ActiveCampaign vs HubSpot CRM
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is a customer experience automation platform that combines email marketing, marketing automation, and CRM in one powerful tool. It is known for having the most advanced email automation capabilities in its price range. ActiveCampaign is used by over 180,000 businesses that want to deliver personalized customer experiences at scale.
HubSpot CRM
HubSpot CRM is a powerful and easy-to-use customer relationship management platform trusted by over 150,000 companies worldwide. It offers a completely free core CRM with optional paid Marketing, Sales, and Service Hubs for growing teams. HubSpot is the go-to CRM for companies that want to align their marketing, sales, and customer service teams in one platform.
Pros
- ✓Best-in-class email marketing automation at an affordable price
- ✓Powerful segmentation and personalization capabilities
- ✓Strong CRM features integrated with marketing tools
- ✓Excellent deliverability rates
Cons
- ✗Can be complex to set up advanced automations
- ✗CRM features are less robust than dedicated CRM tools
- ✗Interface has a learning curve for new users
Pros
- ✓Generous free plan that is genuinely useful for small teams
- ✓All-in-one platform covering marketing, sales, and service
- ✓Excellent onboarding resources and HubSpot Academy
- ✓Strong integrations with 1000+ tools
Cons
- ✗Can get very expensive as you add paid Hubs and contacts
- ✗Some advanced features locked behind higher tiers
- ✗Reporting is limited on free and starter plans
ActiveCampaign vs HubSpot CRM: Side by Side
| Factor | ActiveCampaign | HubSpot CRM |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | CRM Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $15/mo | Free |
| Best For | SMBs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a CRM | SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation |
| Our Pick | — | — |
ActiveCampaign Features
- ✓Email marketing
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓CRM
- ✓lead scoring
- ✓site tracking
- ✓SMS marketing
- ✓landing pages
- ✓reporting
HubSpot CRM Features
- ✓Contact management
- ✓email tracking
- ✓deal pipelines
- ✓live chat
- ✓meeting scheduling
- ✓reporting
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓landing pages
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose ActiveCampaign if smbs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a crm. Choose HubSpot CRM if smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation.
Best For
SMBs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a CRM
Best For
SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation
How ActiveCampaign and HubSpot CRM Are Similar
- •Both are CRM Software platforms designed for business teams
- •Both offer web-based access with no software installation required
- •Both provide customer support and onboarding resources
- •Both integrate with popular third-party business tools
- •Both offer a trial or demo to evaluate before purchasing
Also Consider
If neither ActiveCampaign nor HubSpot CRM is the right fit, Monday.com CRM is worth evaluating.
Monday.com CRM
Teams that want CRM and project management combined in one visual platform
From $12/user/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ActiveCampaign and HubSpot CRM?
ActiveCampaign is best for smbs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a crm. HubSpot CRM is best for smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation.
Which is better, ActiveCampaign or HubSpot CRM?
Choose ActiveCampaign if smbs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a crm. Choose HubSpot CRM if smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation.
How much does ActiveCampaign cost?
ActiveCampaign starts at $15/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does HubSpot CRM cost?
HubSpot CRM starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use ActiveCampaign?
SMBs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a CRM
Who should use HubSpot CRM?
SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation