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15 Best Alternatives to ActiveCampaign for SMBs
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ActiveCampaign has long been a go-to for small businesses looking to bring marketing and CRM under one roof. It’s clean, intuitive, and comes packed with automation tools that make it easy to get campaigns up and running. If you’re a solopreneur or part of a lean team, it probably checks most of the boxes.
But as your business grows, so do your needs. This is where ActiveCampaign can start to feel a little stretched. Tasks like manual data entry, limited scalability, and a CRM that doesn’t quite keep up with more complex workflows can become bottlenecks. And while it performs well for smaller operations, SMBs and fast-growing teams often hit its ceiling sooner than expected.
At this stage, many businesses begin searching for tools that are better equipped to handle scale, deeper automation, and more advanced CRM features.
In this guide, we’ll walk through 15 best alternatives to ActiveCampaign that you can consider – each with its own perks depending on your needs and budget.
| ActiveCampaign Alternatives | Popular for | Average Rating | Pricing |
| LeadSquared | Ease of use, rich features, scalability, no-code automation | 4.4 | Lite – $25 per user/month Pro – $50 per user/month Super – $100 per user/month |
| Keap | Lead tracking, powerful automation builder, generous feature set | 4.2 | Pro – $149 per month Max – $199 per month |
| Insightly | Built-in lead generation tools, customizability, and email marketing | 4.2 | Plus – $29 per user/month Professional – $49 per user/month Enterprise – $99 per user/month |
| EngageBay | Email nurturing, Marketing automation, Sales pipeline management | 4.6 | Free – $0 per user/month Basic – $12.74 per user/month Growth – $42.49 per user/month Pro – $84.99 per user/month |
| Agile CRM | Marketing ROI tracking, robust functionality, and a wide number of features | 4 | Free – $0 per user/month Starter – $8.99 per user/month Regular – $29.99 per user/month Enterprise – $47.99 per user/month |
| Omnisend | Ecommerce-specific features, deep ecommerce integrations, multichannel automation | 4.6 | Free plan available Standard – From $16/month Pro – Higher-tier pricing |
| HubSpot | All-in-one CRM suite, Strong automation, Clean UI with excellent onboarding | 4.4 | Free plan available Starter – From $20/month Professional – Starts at $890/month |
| MailerLite | Generous free plan, Great deliverability, Beginner-friendly interface | 4.6 | Free – $0 (1,000 subs / 12,000 emails) Growing Business – From $9/month Advanced – From $19/month |
| Salesmate | Clean interface, Visual automation builder, Built-in calling & texting | 4.6 | Starter – $12/user/month Growth – $24/user/month Boost – $40/user/month Enterprise – Custom |
| Campaigner | Strong personalization and segmentation features, Visual automation builder, Simple and intuitive interface | 4.4 | Starter – $59/month Essential – $179/month Advanced – $649/month |
| Mailchimp | Strong deliverability track record, free plan with solid volume, beginner-friendly design | 4.3 | Free Essentials – From $13/month Standard – From $20/month Premium – From $350/month |
| Drip | Built for ecommerce, great segmentation features, strong integrations | 4.4 | Starts at $39/month for up to 2,500 contacts. Pricing scales based on contact count. |
| Klaviyo | Ecommerce-first automation, performance insights | 4.6 | Free: Up to 250 contacts and 500 email sends/month Paid plans: Start at $20/month |
| Brevo | Pricing based on email volume, not contacts, affordable paid plans, free plan includes marketing automation | 4.5 | Free plan Starter plan – Starts around $25/month Business plan – Around $39/month |
| GetResponse | Free-forever plan, comprehensive toolset for email marketing, built-in webinar hosting | 4.3 | Free plan Paid plans – Start at $19/month Advanced ecommerce and automation tools are included in higher tiers ($119/month and above) |
1. LeadSquared
LeadSquared is an end-to-end sales execution, marketing automation, and AI-powered service platform built to help businesses scale smarter and faster. Designed with high-velocity teams in mind, it offers feature-rich solutions across lead capture, engagement, and conversion. From education and finance to healthcare and field sales, LeadSquared stands out as a flexible, industry-adaptable alternative to generalist CRMs like ActiveCampaign.
It combines strong workflow automation capabilities with practical tools like lead tracking, built-in dialers, and mobile CRM access—making it ideal for teams that need to move quickly and collaboratively.
