Email marketing · Head to head
MailerLite vs ActiveCampaign: which is better?
Short answer
MailerLite costs less in the first year ($144 vs $180). Pick MailerLite for low-cost email for creators; pick ActiveCampaign for marketing automation for growing teams.
| Fact | MailerLite | ActiveCampaign | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Low-cost email for creators | Marketing automation for growing teams | — |
| Free plan | Yes, 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month | No | MailerLite |
| Entry plan | Comfort: $12 / mo | Starter: $15 / mo | MailerLite |
| Mid plan | Power: $25 / mo | Plus: $49 / mo | MailerLite |
| Top plan | Power: $25 / mo | Enterprise: $145 / mo | MailerLite |
| 1st year | $144 | $180 | MailerLite |
| Platforms | Web | Web | Tie |
Edge = the better published number or limit; we do not test the tools hands-on.
Which is cheaper, MailerLite or ActiveCampaign?
MailerLite costs less in the first year ($144 vs $180).
| 1st year | MailerLite | ActiveCampaign |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $144 | $180 |
| Mid | $300 | $588 |
| Top | $300 | $1,740 |
Which has the better free plan, MailerLite or ActiveCampaign?
MailerLite: Yes, 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month.
Should you pick MailerLite or ActiveCampaign?
Pick MailerLite if
- you want low-cost email for creators
- the free plan is enough (250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month)
Pick ActiveCampaign if
- you want marketing automation for growing teams
- you can pay $15 / mo from day one
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| MailerLite pricing | mailerlite.com/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
| ActiveCampaign pricing | activecampaign.com/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare