ActiveCampaign vs beehiiv: Which Email Marketing Tool Is Better in 2026?
ActiveCampaign
From $15beehiiv
From $39Quick verdict
Overall pick: ActiveCampaign
Choose ActiveCampaign if you need e-commerce integrations, SMS marketing, and a broader automation suite for B2B sales and marketing alignment. Choose beehiiv if you run a newsletter and want paid subscriptions and a platform designed for publishers, even though it lacks e-commerce and SMS features. ActiveCampaign starts at a lower price ($15) than beehiiv ($39), but beehiiv offers a free plan.
- ActiveCampaign's entry plan ($15) is 62% cheaper than beehiiv's ($39).
- beehiiv has a free plan; ActiveCampaign does not.
- Only ActiveCampaign offers: e-commerce integrations, sms marketing.
- Only beehiiv offers: paid subscriptions.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| ActiveCampaign · flat | $15.00 | $180 |
| beehiiv · flat | $39.00 | $468 |
Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.
Which one should you choose?
| If you need… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| B2B marketing automation | ActiveCampaign | ActiveCampaign offers visual automation flows, landing pages, A/B testing, e-commerce, SMS, AI assistant, and API, and is best for B2B automation and sales + marketing alignment. |
| Newsletter monetization | beehiiv | beehiiv supports paid subscriptions and is best for newsletter publishers and monetized newsletters, while ActiveCampaign does not offer paid newsletters. |
| E-commerce email marketing | ActiveCampaign | ActiveCampaign includes e-commerce integrations, whereas beehiiv does not. |
| SMS marketing campaigns | ActiveCampaign | ActiveCampaign offers SMS marketing, while beehiiv does not. |
| Low-cost entry with free plan | beehiiv | beehiiv offers a free plan, while ActiveCampaign does not; however, ActiveCampaign's starting price is lower ($15 vs $39). |
Feature comparison: ActiveCampaign vs beehiiv
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ❌ | ✅ |
| Starting price | $15 /mo | $39 /mo |
| Visual automation flows | ✅ | ✅ |
| Landing pages | ✅ | ✅ |
| A/B testing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Paid subscriptions | — | ✅ |
| E-commerce integrations | ✅ | — |
| SMS marketing | ✅ | — |
| AI writing assistant | ✅ | ✅ |
| Public API | ✅ | ✅ |
Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.
Pros and cons
ActiveCampaign
- Includes e-commerce integrations and SMS marketing, which beehiiv lacks.
- Starting price is $15, lower than beehiiv's $39.
- Best for B2B automation and sales + marketing alignment.
- No free plan available.
- Does not support paid subscriptions, unlike beehiiv.
beehiiv
- Offers a free plan, which ActiveCampaign does not.
- Supports paid subscriptions, ideal for monetized newsletters.
- Best for newsletter publishers and monetized newsletters.
- Lacks e-commerce integrations and SMS marketing, which ActiveCampaign provides.
- Starting price is $39, higher than ActiveCampaign's $15.
At a glance
Advanced marketing automation and CRM.
Founded 2003 · From $15 · 7/8 tracked features
Best for: B2B automation, sales + marketing alignment
See ActiveCampaign alternatives →Newsletter platform with growth and ad network.
Founded 2021 · From $39 · 6/8 tracked features
Best for: newsletter publishers, monetized newsletters
See beehiiv alternatives →FAQ
Is ActiveCampaign cheaper than beehiiv?
Yes, ActiveCampaign starts at $15 per month, while beehiiv starts at $39 per month. However, beehiiv offers a free plan, which ActiveCampaign does not.
Does beehiiv offer e-commerce integrations?
No, beehiiv does not offer e-commerce integrations, while ActiveCampaign does.
Which tool is better for newsletter publishers?
beehiiv is better for newsletter publishers because it supports paid subscriptions and is designed for monetized newsletters, whereas ActiveCampaign does not offer paid subscriptions.
Do both tools have AI writing assistants?
Yes, both ActiveCampaign and beehiiv include an AI writing assistant.
Which tool offers SMS marketing?
Only ActiveCampaign offers SMS marketing; beehiiv does not.
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Data last reviewed: pending verification. All Email Marketing tools →