Email Marketing comparison · 2026
ActiveCampaign vs Beehiiv (2026 Comparison)
Side-by-side: pricing, features, pros, cons, and our editorial winner for email marketing.
Winner summary
ActiveCampaign and Beehiiv are evenly matched
Both score 9/10. Pick based on the specific dimensions below.
Cheaper
Beehiiv
Higher rated
Tie
Better free tier
Beehiiv
Feature comparison
| Dimension | ActiveCampaign | Beehiiv |
|---|---|---|
| ProductsVerdict score | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| User rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Starting price | $15/mo | $0/mo |
| Free trial | 14-day free trial | Free up to 2.5k subs |
| Best for | B2B & advanced automation | Newsletter operators |
| Badge | Premium | — |
ActiveCampaign key features
- Deep automation builder
- Built-in CRM & deals
- Site & event tracking
- Predictive sending
- Conditional content
Beehiiv key features
- Boosts (paid recommendations)
- Ad network monetization
- Referral program built-in
- Website + newsletter hybrid
- Polls & segmentation
ActiveCampaign — pros & cons
Pros
- Best-in-class automation flexibility
- Strong CRM tie-in
Cons
- Complex for beginners
- No true free plan
Beehiiv — pros & cons
Pros
- Built for newsletter growth & revenue
- Boosts + ad network are unique
Cons
- Not ideal for transactional or e-commerce
- Newer ecosystem
When to pick which
Choose ActiveCampaign if…
- B2B nurture
- SaaS onboarding
- E-commerce automation
Choose Beehiiv if…
- Newsletters
- Media businesses