LeadSquared pros
- Feature-rich and scalable: LeadSquared packs in more native functionality than many competitors, including ActiveCampaign. From lead scoring and activity tracking to landing page creation and no-code workflow automation, it’s designed to scale with your business.
- Industry-specific solutions: Whether you’re in higher education, lending, insurance, or healthcare, LeadSquared offers tailored workflows and integrations that minimize setup time.
- Affordable for feature set: Despite offering advanced tools, LeadSquared remains cost-effective, especially for businesses seeking depth without the enterprise price tag.
- Excellent support: Responsive customer service and onboarding support help reduce the learning curve, particularly for teams migrating from simpler tools.
LeadSquared has gained a lot of high praise in its reviews, with one client on Gartner even calling it “The ultimate CRM.”
LeadSquared cons
- Can feel slow or dense at times: Some users report occasional performance lags or UI complexity—particularly during peak loads or on older systems.
- Setup can require guidance: While the platform is powerful, teams unfamiliar with robust CRMs may need time (or help) to unlock its full potential.
Reviews also talk about occasional bugs the software produces: “Occasionally, excessive usage can lead to malfunctions.”
LeadSquared pricing
LeadSquared offers tiered pricing based on user roles and functionality, with all plans providing access to core CRM and automation features.
- Lite – $25/user/month
- Pro – $50/user/month
- Super – $100/user/month
You can refer to the company’s pricing page for more information on the features provided under each package.
2. Keap
Keap (formerly Infusionsoft) is a cloud-based CRM designed to help small and midsize businesses manage everything from lead generation to follow-ups, marketing campaigns, and even invoicing—all in one place. It’s particularly well-suited for solopreneurs and service-based teams looking to scale their operations without patching together multiple tools.
One of Keap’s core strengths is how it ties together contact management, marketing automation, and sales workflows. From customizable landing pages to appointment scheduling and payments, Keap aims to provide an end-to-end customer journey platform with automation baked in.
Keap pros
- All-in-one platform: CRM, automation, scheduling, invoicing, and email marketing are integrated, which simplifies your tech stack.
- Generous feature set: Compared to ActiveCampaign, Keap often includes more tools in its base packages—ideal for solo founders or lean teams.
- Powerful automation builder: Its visual campaign builder makes it easy to create rule-based workflows for emails, tasks, and lead nurturing.
- Effective marketing tracking: Highly regarded for planning and managing campaigns—some users say it’s the best marketing tool they’ve ever used.
- Responsive customer support: Includes live support, onboarding, and 1:1 coaching (especially helpful during setup).
Keap is particularly good at planning and tracking marketing initiatives. “It may be the most effective marketing management software we have ever used,” shared a user in one of the many reviews on G2.
Keap cons
- Steep learning curve: Despite being powerful, it can be difficult to master. One user likened it to “building a sandcastle with a bulldozer.”
- Limited reporting options: Custom analytics and in-depth reporting fall short compared to more robust platforms like ActiveCampaign.
- Pricey for small teams: Entry-level pricing is higher than many competitors, which can make it less accessible for startups or budget-conscious teams.
- Email builder limitations: The editor lacks some of the customization flexibility offered by tools like MailerLite or ActiveCampaign.
“I’ve likened it to building a sandcastle with a bulldozer,” is what one reviewer wrote about its usability.
Keap pricing
- Pro – $149/month for 2 users
- Max – $199/month for 3 users
- 14-day free trial available
Pricing scales with your contact list and feature needs, so expect to pay more as your team and database grow.
3. Insightly
Insightly is a CRM and marketing automation platform built primarily for small to mid-sized businesses that need an integrated system for managing sales, customer relationships, and marketing initiatives. Compared to ActiveCampaign, which leans heavily into marketing automation and email, Insightly brings a more balanced CRM+Marketing blend, making it a strong contender for businesses looking for a project and sales pipeline management-focused tool with some automation features baked in.
Insightly pros
- Built-in lead generation tools — a core feature that ActiveCampaign lacks natively.
- Customizable without code — users can tailor their CRM without technical expertise.
- Strong sales and project management — Insightly bridges CRM and project tracking in one platform.
“My favorite thing about Insightly is how easy it is to customize! I have no coding background, and I have been able to construct a system architecture that is both user-friendly and robust!”
Joanna F. (via G2)
Insightly cons
- Customer support issues — many users report slow or unhelpful support experiences.
- Buggy features — newer tools on the platform may be unreliable or prone to glitches.
- Potential workflow disruption — occasional bugs can interfere with daily automation and task management.
