ActiveCampaign vs HeyNews: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between ActiveCampaign and HeyNews 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: ActiveCampaign is our overall pick for email marketing workflows. Pick HeyNews if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
ActiveCampaign
Autonomous marketing platform with AI-powered email, SMS, and WhatsApp automation.
Best for you if:
- • AI-powered autonomous marketing reduces manual work and accelerates campaign creation.
- • Cross-channel automation across email, SMS, WhatsApp, and social ads.
HeyNews
Create and publish your newsletter in minutes, directly from your browser.
Best for you if:
- • Browser-based newsletter creation and publishing.
- • Enables quick newsletter drafting and sending in minutes.
| At a Glance |  ActiveCampaign |  HeyNews |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Email Marketing | Email Marketing |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose ActiveCampaign or HeyNews?
Choose ActiveCampaign if
Autonomous marketing platform with AI-powered email, SMS, and WhatsApp automation.
- AI agents dramatically speed up campaign creation and personalization.
- Excellent email deliverability with dedicated IP management and monitoring.
- Robust integration ecosystem connects with most major business tools.
Choose HeyNews if
Create and publish your newsletter in minutes, directly from your browser.
- Extremely fast publishing process (5 minutes)
- Simple and intuitive to use, no technical skills required
- Accessible directly from a web browser
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | HeyNews |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 17,159 reviews | ★3.5/5 5 reviews |
| Categories | Email MarketingMarketing Automation | Email MarketingWriting & Content |
In-Depth Analysis
ActiveCampaign
Autonomous marketing platform with AI-powered email, SMS, and WhatsApp automation.
Strengths
- +AI agents dramatically speed up campaign creation and personalization.
- +Excellent email deliverability with dedicated IP management and monitoring.
- +Robust integration ecosystem connects with most major business tools.
- +30-day satisfaction guarantee and free 1:1 coaching for new users.
Weaknesses
- -Pricing can become expensive as contact lists grow, especially with add-ons.
- -Advanced features like WhatsApp, SMS, and enhanced CRM are paid add-ons.
- -Some users may find the initial setup and breadth of features overwhelming.
Key features
HeyNews
Create and publish your newsletter in minutes, directly from your browser.
Strengths
- +Extremely fast publishing process (5 minutes)
- +Simple and intuitive to use, no technical skills required
- +Accessible directly from a web browser
Weaknesses
- -Limited information on advanced features or integrations
- -No explicit mention of a free tier or trial
- -Specific customization options are not detailed
Key features
Pricing: ActiveCampaign vs HeyNews
| Plan | ActiveCampaign | HeyNews |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $15 Starter | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $49 Plus | $10/mo Basic |
| Tier 3 | $79 Pro | $25/mo Pro |
| Tier 4 | $145 Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on ActiveCampaign pricing and HeyNews pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: ActiveCampaign
Want the highest-rated option?
ActiveCampaign: 4.5/5 (17,159 reviews). HeyNews: 3.5/5 (5 reviews).
Go with: ActiveCampaign
Value user reviews?
ActiveCampaign: 17,159 reviews (4.5/5). HeyNews: 5 reviews (3.5/5).
Go with: ActiveCampaign
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are email marketing tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
ActiveCampaign is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 3.5/5.
Key Takeaways
ActiveCampaign
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 3.5/5
- Larger review base (17,159 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
HeyNews
- Choose if you want create and publish your newsletter in minutes, directly from your browser
The Bottom Line
ActiveCampaign is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ActiveCampaign or HeyNews better?
ActiveCampaign is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are ActiveCampaign and HeyNews used for?
ActiveCampaign: Autonomous marketing platform with AI-powered email, SMS, and WhatsApp automation.. HeyNews: Create and publish your newsletter in minutes, directly from your browser..
What does ActiveCampaign cost vs HeyNews?
ActiveCampaign is freemium (free tier + paid plans). HeyNews is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.