Paylocity vs ActiveCampaign
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Paylocity
Paylocity is a modern HR and payroll platform designed for mid-market businesses. It combines payroll processing with employee engagement tools, learning management, and workforce analytics. Paylocity stands out for its strong mobile experience and focus on building connected, engaged workplaces.
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
- ✓Strong employee engagement and communication tools
- ✓Excellent mobile app for both managers and employees
- ✓Modern UI with good user adoption rates
- ✓Robust payroll with strong compliance features
Cons
- ✗Pricing requires a sales call and is not published online
- ✗Implementation can be complex for larger organizations
- ✗Some advanced features require additional modules at extra cost
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
Paylocity vs ActiveCampaign: Side by Side
| Factor | Paylocity | ActiveCampaign |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | $15/mo |
| Best For | Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees | SMBs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a CRM |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Paylocity Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent management
- ✓workforce management
- ✓analytics
- ✓employee self-service
ActiveCampaign Features
- ✓Email marketing
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓CRM
- ✓lead scoring
- ✓site tracking
- ✓SMS marketing
- ✓landing pages
- ✓reporting
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Choose ActiveCampaign if smbs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a crm.
Best For
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Best For
SMBs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a CRM
Also Consider
If neither Paylocity nor ActiveCampaign is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Paylocity and ActiveCampaign?
Paylocity is best for mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. ActiveCampaign is best for smbs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a crm.
Which is better, Paylocity or ActiveCampaign?
Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Choose ActiveCampaign if smbs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a crm.
How much does Paylocity cost?
Paylocity starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does ActiveCampaign cost?
ActiveCampaign starts at $15/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Paylocity?
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Who should use ActiveCampaign?
SMBs wanting powerful email marketing automation combined with a CRM