One of this software’s Achilles’ heel is its customer support, with many reviews expressing how unhelpful and bad their experience with the customer service has been.
Insightly Pricing
- Plus – $29 per user/month
- Professional – $49 per user/month
- Enterprise – $99 per user/month
Insightly offers good value for teams that want a sales-first CRM with customizable workflows—just keep an eye on platform stability and support responsiveness.
4. EngageBay
EngageBay is an all-in-one CRM that combines marketing, sales, and support features into a single, easy-to-use platform. It’s designed with smaller businesses in mind—especially those that want a straightforward way to manage customer relationships without jumping between multiple tools.
With features like omnichannel marketing, deal pipelines, appointment scheduling, and even a built-in helpdesk, EngageBay aims to cover most day-to-day tasks for growing teams. The interface is clean and beginner-friendly, making it a practical choice if you’re just getting started with CRMs or don’t have a dedicated IT team.
While it may not have the depth of integrations some larger platforms offer, it does a solid job of keeping things organized and efficient.
EngageBay pros
- User-friendly design: Its dashboard is clean and easy to navigate, making it a great choice for teams that are new to CRM tools.
- All-in-one toolkit: Combines CRM, marketing automation, email campaigns, appointment scheduling, and customer support tools in one place.
- Omnichannel capabilities: Engage leads through email, SMS, social, and web interactions—all from a single platform.
- Built-in live chat and helpdesk: Includes tools for real-time support and ticket management, unlike many other platforms in this space.
- Affordable pricing: Offers significant value at a much lower cost than many of its competitors, especially for startups and small businesses.
EngageBay cons
- Limited integrations: Compared to platforms like ActiveCampaign, EngageBay has a more restricted range of third-party app integrations, which may be a limitation for businesses with complex tech stacks.
- Scalability concerns: While great for smaller teams, some users have noted that the platform lacks a few advanced features that growing companies may eventually need.
- Mobile app limitations: The absence of a dedicated mobile app may be a drawback for teams that need CRM access on the go.
An issue with the software is that it doesn’t integrate with as many applications as other alternatives on this list, which can become an obstacle while scaling.
EngageBay pricing
- Basic: $12.74/month
- Growth: $42.49/month
- Pro: $84.99/month
5. Agile CRM
Agile is an all-in-one customer relationship management platform designed to bring enterprise-level features—like marketing automation, telephony, helpdesk, and lead management—to small and mid-sized businesses at affordable prices.
It offers a well-rounded toolset that can handle everything from customer support to sales pipeline automation. As an ActiveCampaign alternative, Agile CRM stands out for its affordability and breadth of built-in features.
Agile CRM pros
- Feature-rich and budget-friendly – Offers a wide range of tools including telephony, chat integration, marketing automation, lead scoring, and helpdesk functionality.
- Generous free plan – Includes up to 10 users, making it one of the most accessible options for small teams.
- All-in-one platform – Useful for businesses that want to manage sales, marketing, and service without switching tools.
- Built-in telephony and helpdesk tools — features like call automation and ticketing go beyond what ActiveCampaign offers natively.
- Visual campaign builder — allows users to create automated workflows with a simple drag-and-drop interface.
Plus, this CRM is intuitive, and based on a review on G2,
“Its onboarding process is straightforward, so there’s no long learning curve to worry about. Any business can benefit from using this user-friendly CRM, which offers a clear and concise interface for the tasks it’s designed for.”
Agile CRM cons
- Uneven feature distribution – Key features like phone and email integration are reserved for higher-tier plans, limiting flexibility for budget users.
- Stability concerns – Users have reported bugs, especially when using automation features like email campaigns.
Many users also complain that the paid version has many bugs and hidden costs.
“Once we started using emails in a campaign, many bugs surfaced and hidden features that we needed to run the campaigns weren’t. So, to set up such a campaign, you need to update again to a higher plan.”
Chris F (via G2)
Agile CRM Pricing
- Free – $0 per user/month (up to 10 users)
- Starter – $8.99 per user/month
- Regular – $29.99 per user/month
- Enterprise – $47.99 per user/month
6. Omnisend
Omnisend is a marketing automation tool built with e-commerce businesses in mind. It combines email, SMS, and push notifications into one streamlined platform—designed to help online stores boost engagement and drive sales through smart, automated campaigns. With direct integrations to popular ecommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce, Omnisend acts as a marketing command center for retail brands.
