and WhatsApp notifications over Brevo SMTP and APIs.

Mailchimp is an email and SMS marketing platform that combines artificial intelligence with marketing automation capabilities. The platform features a drag-and-drop builder, content creation tools, and audience management functions to help businesses design and distribute marketing campaigns across multiple channels.

From newsletters to automated customer journeys—join 700,000 businesses scaling the easy way with MailerLite. 

ActiveCampaign is the AI-first marketing platform built to transform how marketers, agencies, and entrepreneurs work. Use Active Intelligence to power goal-aware automations and orchestrate personalized experiences across email, SMS, and WhatsApp. 

Email Tracking

Campaign Analytics

Campaign Scheduling

Subscriber Management

Contact Management

Event Triggered Actions

Customer Segmentation

Autoresponders

CAN-SPAM Compliance

A/B Testing

WYSIWYG Editor

By industry, ActiveCampaign reviewers are most commonly professionals in marketing and advertising (19%). The most frequent use case cited is email marketing (80% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Reviewers indicate that ActiveCampaign offers strong features and integrations for the price, and some users say the tiered pricing and flexibility are valuable. However, some reviewers find costs rise quickly, and they report frustration with confusing billing and frequent price increases.

Value for money

The ActiveCampaign integrations most frequently cited by reviewers are: Zapier (an integration product rated 4.6 out of 5 for its integration with ActiveCampaign), WordPress (a website builder product, 4.8), and Calendly (an appointment scheduling product, 4.5).

Integrations

ActiveCampaign is an email marketing solution with key features that include marketing automation, email campaign management, list management, and more.

ActiveCampaign

Web-based

Linux

iPad

Android

iPhone

Windows

Chromebook

Starter

Plus

Enterprise

Sr People Ops

Active Campaign has a lot of native integrations with the current tech stack we have, so it allows us to seamlessly bring it onboard and start making impact in processes.  

Financial Planner

There are so many options for segmenting automated campaigns based on recipient action, timing intervals, contact management (tags, labels, lists, etc).

Customer Service Lead

The automation capabilities will enable me to create a more complicated pre-arrival sequence to automatically deliver check-in instructions and upsell offers to the guests prior to their arrival.

Marketing Coordinator

The email management capabilities will enable us to divide our attendee lists into different segments based on their interests in particular events, which will guarantee high engagement rates.

Design Lead

Email marketing and access control and also scheduling ActiveCampaign provides the most reliable options and real time data analytics generation ability is helpful.

Commercial Director

The high pricing levels are not good value since our international B2B database is expanding, and customer service or specific client service is much too slow when we require to make difficult security permissions to our regional salespeople.

Owner

When I attempted to change my billing from annual to monthly for the same plan, the company claimed it had migrated my account from an old model to a new one and that it would now cost more than 7 times what I was paying previously because I was "downgrading."

I'd say the learning curve is not too different from any email campaign software out there, to the extent it is more difficult it is only because it is more loaded in features and capabilities compared to more streamlined/simpler alternatives.

Program Coordinator

I like the fact that automated workflows assist in ensuring that communication remains consistent without manual follow-ups all the time.

Customer Operations Lead

ActiveCampaign demonstrates an outstanding support in matters marketing automation, with advanced and AI supported capabilities

Graphic Designer

ActiveCampaign allows you to build highly customized workflows, automate follow-ups, and segment audiences easily, all with a visual drag-and-drop editor.

developer

The platform allows for creating detailed and complex workflows that can be customized to suit specific needs, making it easy to nurture leads and engage with customers effectively.

We need this for use cases like authorised reps, next of [sensitive content hidden], and broker–client relationships, and it’s frustrating that a CRM level product doesn’t support it.

The learning curve is very steep to my front desk workers who have to periodically update the details of the guests.

I was on a lower-tier subscription but felt myself constantly wanting to use premium features. As a small business not making enough revenue to justify the upgrade, it was frustrating.

It's a comprehensive email marketing and automation platform that offers a wide range of features to help manage and grow customer relationships.

I apply this to automatically run our complicated sales cycles and promotional campaigns.

the ability to create a custom lookup field that links one contact to another.

