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ActiveCampaign vs Mailgun (2024 Comparison)

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Author

Anastasia Belyh

Last Update

Nov 07, 2024

We earn a commission from partner links on Keevee. Commissions do not affect our editor's opinions or evaluations.

Excellent Value For Price
4.6

0

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ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign offers a comprehensive suite of marketing automation features, including email marketing, CRM, and sales automation. Its user-friendly interface and seamless CRM integration make it a top choice for businesses looking to streamline their marketing efforts.

  • Comprehensive marketing automation features
  • Seamless CRM integration
  • User-friendly interface
  • Higher cost for advanced features
  • Limited email validation

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$15 per month
Excellent Value For Price
4.3

0

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Mailgun

Mailgun provides a powerful email delivery service with robust email validation features. Its affordable pricing and scalability make it an ideal choice for businesses focused on email communications.

  • Powerful email delivery service
  • Affordable pricing
  • Robust email validation
  • Limited CRM integration
  • Requires technical knowledge

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$15 per month

What is ActiveCampaign?

ActiveCampaign is a comprehensive marketing automation platform that helps businesses streamline their marketing efforts. It offers a range of features including email marketing, CRM, and sales automation. With its intuitive interface, users can easily create personalized email campaigns, manage customer relationships, and track sales performance. ActiveCampaign's robust automation capabilities allow businesses to automate repetitive tasks, saving time and improving efficiency. Whether you're a small business owner or a marketing professional, ActiveCampaign provides the tools you need to engage with your audience and drive results.

What is Mailgun?

Mailgun is a powerful email delivery service that helps businesses send, receive, and track emails effortlessly. It offers a range of features including email validation, analytics, and API integration. With Mailgun, users can ensure their emails reach the inbox, improving deliverability and engagement. Its robust infrastructure and scalability make it an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes. Whether you're a developer or a marketer, Mailgun provides the tools you need to manage your email communications effectively.

Pros and Cons of ActiveCampaign vs Mailgun

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Pros & Cons of ActiveCampaign

Comprehensive marketing automation
  • ActiveCampaign offers a wide range of marketing automation features, including email marketing, CRM, and sales automation. Its robust automation capabilities allow businesses to streamline their marketing efforts and improve efficiency.
Seamless CRM integration
  • ActiveCampaign's CRM integration allows users to manage customer relationships and track sales performance from a single platform. Its CRM features are designed to help businesses improve customer engagement and streamline their sales processes.
User-friendly interface
  • ActiveCampaign's intuitive interface makes it easy for users to create and manage email campaigns, even if they have limited technical skills. Its drag-and-drop editor and pre-built templates simplify the process of designing emails.
Higher cost for advanced features
  • ActiveCampaign's advanced features come at a higher cost, making it less suitable for businesses with limited budgets. While its comprehensive suite of features offers excellent value, the cost may be prohibitive for some users.
Limited email validation
  • ActiveCampaign offers some email validation features, but they are not as robust as those offered by Mailgun. Businesses looking for advanced email validation capabilities may find ActiveCampaign's offerings limited.
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Pros & Cons of Mailgun

Powerful email delivery service
  • Mailgun offers a robust email delivery service that ensures emails reach the inbox. Its powerful infrastructure and scalability make it an ideal choice for businesses with high email sending needs.
Affordable pricing
  • Mailgun offers competitive pricing, making it an affordable option for businesses focused on email delivery and tracking. Its cost-effective plans provide excellent value for businesses of all sizes.
Robust email validation
  • Mailgun's email validation features help businesses improve their email deliverability and engagement. Its email validation API allows users to verify email addresses in real-time, reducing bounce rates and improving sender reputation.
Limited CRM integration
  • Mailgun does not offer CRM integration, making it less suitable for businesses looking to manage their customer relationships. Users looking for a comprehensive marketing automation platform may find Mailgun's offerings limited.
Requires technical knowledge
  • Mailgun's powerful features require a bit more technical knowledge to set up and use effectively. Users with limited technical skills may find the platform challenging to navigate.

ActiveCampaign vs Mailgun: At A Glance

Decision FactorActiveCampaignMailgun
Value to Price
Excellent4.7
Excellent4.4
Ease of Use
Excellent4.5
Good4.2
Functionality
Excellent4.8
Excellent4.5
Scalability
Excellent4.6
Excellent4.7
Integrations
Excellent4.7
Excellent4.3
Customer Support
Excellent4.5
Good4.2
Security
Excellent4.6
Excellent4.4
Overall Rating
Excellent4.6
Excellent4.3

Value to Price

ActiveCampaign offers a comprehensive suite of features at a competitive price, making it a great value for businesses looking to streamline their marketing efforts. Its robust automation capabilities and CRM integration provide excellent value for the price. Mailgun, on the other hand, offers a more affordable solution for businesses focused on email delivery and tracking. If you're looking for a cost-effective email delivery service, Mailgun is a great choice.

