ActiveCampaign vs Close.
Different strengths. Different costs. Here’s what to weigh before you choose.
Compare the plans as well as the brands. These prices may have different billing commitments and capacity limits; they are not equivalent quotes.
| What matters | ActiveCampaign | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Marketing platform for businesses needing email campaigns, automated customer journeys, segmentation and CRM connections. | Sales CRM integrating calling, email and SMS with deal management and automated outreach workflows. |
| Listed plan | Starter | Growth |
| Base price | Contact vendor | $99 / seat / mo · annual billing |
| Pricing conditions | Official price calculator did not expose a USD price in retrieved content. Contact count and optional CRM add-ons affect cost. | Monthly equivalent billed annually; month-to-month Growth is $109. Calling and additional AI usage are extra. Lower tiers omit workflows. |
| Documented capabilities | email, automation, crm, analytics | crm, email, automation, analytics |
| Free plan | Not verified | No documented plan |
| Trial | 14 days, no credit card required | 14 days; no credit card |
| Integrations | Shopify, Salesforce, Zapier, Make, WordPress, Stripe | Google Calendar, Outlook, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet |
| Benefits (editorial) | Combines email automation with CRM capabilities. Official integrations include Shopify, Salesforce, Zapier and Make. | Calling and email operate alongside lead records. Growth includes workflows and a power dialer. |
| Limitations | Starter allows only five actions per automation. Enhanced CRM functions are sold as add-ons. | Growth seat costs add up as the sales team expands. Calling is usage-billed beyond the software subscription. |
| Typical fit (editorial) | Marketing agency, E-commerce, Creator & newsletter, Professional services | Marketing agency, Professional services, Real estate |
| AI, support & ease of use | Confirm plan-specific AI limits and support. Ease of use has not been independently tested. | Confirm plan-specific AI limits and support. Ease of use has not been independently tested. |
| Evidence | Sources checked 2026-10-07 → | Sources checked 2026-10-07 → |
| Your next step | Visit ActiveCampaignStandard provider link; no commission currently earned. | Visit CloseStandard provider link; no commission currently earned. |
Use-case recommendations
Consider ActiveCampaign when…
Combines email automation with CRM capabilities.
Check first: Starter allows only five actions per automation.
Consider Close when…
Calling and email operate alongside lead records.
Check first: Growth seat costs add up as the sales team expands.
Make the decision on your terms
Test your real workflow, calculate the full team and usage cost, and confirm export options before migrating. A higher advertised feature count does not necessarily create a better fit.
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