Mailchimp vs ActiveCampaign: price for your team
The cheaper option depends on list size: Mailchimp is cheaper at 8 of 10 sizes we checked and ActiveCampaign at 2. Check your exact number below.
Monthly cost, cheapest paid plan
| Contacts | Mailchimp | ActiveCampaign |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | $13 Essentials | $15 Starter |
| 1,000 | $26.50 Essentials | $15 Starter |
| 2,500 | $45 Essentials | $39 Starter |
| 5,000 | $75 Essentials | $79 Starter |
| 10,000 | $110 Essentials | $149 Starter |
| 15,000 | $180 Essentials | $231 Starter |
| 25,000 | $270 Essentials | $389 Plus |
| 50,000 | $385 Essentials | $609 Plus |
| 75,000 | $630 Standard | n/a |
| 100,000 | $800 Standard | n/a |
Highlighted = cheaper. "n/a" = no self-serve paid plan at that size. Billed annually where offered (Mailchimp bills monthly), list prices checked 2026-11-07.
Mailchimp
Best for teams that want a well-known all-rounder with lots of integrations.
- Essentials: from $13/mo
- Standard: from $20/mo
- Premium: from $350/mo
Free: Free (under 250 contacts)
Try Mailchimp ↗ActiveCampaign
Best for businesses that rely on advanced marketing automation.
- Starter: from $15/mo
- Plus: from $49/mo
- Pro: from $79/mo
Free: none
Try ActiveCampaign ↗Mailchimp bills monthly. On the check date it offered 50% off the first 12 months; the numbers here use the regular price after that. Essentials is not offered above 50,000 contacts, and overages apply if you exceed your contact or send limit.
ActiveCampaign's Starter plan is only available up to 25,000 contacts. Its smallest tier is 1,000 contacts.
Quick answers
Is Mailchimp cheaper than ActiveCampaign?
The cheaper option depends on list size: Mailchimp is cheaper at 8 of 10 sizes we checked and ActiveCampaign at 2. Check your exact number below.
What is the price difference for 5,000 contacts?
Mailchimp saves $48 per year for 5,000 contacts on the cheapest paid plans.
Full calculators: Mailchimp · ActiveCampaign