It’s no surprise that email marketing is an integral part of any business.
However, after working with numerous clients and just taking a look at different businesses, I can say that it’s one of the most overlooked and underrated marketing channels out there.
So, if you’ve finally decided to start email marketing for your business and you’re trying to decide between ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign –
Then in this review, I’ll be going over the main differences between the two so you can make an informed decision on which is best for you.
You can also check out my in-depth review of ConvertKit by clicking here.
Let’s begin.
Activecampaign
Want a super powerful email marketing software that has every automation you could want and more?
Then make sure you checkout Activecampaign by clicking the button below.
Convertkit
Although Convertkit has come second in this comparison, it’s still a killer email marketing software you can use.
If you’re someone looking for a cheap alternative than Activecampaign, then click the button below.
MailerLite
Don’t like the sound of either of these? Then look no further than MailerLite.
Click the button below to check out my in depth review.
Convertkit Introduction:
ConvertKit is a full-service email marketing software that was created by Nathan Barry.
Although it’s one of the newer email software out there, it’s definitely one that’s rising in popularity.
It primarily helps bloggers, creators, and online business owners connect with their audience and build meaningful relationships.
And not only that but ConvertKit makes it easy for you to create and send newsletters, automate your email marketing, and segment your list allowing you to send targeted messages to the right people at the right time.
A perfect tool if this is the field you find yourself in.
ActiveCampaign Introduction
Although ActiveCampaign and ConvertKit are both email-sending software, there are some small differences.
When it comes to ActiveCampaign, not only is it an email marketing, marketing tool, but it also includes features such as lead capture forms, CRM, and sales automation.
This makes it a comprehensive all-in-one solution for managing your customer relationships and growing your business. and CRM tool rolled into one.
So, if you’re someone who values automation capabilities and in-depth email marketing tools, then ActiveCampaign maybe right for you.
I’ve also recently created an in depth review of Activecampaign and you can check that out by clicking here.
Convertkit Pricing Vs ActiveCampaign Pricing
This is probably one of the main areas you want to compare, so we’ll start with this.
Overall, Convertkit is the cheaper of the two.
However, with both of these softwares, the pricing structure works on a sliding scale…
Meaning that the more subscribers you have, the more you’ll be paying each month (Or annually).
As you can see below, starting with Convertkit:
Convertkit Pricing Structure
In the table below, I’ve included the majority of ranges that you’ll fall into.
But one plan that isn’t mentioned in the table below is Convertkit’s free plan.
However, with this, you’re only allowed 300 subscribers plus you only have limited features.
But if you want to take advantage of that, you can click here
ActiveCampaign Pricing Structure
As mentioned above with ConvertKit, in the chart below, I’ve included the majority of plans and ranges you’ll fall into.
However, ActiveCampaign does also have a ‘Professional Plan’ and an ‘Enterprise’ plan which are considerably more expensive than the below.
And you can learn more about them by clicking here
Unfortunately, ActiveCampaign does not have a free plan, unlike ConvertKit.
If you have more than 25,000 Subscribers, you can use the calculators to see how much it will cost you by clicking on the following link:
ActiveCampaign Pricing calculator
But, as you can see, the final verdict is that ConvertKit works out as the cheaper of the two.
Feature Comparison Breakdown:
When deciding what email software to use, it’s essential to choose one that can actually do what you need.
Let’s have a quick look at what both ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign have to offer.
Here are some of ConvertKit’s key features:
- List management: One of the best things about ConvertKit is how easy it is to create, store and manage your list of subscribers.
With this feature, you’re able to contact your subscribers based on segmentations like the subscriber’s behavior, demographics, and specific actions (Like clicking on a link for example). - Email Analytics and reporting: ConvertKit allows you to have an in-depth analysis of your email campaign performance.
This includes open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.
- Integrations: ConvertKit allows you to interrogate with several different platforms including social media, websites, and many different apps.
Not only that, but ConverKit allows you to see how your email opt-ins are performing on the websites they’re interrogated on, as you can see in the screenshot below:
- Campaign Creation: ConvertKit gives you a number of different tools to create, and customize your emails. This includes visual editors, email templates, and personalization of your emails.
- Automation: ConvertKit allows you to set up a number of automated email sequences based on subscriber activity. This includes trigger-based emails, welcome sequences, and abandoned cart reminders.
Here are some of ActiveCampaign’s key features:
Although ActiveCampaign has a lot of the same features as ConvertKit, there are quite a few advanced features that ActiveCampaign has that set it apart from a lot of its competition…
- A Lead score and management system: You have the ability to score leads based on their behavior and interests…
Allowing you to assign scores and trigger automated actions based specifically on those scores and prioritize specific subscribers.
- Analytics and reporting: Possibly one of the most powerful tools ActiveCampaign has. You have access to real-time tracking and reporting of metrics like open rate, click-through rate, conversion rates, and more.
- Email Automation: ActiveCampaign has a power automaton engine that allows you to set up trigger-based emails, welcome sequences, and abandoned cart reminders. ActiveCampaign also integrates with eCommerce platforms which is a nice addition.
- Campaign Creations: As just mentioned, you’re able to create a number of different email sequences with ActiveCampaign, but they make it even easier with their intuitive drag-and-drop campaign builder.
You also have custom email templates, A/B testing and the ability to personalize your emails from subscriber data. - CRM Feature: ActiveCampaign offers a built-in sales and CRM system (Something that ConvertKit does not have).
