ActiveCampaign vs Campaign Monitor
Compare ActiveCampaign and Campaign Monitor on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
ActiveCampaign
Email marketing automation ESP with multi-step journeys; CRM pipelines strongest on Plus+; contact-based pricing.
Best for
- • Marketing-led SMBs that need automation as the primary email job
- • Email-first GTM teams comparing HubSpot or Keap on journeys
- • Buyers comfortable with contact-tier packaging who want CRM on Plus+
Starting from $15.00/user/mo
No free plan
VS
Our verdict
There is no universal winner between ActiveCampaign and Campaign Monitor. Choose ActiveCampaign when Marketing-led SMBs that need automation as the primary email job. Choose Campaign Monitor when Brand-conscious teams prioritizing email design/templates. Criterion scores come from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments and first-party research — not hands-on lab testing.
ActiveCampaign is better for
- ✓ Automation
- ✓ Segmentation
- ✓ Analytics
- ✓ Integrations
Campaign Monitor is better for
- ✓ Templates
- ✓ Landing pages
Choose ActiveCampaign if: Marketing-led SMBs that need automation as the primary email job
Choose Campaign Monitor if: Brand-conscious teams prioritizing email design/templates
Campaign Monitor
Design-led email marketing by Marigold with contact-tier Lite, Essentials, Premier, and Enterprise.
Best for
- • Brand-conscious teams prioritizing email design/templates
- • Agencies needing client/subaccount tooling (higher plans)
- • Marketers wanting AI writer/booster and benchmarked campaign insights
Starting from $13.00/user/mo
No free plan
Pros & cons
A balanced look at where each product shines — and where it falls short.
ActiveCampaign
Strengths in greenPros
- Stronger on automation
- Stronger on segmentation
- Stronger on analytics
- Stronger on integrations
Cons
- Trails on templates
- Trails on landing pages
Best for
Marketing-led SMBs that need automation as the primary email job
Campaign Monitor
Trade-offs in redPros
- Stronger on templates
- Stronger on landing pages
Cons
- Trails on automation
- Trails on segmentation
- Trails on analytics
Best for
Brand-conscious teams prioritizing email design/templates
Choose if…
Choose ActiveCampaign if
- Marketing-led SMBs that need automation as the primary email job
- Email-first GTM teams comparing HubSpot or Keap on journeys
- Buyers comfortable with contact-tier packaging who want CRM on Plus+
Choose Campaign Monitor if
- Brand-conscious teams prioritizing email design/templates
- Agencies needing client/subaccount tooling (higher plans)
- Marketers wanting AI writer/booster and benchmarked campaign insights
Still unsure which fits?
Answer a few buyer questions and get a shortlist matched to your priorities.
Best email marketing softwareSome visit links may be affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Comparison outcomes are never based on commission.