ActiveCampaign vs Loops: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between ActiveCampaign and Loops 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 CRM workflows. Pick Loops if you need email marketing.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
ActiveCampaign
Email marketing, automation & CRM
Best for you if:
- • You need CRM features specifically
- • ActiveCampaign is a marketing automation platform combining email, CRM, and sales automation
- • It enables sophisticated customer journeys, lead scoring, and personalized messaging at scale
Loops
SaaS email platform for transactional, marketing, and product-triggered messages
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need email marketing features specifically
- • Loops is an email platform built for modern SaaS companies
- • It provides transactional emails, sequences, and marketing campaigns
| At a Glance |  ActiveCampaign |  Loops |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $29/moStarter | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | CRM | Email Marketing |
Rating | 4.5/5 | - |
Choose ActiveCampaign or Loops?
Choose ActiveCampaign if
Email marketing, automation & CRM
- Powerful automation
- Good deliverability
- CRM included
- Your work is CRM-shaped, not email marketing-shaped
Choose Loops if
SaaS email platform for transactional, marketing, and product-triggered messages
- Beautiful emails
- SaaS-focused
- Modern UX
- Your work is email marketing-shaped, not CRM-shaped
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | Loops |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 17,159 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | CRMMarketing Automation | Email MarketingTransactional Email |
In-Depth Analysis
ActiveCampaign
Email marketing, automation & CRM
Strengths
- +Powerful automation
- +Good deliverability
- +CRM included
Weaknesses
- -Steeper learning curve
- -No free plan
Key features
Loops
SaaS email platform for transactional, marketing, and product-triggered messages
Strengths
- +Beautiful emails
- +SaaS-focused
- +Modern UX
Weaknesses
- -Newer platform
Key features
Pricing: ActiveCampaign vs Loops
| Plan | ActiveCampaign | Loops |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $29 Starter | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $49 Plus | $25 month Starter |
| Tier 3 | $149 Pro | $49 month Growth |
| Tier 4 | Custom Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on ActiveCampaign pricing and Loops pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Loops has a free tier. ActiveCampaign is paid only.
Go with: Loops
Want the highest-rated option?
ActiveCampaign is rated 4.5/5. Loops has no ratings yet.
Go with: ActiveCampaign
Value user reviews?
ActiveCampaign: 17,159 reviews (4.5/5). Loops: no ratings yet.
Go with: ActiveCampaign
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
ActiveCampaign is paid. Loops is freemium. Loops lets you start free.
What's your use case?
ActiveCampaign is a CRM tool. Loops is in email marketing. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
ActiveCampaign is rated 4.5/5; Loops has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
ActiveCampaign
- Our pick for this comparison
Loops
- Has a free tier
- Better fit for email marketing
The Bottom Line
ActiveCampaign is our pick. Loops has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ActiveCampaign or Loops better?
ActiveCampaign is rated in our evaluation. ActiveCampaign is paid and Loops is freemium.
What are ActiveCampaign and Loops used for?
ActiveCampaign: Email marketing, automation & CRM. Loops: SaaS email platform for transactional, marketing, and product-triggered messages.
What does ActiveCampaign cost vs Loops?
ActiveCampaign is a paid tool. Loops is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.