Updated October 18, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team
ActiveCampaign vs EngageBay
ActiveCampaign
EngageBay
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | ActiveCampaignReviewVisitVisit | EngageBayReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | 14-day free trial | 250 contacts, up to 15 users |
| Integrations | 1,000Higher | 250 |
| Price at 1,000 contacts | Not confirmed | $64.99 |
| Price at 10,000 contacts | Not confirmed | $119.99 |
| Free trial length | 14 days | Not confirmed |
| Compliance certifications | Not confirmed | GDPR, DPF |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- EngageBay scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.2.
- Integrations is higher at ActiveCampaign: 1,000 vs 250.
- Support channels: only EngageBay offers Chat, Phone.
- Founded is lower at ActiveCampaign: 2003 vs 2017.
- Audience: only ActiveCampaign offers Enterprise.
- Pricing model: only ActiveCampaign offers Free trial.
- Pricing model: only EngageBay offers Free plan.
Our verdict on each
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign sells autonomous marketing software that runs email, text messaging and chat messaging plus automation and segmentation for growing teams. For small businesses, it centralizes campaign creation, customer data and integrations so daily routine work continues without constant manual setup.
EngageBay
EngageBay suits small businesses and beginners seeking CRM and help-desk tools with a free entry point. Its free plan allows 250 contacts, up to 15 users, giving a clear starting check on contact and user allowances before reviewing paid tiers for your growing team.
Score breakdown
| Area | ActiveCampaign | EngageBay |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7 | 9.7HigherEngageBay lists a per-user starting price of $14.99. |
| Offer | 9.5 | 9.5EngageBay lists CRM and help-desk coverage as CRM and help desk. |
| Trust | 9.4Higher | 8.3EngageBay lists compliance coverage as GDPR and DPF. |
Licences and countries
| Country | ActiveCampaign | EngageBay |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | ActiveCampaign | EngageBay |
|---|---|---|
| Email marketing software | 6 of 100 | 2 of 100 |
| CRM software | 8 of 161 | 2 of 161 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ActiveCampaign | EngageBay |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Beginners, Small business, EnterpriseCovers more | Small business, Beginners |
| Pricing model | Free trial | Free plan |
| Legal entity | ActiveCampaign LLC | EngageBay Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2003Lower | 2017 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
CRM and helpdesk
| Fact | ActiveCampaign | EngageBay |
|---|---|---|
| Price per user from | $19 | $14.99Lower |
| Free plan | No | YesHas it |
| Plan tiers | Starter, Plus, Pro, Enterprise | Free, Basic, Growth, Pro |
| Product | CRM | CRM, Help deskCovers more |
Business tools
| Fact | ActiveCampaign | EngageBay |
|---|---|---|
| Usage limits | 14-day trial: 100 contacts, 100 emails | Not confirmed |
| Tool type | Automation | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ActiveCampaign | EngageBay | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price at 1,000 contacts | Not confirmed | $64.99above the median | $31.50 |
| Price at 10,000 contacts | Not confirmed | $119.99highest quarter | $99 |
| Free trial length | 14 daysat the median | Not confirmed | 14 days |
| Integrations | 1,000highest quarter | 250above the median | 150 |
Median across 30 listed software products.
Pros and cons
ActiveCampaign
Pros
- Runs email, text and chat messaging with automation and segments together
- Drafts campaigns from past performance and stored brand identity cues
- Connects customer data across commerce, social and analytics tools
Cons
- Focuses on always on automation, which limits appeal for manual only senders
- Requires connecting existing tools and data before autonomous work starts
EngageBay
Pros
- The listed allowances of 250 contacts, up to 15 users give you a clear free entry point to review contacts and users before paying.
- The listed total of 250 integrations helps you judge how EngageBay might sit alongside tools you already use.
- Contact based pricing at $64.99 and $119.99 gives you separate listed points for larger contact needs.
Cons
- The included allowances are capped at 250 contacts, up to 15 users, so a growing list or a larger team may need to look beyond the entry allowances.
- EngageBay at $14.99 is higher than Nutshell at $13, which matters when you compare per-user starting prices.
Who each suits
ActiveCampaign
Who it suits
- Small teams wanting always on campaigns
- Businesses coordinating email, text and chat together
Who should look elsewhere
- People seeking simple manual only outreach
EngageBay
Who it suits
- Small businesses comparing CRM and help-desk options, with EngageBay listing coverage as CRM and help desk.
- Beginners wanting a free entry point with stated allowances of 250 contacts, up to 15 users and audience focus of small business and beginners.
- Teams that value many connections alongside clear tiers, with 250 integrations and Free, Basic, Growth, Pro.
Who should look elsewhere
- If a lower listed per-user starting price is your main concern, check Nutshell at $13 against EngageBay at $14.99.
- If your contact base already exceeds the free allowances of 250 contacts, up to 15 users, compare Bumpa and Dolisoft before settling on EngageBay.
Country by country
| Country | ActiveCampaign | EngageBay |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Yes | No |
| Aland Islands | Yes | No |
| Albania | Yes | No |
| Algeria | Yes | No |
| American Samoa | Yes | No |
| Andorra | Yes | No |
| Angola | Yes | No |
| Anguilla | Yes | No |
8 of 243 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
ActiveCampaign
What does ActiveCampaign sell?+
ActiveCampaign sells autonomous marketing software that handles email, text messaging and chat messaging with automation, segments and insights. It drafts campaigns, runs recurring tasks and connects customer data across tools. Teams use it to maintain always on outreach without rebuilding every workflow.
Who is ActiveCampaign built for?+
ActiveCampaign suits small businesses and growing teams that manage frequent campaigns across several channels. It supports users who want automation to reduce repetitive setup. Teams that coordinate customer data and messaging together gain the most value.
EngageBay
What is EngageBay's per-user starting price?+
EngageBay lists a per-user starting price of $14.99. That figure describes the entry per-user price and sits alongside separate contact based prices. Check which pricing basis matches the option you are reviewing so you compare matching measures.
What does EngageBay charge at the lower listed contact volume?+
For the lower listed contact volume, EngageBay gives a price of $64.99. This is a contact based price, separate from the per-user starting price of $14.99. Confirm whether you are comparing contact pricing or per-user pricing before deciding.