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Act-On vs Keap: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between Act-On and Keap comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.

Bottom line: Keap is our overall pick for CRM workflows. Pick Act-On if you need marketing automation.

··Methodology
Editor reviewed0 verified reviews comparedPricing checked May 2026

Short on time? Here's the quick answer

We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:

Act-On

Marketing automation for growth

Best for you if:

  • • You need marketing automation features specifically
  • Act-On is an agile marketing automation platform offering a comprehensive suite of tools for enterprises.
  • It features AI-powered analytics, segmentation, and email capabilities, alongside strong customer support and flexible pricing.

Keap

CRM and automation for small businesses

Best for you if:

  • • You need CRM features specifically
  • CRM and automation for small business
  • All-in-one sales and marketing
At a Glance
Act-OnAct-On
KeapKeap
Starts at
Contact/moProfessional
$249/moPro
Best For
Marketing AutomationCRM
Rating
--

Choose Act-On or Keap?

Act-On

Choose Act-On if

Marketing automation for growth

  • Flexible pricing model based on active contacts marketed to, not total database size.
  • Comprehensive suite of marketing automation tools including email, analytics, lead generation, lead scoring, and sales enablement.
  • Strong emphasis on customer support and professional services, including implementation and migration assistance.
  • Your work is marketing automation-shaped, not CRM-shaped
Keap

Choose Keap if

CRM and automation for small businesses

  • CRM for small business
  • Marketing automation
  • Good for solopreneurs
  • Your work is CRM-shaped, not marketing automation-shaped
FeatureAct-OnKeap
Pricing ModelContactPaid
User Rating
4.2/5
229 reviews
3.4/5
211 reviews
Categories
Marketing AutomationEmail Marketing
CRMMarketing Automation

In-Depth Analysis

Act-OnAct-On

Marketing automation for growth

Strengths

  • +Flexible pricing model based on active contacts marketed to, not total database size.
  • +Comprehensive suite of marketing automation tools including email, analytics, lead generation, lead scoring, and sales enablement.
  • +Strong emphasis on customer support and professional services, including implementation and migration assistance.
  • +Advanced AI capabilities for marketing analytics, segmentation, and email content generation.
  • +High email deliverability rates due to proprietary SMTP servers and expert services, ensuring compliance with regulations like CAN-SPAM, CCPA, GDPR, and HIPAA.

Weaknesses

  • -Specific pricing details are not transparently listed and require contacting sales for a quote.
  • -While AI is mentioned, the extent of its application across all features isn't fully detailed.
  • -The platform's complexity for new users or smaller teams without dedicated marketing resources is not explicitly addressed.

Key features

Marketing automationEmail marketingLead scoringLanding pagesAnalyticsCRM integration
Starts at Contact/mo

KeapKeap

CRM and automation for small businesses

Strengths

  • +CRM for small business
  • +Marketing automation
  • +Good for solopreneurs
  • +Email marketing
  • +Fair pricing

Weaknesses

  • -Learning curve
  • -UI could improve
  • -Per-contact pricing
  • -Limited enterprise features
  • -Better modern alternatives

Key features

CRM platformSales automationEmail marketingAppointment schedulingInvoicingE-commerce
Starts at $249/mo

Pricing: Act-On vs Keap

PlanAct-OnKeap
Tier 1
Contact
Professional
$249
Pro
Tier 2
Contact
Enterprise
$399
Max
Tier 3N/A
Custom
Ultimate

Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Act-On pricing and Keap pricing.

Who Should Use What?

On a budget?

Both are contact. Compare plans on their websites.

Go with: Keap

Want the highest-rated option?

Neither has user reviews yet.

Go with: Act-On

Value user reviews?

Neither has user reviews yet.

Go with: Keap

3 Questions to Help You Decide

1

What's your budget?

Act-On is contact. Keap is paid.

2

What's your use case?

Act-On is a marketing automation tool. Keap is in CRM. Pick the category that matches your needs.

3

How important are ratings?

Neither has user reviews yet.

Key Takeaways

Keap

  • Our pick for this comparison

Act-On

  • Higher user rating: 4.2/5 vs 3.4/5
  • Larger review base (229 reviews)
  • Better fit for marketing automation

The Bottom Line

Keap is our pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Act-On or Keap better?

Keap is rated in our evaluation. Act-On is contact and Keap is paid.

What are Act-On and Keap used for?

Act-On: Marketing automation for growth. Keap: CRM and automation for small businesses.

What does Act-On cost vs Keap?

Act-On is a paid tool. Keap is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.

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