Updated October 18, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team
EngageBay vs ZeroBounce
EngageBay
Higher score in this comparison
ZeroBounce
Where EngageBay and ZeroBounce differ
| Compare | EngageBayReviewVisitVisit | ZeroBounceReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price at 10,000 contacts | $119.99 | $99Lower |
| Free plan limits | 250 contacts, up to 15 users | 100 monthly validations |
| Compliance certifications | GDPR, DPF | SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, PCI DSS |
| Integrations | 250Higher | 40 |
| Price at 1,000 contacts | $64.99 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- EngageBay scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.1.
- Price at 10,000 contacts is lower at ZeroBounce: $99 vs $119.99.
- Integrations is higher at EngageBay: 250 vs 40.
- Compliance certifications: only EngageBay offers DPF.
- Compliance certifications: only ZeroBounce offers SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, HIPAA.
- Founded is lower at ZeroBounce: 2013 vs 2017.
- Audience: only EngageBay offers Beginners.
- Audience: only ZeroBounce offers Enterprise.
Our verdict on each
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.
ZeroBounce
ZeroBounce suits small business and enterprise teams that clean lists before sending, with entry validation limits of 100 monthly validations for trial evaluation and light hygiene. Support covers email, chat and phone while the operator Hertza L.L.C. based in the United States provides clear accountability for privacy review and steady deliverability improvement across campaigns.
Score breakdown
| Area | EngageBay | ZeroBounce |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7HigherEngageBay lists a per-user starting price of $14.99. | 8.7Bulk validation priced at $99 shapes value against transactional peers. |
| Offer | 9.5HigherEngageBay lists CRM and help-desk coverage as CRM and help desk. | 9.4Links to 40 support validation inside existing workflows. |
| Trust | 8.3EngageBay lists compliance coverage as GDPR and DPF. | 9.2HigherCoverage for SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and HIPAA supports handling of regulated contact data. |
Licences and countries
| Country | EngageBay | ZeroBounce |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | EngageBay | ZeroBounce |
|---|---|---|
| Email marketing software | 2 of 100 | 3 of 100 |
A third option
ActiveCampaign has integrations at 1,000, against 250 for EngageBay and 40 for ZeroBounce.
ActiveCampaign reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | EngageBay | ZeroBounce |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Small business, Beginners | Small business, Enterprise |
| Pricing model | Free plan | Free plan |
| Legal entity | EngageBay Inc. | Hertza L.L.C. |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2017 | 2013Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | EngageBay | ZeroBounce | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price at 1,000 contacts | $64.99above the median | Not confirmed | $31.50 |
| Price at 10,000 contacts | $119.99highest quarter | $99at the median | $99 |
| Integrations | 250above the median | 40lowest quarter | 150 |
Median across 19 listed software products.
Pros and cons
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.
ZeroBounce
Pros
- Entry validation limits of 100 monthly validations let you trial hygiene without commitment.
- Links to 40 help you validate inside existing workflows.
- Coverage for SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and HIPAA supports use with regulated contact data.
Cons
- Bulk validation priced at $99 costs more than Postmark priced at $15 for high volume sending.
- Entry validation limits of 100 monthly validations are tighter than MailerLite limits of Up to 250 subscribers, 2500 emails for audience growth.
- Founded in 2013, the catalog centers on validation rather than full campaign tools, since HubSpot offers Free tools for marketing, sales and service for broader needs.
Who each suits
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.
ZeroBounce
Who it suits
- Small business teams wanting hygiene before campaigns should consider ZeroBounce for validation limits of 100 monthly validations, unlike MailerLite built for limits of Up to 250 subscribers, 2500 emails.
- Enterprise teams with regulated data should consider ZeroBounce for SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and HIPAA, unlike Postmark focused on pricing priced at $15.
- Teams wanting validation plus workflow sync should consider ZeroBounce for links to 40, unlike HubSpot centered on Free tools for marketing, sales and service.
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams wanting campaigns plus CRM should consider HubSpot for Free tools for marketing, sales and service rather than validation centered use.
- Senders prioritizing low cost transactional volume should consider Postmark for pricing priced at $15.
- Teams wanting subscriber growth plus sending should consider MailerLite for limits of Up to 250 subscribers, 2500 emails.
Questions about each
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.
ZeroBounce
What does the entry plan include+
The entry plan allows validation limits of 100 monthly validations, which lets you check deliverability on modest batches before you commit to paid credits. It fits trial use and light list hygiene. Paid validation then scales by volume for larger cleaning jobs.
How much does bulk validation cost+
Bulk validation for the listed tier is priced at $99, which covers cleaning at that volume. Pricing scales with the amount validated, so larger lists cost more. You can compare that tier against Postmark priced at $15 when weighing validation against sending.