Mailchimp vs ActiveCampaign: Which One Should You Actually Buy (2026)
People ask “which is best” — the real question is which fits how you work. We ran both through identical tasks.
Pricing
| Mailchimp | ActiveCampaign | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free + ~$13/mo | from ~$29/mo |
How they compare
Mailchimp — The email default. Easy, but pricier as lists grow.
ActiveCampaign — Automation-first email. Best for behavior-triggered sequences.
Who should buy which
Mailchimp
The email default. Easy, but pricier as lists grow.
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ActiveCampaign
Automation-first email. Best for behavior-triggered sequences.
PaperLab may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence.
Bottom line: Mailchimp if beginner email marketing. ActiveCampaign if marketers running automations.
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