ActiveCampaign vs MailCheap (2026)
The automation heavyweight — against — Open-source newsletters priced per email sent, not per subscriber. 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 🏆 | MailCheap | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | No |
| Paid from | Paid typically from around $15/mo ( Starter, 1,000 contacts) | From $19/mo for 20,000 emails and 10,000 active subscribers |
| Free trial | 14 days | None |
| Automations | ✓ | ✗ |
| Landing pages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paid subscriptions | ✗ | ✗ |
| Ecommerce features | ✓ | ✗ |
| Our score | 4.2/5 | 4/5 |
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 MailCheap if…
- You're primarily newsletters with large, partly inactive lists
- Pay for emails sent, so dormant subscribers cost nothing
- You can live with: no free plan or trial; cloud starts at $19/mo
ActiveCampaign vs MailCheap: FAQ
ActiveCampaign or MailCheap — 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 MailCheap for newsletters with large, partly inactive lists.
Is ActiveCampaign cheaper than MailCheap?
ActiveCampaign has no permanent free plan (Paid typically from around $15/mo ( Starter, 1,000 contacts)), while MailCheap has no permanent free plan (From $19/mo for 20,000 emails and 10,000 active subscribers). Vendors reprice several times a year — check both pricing pages before deciding.
Can I switch from ActiveCampaign to MailCheap (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.