I am not using AC for the campaign features, yet it forces me to constantly upgrade my plans when I reach the cap (while preventing me from deleting inactive users)

The intuitive user interface simplifies campaign creation and management, and the segmentation options enable targeted communication.

Visa Consulting Specialist

It is not possible to manually handle a hundreds of deadlines of clients.

Technical Support Engineer

ActiveCampaign has assisted me in maintaining follow-ups and service updates.

Internal Sales Executive

It allows us to create personalized campaigns to target specific audiences which increases our chances of attracting more leads.

The program records a solid integration with sales and CRM tools

I used ActiveCampaign for a few years to manage an email list and send out a newsletter.

Singing Coach

I built an automation with a goal of checking if a lead had visited a certain page on my website.

Marketing Executive

Seems to be a bit buggy lately, with some criteria like "send in a contacts timezone" (which I used to praise and use constantly) not executing.

Operations

The tracking of clicks, click-throughs, privacy clicks etc.. works very well and is useful to track data of emails sent

It’s one of the most powerfull marketing automation platform out there, pretty cool if you wanna set up some detailed customer journeys

Spinning Instructor

ActiveCampaign reports also keeps us on check by giving us access to pin-point insights about our marketing campaigns performance.

The app combines sales and marketing, bringing a versatile approach to the market

Marketing Specialist

I didn’t have to code or work out sophisticated flows, I just selected triggers and actions, and it did the rest.

Founder

I like that ActiveCampaign allows very specific segmentation and a very easy to use automation interface.

ActiveCampaign stands out for its robust complexity and flexibility, making it ideal for those who want more than just a basic email marketing tool.

Client Success Specialist

The ActiveCampaign dashboard can be a bit difficult to navigate at first with all of its features and functionality.

Early Childhood Educator

We've automated repetitive tasks, personalized our customer journeys, and seen a significant increase in engagement and conversions.

It allowed me to re-engage older leads without blasting the same message to everyonw.

Web Specialist

So if we downgrade, we get less for the same price. If we switch to monthly (so we can leave if we want to without being tied in for a year - there are no refunds) - you guessed it - we pay even more.

I used ActiveCampaign extensively for a long time and heavily relied on its advanced automations, dual taxonomy system, and versatile API.

Marketing Director

The platform is at times a few extra clicks to dig into how a campaign is performing.

Associate Professor of Law

Its premium marketing features help us to personalize our marketing campaigns in order to attract our target audience.

Manager

However Activecampaign is more focused around email campaigns and customer engagement while Hubspot can be your all in one marketing suite.

What struck me was how easily I could create automated sequences that were genuinely triggered by user activity.

It is also effective in contact management but it is extremely expensive.

Sales and Strategic Partnership VP

ActiveCampaign makes it easy to customize our marketing campaigns which help have the right content for specific target audience.

It also has very productive prospecting tools that help us personalize our campaigns to target specific audience.

Team Lead

Overall poor performance from the product with frequent 503 errors, especially if you use the API.

researcher

You can plan arrangements, add notes to contacts, and send them direct messages.

I love how user-friendly the automation builder is it was so easy to set up welcome series, abandoned cart reminders, and loyalty emails.

Love the advanced workflows like engagement tagging, custom fields, CRM-like features, and ease of use relative to how robust it is. If I still needed some advanced features, I'd definitely be using AC still.

Campaign

Automation

Pricing

Email Marketing

Users report ActiveCampaign’s email marketing capabilities are robust, with automation, segmentation, and personalization driving high engagement and deliverability. Reviewers highlight the ease of designing emails with drag-and-drop tools, pre-made templates, and advanced customization. They say ActiveCampaign’s email marketing integrates well with other platforms and supports large-scale campaigns without send limits. Some users note limited design templates and occasional deliverability or scheduling issues, but most find email marketing with ActiveCampaign effective and easy to manage. Of the 51 ActiveCampaign users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Email Marketing, 98% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Email Automation

User Interface

Lead Management

Client Communication

Customer Support

Page and Form Builder

Slow performance and lag

Front End Developer

The slowness with which I can do what I need to do, there are often bugs and I have to log out and back in to my profile to continue working

Content Writer

Even more so if you have a larger list, the platform is frequently slow.

