Building and nurturing an audience is vital for any blog hoping to grow and thrive. And email marketing provides a powerful tool to connect with readers, drive engagement, and build lasting relationships. However, embarking on an email strategy requires the right platform designed for your unique needs.
In this post, I’ll explore and compare two popular options—ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign. Both services offer valuable features for email marketing. But each has strengths in different areas.
My goal is to delve into the key factors that set them apart. By evaluating features, pricing, WordPress integration, and overall ease of use, you’ll gain insight into picking the best choice for your blog. While both platforms have pros and cons, ActiveCampaign stands out as the preferred option for most blog owners.
You’ll get a comprehensive and transparent look at what each provides. I’ll summarize the core differences and use cases to consider. With this side-by-side comparison, you’ll confidently choose the email marketing platform that aligns with your goals, budget, and technical needs.
Let’s dive in!
Features Comparison
Selecting the right email service depends heavily on available features. So let’s examine what ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign each offer.
Table Overview
First, here’s a high-level table comparing core features:
| Feature | ConvertKit | ActiveCampaign |
| Email automation | Advanced rules and sequences | Visual workflow builder |
| Segmentation | Tag-based | Contact properties and tags |
| Templates | 100+ flexible templates | 300+ templates |
| Analytics | Conversion tracking | Advanced analytics and reporting |
| Integrations | Zapier, Shopify, WordPress | 700+ native integrations |
| Split testing | Third-party only | Built-in A/B testing |
ConvertKit
Now let’s explore some unique advantages ConvertKit provides:
Advanced Email Automation
ConvertKit shines with its automation capabilities. You can build sequences to automatically move subscribers through multi-step workflows. Customize behaviors based on tags, email actions, website visits, and more. ConvertKit makes complex, segmented automations easy.
Intuitive Segmentation
Easily segment your list into smaller groups using tags. Apply tags manually or based on criteria like email opens. Then target those segments with tailored content in emails, landing pages, and automation sequences.
Seamless Integrations
While ConvertKit doesn’t offer native integrations, it integrates smoothly with ecommerce platforms like Shopify via Zapier. It also works nicely with WordPress, allowing you to embed opt-in forms anywhere.
ActiveCampaign
Now let’s look at some of ActiveCampaign’s unique strengths:
Powerful Email Customization
ActiveCampaign’s drag-and-drop editor makes gorgeous email creation simple. Easily customize templates with images, content blocks, colors, and branding. This flexibility empowers you to craft polished, professional emails.
Built-In Split Testing
Improve email performance with A/B testing. ActiveCampaign lets you split test subject lines, content sections, designs, and more. Monitor results to determine what resonates most with your audience.
Robust Analytics
Dive deep into subscriber engagement and email success with ActiveCampaign’s detailed analytics. Track opens, clicks, activity trends, and more. These insights help you optimize both subscriber relationships and email content.
In summary, while both platforms offer strong capabilities, ConvertKit excels at automation and segmentation while ActiveCampaign shines in customization and analytics. Consider which features align closest with your goals as you evaluate both tools.
Pricing Breakdown
Along with features, pricing plays a crucial role in deciding between ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign. Let’s break down what each platform offers across their plans.
ConvertKit Pricing
ConvertKit bases pricing on your number of subscribers, with three main tiers:
Free Plan
- Up to 1,000 subscribers
- Limited features
- Great for getting started
Creator Plan
- Starts at $29/month for up to 1,000 subscribers
- Adds automations, landing pages, and priority support
- Additional subscribers billed at $9 per 1,000
Creator Pro Plan
- Starts at $79/month for up to 3,000 subscribers
- Unlimited automations and landing pages
- Additional subscribers billed at $7 per 1,000
- Unlimited user seats
The key advantages of ConvertKit’s model are:
- Scalable pricing that grows with your subscriber count
- Free tier to test it out initially
- Unlimited users on the Pro plan
ActiveCampaign Pricing
ActiveCampaign takes a different approach with package-based pricing:
| Plan | Price | Subscribers | Key Features |
| Lite | $9/mo | 500 | Basic automation |
| Plus | $49/mo | 2,500 | Advanced automation |
| Professional | $99/mo | 10,000 | Sales CRM, custom objects |
| Enterprise | Custom | 250,000+ | Dedicated success manager |
The number of allowed user seats also varies by plan, from 1 up to 10.
