ActiveCampaign vs Campaign Monitor
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Email marketing + automation + CRM.
Beautifully designed email campaigns.
The verdict
Both ActiveCampaign and Campaign Monitor are credible marketing automation tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose ActiveCampaign if you want a longer free trial (14 days), broader platform coverage and a higher overall rating (4.5/5). Email marketing + automation + CRM.
Choose Campaign Monitor if you'd rather have a lower starting price (from $11/mo). Beautifully designed email campaigns.
ActiveCampaign vs Campaign Monitor: side by side
| Dimension | ActiveCampaign | Campaign Monitor |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $15/mo | From $11/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | 14 daysWinner | — |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best for | Smb, Marketers | Smb, Agencies |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android, ApiWinner | Web, Api |
| Rating | 4.5/5Winner | 4.1/5 |
ActiveCampaign key facts
- Vendor
- ActiveCampaign
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $15/mo
- Free tier
- Free trial (14 days)
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android, Api
- Best for
- Smb, Marketers
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2003
- Headquarters
- Chicago, IL, USA
Campaign Monitor key facts
- Vendor
- Marigold
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $11/mo
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Smb, Agencies
- Editor rating
- 4.1 / 5
- Founded
- 2004
- Headquarters
- Sydney, Australia
Frequently asked questions
Is ActiveCampaign better than Campaign Monitor?
Neither is universally better — ActiveCampaign edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is ActiveCampaign or Campaign Monitor cheaper?
Campaign Monitor is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $11/mo. ActiveCampaign starts at from $15/mo; Campaign Monitor starts at from $11/mo.
Can ActiveCampaign replace Campaign Monitor?
Yes for most teams — both are marketing automation tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.