ActiveCampaign vs HighLevel.
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 | HighLevel |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Marketing platform for businesses needing email campaigns, automated customer journeys, segmentation and CRM connections. | Agency-oriented customer management platform combining pipelines, websites, scheduling and marketing workflows across client accounts. |
| Listed plan | Starter | Starter |
| Base price | Contact vendor | $97 / mo |
| Pricing conditions | Official price calculator did not expose a USD price in retrieved content. Contact count and optional CRM add-ons affect cost. | Three sub-accounts; unlimited users and contacts. Email, SMS, calls and AI incur usage charges; optional add-ons excluded. |
| Documented capabilities | email, automation, crm, analytics | crm, email, automation, website, analytics, social, scheduling |
| Free plan | Not verified | No documented plan |
| Trial | 14 days, no credit card required | 14 days |
| Integrations | Shopify, Salesforce, Zapier, Make, WordPress, Stripe | Stripe, PayPal, Square |
| Benefits (editorial) | Combines email automation with CRM capabilities. Official integrations include Shopify, Salesforce, Zapier and Make. | Combines several agency workflows in one subscription. Unlimited users can suit larger delivery teams. |
| Limitations | Starter allows only five actions per automation. Enhanced CRM functions are sold as add-ons. | Usage charges prevent the base subscription from being a complete cost estimate. Starter limits client separation to three sub-accounts. |
| Typical fit (editorial) | Marketing agency, E-commerce, Creator & newsletter, Professional services | Marketing agency, Local business, Real estate, Professional services |
| 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 HighLevelWe earn a commission if you buy through this link. |
Use-case recommendations
Consider ActiveCampaign when…
Combines email automation with CRM capabilities.
Check first: Starter allows only five actions per automation.
Consider HighLevel when…
Combines several agency workflows in one subscription.
Check first: Usage charges prevent the base subscription from being a complete cost estimate.
Read our detailed HighLevel buying decisions and fair alternative comparisons →
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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