Benefits of ActiveCampaign’s pricing:
- Higher subscriber limits on mid-range plans
- Package-based options with set fees
- Enterprise-level capacity
Comparing Plans
When choosing a plan, consider:
- For under 1,000 subscribers, ConvertKit or ActiveCampaign Lite are both solid options.
- With around 1,000-3,000 subscribers, ConvertKit Creator provides strong value.
- With 10,000+ subscribers, ActiveCampaign Professional unlocks extra capacity.
- For a larger team, ConvertKit’s unlimited seats are appealing.
Evaluate your subscriber goals and team size to pick the optimal plan for your needs and budget. Both platforms offer free trials to test. But ActiveCampaign accommodates larger lists while ConvertKit offers more flexibility for multiple users.
Ease of Use
Beyond features and pricing, a platform’s usability can make or break your email marketing experience. Let’s explore the ease of use offered by ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign.
ConvertKit’s Simplicity
ConvertKit prides itself on simplicity and intuitiveness. The dashboard presents a clean, minimalist design. Core features are easily accessible from the main toolbar.
The platform uses a checklist to guide new users through initial setup. You’ll take logical steps like connecting your website, choosing a template, creating a signup form, and sending your first email broadcast.
While advanced capabilities like automations offer plenty of customization, the interface remains straightforward. ConvertKit makes common tasks easy for beginners, with powerful features still available as you grow.
ActiveCampaign’s Flexibility
ActiveCampaign provides a more robust and extensive interface. The main dashboard uses widgets to display insights and track key metrics. A left sidebar contains access to all tools.
The platform is extremely flexible, offering many options for customization. But this can create a steeper learning curve for new users familiarizing themselves with all the capabilities.
ActiveCampaign combats this with a structured Getting Started guide. As you complete each step, new abilities unlock. This helps acclimate you at your own pace.
Trying Each Service
The best way to evaluate ease of use is testing the platforms yourself. Both ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign offer:
- Free trials – Explore each service firsthand before committing. ConvertKit offers 14 days free, while ActiveCampaign provides a 15-day trial.
- Premade templates – Hit the ground running with professionally designed templates included out of the box.
- Intuitive editing – Easily customize and edit templates without any design experience needed.
Take advantage of the trials to experience the interfaces hands-on. While ConvertKit offers quick simplicity and ActiveCampaign provides extensive control, see which resonates best with your preferences.
WordPress Integration
Seamlessly integrating your email marketing platform with WordPress is crucial for most bloggers. Let’s explore how ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign each connect with WordPress.
ConvertKit’s WordPress Plugin
ConvertKit offers a robust plugin dedicated to WordPress users. Once installed, it allows you to:
- Place signup forms anywhere on your site using shortcodes, widgets, or template code.
- Embed conversion tracking code to attribute subscribers to your posts and pages.
- Add subscription forms to your navigation menu.
- Display dynamic content segments to subscribers after they opt-in.
- Create popups or slide-ins using the Mobile-First Leads add-on.
ConvertKit’s WordPress plugin is well-supported with regular updates as both services evolve. It’s an intuitive solution for any WordPress user.
ActiveCampaign’s WordPress Integration
ActiveCampaign also provides its own self-titled WordPress plugin. Functionality includes:
- Building subscription forms on any post, page, or widget.
- Integrating site activity for contact timeline tracking.
- Embedding dynamic content experiences.
- Importing existing site contacts.
- Displaying follower stats.
While ConvertKit offers a specialized plugin, ActiveCampaign leans on its broader native integration capabilities. But for WordPress users, ConvertKit provides a simpler, cleaner option.
For either service, test the integration on a staging site first before deploying to production. Overall, ConvertKit delivers the preferred WordPress plugin for smooth functionality.
Expandability and Integrations
Beyond WordPress, email services should integrate with other tools you use like analytics, ecommerce, or marketing platforms. Let’s compare ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign’s expandability.
ConvertKit Integrations
ConvertKit takes an API and Zapier centric approach to integrations. Using Zapier, ConvertKit connects with:
- Ecommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. Sync product sales, get notified of new orders, and segment customers.
- CRM systems like HubSpot, Ontraport, and Drip for managing subscriber data.
- Analytics tools like Google Analytics to track subscriber actions on your site.
