Introduction
Email marketing and automation tools have become essential for businesses of all sizes. Among the many available, ActiveCampaign stands out as a top-rated customer experience automation platform. In one place, it brings together email marketing, CRM (Customer Relationship Management), sales automation, and customer journey planning. But before investing in any tool, one of the first things businesses ask is, “How much does ActiveCampaign cost, and which plan is right for me?”
In this guide, we’ll break down ActiveCampaign pricing, features, and use cases so you can confidently pick the best plan for your business.
Overview of ActiveCampaign Pricing
ActiveCampaign uses a tiered pricing model. The cost depends on two main factors:
- Which plan you choose—Lite, Plus, Professional, or Enterprise
- The number of contacts you manage → Pricing increases as your email list grows
For example:
- Lite Plan (500 contacts) → $19/month
- Plus Plan (500 contacts) → $49/month
- Professional Plan (500 contacts) → $149/month
- Enterprise Plan → Custom pricing
Unlike some competitors, ActiveCampaign does not offer a forever-free plan, but it provides a 14-day free trial so businesses can test features before committing.
ActiveCampaign Pricing Plans Explained
There are different features in each plan that are made to meet the wants of different businesses.
a) Lite Plan – Starting at $19/month
Who it’s for: Solo entrepreneurs, bloggers, and small businesses starting with email marketing.
Features:
- Unlimited email sending
- Email templates & campaigns
- Basic automation workflows
- Chat & email support
- Newsletter tracking and reports
Pros:
- Affordable entry-level option
- Covers all essential email marketing needs
Cons:
- No CRM or sales automation
- No landing pages or SMS features
- If you only need to run email campaigns and simple automations, Lite is the most budget-friendly choice.
b) Plus Plan – Starting at $49/month
Who it’s for: Small-to-medium businesses looking for sales and marketing integration.
Features:
- Everything in Lite
- CRM with deal tracking
- Sales automation tools
- Landing pages & web forms
- Lead scoring
- SMS marketing
- Facebook custom audiences
- Custom branding
Pros:
- Adds Customer Relationship Management, making it more than just email marketing
- Great for businesses managing leads and nurturing customers
Cons:
- Pricing increases quickly with larger contact lists
- Advanced analytics still limited
The Plus Plan is the most popular choice for growing businesses, offering automation, CRM, and cross-channel engagement.
c) Professional Plan – Starting at $149/month
Who it’s for: Scaling businesses that rely on data-driven marketing and personalization.
Features:
- Everything in Plus
- AI figures out the best time to send emails with predictive sending.
- Predictive win probability (AI forecasts which leads are most likely to convert)
- Split automation (test workflows for better optimization)
- Website personalization
- Site messaging (in-app or website messages)
- Advanced performance reporting
Pros:
- AI-driven marketing features
- Advanced automation for personalized customer journeys
- Great for teams needing detailed analytics
Cons:
- More expensive, especially with larger lists
- Making the most of the features requires practice and patience.
Best suited for mid- to large-sized companies looking to maximize ROI with predictive analytics and advanced customer journeys.
Billing Options
ActiveCampaign offers two billing options:
- Monthly billing → Flexible, cancel anytime, slightly more expensive
- Annual billing → Discounted rates (save up to 20%)
If you want to save money, paying once a year is better.
ActiveCampaign Features That Add Value
Whatever the price range, ActiveCampaign provides a number of strong features:
- Email Marketing → Campaigns, templates, automation
- Marketing Automation → Trigger-based workflows, customer journeys
- CRM & Sales Automation → Deal tracking, lead scoring, pipeline management
- Personalization → Predictive sending, segmentation, dynamic content
- Multi-Channel Engagement → Email, SMS, site messaging, and social ads
- Analytics & Reporting → Campaign tracking, advanced reports, conversion insights
These features make ActiveCampaign more than just an email tool—it’s an all-in-one customer engagement platform.
ActiveCampaign Pricing vs Competitors
How does ActiveCampaign compare with other popular platforms?
| Tool | Starting Price | Strength | Limitation |
| ActiveCampaign | $19/month | Best automation and CRM combo | No free plan |
| Mailchimp | Free (up to 500 contacts), paid from $13/month | Easy to use | Limited automation |
| HubSpot | Free CRM, paid marketing tools from $45/month | Robust all-in-one | Expensive scaling |
| ConvertKit | Free up to 1,000 contacts, paid from $15/month | Great for creators | Limited CRM |
| Klaviyo | Free up to 250 contacts | Strong for e-commerce | Gets expensive fast |
Verdict: ActiveCampaign offers the best balance of automation, CRM, and pricing for growing businesses.
Pros and Cons of ActiveCampaign Pricing
Pros:
- Flexible plans for different business sizes
- Powerful automation even at mid-tier pricing
- CRM and marketing integration saves on extra tools
- AI-powered personalization for higher engagement
Cons:
- No forever-free plan
- Pricing scales quickly with contact list growth
- Advanced plans require learning curve
Which ActiveCampaign Plan Should You Choose?
- Select Lite if you only require rudimentary email marketing.
- Choose Plus → If you want CRM, lead scoring, and sales automation
- Select Professional if you require A/B workflow testing, personalization, and predictive AI.
- Choose Enterprise → If you’re a large company with compliance and support needs
Start with the lowest plan that meets your needs, then upgrade as your business grows.
Is ActiveCampaign Worth the Cost?
Yes. While it might seem more expensive than some entry-level tools, ActiveCampaign replaces multiple platforms (email, CRM, automation, and personalization). Over time, this consolidation results in financial savings.
Businesses benefit from:
- Better customer engagement
- Improved sales pipeline management
- Higher conversion rates with automation and personalization
If customer experience and marketing efficiency are your priorities, ActiveCampaign is worth the investment.
Tips to Save Money on ActiveCampaign
- Choose yearly billing to save as much as 20%.
- Clean your email list regularly to avoid paying for inactive subscribers
- Start small—upgrade only when you truly need more features
- Use automation wisely to maximize ROI
Final Thoughts
ActiveCampaign pricing and features are structured to serve businesses at every stage. From startups using the Lite Plan to enterprises relying on advanced customization, the platform ensures flexibility and value.
- Lite: Affordable for email marketing beginners
- Plus: The ideal ratio of automation and CRM for Small and Medium-sized Business.
- Professional: Advanced AI and personalization for scaling companies
- Enterprise: Tailored for large corporations and regulated industries
The key is to match your business needs with the right plan. With powerful features and scalable pricing, ActiveCampaign is one of the most cost-effective tools for businesses serious about automation and customer experience.