ActiveCampaign CRM vs Keap: Complete Comparison (2026)

Updated: March 12, 20268 min read

Choosing between ActiveCampaign CRM and Keap is a common decision for crm buyers in 2026. Both ActiveCampaign CRM and Keap are established players, founded in 2003 and 2001 respectively. ActiveCampaign CRM serves 185K+ orgs users while Keap has 200K+ users globally. ActiveCampaign CRM differentiates with contact crm and deal tracking, while Keap leads with crm and marketing automation. In this head-to-head comparison, ActiveCampaign CRM earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 90/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.

ActiveCampaign CRM
CRM
90
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED
VS
🌀
Keap
CRM
84
hiltonsoftware.co Score

Quick Comparison

ActiveCampaign CRM
Keap
Starting Price
$15/mo
$199/mo
Free Plan
No
No
Users
185K+ orgs
200K+
Founded
2003
2001
Rating
4.5/5
4.2/5
Best For
Marketers who need CRM deeply tied to email automa...
Small businesses wanting CRM plus marketing automa...

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

ActiveCampaign CRMKeap
88Ease of Use84
92Features89
83Value for Money79
86Customer Support84
88Integrations88
96Scalability83
87Learning Curve77

Pros & Cons at a Glance

ActiveCampaign CRM
+Excellent email plus CRM combo
+Powerful automation builder
-Not a standalone CRM
-Can be complex to configure
Keap
+Powerful automation for SMBs
+All-in-one platform
-High starting price
-Steep learning curve
AI Verdict

After comparing ActiveCampaign CRM and Keap across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, ActiveCampaign CRM takes the lead with a score of 90/100 versus Keap's 84/100. ActiveCampaign CRM's key advantages include "excellent email plus crm combo" and "powerful automation builder". That said, Keap has its own strengths — particularly "powerful automation for smbs" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.

Neither ActiveCampaign CRM nor Keap offers a free plan. ActiveCampaign CRM starts at $15/mo and Keap at $199/mo. For the investment, ActiveCampaign CRM delivers contact crm and deal tracking, while Keap provides crm and marketing automation.

Bottom line: Choose ActiveCampaign CRM if you need marketers who need crm deeply tied to email automation. Go with Keap if your priority is small businesses wanting crm plus marketing automation together. Both are strong crm tools — we recommend trying a trial of each before committing.

CHOOSE ACTIVECAMPAIGN CRM IF:

Marketers who need CRM deeply tied to email automation.

CHOOSE KEAP IF:

Small businesses wanting CRM plus marketing automation together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ActiveCampaign CRM better than Keap in 2026?
ActiveCampaign CRM scores 90/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to Keap's 84/100. ActiveCampaign CRM stands out for "excellent email plus crm combo" and is best for Marketers who need CRM deeply tied to email automation. Keap is known for "powerful automation for smbs" and suits Small businesses wanting CRM plus marketing automation together. Your specific workflow and team size should guide the decision.
What is the pricing difference between ActiveCampaign CRM and Keap?
Both offer paid-only plans. ActiveCampaign CRM starts at $15/mo and Keap at $199/mo. When comparing value, consider that ActiveCampaign CRM (founded 2003, 185K+ orgs users) includes features like Contact CRM, Deal tracking, Email automation. Keap (founded 2001, 200K+ users) offers CRM, Marketing automation, E-commerce. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team.
What are the main differences between ActiveCampaign CRM and Keap?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. ActiveCampaign CRM excels at Contact CRM, Deal tracking, Email automation, while Keap focuses on CRM, Marketing automation, E-commerce. ActiveCampaign CRM's main advantage is "excellent email plus crm combo", though some users note "not a standalone crm". Keap's strength is "powerful automation for smbs", but "high starting price" can be a drawback. Both serve the CRM market but target different user profiles.
Can I switch from ActiveCampaign CRM to Keap?
Switching between ActiveCampaign CRM and Keap is possible since both operate in the CRM space. Before migrating, export your data from ActiveCampaign CRM and check Keap's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Contact CRM, Deal tracking, Email automation (ActiveCampaign CRM) vs CRM, Marketing automation, E-commerce (Keap). Consider running both tools in parallel during a trial period to ensure a smooth transition.
Which is better for small teams: ActiveCampaign CRM or Keap?
Both tools require paid subscriptions (ActiveCampaign CRM: $15/mo, Keap: $199/mo), so evaluate based on features. ActiveCampaign CRM is ideal for Marketers who need CRM deeply tied to email automation, while Keap fits Small businesses wanting CRM plus marketing automation together. Try both during their trial periods to see which fits your team's workflow.

Explore More Comparisons & Tools