VETTED SAAS
Alternatives · Email

Best ActiveCampaign alternatives

The email tools we would weigh against ActiveCampaign when the price, the learning curve or the missing free plan start to bite.

ActiveCampaign is our top scoring email tool for automation depth, and for teams that need that depth it is worth the work. Buyers most often look elsewhere for one of three reasons: the cost as a contact list grows, the learning curve that depth brings, and the lack of a free plan to start on. The four below cover the usual exits, from a cheaper send based model to a simpler value tool to a broader all in one. Each carries our editorial score and a verified entry price so you can match the tradeoff to your team.

Some links below are affiliate links. We may earn a commission · it never affects our rankings, which are editorial and never for sale. Disclosure.

Reviewed by ·Updated JUNE 2026·How we vet
The shortlist

Four email tools we would weigh first

Email 89 Brevo Cheaper send based pricing with unlimited contacts and SMS. Read verdict → Email 84 GetResponse Comparable automation depth plus webinars and funnels. Read verdict → Email 90 MailerLite Simpler and cheaper when you do not need deep workflows. Read verdict → Email 84 HubSpot Email Email inside a full CRM and marketing suite. Read verdict →
At a glance

How they compare

Scores are editorial assessments against our email marketing rubric. Price from as of June 2026; check the vendor for current pricing.

Tool Best for Price from Score
MailerLite Value first simplicity Free / $10 90
Brevo Send based pricing with SMS Free / $9 89
GetResponse Automation plus webinars Free / $19 84
HubSpot Email Email inside a full CRM Free / $20 84
Decision framework

Which one fits you

Brevo you want to cut cost with send based pricing and unlimited contacts, and you would rather pay for emails sent than for every contact stored, with SMS in the box.
GetResponse you want automation close to ActiveCampaign's depth but also webinars, funnels and landing pages under one login, at a fairer entry price.
MailerLite you do not need ActiveCampaign's deepest workflows, and you want a clean editor, a generous free plan and much lower prices.
HubSpot Email email is one part of a wider need, and you want it inside a full CRM and marketing suite with a free tier to start on.
Common questions

ActiveCampaign alternatives FAQ

What is the best ActiveCampaign alternative?

It depends on why you are leaving. Brevo is the best for cutting cost with send based pricing, GetResponse the closest on automation depth with webinars added, MailerLite the best value for simpler needs, and HubSpot the pick when you want email inside a full CRM. Scores are editorial; pricing verified June 2026.

Is there a cheaper alternative to ActiveCampaign?

Yes. Brevo is free then from $9 and bills by emails sent, MailerLite is free then from $10 by subscribers, and GetResponse is free then from $19. ActiveCampaign has no free plan and prices by contacts, so a different model often lowers the real bill. Verified June 2026.

Which alternative matches ActiveCampaign on automation?

GetResponse comes closest among these on automation depth while adding webinars and funnels, and HubSpot is strong if you want automation inside a full CRM. Brevo and MailerLite offer capable automation at a lower price but less depth than ActiveCampaign at the top end.

Does ActiveCampaign have a free alternative?

Several. Brevo, MailerLite, GetResponse and HubSpot all offer free plans, which ActiveCampaign does not. The free tiers vary in limits, so check send caps, contact limits and which automation features are included before committing. Verified June 2026.

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