Omnisend pros
- Ecommerce-specific features – From gamified signup forms (like scratch cards and spin-to-win wheels) to product recommendations and cart recovery emails, Omnisend is tailored for online stores.
- Deep integrations – Works seamlessly with platforms like Shopify, PrestaShop, WooCommerce, Magento, and more—making setup and automation feel native.
- Multichannel automation – Combines email, SMS, and push notifications in unified workflows that respond to real-time customer behavior.
- Advanced segmentation – Helps target campaigns based on customer activity, order history, and shopping behavior.
- All features included on free plan – Unlike many competitors, Omnisend doesn’t lock core features behind a paywall—even its free tier includes automations, segmentation, and SMS.
Some reviews praise its email and SMS campaign automations: “What I like best about Omnisend is how easy it is to create and automate email and SMS campaigns without needing any technical skills”
Omnisend cons
- Tight sending limits on free plan – Only 500 emails/month to 250 subscribers, which may not be enough for growing businesses.
- Limited subscriber insights – Lacks features like geo-tracking or social profile enrichment that ActiveCampaign provides.
- Monthly email caps – Even paid plans place limits on monthly email sends, which could become restrictive as your list scales.
One review said: “One thing I dislike about Omnisend is that the visual automation builder, while powerful, can get a bit cluttered when you have multiple branches or complex workflows.”
Omnisend pricing
- Free – $0/month (500 emails, 250 contacts, includes automation and SMS)
- Standard – From $16/month (based on list size, increases with volume)
- Pro – Higher-tier pricing with added SMS credits and advanced reports
7. HubSpot
HubSpot is a heavyweight in the marketing automation world—and for good reason. It’s designed to be an all-in-one growth platform, bundling tools for email marketing, content management, lead generation, customer service, and sales automation into one ecosystem. For businesses that want everything under one roof, HubSpot often tops the list.
HubSpot pros
- All-in-one marketing automation platform, with sales CRM, and service tools
- Free plan includes email, forms, live chat, and contact tracking
- Clean interface with excellent onboarding and tutorials
- Strong automation and omnichannel support on higher tiers
Customers praise its simple and clean UI: I like the simple interface, the easy to implement software. I have been using HubSpot for some years now on a daily bases for marketing Hub and I find it easy to navigate and use.
HubSpot cons
- High cost at scale: Advanced automation and omnichannel tools start at $890/month
- Limited free tier: Businesses often outgrow the free or starter plans quickly
- Workflow complexity: More advanced features can be overwhelming for smaller teams
Customers say: “I think it is still very expensive for many business owners.”
HubSpot pricing
- Free plan available
- Starter: From $20/month
- Professional: Starts at $890/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
8. MailerLite
MailerLite is a light, yet capable email marketing platform built for simplicity and affordability. It’s a great fit for small businesses, creators, and startups that need essential tools without the complexity or cost of full-featured CRMs like ActiveCampaign.
One of its most appealing features is the generous free plan, which includes up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 monthly emails—making it one of the most accessible entry points in the space. Even at this free level, you get access to automation workflows, a drag-and-drop editor, basic analytics, and a landing page builder. MailerLite also supports transactional emails through its sister platform, MailerSend.
It’s particularly well-regarded for high deliverability rates, meaning your emails are more likely to land in inboxes rather than spam folders. While its library of email templates is somewhat limited on the free plan, the ones that are available are modern, clean, and easy to customize.
MailerLite pros
- Generous free plan with 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails/month
- Great deliverability—a strong track record of inbox placement
- Beginner-friendly interface with simple navigation
- Includes landing page builder, automation, and basic reporting
Users also have high praise for its customer support: “When issues arise, as they always do in any business, this fantastic platform treats customers with the respect due, not only as those who pay for service but as human beings trying to eke out a living like everyone else.”
MailerLite cons
- Limited email template options on the free plan
- Basic reporting tools—lacks detailed segmentation and insights
- Not ideal for sales-focused teams, as it lacks CRM and pipeline features
- Advanced automation is limited compared to platforms like ActiveCampaign
Users also say: “Although I really like MailerLite, sometimes I feel that some advanced features are limited in the free plan”
MailerLite pricing
- Free: $0 – includes 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails/month
- Growing Business: From $9/month
- Advanced: From $19/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing available
9. Salesmate
Salesmate is a CRM platform built with simplicity in mind. Known for its clean interface and visual workflow builder, it’s a great pick for teams that want an intuitive, hands-on tool to manage sales and automation without getting lost in complexity. Whether you’re mapping out a lead nurture sequence or handling follow-ups, Salesmate makes it easy to stay in control of the process.
Salesmate pros
- Clean, user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate, even for beginners
- Visual automation builder helps users map workflows clearly and logically
- Built-in calling and texting included on all pricing tiers—no extra tools required
- Great for sales teams that want to manage communications directly inside the CRM
Users praise its clean interface and great customer support: “Super clean interface and beyond amazing customer care.”
Salesmate cons
- No free plan, which may be limiting for startups or small teams
- Per-user pricing on all plans, which can add up quickly as your team grows
Salesmate pricing
- Starter – $12 per user/month
- Growth – $24 per user/month
- Boost – $40 per user/month
- Enterprise – Custom pricing
10. Campaigner
Campaigner is an email marketing platform designed for small to mid-sized businesses that want power without complexity. It offers a straightforward, no-fuss interface while still packing in some advanced features like automation, segmentation, and personalization. If your primary focus is crafting smart, targeted email campaigns without needing a full-blown CRM, Campaigner is a worthy contender.
Its visual workflow builder makes it easy to map out customer journeys and automate follow-ups, while the segmentation tools help you deliver relevant content to the right audiences. It’s also backed by a responsive customer support team—something several users have called out as a big plus when issues arise mid-campaign.
Campaigner pros
- Simple and intuitive interface—great for teams that want advanced tools without a steep learning curve
- Strong personalization and segmentation features to drive targeted engagement
- Visual automation builder for creating detailed customer journeys
- Reliable customer support—quick responses when you hit a snag
One user remarks: “the most important features about it is that it offers 24/7 live support.”
Campaigner cons
- Limited CRM capabilities—not an all-in-one platform like ActiveCampaign
- Fewer third-party integrations, which can limit flexibility if you rely on other tools
- Higher pricing tier, especially for small businesses looking to scale affordably
Here is what a user had to say about the tool’s pricing: “There is no free version available and may seem overpriced for new people in the field who are just getting started with marketing and marketing automation.”
Campaigner pricing
- Starter – $59/month
- Essential – $179/month
- Advanced – $649/month
11. Mailchimp
Mailchimp is one of the most widely recognized email marketing platforms on the market, and its popularity often surpasses that of ActiveCampaign. Originally built as a simple newsletter tool, it has since evolved into a full-fledged marketing automation platform with features spanning landing pages, social media ads, audience segmentation, and basic CRM capabilities. It’s a popular starting point for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs due to its free plan and user-friendly interface.
Mailchimp pros
- Free plan with solid volume – Mailchimp’s free plan allows users to send emails to a modest audience without paying upfront. While the send limits have tightened over time, the entry-level option still provides room for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 email sends per month.
- Beginner-friendly design – The user interface is clean and intuitive, with helpful prompts and pre-built email journeys that reduce the learning curve.
- Extra tools outside email – Mailchimp offers scheduling features, a lightweight ecommerce store builder, and transactional email support—tools not typically found in more automation-focused platforms like ActiveCampaign.
- Strong deliverability track record – Mailchimp continues to perform well in email deliverability tests, ensuring that campaigns land in inboxes consistently.
Users praise its ease of use for non-tech users: “Mailchimp makes it simple to create and manage great email marketing pieces for non-tech users. There are lots of features, the emails are mobile friendly, it’s relatively easy to setup and embed into your site.”
Mailchimp cons
- Limited personalization and automation – Advanced users may find Mailchimp lacking in behavioral targeting and conditional content capabilities. Unlike ActiveCampaign, it doesn’t support advanced logic to tailor content at a granular level.
- Automation templates are basic – The automation workflow builder is easy to use but lacks the depth and flexibility of ActiveCampaign’s.
- Features gated by pricing – Several useful features—like multivariate testing and advanced segmentation—are locked behind higher-priced plans, which can limit scalability for growing businesses.
Some users say: “The cost is absurd. Small business is penalized for having a larger email list by way of HUGE cost.”
Mailchimp pricing
- Free – $0/month for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly emails
- Essentials – From $13/month
- Standard – From $20/month
- Premium – From $350/month
12. Drip
Drip is a marketing automation platform built specifically for ecommerce businesses, offering a focused set of tools for brands looking to drive revenue through personalized customer experiences. It goes beyond basic email marketing with features like behavior-based automations, multichannel campaigns (email + text messages), and deep ecommerce integrations with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.
