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