- Marketing apps like Facebook Ads, Mailchimp, and AWeber to combine email with other tactics.
This API + Zapier strategy allows endless flexibility to integrate with niche apps as your needs evolve.
ActiveCampaign Integrations
ActiveCampaign instead emphasizes native integrations, with over 700+ built-in integrations including:
- Popular CRM suites like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho for subscriber management.
- Landing page builders like LeadPages, Instapage, and Unbounce for list growth.
- Webinar software like GoToWebinar, Zoom, and Webex for virtual events.
- Membership platforms like Kajabi, Thinkific, and Podia for selling online courses.
With 700+ integrations and counting, ActiveCampaign is tough to beat for native connectivity.
Evaluate the external platforms you wish to connect, as both email services take different approaches to expandability. But ActiveCampaign’s vast native ecosystem gives it an edge for broader business growth.
List Building and Management
Growing and managing your email list is the foundation of subscriber relationships. Let’s explore ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign’s tools for list building.
ConvertKit List Building
ConvertKit empowers you to build your audience with:
- Signup forms – Embed forms anywhere or incentivize opt-ins with lead magnets.
- Landing pages – Create dedicated pages to capture emails with drag-and-drop ease.
- Lightboxes – Use popups and slide-ins to grab attention and email signups.
- Widget banners – Add sticky banners to the bottom of posts to catch exiting visitors.
Then target website visitors based on their intent with:
- Tags – Tag subscribers manually or based on actions like downloads.
- Sequences – Guide subscribers through multi-step automation workflows.
- Segments – Create segments combining multiple tags for advanced targeting.
ActiveCampaign List Building
ActiveCampaign also provides powerful options for list building:
- Signup forms – Embed customizable forms with drag-and-drop or your own HTML/CSS.
- Landing pages – Build dedicated opt-in pages dynamically with no coding.
- Site tracking – Attribute site activity to contacts automatically.
- List imports – Import existing lists from CSV or integrate with other platforms.
And organize your list using:
- Contact profiles – Record detailed profiles with custom fields for personalized messaging.
- Lists – Organize contacts into different segmented lists.
- Tags – Apply tags for more complex segmentation.
- Contact timeline – View chronological site and email activity in one timeline.
Comparing Approaches
While both platforms contain robust list building and management capabilities, ConvertKit specializes in segmentation while ActiveCampaign excels in contact organization and tracking. Consider your strategy for subscriber relationships as you evaluate the tools.
Email Design and Templates
Email Design and Templates
Crafting professional, polished email designs is vital for engaging your audience. Let’s explore the email builders and templates offered by ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign.
ConvertKit Email Builder
ConvertKit’s email editor provides an intuitive drag-and-drop builder. You can:
- Choose from 100+ responsive templates spanning categories like welcome emails, broadcasts, digests, and more.
- Customize templates by swapping images, adjusting layout, and adding your own text.
- Craft emails from scratch using pre-made sections like headers, footers, and content blocks.
- Leverage the visual editor without needing HTML skills. But full HTML access is available for advanced customization.
- Upload your own images and media files to include in any email.
- Preview your email across different device sizes to perfect responsiveness.
While basic, ConvertKit’s builder enables you to create professional, polished emails without dedicated design resources.
ActiveCampaign Email Builder
ActiveCampaign provides even more robust design capabilities:
- 300+ templates available out of the box, with categories for every use like welcome series, promotions, newsletters, and more.
- Drag-and-drop editing with a WYSIWYG editor, but also full HTML/CSS customization for experts.
- Dynamic content capabilities to personalize emails with merge tags, segments, and more.
- A/B split testing to optimize your email performance over time.
- Detailed analytics on opens, clicks, dwell time, links, and more to inform better designs.
- A built-in image editor to customize graphics without leaving the platform.
With more templates, personalization, and split testing, ActiveCampaign offers deeper email design functionality to create high-converting emails tailored to your audience.
Automations and Workflows
Leveraging email automation is key for nurturing subscribers and driving engagement over time. Let’s examine the automation capabilities ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign provide.
ConvertKit Automation
ConvertKit is renowned for its advanced automation engine. You can build sequences to:
- Automatically welcome new subscribers with a pre-set series of emails sent over time.
- Create segments and send targeted messages based on criteria like email opens or clicks.
