Clearbooks vs ActiveCampaign
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Clearbooks
Clearbooks is a UK-focused cloud accounting software designed for small businesses and sole traders. It covers invoicing, expenses, payroll, and VAT returns in a simple and affordable package.
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.
Pros
- ✓Built specifically for UK accounting and VAT
- ✓Simple and easy to use
- ✓Affordable pricing
- ✓Good invoicing features
- ✓Solid MTD (Making Tax Digital) compliance
Cons
- ✗Limited outside UK market
- ✗Fewer integrations than QuickBooks or Xero
- ✗Less suitable for larger businesses
- ✗Support can be slow
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
Clearbooks vs ActiveCampaign: Side by Side
| Factor | Clearbooks | ActiveCampaign |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Accounting Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $15/mo |
| Best For | UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance | SMBs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a CRM |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Clearbooks Features
- ✓Invoicing
- ✓bank reconciliation
- ✓expense tracking
- ✓VAT returns
- ✓payroll
- ✓financial reporting
ActiveCampaign Features
- ✓Email marketing
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓CRM
- ✓lead scoring
- ✓site tracking
- ✓SMS marketing
- ✓landing pages
- ✓reporting
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Clearbooks if uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance. Choose ActiveCampaign if smbs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a crm.
Best For
UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance
Best For
SMBs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a CRM
Also Consider
If neither Clearbooks nor ActiveCampaign is the right fit, Dext is worth evaluating.
Dext
Bookkeepers, accountants, and businesses with high receipt volumes wanting to eliminate manual data entry
From $15/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Clearbooks and ActiveCampaign?
Clearbooks is best for uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance. ActiveCampaign is best for smbs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a crm.
Which is better, Clearbooks or ActiveCampaign?
Choose Clearbooks if uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance. Choose ActiveCampaign if smbs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a crm.
How much does Clearbooks cost?
Visit Clearbooks website for current pricing.
How much does ActiveCampaign cost?
ActiveCampaign starts at $15/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Clearbooks?
UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance
Who should use ActiveCampaign?
SMBs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a CRM