While it doesn’t aim to be a full-fledged CRM like ActiveCampaign, Drip stands out by helping online retailers send the right message to the right customer based on real-time actions like cart abandonment, past purchases, or browsing behavior.
Drip pros
- Built for ecommerce: Tailored automations and workflows for online stores, including purchase-triggered campaigns and product recommendations.
- Strong integrations: Seamless connection with major ecommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento.
- Great segmentation: Helps target customers based on behavior, purchase history, and other ecommerce-specific data.
- Revenue tracking: Built-in analytics show exactly how much revenue your campaigns generate.
Users praise its automation workflows for ecommerce marketing: “Drip stands out for its user-friendly automation workflows and strong focus on e-commerce marketing.”
Drip cons
- No free plan: Pricing starts at $39/month, making it less accessible to smaller or budget-conscious businesses.
- Limited testing tools: No built-in spam testing or design previews—so you may need to rely on external tools for campaign QA.
- Less flexible editor: Compared to ActiveCampaign, Drip’s drag-and-drop builder has fewer content blocks and limited support for conditional content.
- Ecommerce only: Great for online retailers, but not suitable for teams needing broader CRM or non-ecommerce capabilities.
Users also say: “While Drip offers powerful features, the pricing can be a bit steep for small businesses or startups.”
Drip pricing
- Starts at $39/month for up to 2,500 contacts.
- Pricing scales based on contact count.
- No free plan available, but a 14-day free trial is offered.
13. Klaviyo
Klaviyo is a powerful email and text marketing platform built with ecommerce in mind. Its strength lies in personalization and automation, with deep integrations for platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. Whether you’re sending abandoned cart reminders or post-purchase follow-ups, Klaviyo gives you the tools to craft tailored customer journeys without much technical overhead.
It also stands out for offering benchmarking data—allowing you to compare your email performance to industry peers—and for its transparent pricing model that includes all core features regardless of plan.
Klaviyo pros
- Ecommerce-first automation: Pre-built flows for abandoned carts, welcome sequences, and product recommendations make setup easy.
- Dynamic content: Embed personalized product suggestions directly into emails, helping increase conversions.
- Form A/B testing: Not just email split testing—Klaviyo also lets you test different versions of signup forms.
- Performance insights: Access industry benchmark data to see how your campaigns stack up.
Customers praise its automation and segmentation features: “The automation flows are super effective, and the segmentation options let me target customers in a way that actually drives results.”
Klaviyo cons
- Pricing climbs with growth: While affordable for smaller lists, costs can rise quickly as you scale.
- Not a full CRM: Lacks built-in tools for pipeline management or deeper sales tracking.
- Can be overwhelming: The interface and workflow builder might take time to get used to, especially for beginners.
- Deliverability needs attention: Strong overall, but you’ll need to warm up your domain and follow best practices to hit inboxes consistently.
Klaviyo pricing
- Free: Up to 250 contacts and 500 email sends/month
- Paid plans: Start at $20/month
14. Brevo
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) positions itself as a cost-effective email marketing and CRM platform, well-suited for businesses looking to get the essentials without overspending. Unlike many platforms that charge based on contact list size, Brevo uses a volume-based pricing model—charging by the number of emails sent. This makes it particularly appealing for businesses with large subscriber lists but less frequent campaigns.
Whether you’re sending out newsletters or transactional messages, Brevo offers a well-rounded feature set that covers the bases for most small to mid-sized businesses.
Brevo pros
- Pricing based on email volume, not contacts—ideal for teams with big lists but modest sending needs
- Free plan includes marketing automation, a rare offering in the email platform space
- Affordable paid plans, with the ability to send up to 20,000 emails/month for just $39
- Supports transactional emails, like order confirmations and password resets, right out of the box—no extra integrations required
- Simple and clean interface, easy for newcomers to get started quickly
Users also praise their automation and segmentation options: “What we appreciate most about Brevo is its intuitive design combined with powerful segmentation and automation features.”
Brevo cons
- Reporting and analytics are limited—may not offer enough depth for data-heavy teams
- CRM capabilities are basic, lacking advanced tools like deal pipelines or lead scoring
- Not ideal for sales-heavy workflows that rely on in-depth tracking and automation across complex pipelines
One user remarked: “While Brevo offers many great features, we’ve found that its reporting and analytics tools could be more detailed and customizable.”
