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Active Campaign vs. beehiiv

beehiiv is the dynamic and modern alternative to Active Campaign, focused on newsletter growth and monetization.

Marketing Automation vs. Newsletter Growth & Monetization

ActiveCampaign was built for e-commerce stores managing complex sales funnels. It's designed for lead scoring, deal pipelines, and CRM workflows.

beehiiv was built by the Morning Brew team specifically for newsletter publishers. Simple setup, growth tools designed for content, integrated monetization options. Built for growing and monetizing newsletters.

Using the wrong tool means paying for features you'll never touch while missing the ones that actually make you money. ActiveCampaign has no native ad network and has no native support for paid subscriptions. You're buying e-commerce infrastructure to publish content.

Active Campaign is good for

  • Sales Team CRM Functionality
  • Complex automations
  • Agencies & Ecommerce-focused companies

beehiiv is best for

  • Content-focused newsletters and publications
  • All-in-one solution for website, email, data analytics, and growth tools
  • Ownership of your audience and custom aesthetic
  • Affordable flat-rate pricing that favors growing creators and companies
  • Enterprise-level solutions made simple and accessible to everyone

compare features

With beehiiv you'll have the same suite of tools used by the world's largest newsletters.

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beehiiv

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Active Campaign

Monthly Pricing
Monthly email sendsUnlimitedUnlimited
Free plan up to 2,500 subscribers
Up to 10,000 subscribers$109$149
Up to 100,000 subscribers$329Talk to sales for pricing
Paid Subscriptions0%N/A
Content Management Features
Team members
Email sends
Web posts
Publications
Subscribers
Website Features
Web hosting
Subscribe forms
Advanced email capture
Custom domain
Survey forms
Advanced web builder
Podcast sites
Link in bio
Ai website builder
Website analytics
Newsletter Features
Custom builder
Optimized deliverability
Custom fields
Custom HTML
Audience polls
A/B Testing
Content creation AI
Custom mobile apps
Podcasts
Collaborative editing
Inline comments
Dynamic content
Growth
Recommendation network
Magic links
Referral program
Boosts
Monetization
Integrated Ad network
Paid Subscriptions
Boosts
Direct sponsorships
Digital products
Analytics
Campaign analytics
Subscriber metrics
Advanced segmentation
Advanced analytics
Integrations
Giphy
Unsplash
API access
App marketplace
Security
2FA
SSO
Support
Normal support
Priority support
Account manager

Common Questions About Platform Migration

Will I lose subscribers migrating from ActiveCampaign to beehiiv?

No. You can export your contacts from ActiveCampaign and import them directly into beehiiv.

What happens to my ActiveCampaign automations when I switch to beehiiv?

While some automations may need to be rebuilt. beehiiv handles newsletter automations natively, including welcome sequences, drip campaigns, and behavior triggers, without ActiveCampaign's steep learning curve.

How long does custom domain transfer take when moving to beehiiv?

DNS propagation typically completes in 24 to 48 hours. We provide step-by-step documentation for all major registrars.

How long does it take to migrate from ActiveCampaign to beehiiv?

ActiveCampaign often takes weeks to fully configure. beehiiv setup usually takes hours. Most teams send their first newsletter the same day they start migrating.

What training and onboarding does beehiiv provide for new users?

All plans include documentation, in-app help, and access to Buzz, beehiiv's AI assistant. Paid plans offer access to beehiiv's expert support team.

Will I lose CRM functionality switching from ActiveCampaign to beehiiv?

If you rely on ActiveCampaign's CRM for sales pipelines, you may need a dedicated CRM. But for newsletter publishing, beehiiv's subscriber analytics and segmentation handle audience management without the complexity.

beehiiv is built for

Content Creators

Launch and monetize without a steep learning curve. beehiiv offers a built-in ad network, paid subscriptions with 0% platform fees, referral programs, and Boosts for subscriber acquisition. ActiveCampaign doesn't include newsletter monetization features.

Media Companies & Publishers

Publishing infrastructure with multiple publications, advanced analytics, and integrated revenue streams. Newsletter-specific tools that are smart and intuitive.

Startups & B2B Organizations

Build authority through content with industry-leading features. Take advantage of real-time collaboration and advanced audience segmentation, with analytics focused on newsletter performance.

Solopreneurs

Everything you need in one platform. Start free and grow without wrestling with over-engineered funnels and clunky tools.

Still Have Questions?

How does ActiveCampaign pricing compare to beehiiv?

ActiveCampaign offers a 14-day trial but no free plan. At 1,000 email contacts, their Pro plan (most popular) starts at $79/month. beehiiv offers a free plan for up to 2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends; paid plans start at $43/month, with transparent pricing across all tiers.

Does beehiiv offer a free plan?

Yes. beehiiv's free plan supports up to 2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends. ActiveCampaign offers a 14-day trial but no ongoing free plan.

How does beehiiv's email deliverability compare to ActiveCampaign?

Both platforms have strong deliverability. beehiiv provides enterprise-grade infrastructure with support for dedicated IPs, automated warm-up, and proactive monitoring.

Can I monetize my newsletter on beehiiv?

Yes. This is one of the biggest differences. You get paid subscriptions, an integrated ad network, Boosts for subscriber acquisition, and sponsorship tools. ActiveCampaign doesn't offer native newsletter monetization.

Does beehiiv have newsletter growth tools?

Yes. You get referral programs, a recommendation network for cross-promotion, and Boosts for paid acquisition. ActiveCampaign focuses on sales automation, not newsletter growth.

Is ActiveCampaign's automation better than beehiiv for newsletters?

For complex sales workflows with CRM integration, yes. For newsletters, beehiiv's automation handles what publishers need, including welcome sequences, drip campaigns, and behavior triggers, without the overwhelming complexity.

How do I get started with beehiiv?

Sign up free, import your subscribers, and send your first newsletter in minutes, without the steep learning curve ActiveCampaign is known for.

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