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Email marketing software
Updated 2026-06-07 · 工具猫
Disclosure: this page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rankings reflect our honest opinion and are not influenced by commissions.
Short version: choose ActiveCampaign if automation and built-in CRM are core to how you sell — it's the more powerful platform. Choose Mailchimp if you want an easier all-in-one tool with a free tier to start. ActiveCampaign has no free plan but offers a 14-day trial.
| Product | Free plan | Paid starts | Automation | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ActiveCampaign | None (14-day trial) | $15/mo (Starter, 1k, annual) | Advanced / multi-step | Automation-heavy teams | Visit · link coming soon |
| Mailchimp | 250 contacts / 500 sends/mo | $13/mo (Essentials, 500) | Customer Journeys (basic) | Beginners / SMB | Visit · link coming soon |
4.5
Marketing automation and email platform with a built-in CRM and deep, multi-step automation workflows.
Best for: Teams that live in automation and need a CRM
4.0
All-in-one marketing platform with email, landing pages and basic automation, easiest to start with.
Best for: Beginners and small businesses wanting simple all-in-one
If your growth depends on sophisticated automation and you want sales CRM in the same tool, ActiveCampaign is the clear pick despite the lack of a free plan. If you're just starting out or want the gentlest learning curve, Mailchimp gets you going faster.
Does ActiveCampaign have a free plan?
No. ActiveCampaign offers a 14-day free trial (100 contacts, 100 sends) but no permanent free plan. Mailchimp does offer a limited free plan.
Is ActiveCampaign's automation really better than Mailchimp's?
Yes, for most users. ActiveCampaign's automation builder supports more complex multi-step, conditional workflows and includes a CRM, whereas Mailchimp's Customer Journeys are simpler.