Email Marketing Platforms: Mailchimp vs ConvertKit vs ActiveCampaign

Choosing the right email marketing software is critical for SaaS businesses wanting to optimize customer engagement, automate campaigns, and drive consistent growth. In this email marketing software comparison, we take a detailed look at three of the most popular platforms: Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and ActiveCampaign. Whether you’re a SaaS startup, content creator, or a fast-growing business, this review covers features, pricing, usability, integrations, and recent updates so you can make an informed choice.

Mailchimp vs ConvertKit vs ActiveCampaign: Key Differences

At a Glance

Mailchimp: The All-Rounder

Strengths

• User-Friendly Interface: Mailchimp is often the go-to option for beginners due to its straightforward UI and quick onboarding process.
• Drag-and-Drop Email Builder: Visual campaign creation with plenty of templates.
• Audience Management: Allows list segmentation, though users pay for duplicate contacts across lists.
• Integrations: Over 280 integrations with SaaS tools, ecommerce platforms, and more.

Limitations

• Limited Automation: Sufficient for basic automations, but lacks depth for advanced workflow customization.
• CRM Capabilities: Basic CRM tools included but not as feature-rich as dedicated CRMs.
• Pricing: As your list grows, costs increase, especially as you pay for each contact in every list.

Best For

• SaaS startups, small businesses, and teams needing an all-in-one marketing toolkit with an easy learning curve.

ConvertKit: Focused Simplicity for Creators

Strengths

• Single List with Powerful Tagging: Maintain one master list and segment contacts using customizable tags—no more duplicate contacts or managing multiple lists.
• Visual Automation Builder: Build sequences for subscriber journeys easily.
• Intuitive UI: Designed with creators and bloggers in mind. Minimal clutter, easy to navigate.
• Excellent Deliverability: Good sender reputation controls and deliverability rates.

Limitations

• No Built-in CRM: Limited sales pipeline tracking.
• Fewer Integrations: About 90 direct integrations, though core SaaS and ecommerce apps are well covered.
• Fewer Templates: More basic options compared to Mailchimp.

Best For

• Bloggers, creators, and SaaS businesses with a strong content-driven approach wanting highly organized, scalable email lists.

ActiveCampaign: Automation Powerhouse

Strengths

• Advanced Automation: Powerful workflow automation, with deep customization using triggers based on site activity, email interactions, purchases, and more.
• Built-in CRM: Complete sales and marketing alignment within the platform.
• Best Deliverability Tools: Comprehensive sender reputation management, integrated list cleaning, and access to feedback loop (FBL) data.
• Extensive Integrations: Over 250 app integrations, including leading SaaS solutions, ecommerce, and CRMs.

Limitations

• Learning Curve: The vast array of features can be overwhelming for newcomers.
• Premium Pricing: Prices scale with features and contacts.
• Complex UI: Less beginner-friendly compared to Mailchimp or ConvertKit.

Best For

• Growth-oriented SaaS teams, marketers needing automation and advanced segmentation, and businesses prioritizing deliverability.

Highly Searched Recent Hot Topic: Deliverability in Email Marketing Software

Email deliverability remains a trending concern in 2025, as more SaaS companies report issues with emails hitting the promotions or spam folder rather than the primary inbox. Recent user demand has focused on platforms able to maintain high deliverability amidst rising inbox filtering.

• ActiveCampaign leads the field in 2025 for deliverability, offering strong feedback loop monitoring, list hygiene integrations, and list quality controls—crucial as inbox providers become stricter.
• Mailchimp covers deliverability basics, but lacks advanced monitoring features like sender health dashboards or deep list hygiene tools.
• ConvertKit is competitive for basic deliverability, aided by its single-list/tag system, minimizing duplicate contact issues that often negatively impact sender reputation.

For SaaS providers, robust deliverability tools are now a top selection criteria—platforms with deeper sender health analytics and integration with list-cleaning services see rising adoption.

Detailed Feature Comparison

Automation

• ActiveCampaign: Highly customizable workflows; multiple triggers, conditional logic, and multi-channel options (email, SMS, site).
• ConvertKit: Visual automation for campaigns and sequences; beginner-friendly, but fewer advanced triggers.
• Mailchimp: Standard automations (welcome, onboarding, cart abandonment); advanced features require higher plans.

List Management

• ConvertKit: Uses tags and segments within a single list — no duplicate billing.
• Mailchimp: List-based with potential for duplicate contacts and billing.
• ActiveCampaign: Tags and lists both supported, with advanced segmentation and conditional splitting.

Integrations

• ActiveCampaign: 250+ (including most SaaS and ecommerce).
• Mailchimp: 280+ integrations, highly compatible for SMBs.
• ConvertKit: 90+ integrations, focused on creator tools and ecommerce basics.

Reporting & Analytics

• ActiveCampaign: Deep reporting, sales tracking, conversion attribution, automation path visualization.
• Mailchimp: Clear visual dashboards, campaign analytics, and A/B testing.
• ConvertKit: Simple reporting focused on subscriber growth, automation, and engagement.

Pricing Overview

• Mailchimp: Free plan is limited, paid plans scale on features and contacts; costs can rise steeply with list size.
• ConvertKit: Transparent pricing, all features included; excellent for growing lists with minimal pricing shocks.
• ActiveCampaign: Higher starting price, but feature-to-cost value increases for teams seeking automation and CRM.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which is the best email marketing platform for a SaaS startup?
Mailchimp is great for its easy onboarding and broad integrations. For fast growth and automation, ActiveCampaign is preferred. ConvertKit benefits creators focused on content.

Which platform has the best email deliverability?
ActiveCampaign currently leads, thanks to advanced sender reputation tools and inbox placement monitoring.

Can I manage multiple audiences without duplicate contacts?
ConvertKit’s single-list/tag system eliminates duplicates. ActiveCampaign also allows flexible segmentation. Mailchimp’s list-based structure may create duplicates and higher billing.

Which email marketing software is easiest for beginners?
Mailchimp and ConvertKit both offer intuitive dashboards and quick setup. ActiveCampaign, while powerful, is less beginner-friendly.

Do these platforms integrate with popular SaaS tools?
Yes, all three connect with major SaaS platforms. ActiveCampaign and Mailchimp offer the broadest integrations; ConvertKit covers essentials like Zapier, Stripe, and Shopify.

Choosing the right email marketing software depends on your organization’s needs — prioritize usability, automation power, deliverability, and integration flexibility for the highest long-term ROI.