Brevo pricing
- Free Plan – Available (includes marketing automation and up to 300 emails/day)
- Starter Plan – Starts around $25/month, pricing scales with email volume
- Business Plan – Around $39/month for 20,000 emails/month (unlimited contacts)
15. GetResponse
GetResponse is more than just an email marketing tool—it’s a well-rounded platform that brings together automation, landing pages, sales funnels, and even webinars under one roof. For businesses that want more than the basics but don’t want to juggle multiple tools, it can be a great fit.
What really sets GetResponse apart is its range of features tailored for both marketers and small business owners looking to scale. From drag-and-drop editors to built-in webinar tools, it offers a lot of value in one place—especially for those just starting out or running lean operations.
GetResponse pros
- Free-forever plan that includes autoresponders and basic landing pages—a solid starting point for small businesses
- Built-in webinar hosting, a rare feature in email marketing platforms
- Visual sales funnel builder to create and track customer journeys
- User-friendly interface that makes campaign setup smooth, even for beginners
- Comprehensive toolset for email marketing, automation, and conversion tracking
Many users praise its ease-of-use: “The ease of use, I like the dashboard and the lead page builder is very easy to use. Overall, a very clean user interface.”
GetResponse cons
- Email deliverability isn’t industry-leading, and may fall short for high-stakes campaigns
- CRM functionality is limited, lacking advanced sales tools like lead scoring and deep pipeline tracking
- Ecommerce features (like abandoned cart recovery or product recommendations) are gated behind higher-tier plans
- More powerful tools come at a price, which might stretch the budget for some small teams or solo founders
Some users have complaints regarding its segmentation features: “Advance segmentations and features are not available, in segmentation we can only add 7 filters.”
GetResponse pricing
- Free Plan – Available (includes autoresponders and 1 landing page)
- Paid Plans – Start at $19/month
- Advanced ecommerce and automation tools are included in higher tiers ($119/month and above)
Conclusion
While ActiveCampaign is a strong platform, it’s not always the best fit for every business. Depending on what you need—be it better pricing, ecommerce tools, simpler automation, or a more intuitive setup—there are several great alternatives to consider as we discussed.
As always, the right choice comes down to your goals, team size, and how much complexity you actually need. For growing businesses that want something powerful yet easy to manage, platforms like LeadSquared which is both scalable and pocket-friendly, are a great choice.
Get in touch with our experts to know more!
FAQs
What should small businesses look for when choosing a CRM or email marketing platform?
Small businesses should prioritize ease of use, automation capabilities, and the ability to scale. A clean interface, customizable workflows, and built-in templates can go a long way in saving time. Integration with your existing tools—like telephony platforms or helpdesks—is also important. Look for a tool that grows with you, not just one that suits you now. And most importantly, ensure the support and learning resources match your team’s tech comfort level.
How do CRM platforms differ from email marketing tools?
CRM platforms are designed to manage your customer data, track interactions, and support your sales process, while email marketing tools focus more on delivering targeted campaigns. Some platforms combine both, letting you automate communication based on user behavior and sales stages. While email tools are great for outreach, CRMs provide a broader context to help you build lasting customer relationships. Many SMBs benefit from choosing a hybrid tool rather than juggling multiple platforms.
Is it better to start with a free plan or invest in a paid one right away?
A free plan can be helpful to explore the interface and core features of a platform, especially when you’re still building your strategy. But most free plans come with limitations—such as low sending limits, lack of automation, or basic integrations—that can restrict growth. If your business depends on consistent follow-ups or lead nurturing, a paid plan often provides better long-term value. It’s a good idea to evaluate free plans with a clear view of what features you’ll need in 3–6 months.
Do I need marketing automation if my contact list is still small?
Absolutely. Marketing automation is about efficiency, not just scale. Even with a small list, setting up automated welcome sequences, reminders, or lead scoring can make your outreach much more effective. It also ensures consistency, which helps build trust early on. As your list grows, automation becomes essential—not just to save time, but to deliver the right message at the right moment. Starting early helps you build smarter workflows from day one.
What role does integration play when choosing a platform?
Integrations connect your CRM or email tool to your website, payment gateway, ecommerce store, or helpdesk—reducing manual work and making your data far more actionable. For example, syncing with your online store lets you automate abandoned cart emails or product recommendations. A tool with deep integrations (like LeadSquared or others in the space) lets you centralize customer activity and run smoother campaigns. It’s a must-have if you’re managing multiple tools and channels.
Can CRM and email tools help generate new leads, or are they just for managing existing ones?
