Updated June 30, 2026 · Pricing and features verified 2026
Key takeaways
- Mailchimp wins on ease of use and is better for simple newsletters.
- ActiveCampaign wins on automation depth and built-in CRM.
- Mailchimp has a free plan; ActiveCampaign offers a 14-day trial only.
- Choose by need: simplicity (Mailchimp) versus serious automation (ActiveCampaign).
The short version: choose Mailchimp if you want the easiest tool for newsletters and simple campaigns; choose ActiveCampaign if automation and a built-in CRM matter more than simplicity.
Mailchimp vs ActiveCampaign at a glance
| Mailchimp | ActiveCampaign | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $13/mo (Essentials) | $15/mo (Starter) |
| Free plan | Yes (250 contacts) | Trial only (14 days) |
| Automation | Basic to moderate | Deep, visual builder |
| Built-in CRM | Light | Yes |
| Best for | Simple newsletters | Automation-heavy senders |
Pricing
Mailchimp has a free plan (250 contacts) and Essentials from $13/month, but pricing is contact-based and counts unsubscribed contacts. ActiveCampaign has no free plan (14-day trial), starting at $15/month for Starter (1,000 contacts), with automation unlocking on higher tiers.
Verdict: Mailchimp for a free start; ActiveCampaign for automation value as you scale.
Automation
This is the core difference. ActiveCampaign has one of the best visual automation builders available, with conditional logic, lead scoring, and CRM-driven journeys. Mailchimp covers the essentials, welcome series, abandoned cart, but hits a ceiling on complex logic.
Verdict: ActiveCampaign, clearly, for automation depth.
Ease of use
Mailchimp is famously beginner-friendly, with a polished editor and templates. ActiveCampaign is more powerful but has a steeper learning curve.
Verdict: Mailchimp for ease; ActiveCampaign for capability.
CRM and segmentation
ActiveCampaign includes a real CRM and advanced behavioral segmentation. Mailchimp offers a lighter CRM and good but simpler segmentation.
Verdict: ActiveCampaign for CRM and segmentation depth.
Choose Mailchimp if…
- You mainly send newsletters and simple campaigns.
- Ease of use and a free plan matter most.
- You do not need deep automation.
Choose ActiveCampaign if…
- You want advanced, behavior-driven automation.
- You need a built-in CRM and lead scoring.
- You are comfortable with a steeper learning curve.
Frequently asked questions
Is ActiveCampaign better than Mailchimp? For automation and CRM, yes. For simple newsletters and ease of use, Mailchimp is the better fit.
Does ActiveCampaign have a free plan? No, it offers a 14-day trial. Mailchimp has a free plan for up to 250 contacts.
Which is better for automation? ActiveCampaign, with its deep visual automation builder and lead scoring.