ActiveCampaign vs listmonk (2026)
The automation heavyweight — against — Free, self-hosted newsletter and mailing-list manager. Same table, same scoring system, clear verdict.
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Head-to-head
Pricing and terms last verified 31 October 2026 — vendors change them often.
| ActiveCampaign 🏆 | listmonk | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | Yes: free software, you pay your own server and SMTP costs |
| Paid from | Paid typically from around $15/mo ( Starter, 1,000 contacts) | Free software; you supply hosting and an SMTP/SES provider |
| Free trial | 14 days | None |
| Automations | ✓ | ✗ |
| Landing pages | ✓ | ✗ |
| Paid subscriptions | ✗ | ✗ |
| Ecommerce features | ✓ | ✗ |
| Our score | 4.2/5 | 3.5/5 |
Choose ActiveCampaign if…
- You're primarily b2b and agencies running complex funnels
- Most powerful automation builder in mainstream email marketing
- You can live with: steep learning curve — overkill for simple newsletters
Choose listmonk if…
- You're primarily developers and technical teams
- Free and open source with no subscriber limits
- You can live with: you must host it and set up smtp and deliverability yourself
ActiveCampaign vs listmonk: FAQ
ActiveCampaign or listmonk — which is better in 2026?
For most people matching ActiveCampaign's strengths (b2b and agencies running complex funnels), ActiveCampaign is the stronger choice — it scores 4.2/5 on our four-factor score. But "better" depends on you: choose ActiveCampaign for b2b and agencies running complex funnels, and listmonk for developers and technical teams.
Is ActiveCampaign cheaper than listmonk?
ActiveCampaign has no permanent free plan (Paid typically from around $15/mo ( Starter, 1,000 contacts)), while listmonk has a free plan (Free software; you supply hosting and an SMTP/SES provider). Vendors reprice several times a year — check both pricing pages before deciding.
Can I switch from ActiveCampaign to listmonk (or back)?
Yes. Subscribers export as CSV/JSON from either platform and import into the other. Automation sequences usually need rebuilding — map your tags and forms before migrating.