- Design multi-step workflows to guide subscribers through a nurturing journey.
- Trigger actions based on time delays, specific dates, tagging, custom field values, and more.
- Connect sequences together for complex conditional logic and continuity.
- Visualize your automation rules on a timeline and rearrange steps with drag-and-drop.
ConvertKit sequences offer incredible power through segmentation and custom triggers. Simple to build initially but scalable to handle even the most advanced scenarios.
ActiveCampaign Automation
ActiveCampaign automates workflows with its visual Automation Builder. Functionality includes:
- Dragging campaign components like emails, delays, decisions, and more onto a workflow canvas.
- Trigger-based actions like sending an email when a contact is tagged or completes an event.
- Smart lists that automatically update based on contact criteria to target.
- Segmentation by interests, lifecycle stage, or other properties to personalize.
- Score-based paths that channel contacts into different workflow branches.
- Recurring sequences like email courses sent out over time automatically.
While ConvertKit relies on sequencing power, ActiveCampaign provides more visual workflow flexibility suited to complex nurturing scenarios.
Analytics and Reporting
Optimization depends on data. Let’s explore the analytics and reporting provided by ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign.
ConvertKit Analytics
ConvertKit offers core email and conversion analytics including:
- Email sends – Track number of emails delivered and opens over time.
- Subscriber engagement – Monitor clickthrough rates to gauge interest.
- Conversion tracking – Attribute conversions from your website back to email sends.
- Link click tracking – See full stats for which links get the most clicks.
- Contact timeline – Review subscriber activity history at a glance.
- Email previews – View how each of your emails will render on mobile, desktop, and web.
These basics cover critical performance metrics. ConvertKit plans beyond 1,000 subscribers add more advanced features like:
- A/B test emails – Compare subject lines, content, and designs.
- Automation analytics – Review performance within sequences.
- Email rendering – Improve deliverability with spam testing.
ActiveCampaign Analytics
ActiveCampaign includes powerful built-in analytics like:
- Real-time reporting – See metrics update in real-time for immediate insight.
- Email statistics – Track opens, clicks, dwell time, links, and more at a granular level.
- Automation analytics – Get performance data for each workflow.
- List growth – Monitor the pace of subscriber acquisition.
- Engagement scoring – Automatically score contacts based on behaviors.
- Split testing – A/B test email content and designs.
- Segmentation – Filter reports by custom contact attributes.
- Custom reporting – Build reports tailored to your specific metrics.
With deeper segmentation options and customization, ActiveCampaign provides more advanced analytics capabilities to turn data into actionable optimization.
Customer Support
Reliable customer support is critical for any marketing platform. Let’s compare the support offerings of ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign.
ConvertKit Support
ConvertKit provides the following support channels:
- Email support – All paid plans include email ticketing with a guaranteed 24 business hour response time.
- Live chat – Chat in real-time with the support team during business hours.
- Knowledgebase – Self-serve help articles and tutorials for common questions.
- Community forum – ConvertKit’s online forums allow you to connect with other users.
- Support site – Resources like system status, scheduled maintenance, and feature requests.
- Twitter support – The @ConvertKitHelp handle provides support on Twitter.
- Facebook community – Join the ConvertKit Community Facebook group.
ConvertKit emphasizes fast, friendly email support paired with an extensive self-service knowledge base. Phone support is not offered.
ActiveCampaign Support
ActiveCampaign offers several support tiers:
- Standard support – All plans include email support with a 36 hour response time and access to the knowledgebase.
- Priority support – Paid upgrades like Premium Support reduce response times to just 4 hours.
- Emergency support – For critical issues, get real-time phone, chat or email support 24/7.
- Premier support – Enterprise plans assign an expert Account Strategist for customized onboarding and ongoing optimization.
- Knowledgebase – Search help docs, community discussions, and video tutorials.
- Forums – Post questions and engage with fellow users and developers.
- Monthly webinars – Free educational webinars to build your skills.
- Account dashboard – Submit tickets, track status, and manage support from your account.
ActiveCampaign offers more real-time options and extensive self-help resources tailored to different plans.
Comparing Support Experience
When evaluating support, look at:
- Availability – ActiveCampaign provides more real-time channels like phone and chat.
- Response time – ConvertKit promises faster email response with 24 hour SLAs.