Ease of Use

ActiveCampaign's intuitive interface makes it easy for users to create and manage email campaigns, even if they have limited technical skills. Its drag-and-drop editor and pre-built templates simplify the process of designing emails. Mailgun, while powerful, requires a bit more technical knowledge to set up and use effectively. If you're looking for a user-friendly platform, ActiveCampaign is the better option.

Functionality

ActiveCampaign offers a wide range of features, including email marketing, CRM, and sales automation, making it a versatile tool for businesses of all sizes. Its advanced automation capabilities allow users to create complex workflows and automate repetitive tasks. Mailgun, while focused on email delivery, offers powerful features such as email validation and analytics. If you need a comprehensive marketing automation platform, ActiveCampaign is the better choice.

Scalability

Both ActiveCampaign and Mailgun offer scalable solutions that can grow with your business. ActiveCampaign's robust infrastructure and wide range of features make it a great choice for businesses looking to scale their marketing efforts. Mailgun's powerful email delivery service can handle large volumes of emails, making it ideal for businesses with high email sending needs. If scalability is a priority, both tools are excellent options.

Integrations

ActiveCampaign offers a wide range of integrations with popular tools such as Shopify, WordPress, and Salesforce, making it easy to connect with your existing systems. Mailgun also offers API integration, allowing users to connect with their existing applications. If you're looking for a tool with extensive integration options, ActiveCampaign is the better choice.

Customer Support

ActiveCampaign offers excellent customer support, with a range of resources including live chat, email support, and a comprehensive knowledge base. Mailgun also offers support, but its resources are more limited. If customer support is a priority, ActiveCampaign is the better option.

Security

Both ActiveCampaign and Mailgun prioritize security, with robust measures in place to protect user data. ActiveCampaign offers features such as two-factor authentication and data encryption, while Mailgun provides secure email delivery and data protection. If security is a concern, both tools offer reliable solutions.

Overall Rating

ActiveCampaign's comprehensive suite of features, ease of use, and excellent customer support make it a top choice for businesses looking to streamline their marketing efforts. Mailgun's powerful email delivery service and affordability make it a great option for businesses focused on email communications. If you're looking for a comprehensive marketing automation platform, ActiveCampaign is the better choice.

ActiveCampaign vs Mailgun: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features

FeaturesActiveCampaignMailgun
Email Automation
Excellent4.8
Excellent4.5
CRM Integration
Excellent4.7
Good4.2
Email Validation
Excellent4.5
Excellent4.7
Analytics
Excellent4.6
Excellent4.4
API Integration
Excellent4.7
Excellent4.6
Deliverability
Excellent4.6
Excellent4.8

Email Automation

ActiveCampaign excels in email automation, offering a wide range of pre-built templates and workflows that make it easy to create personalized email campaigns. Its intuitive drag-and-drop editor allows users to design emails without any coding knowledge. Mailgun, while powerful, focuses more on email delivery and tracking, making it less suitable for users looking for advanced automation features. If you're looking for a tool with robust email automation capabilities, ActiveCampaign is the better choice.

CRM Integration

ActiveCampaign offers seamless CRM integration, allowing users to manage customer relationships and track sales performance from a single platform. Its CRM features are designed to help businesses streamline their sales processes and improve customer engagement. Mailgun, on the other hand, does not offer CRM integration, making it less suitable for businesses looking to manage their customer relationships. If CRM integration is a priority, ActiveCampaign is the better option.

Email Validation

Mailgun offers powerful email validation features that help businesses improve their email deliverability and engagement. Its email validation API allows users to verify email addresses in real-time, reducing bounce rates and improving sender reputation. ActiveCampaign, while offering some email validation features, does not provide the same level of functionality as Mailgun. If email validation is a priority, Mailgun is the better choice.

Analytics

ActiveCampaign offers comprehensive analytics features that allow users to track the performance of their email campaigns and make data-driven decisions. Its analytics dashboard provides insights into open rates, click-through rates, and more. Mailgun also offers analytics features, but its focus is more on email delivery and tracking. If you're looking for a tool with robust analytics capabilities, ActiveCampaign is the better choice.

API Integration

Both ActiveCampaign and Mailgun offer API integration, allowing users to connect with their existing applications and systems. ActiveCampaign's API is designed to help users automate their marketing efforts and streamline their workflows. Mailgun's API, on the other hand, is focused on email delivery and tracking, making it ideal for businesses with high email sending needs. If API integration is a priority, both tools offer reliable solutions.