73% of reviewers feel negative about ActiveCampaign’s performance and speed. Users report frequent slow loading times, laggy interfaces, and delays when handling large lists or complex workflows. They say the platform can become clunky, especially when editing emails, navigating between pages, or using advanced features. Reviewers find that these slowdowns disrupt productivity and make routine tasks more time-consuming. Many mention that performance issues are persistent, sometimes requiring browser refreshes or re-logins, and can be particularly frustrating for users managing high volumes of data.

Recurring bugs and glitches

Businessman

The software glitches at times while trying to delete/add too many contacts at once.

62% of reviewers feel negative about ActiveCampaign’s bugs and issues. Users frequently encounter glitches across various features, such as contact management, reporting, and automation execution. They mention problems like unreliable undo functions, template saving errors, and duplicate contacts. Reviewers say these issues often require workarounds, add unnecessary complexity, and sometimes go unresolved for extended periods. Many express frustration with the lack of timely bug fixes and inconsistent support communication, noting that recurring technical problems can disrupt business operations and user confidence.

Limited and clunky page/form builder

IT Engineer

The integrations with other platforms are not as comprehensive as one would like them to be and the landing page builder is unable to allow custom design page as one would like to do build

Marketing Lead

For example, the automation page often starts glitching when I try to scroll down, or the Forms button can't be clicked until after I click another option in the dropdown menu. Besides that, it feels a little clunky to edit things - a mix of a slower site, UI choices and protocols to make sure you don't delete something too quickly.

48% of reviewers feel negative about ActiveCampaign’s page and form builder. Users indicate the builder lacks customization options and is less intuitive compared to competitors. They report difficulties with editing, formatting, and embedding forms, as well as frequent glitches and slow loading. Reviewers find the navigation cumbersome, with essential features buried in menus or requiring multiple clicks. Many mention challenges integrating forms with other platforms, limited design flexibility, and issues with responsiveness on mobile devices, making the builder less suitable for advanced or visually-driven campaigns.

Complex and increasing pricing

Owner | Founder

What I didn't like about the software is the need to upgrade your subscription when the number of people in your list increases and the onset 2-year lock-in period upon sign up.

President

Id prefer to pay a flat rate for a service.   Plus the pricing tier jumps are pretty large so if you go over my 1 contact it costs you double or close to it.

39% of reviewers feel negative about ActiveCampaign’s pricing. Users express concerns about frequent price increases, large jumps between tiers, and the need to upgrade as contact lists grow. They mention the lack of flexibility in plans, additional costs for integrations, and challenges with billing transparency. Reviewers say the pricing structure can be confusing, with some feeling forced to pay for features they don’t need or being unable to downgrade easily. Many highlight that the cost becomes significant for small businesses or as their needs scale.

Email editor and deliverability issues

37% of reviewers feel negative about ActiveCampaign’s email functionality. Users report the email editor is unintuitive, limited in design flexibility, and sometimes buggy, making it difficult to create visually appealing emails. They mention challenges with formatting, image handling, and lack of advanced features found in other platforms. Reviewers also highlight occasional deliverability problems, delays in sending, and issues with tracking or reporting. Many find the process of building and testing emails time-consuming, especially for those without technical expertise, impacting overall campaign effectiveness.

Supportive onboarding experience

Chief Habit Wrangler

Transitioning to Active Campaign was fantastic - I had a free comprehensive onboarding series of meetings plus free migration done for me in a timely manner.

I have had three on boarding one-on-one calls where they have understood my business and helped me with all the setup, resources and best practices to start using it the best way possible.

92% of reviewers feel positive about ActiveCampaign’s onboarding. Reviewers appreciate the thorough onboarding process, including personalized coaching calls, webinars, and accessible training materials. They say onboarding specialists are attentive, patient, and proactive in ensuring a smooth transition and setup. Users find the initial learning curve manageable due to the supportive resources and ongoing assistance. Many mention that onboarding helps them quickly understand the platform, set up workflows, and address specific business needs, making the start with ActiveCampaign less daunting and more productive.

Consistent, measurable effectiveness

The is very effective and outcomes can be easily measured.

Marketing

I like that it is very effective, gets the job done in a timely manner.

