ActiveCampaign vs Mautic: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for ActiveCampaign and Mautic side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, ActiveCampaign leads on lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
ActiveCampaign
Autonomous marketing platform with AI-powered email, SMS, and WhatsApp automation.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
Mautic
The world's largest open-source marketing automation platform for true data sovereignty.
Best for you if:
- • You want open-source nature provides no vendor lock-in and true data sovereignty
| At a Glance | ActiveCampaign | Mautic |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $15/mo, billed monthly Starter plan | From $267.30/mo, billed monthly Mautic Essential plan |
Category | Marketing Automation Email Marketing | Marketing Automation Email Marketing |
Rating | 4.5/5 G2 4.4 · Capterra 4.6 17,363 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 · Capterra 4.5 24 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose ActiveCampaign or Mautic?
Choose ActiveCampaign if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want AI agents dramatically speed up campaign creation and personalization
- You want excellent email deliverability with dedicated IP management and monitoring
- Budget matters ($15/mo, billed monthly vs $267.30/mo, billed monthly)
Choose Mautic if
- You want open-source nature provides no vendor lock-in and true data sovereignty
- You want highly customizable and extendable through plugins and API
In-Depth Analysis
ActiveCampaign
Autonomous marketing platform with AI-powered email, SMS, and WhatsApp automation.
Strengths
- Pro: AI agents dramatically speed up campaign creation and personalization.
- Pro: Excellent email deliverability with dedicated IP management and monitoring.
- Pro: Robust integration ecosystem connects with most major business tools.
- Pro: 30-day satisfaction guarantee and free 1:1 coaching for new users.
Weaknesses
- Con: Pricing can become expensive as contact lists grow, especially with add-ons.
- Con: Advanced features like WhatsApp, SMS, and enhanced CRM are paid add-ons.
- Con: Some users may find the initial setup and breadth of features overwhelming.
Key features
Mautic
The world's largest open-source marketing automation platform for true data sovereignty.
Mautic's pricing is on the higher side, especially for the Essential tier at $247.50/month, considering it's an open-source platform.
Strengths
- Pro: Open-source nature provides no vendor lock-in and true data sovereignty.
- Pro: Highly customizable and extendable through plugins and API.
- Pro: Unlimited users with role access control at no extra cost.
- Pro: Strong focus on data privacy and compliance.
- Pro: Vibrant community support and resources.
Weaknesses
- Con: Self-hosting requires technical expertise for setup and maintenance.
- Con: May require reliance on third-party partners for managed hosting or advanced support.
- Con: The open-source model might mean varying levels of direct vendor support compared to proprietary solutions.
Key features
Plans and prices: ActiveCampaign vs Mautic
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ActiveCampaign |
| activecampaign.com/pricing read Oct 30, 2026 |
| Mautic |
| mautic.org/pricing read Oct 22, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on ActiveCampaign pricing and Mautic pricing.
Key Takeaways
ActiveCampaign
- Lower entry price: $15/mo, billed monthly vs $267.30/mo, billed monthly
- Has a free plan
Mautic
- Choose if you want the world's largest open-source marketing automation platform for true data sovereignty
What the data shows
On the data below, ActiveCampaign leads on lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 17,363 reviews for ActiveCampaign, 4.6/5 from 24 reviews for Mautic).
- ActiveCampaign has the lower entry price: $15/mo, billed monthly (Starter) against $267.30/mo, billed monthly (Mautic Essential) for Mautic.
- Only ActiveCampaign has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ActiveCampaign and Mautic compare in 2026?
On the data below, ActiveCampaign leads on lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 17,363 reviews for ActiveCampaign, 4.6/5 from 24 reviews for Mautic). ActiveCampaign has the lower entry price: $15/mo, billed monthly (Starter) against $267.30/mo, billed monthly (Mautic Essential) for Mautic. Only ActiveCampaign has a free plan.
What are ActiveCampaign and Mautic used for?
ActiveCampaign: Autonomous marketing platform with AI-powered email, SMS, and WhatsApp automation. Mautic: The world's largest open-source marketing automation platform for true data sovereignty.
What does ActiveCampaign cost vs Mautic?
ActiveCampaign's cheapest paid plan is Starter at $15/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Mautic's cheapest paid plan is Mautic Essential at $267.30/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 30, 2026.
What's the main difference between ActiveCampaign and Mautic?
ActiveCampaign's main strength: AI agents dramatically speed up campaign creation and personalization. Mautic's main strength: open-source nature provides no vendor lock-in and true data sovereignty.