Deliverability

Mailgun excels in email deliverability, offering a robust infrastructure that ensures emails reach the inbox. Its powerful email delivery service is designed to handle large volumes of emails, making it ideal for businesses with high email sending needs. ActiveCampaign also offers reliable deliverability, but its focus is more on marketing automation and CRM integration. If deliverability is a priority, Mailgun is the better choice.

Pricing Comparison of ActiveCampaign and Mailgun

To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of ActiveCampaign and Mailgun. This comparison will highlight the best option for managing your email marketing and automation needs.

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ActiveCampaign Pricing Plans

Starter
For Small Businesses
$15

per month

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Starter includes:
  • 10x contact limit for email sends to reach more people.
  • 1 user access to manage your campaigns.
  • 5 actions per automation for streamlined processes.
  • Standard web forms to capture leads efficiently.
Plus
For Medium Businesses
$49

per month

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Includes Starter, plus:
  • 12x contact limit for email sends to expand reach.
  • 3 users access for collaborative work.
  • Unlimited actions per automation for complex workflows.
  • A/B testing for emails and automations to optimize performance.
Pro
For Large Enterprises
$79

per month

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Includes Plus, plus:
  • 15x contact limit for email sends to maximize outreach.
  • 5 users access for larger teams.
  • Premium segmentation for targeted marketing.
  • Predictive sending to optimize email delivery times.
Enterprise
For Corporations
$145

per month

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Includes Pro, plus:
  • Dedicated account team for personalized assistance.
  • Single Sign-On (SSO) for enhanced security.
  • Custom objects for tailored data management.
  • Premium reporting and analytics for in-depth insights.
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Mailgun Pricing Plans

Free
For Testing and Trials
$0

per month

Get Startedright_arrow
Free plan includes:
  • Access to RESTful email APIs and SMTP relay.
  • Includes 1 custom sending domain for branding.
  • Provides tracking, analytics, and webhooks.
  • 1 day log retention for email activities.
Basic
For Small Businesses
$15

per month

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Includes Free, plus:
  • Monthly email overage options for flexibility.
  • 5 inbound routes for better email management.
  • 1 day log retention for tracking email activities.
  • Email analytics and reporting for insights.
Foundation
For Growing Businesses
$35

per month

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Includes Basic, plus:
  • 1,000 custom sending domains for extensive branding.
  • Email template builder and API for customization.
  • 5 days log retention for detailed tracking.
  • Full access to inbound routing for email management.
Scale
For Large Enterprises
$90

per month

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Includes Foundation, plus:
  • SAML SSO for enhanced security and access control.
  • Dedicated IP pools for improved deliverability.
  • 30 days log retention for comprehensive tracking.
  • Live phone and chat support for immediate assistance.

Our Rating Methodology

We thoroughly evaluate each email marketing tool, focusing on key factors such as functionality, ease of use, and customer support. By analyzing user reviews and conducting extensive testing, we ensure our recommendations fit your needs. Each factor is weighted by importance to provide an accurate final rating, helping you make informed decisions.

Decision FactorScoring Weight
Value to Price
20%
20%
Ease of Use
20%
15%
Functionality
20%
25%
Scalability
20%
15%
Integrations
20%
10%
Customer Support
20%
10%
Security
20%
5%

ActiveCampaign or Mailgun: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?

Choose ActiveCampaign If You Need ...

  • Comprehensive marketing automation

    If you are a business looking for a comprehensive marketing automation platform with robust email marketing, CRM, and sales automation features, ActiveCampaign is the better choice. Its user-friendly interface and seamless CRM integration make it an ideal solution for businesses looking to streamline their marketing efforts.

  • User-friendly interface

    If you are a business with limited technical skills looking for a user-friendly platform to create and manage email campaigns, ActiveCampaign is the better option. Its intuitive interface and drag-and-drop editor simplify the process of designing emails, making it easy for users to navigate.

Choose Mailgun If You Need ...

  • Powerful email delivery service

    If you are a business focused on email delivery and tracking, Mailgun is the better choice. Its powerful email delivery service and robust email validation features ensure emails reach the inbox, making it ideal for businesses with high email sending needs.

  • Affordable pricing

    If you are a business with a limited budget looking for an affordable email delivery service, Mailgun is the better option. Its competitive pricing and cost-effective plans provide excellent value for businesses of all sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Author

Anastasia Belyh

Anastasia Belyh is a senior tech writer with over 15 years of experience in marketing, sales, and business software. Having worked in investment banking, management consulting, and founded multiple companies, her in-depth knowledge and hands-on expertise make her software reviews authoritative, trustworthy, and highly practical for business decision-makers.