94% of reviewers feel positive about ActiveCampaign’s effectiveness. Reviewers indicate the platform consistently delivers measurable results, with many noting significant improvements in business processes and outreach. They appreciate the wide variety of helpful features and ongoing product enhancements, which contribute to reliable and efficient workflows. Users say the software’s simplicity and continual updates make it a dependable choice for both daily operations and long-term growth. They find the tool effective for tracking progress, making informed decisions, and increasing productivity, emphasizing its positive impact on business outcomes.

Versatile email marketing platform

software development

ActiveCampaign is a powerful and comprehensive email marketing and automation software that offers a wide range of features and benefits for businesses of all sizes.

Director

The email marketing system is thorough, and does what it says on the tin, The reporting capabilities are strong, and it is useful to have this all tied in with a clear CRM and Deal flow management system.

88% of reviewers feel positive about ActiveCampaign’s email marketing. Users appreciate the comprehensive set of tools for creating, sending, and tracking email campaigns. They mention the platform’s strong segmentation, reporting, and template options, which support personalized communication and effective list management. Reviewers say the integration of CRM and automation features enhances their marketing strategies and streamlines workflows. Many highlight the affordability, scalability, and ability to manage campaigns for businesses of various sizes, making it a reliable solution for ongoing email marketing needs.

Large Enterprises

Freelancers

Small Business

Mid-size Business

Improve Your Email Marketing With Keap
Let our software make your email marketing easier and more effective than ever. Better delivery, better growth.

Some users report Keap offers valuable features and automation for its price, and they appreciate the free trial and included support. However, reviewers indicate costs rise quickly, and some users feel value drops if features go unused.

The Keap integration most frequently cited by reviewers is Zapier, an integration product rated 4.5 out of 5 for its integration with Keap.

Reviews for Keap come from a wide variety of industries, including marketing and advertising (13% of reviewers), management consulting (10%), and real estate (8%). The most frequent use case for Keap cited by reviewers is email marketing (62% of reviewers).

Keap

Basic

Self employed

The system's automated and entirely customizable method for capturing leads from the website, responding automatically and keeping communication ongoing with potential customers is what I appreciate about it.

The best marketing reporting tool and the ability to manage contacts and marketing campaign monitoring thectool is excellent.

Business Intelligence Analyst

The res section of Keap was proving that once I linked my landing page, tagging fresh contacts as well as triggering email streams were possible.

Bachelor in Supply Chain Management

The tool that I use the most and that is useful to me is sales tracking because I can have a better focus in this area without losing track, I also use a lot of tracking that can be given more personalized to potential clients so that they receive the correct emails.

So the system acts like the minority report and in case you might accidently send emails to old contacts it stops your ability to send current prospects emails until you delete old records.   and old records to them are 4 months... if they haven't received an email in 4 months, opened one in 6 months they are OLD and limit your deliverablity.  

marketing

Keap has been a guaranteed ally to automate activities that make potential clients have a perfect follow-up and value them more without leaving other clients behind, it helps to market products in a more professional way with marketing management that increases income and decreases workflows

Digital Marketing and Growth Strategist

However, onboarding isn’t instant—you need time to arrange pipelines and tags so they match your workflow.

Senior Customer Support Manager

Client actions can automatically trigger various tasks, advancing each client through the sales funnel, with all relevant information easily accessible in one place.

The platform has powerful automation and CRM features that can really streamline my workflow, but it comes with a high price tag that’s tough for small businesses.

Lead Developer

The level of complexity that you can quickly get to with this software makes it easy to get in over your head and become frustrated with the processes they have available.

Financial Advisor

For example, when I mark someone as “check-in due,” it automatically adds a task and a reminder for the week after

Support Team Leader

Email scheduling and various saved email lists make it easy to create content in advance to send out and to send at the best time of day to ensure best engagement with your audience!

Keap conveniently delivered automated lead capture and the campaign building tools also impressed me significantly.

Limited customization, and unreliable, the software is clearly very old hobbled together code that is not really able to keep up with its competitors

One downside is that the appointment scheduling tool can link with other external calendar applications.

ActiveCampaign vs Keap Comparison (2026)

ActiveCampaign

Keap

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives