ActiveCampaign
Automation-focused email marketing, with CRM features on higher plans
Checked Oct 8, 2026
3 tools listed · Pricing checked October 2026
Marketing automation tools, compared
Email and marketing automation platforms compared, including how each one charges: by contacts stored or by emails sent.
How to choose: Estimate your list size and monthly send volume first. Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign scale with contacts, Brevo scales with emails sent, so the cheapest option changes as you grow. Automation features usually sit on paid tiers.
Showing all 3 tools
Brevo
Email and multichannel marketing, priced by emails sent rather than contacts
Checked Oct 8, 2026
Mailchimp
Email marketing and automation, priced by how many contacts you store
Checked Oct 8, 2026
No tools match this filter.
Pricing checked October 2026. Plans change often — confirm current pricing on each vendor's site. Some links are affiliate links; see our disclosure.
Common questions about marketing automation
Why does the price keep rising as my list grows?
Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign price by the number of contacts you store, so your bill climbs as your list grows. Brevo prices by emails sent per month instead. Estimate both your list size and sending volume before comparing entry prices.
What does Mailchimp's free plan include now?
Mailchimp reduced its free plan in January 2026 to 250 contacts and 500 sends a month, and automations require a paid plan. Brevo's free plan allows 300 emails a day with unlimited contacts. Confirm current limits on each vendor's pricing page.
How do you score each tool?
Every tool on this page is evaluated on the same four criteria: setup time, feature depth, support quality, and price-to-value. Numeric ratings are published only after hands-on testing. See our full methodology.