Email marketing · Head to head
Zoho Campaigns vs ActiveCampaign: which is better?
Short answer
Zoho Campaigns costs less in the first year ($0 vs $180). Pick Zoho Campaigns for email for Zoho suite users; pick ActiveCampaign for marketing automation for growing teams.
| Fact | Zoho Campaigns | ActiveCampaign | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Email for Zoho suite users | Marketing automation for growing teams | — |
| Free plan | Yes, up to 2,000 contacts | No | Zoho Campaigns |
| Entry plan | — | Starter: $15 / mo | — |
| Mid plan | — | Plus: $49 / mo | — |
| Top plan | — | Enterprise: $145 / mo | — |
| 1st year | $0 | $180 | Zoho Campaigns |
| Platforms | Web | Web | Tie |
Edge = the better published number or limit; we do not test the tools hands-on.
Which has the better free plan, Zoho Campaigns or ActiveCampaign?
Zoho Campaigns: Yes, up to 2,000 contacts.
Should you pick Zoho Campaigns or ActiveCampaign?
Pick Zoho Campaigns if
- you want email for Zoho suite users
- the free plan is enough (up to 2,000 contacts)
Pick ActiveCampaign if
- you want marketing automation for growing teams
- you can pay $15 / mo from day one
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Zoho Campaigns pricing | zoho.com/campaigns/pricing.html | 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