What ActiveCampaign is for
ActiveCampaign combines email marketing with a deep automation engine and a light CRM. You send campaigns and newsletters, but the real power is the visual automation builder: sequences that branch based on opens, clicks, purchases or any tag, so each contact gets a relevant path.
Segmentation, forms and a sales CRM round it out, making it a single tool for turning a list into automated, personalised follow-up. It suits businesses that have outgrown basic email tools.
Who it suits, and who it doesn't
It fits small and mid-sized businesses that want more than send-and-hope email, and are ready to use automation and segmentation properly. If you value a powerful automation builder, it is one of the strongest options.
It is less suited to someone who only needs a simple newsletter, where a lighter or free-tier tool is cheaper. Pricing is by contact volume, so costs rise as your list grows, on every plan.
How to get started
- 1
Start the trial
Open ActiveCampaign through the link and sign up, no card required for the 14-day trial.
- 2
Import and segment
Bring in your contacts, add tags and build the segments you want to message differently.
- 3
Build an automation
Use the visual builder to create a welcome or follow-up sequence, then send your first campaign.
The bottom line
ActiveCampaign is an email marketing and automation platform with a built-in CRM: email campaigns, powerful automations, segmentation and sales tools in one place. New accounts get a 14-day free trial with no credit card; paid plans start at about US$15/month for 1,000 contacts billed annually, rising with your list size.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an ActiveCampaign free trial or discount code?+
Yes to the trial: new accounts get a 14-day free trial, no credit card required. ActiveCampaign does not typically publish a public discount code; signing up through our referral link is the most reliable way to start, at no extra cost to you.
How much does ActiveCampaign cost?+
Pricing is by contact volume. The entry Starter plan begins at about US$15/month for 1,000 contacts billed annually, with the popular Pro plan around US$79/month; every plan's price rises as your list grows. Check the current tiers for your list size before committing.
Does ActiveCampaign have a free plan?+
No, there is no permanent free plan; it offers a 14-day free trial instead. If you only need a simple free newsletter tool, a freemium email platform may suit better, but the trial lets you test the automation first.
ActiveCampaign vs a basic email tool, what's the difference?+
Basic tools send broadcasts to a list. ActiveCampaign adds an automation engine that reacts to each contact's behaviour, plus segmentation and a CRM, so follow-up is personalised and hands-off. It is the step up when send-and-hope email stops being enough.