- Resources – Both offer knowledgebases, but ActiveCampaign has more learning tools like webinars.
- Reviews – Users praise the personalized support from both platforms.
Test support firsthand during your free trial period. But ActiveCampaign’s wide array of self-help resources and real-time access gives them an edge in customer support.
Conclusion and Recommendations
After thoroughly comparing ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign across all major factors, let’s summarize the key differences and recommendations.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit shines with:
- Intuitive automation – No other platform matches ConvertKit’s seamless sequences for complex multi-step workflows.
- Simplified usage – The clean interface and structured onboarding make getting started frustration-free.
- Tag-based segmentation – Easily create highly targeted segments based on subscriber behaviors.
- Strong WordPress integration – The dedicated plugin makes integration smooth and painless.
Best for:
- Bloggers and content creators
- Segmenting engaged subscribers
- Complex subscriber journeys
- Generating leads with landing pages
Potential drawbacks:
- Light on analytics and customization
- Must build your own integrations
- Limited native features beyond automation
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign excels at:
- Powerful customization – Robust editing and personalization enable polished email designs.
- In-depth analytics – Gain a deep understanding of your audience and campaign performance.
- Broad integrations – An ecosystem with 700+ apps covers marketing, sales, and beyond.
- Flexible pricing – Higher subscriber tiers and package plans suit larger email lists.
Best for:
- Established businesses with large lists
- Advanced email designers
- Sales and marketing teams
- Complex automations and workflows
Potential drawbacks:
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- More resource intensive for smaller lists
- Less focused on automation sequencing
Final Recommendation
For most bloggers and content creators starting email marketing, ConvertKit is the easiest choice thanks to intuitive automation and simplicity.
But evaluating your goals for list size, design needs, and integrations, ActiveCampaign can be a better fit to support more advanced capabilities as you scale your strategy and tools.
Try free trials of both to experience the platforms for yourself. And consider where you are now versus your future growth plans to ensure your email marketing platform aligns with your vision.
ConvertKit VS ActiveCampaign – FAQ
What are the key differences between Convertkit and ActiveCampaign?
Convertkit specializes in email automation and segmentation while ActiveCampaign excels at design customization and analytics. Convertkit offers a simpler interface while ActiveCampaign has more advanced features. For pricing, Convertkit scales based on subscribers while ActiveCampaign has set package plans.
Which is better for WordPress users, Convertkit or ActiveCampaign?
For WordPress integration, Convertkit is generally considered better thanks to its dedicated WordPress plugin that makes installation and use seamless. ActiveCampaign also offers a plugin, but Convertkit’s is more intuitive and optimized for WordPress.
What email list size does Convertkit accommodate compared to ActiveCampaign?
Convertkit can support up to 100,000 subscribers based on the pricing tier you choose. ActiveCampaign has higher limits, with plans supporting up to 250,000 subscribers. So ActiveCampaign scales better for very large email lists.
How much does Convertkit cost compared to ActiveCampaign?
Convertkit pricing starts at $29/month for up to 1,000 subscribers. ActiveCampaign begins at $9/month but has limits of 500 contacts. For 10,000 subscribers, Convertkit would cost $79/month while ActiveCampaign is $99/month. Pricing varies based on plan details.
Can you integrate Convertkit and ActiveCampaign with other software?
Yes, both platforms offer integrations, but in different ways. Convertkit leverages Zapier to connect with hundreds of apps. ActiveCampaign has over 700 native integrations built-in to easily expand.
Which has better templates and email design, Convertkit or ActiveCampaign?
ActiveCampaign is typically regarded as having better email templates and design capabilities. It has 300+ templates ready to customize along with robust editing tools for personalized, optimized email designs.
How does Convertkit’s automation compare to ActiveCampaign?
Convertkit is renowned for its powerful automation engine, offering an intuitive visual editor, complex conditional sequences, and excellent segmentation tools perfect for multi-step subscriber journeys.
Which platform has better reporting and analytics?
ActiveCampaign provides superior real-time analytics with custom reporting options, engagement scoring, and segmentation. Convertkit has email and conversion tracking but ActiveCampaign goes much deeper.
What support does Convertkit offer compared to ActiveCampaign?
Convertkit provides fast email support and some live chat. ActiveCampaign offers more extensive support with phone, faster response times, dedicated account strategists, and robust self-help resources.