It provides a centralized place to manage subscriber interactions, deals, and tasks.
This feature will inevitably help you close more deals, create deeper customer relationships and ultimately generate more profit.
Here’s a easy to understand break down of ConvertKit and ActiveCampaigns features:
As you can see, ActiveCampaign definitely has more in-depth features for your email marketing campaigns.
But, ConvertKit does have everything you need if you do not want all the bells and whistles that come with ActiveCampaign.
Choose ActiveCampaign if:
You want a number of different features to experiment with and see what it offers.
Choose ConvertKit if: You just want something simple and straightforward to send emails, set up sequences, and have access to basic segmenting automation.
How does deliverability compare?
I’m going to be totally honest with you, the deliverability of your email campaigns is largely down to you.
And the deliverability of your emails is one of, if not the most, important part of your email marketing efforts.
Because, you could be creating the best emails in the world, but if no one is reading them, well good luck!
So, in order to give yourself the best possible chance of landing in your subscriber’s main inbox tab…
…It would be wise to do the following:
- Regularly clean your email list of inactive subscribers
- Make sure you’re following CAN-SPAM laws
- Include an unsubscribe link in your emails
- Avoid sending spammy emails that might trigger the spam filter.
Although the email-sending software you choose may have a small bearing on your deliverability, following the above will give you the best chance of landing in your recipient’s main inbox tab.
But, if you want a more in-depth breakdown of what you need to do in order to get your email deliverability to the best it can be, then check out the following links:
Digital Products
I’ll just cut straight to the chase – if you have digital products that you want to sell, ConvertKit is by far the best option.
As you can see from the screenshot, you can actually sell your digital products from within ConvertKit.
So, instead of having to use software like Gumroad, or ThriveCart, everything can be done from within ConvertKit.
And to only be charged 3.5% on your digital product orders is super competitive when you look at some of the competition like Gumroad who charge 10%.
But, if you’re wanting to sell digital products with ActiveCampaign, this is what it’s going to look like:
Selling digital products, services and memberships aren’t as easy to do on ActiveCampaign as it is on ConvertKit.
If you have a digital product you want to sell and you’re using ActiveCampaign, you’ll have to have your digital products hosted on a separate software.
So, you could have your digital product hosted somewhere like:
- Teachable
- Kajabi
- ThriveCart
- Gumroad
And once you’ve got this set up, you’ll then have to integrate ActiveCampaign with whatever platform you’ve chosen.
Once you’ve done this, you’ll then be able to begin selling your digital products.
But what I will say is this:
ActiveCampaign does have the ability to sell and interrogate with eCommerce stores and not so many digital products.
So, if selling services, digital products, or some kind of membership, I would 100% opt for ConvertKit.
Do these softwares allow you to promote AFFILIATE products?
One super common query I hear when from people who are deciding on which Email sending software to choose is –
“Does this software allow me to send out affiliate offers in my emails?”
Here’s the answer –
Yes, you can send out affiliate offers, but there are restrictions.
Here are the restrictions for ConvertKit:
Yes, you can use affiliate links in your emails, but you must have products and content outside of the affiliates you’re sending out.
So, you’re content needs to be 70-80% of your content and products, and 20-30% of your content can be about affiliates.
As long as you follow these guidelines with ConvertKit, you’re good.
Here are the restrictions for ActiveCampaign:
Similar to ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign allows you to send emails promoting affiliate links, but you must not be the primary focus of the email.
And, you must be careful with sending out affiliates to spammy subjects like making money online and ‘Get Rich Quick schemes.
So yes, you can send out affiliate emails for both of these software’s, but you must be mindful of how you’re doing it and follow the guidelines.
Does it INTEGRATE with WordPress? integrations
When looking at software, the first integration that most people look for is WordPress.
And yes, both ActiveCampaign and ConvertKit integrate with WordPress.
In fact, ActiveCampaign integrates with up to 870 different apps while ConvertKit also has a lot of integration options (90+ to be exact), it’ll still most likely integrate with everything you need.
Conclusion: Whats the better, ActiveCampaign or Convertkit?
Owning and building an email list is one of the best investments you can make for yourself and your business.
But picking which software to use can be overwhelming at the best of times.
In this review, we looked at ActiveCampaign and ConvertKit.
So, let me leave you with my final thoughts:
ConvertKit: If you’re a content creator, blogger, author or are wanting to sell digital products, services, and memberships, then ConvertKit is for you.
It has everything you need to get started and more.
ActiveCampaign: If you’re someone who loves analytics, automation, and sales, then ActiveCampaign is for you.
Out of all the email software I review, ActiveCampaign is one of the most powerful ones out there and has the best features.
So, if you’re wanting to maximize profits on your business and get key insights into your customers then ActiveCampaign is for you.
If you know which software you want to go with, then you can follow the below links:
Click here for ActiveCampaign and get a free 14-day trial.
Click here for ConvertKit and try out its free trial.
Frequently asked questions
ConvertKit has a free plan for up to 300 subscribers.
ActiveCampaign DOES NOT have a free plan.
Overall, ConvertKit is the cheaper of the two.
Before you go...
If you’ve just read this article and don’t feel like Convertkit or ActiveCampaign is for you…
Then you can check out my free resource on “What email software is right for you?” where I review 6 different email software.
And, if you have any questions that I haven’t mentioned, either send me an email at jamie@Emailmaximalist.com
Or Just send me a DM on Twitter @EmailMaximalist