Yes—many tools offer landing pages, pop-ups, social ad integrations, and even referral tracking to help you attract new leads. While traditional CRMs were more about managing contacts post-conversion, newer platforms understand that lead generation is part of the full funnel. This is especially true for small businesses that can’t afford separate software for every stage. It’s wise to choose a platform that enables both generation and nurturing without needing multiple vendors.
How important is customer support when selecting a CRM or email platform?
Very important—especially for SMBs who may not have dedicated IT support. During onboarding or troubleshooting, responsive and knowledgeable customer support can save hours of frustration. Look for platforms that offer live chat, onboarding help, and learning resources like video tutorials or documentation. LeadSquared, for example, is known for its attentive support, which often becomes a deciding factor for growing businesses looking for reliability alongside features.
What kind of reporting should I expect from a good CRM or email platform?
Expect detailed campaign analytics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversion metrics. Good platforms also offer behavioral tracking (what users clicked, when they responded) and sometimes even industry benchmarking. For CRMs, sales funnel tracking, pipeline forecasting, and activity logs are crucial. Reporting shouldn’t just be visual—it should help you identify what’s working, what needs tweaking, and where your team can optimize their efforts.
Are all-in-one platforms better than using separate tools for CRM and email marketing?
For many SMBs, yes—an all-in-one tool can simplify operations, reduce costs, and eliminate data silos. When your CRM and email systems speak the same language, automation becomes more powerful, and your team can avoid duplication. Platforms like LeadSquared bundle these features to streamline sales and marketing workflows without requiring multiple logins or third-party connectors. It’s ideal for lean teams looking to maximize efficiency with fewer moving parts.
What’s the biggest mistake SMBs make when choosing a CRM or email tool?
Many choose based on popularity or the lowest price, rather than what truly fits their workflow. Others underestimate how quickly their needs might grow—leading to early-stage tools that can’t scale with them. It’s important to balance usability, functionality, and support. Instead of chasing shiny features, businesses should focus on long-term flexibility, ease of onboarding, and how well the tool supports their day-to-day goals.
What are some strong alternatives to ActiveCampaign, and how do they differ in features or focus?
Several platforms offer unique advantages over ActiveCampaign, depending on your business needs. GetResponse stands out for its built-in webinars, sales funnels, and a free plan with automation tools—ideal for growing teams. Brevo offers budget-friendly, volume-based pricing and includes features like lead scoring and transactional emails by default.
If you run an online store, Omnisend and Klaviyo specialize in ecommerce automation, offering interactive sign-up forms, dynamic product recommendations, and seamless integrations with platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce.
Meanwhile, LeadSquared takes a more scalable, full-funnel approach—blending deep marketing automation, lead tracking, sales execution, and service tools, making it especially suitable for fast-growing businesses that want to unify their marketing,sales, and support workflows without switching platforms later.
Each tool brings a distinct edge, whether it’s pricing, ecommerce focus, or end-to-end execution—giving you plenty of options beyond ActiveCampaign.
How important are deliverability and reporting when choosing an email marketing platform?
Very important. Deliverability determines whether your emails land in inboxes or get lost in spam folders. Platforms like ActiveCampaign are known for consistently strong inbox placement, while others may have only average results. This matters especially if your campaigns rely on high open rates and customer engagement.
Reporting is another key differentiator. While basic platforms may only show open and click rates, more advanced tools offer detailed segmentation, campaign comparisons, and performance benchmarks to help refine your strategy over time. Some platforms even provide competitive insights or visual analytics dashboards to spot trends faster.
In short, a great email platform isn’t just about flashy templates or automation—it’s also about how reliably it delivers your email and how well it helps you learn from the results. Look for tools with proven performance and insightful analytics if data-driven growth is a priority.
Is tinyEmail a good alternative to ActiveCampaign for those on a budget?
Yes—if affordability is your top priority, tinyEmail is a solid option. Its lower price point makes it especially appealing to individuals, startups, or small teams just getting started with email marketing. It handles the essentials well, offering tools for basic campaign creation, templates, and email sends.
That said, tinyEmail lacks the deeper automation, advanced analytics, and CRM capabilities found in more feature-rich platforms like ActiveCampaign. It’s designed more for simplicity than scale—great for straightforward newsletters, but not ideal for complex marketing workflows or sales tracking.
So, if your current needs are simple and your budget is tight, tinyEmail fits the bill. But for growing businesses or those needing richer integrations and strategic automation, a more robust tool like LeadSquared may serve you better in the long run.
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