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Head-to-head · Lead Nurturing Software

ActiveCampaign vs Zoho Marketing Automation

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score ActiveCampaign #4 in Lead Nurturing Software 9.0/10 14-day trial ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit ActiveCampaign
Zoho Marketing Automation #7 in Lead Nurturing Software 8.7/10 From $14/mo (annual) · 14-day trial ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Zoho

ActiveCampaign leads on 0 checks, Zoho Marketing Automation on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreActiveCampaign · 9.0/10
  • Most featuresZoho Marketing Automation · 1 of 4

ActiveCampaign scores higher on our rubric for lead nurturing software: 9.0 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

ActiveCampaign is the better fit for businesses needing flexible multichannel automation. Zoho Marketing Automation is the better fit for budget-conscious teams needing core automation.

  • ActiveCampaign fits best

    Businesses needing flexible multichannel automation

  • Zoho Marketing Automation fits best

    Budget-conscious teams needing core automation

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature ActiveCampaign 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Zoho Marketing Automation 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.7
Ranking #4 in Lead Nurturing Software #7 in Lead Nurturing Software
Best for Businesses needing flexible multichannel automation Budget-conscious teams needing core automation
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price 14-day trial From $14/mo (annual) · 14-day trial
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Free trial length 14 days · no card needed 14 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Integrations 1,000+ integrations 40+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ActiveCampaign 0/4 · Zoho Marketing Automation 1/4
Visual workflow builder Not checked yet Not checked yet
Behavioral triggers Not checked yet Not checked yet
Lead scoring Not checked yet ✓ (best)
CRM sync Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Delivery channels Not checked yet Not checked yet
Contact limit Not checked yet 1000 contacts
Workflow limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Multi-step automation with segmentation and predictive sending
  • Landing pages, A/B testing, CRM, and campaign reporting
  • Connects with more than 1,000 apps and has mobile apps
  • Starts at $14 per month with annual billing for 1,000 contacts
  • Combines journeys, scoring, forms, and multichannel automation
  • Integrates with Zoho CRM, Salesforce, HubSpot, and other apps
Cons
  • Starter limits each automation to 5 actions
  • No permanent free plan is available
  • Pricing varies by contact volume and currency
  • Platform coverage is limited to the web
  • No free plan is available
  • Advanced capabilities require higher-priced plans
Our verdict

ActiveCampaign is a cloud-based email marketing and marketing automation platform for small businesses, marketers, agencies, and larger organizations. It brings together email campaigns and newsletters, multi-step customer journeys,…

Read the review →

Zoho Marketing Automation is a web-based lead nurturing platform for businesses that need to generate, nurture, qualify, and convert leads. It brings together signup forms, landing pages, pop-up forms, behavioral tracking, lead scoring,…

Read the review →
  1. ActiveCampaignLead Nurturing Software 9.014-day trial
  2. Zoho Marketing AutomationLead Nurturing Software 8.7From $14/mo (annual) · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ActiveCampaign — where it wins

    • Multi-step automation with segmentation and predictive sending
    • Landing pages, A/B testing, CRM, and campaign reporting
    • Connects with more than 1,000 apps and has mobile apps

    Where it doesn't

    • Starter limits each automation to 5 actions
    • No permanent free plan is available
    • Pricing varies by contact volume and currency

  • Zoho Marketing Automation — where it wins

    • Starts at $14 per month with annual billing for 1,000 contacts
    • Combines journeys, scoring, forms, and multichannel automation
    • Integrates with Zoho CRM, Salesforce, HubSpot, and other apps

    Where it doesn't

    • Platform coverage is limited to the web
    • No free plan is available
    • Advanced capabilities require higher-priced plans
  • ActiveCampaign9.0/10 · 14-day trial

    Flexible multichannel automation with CRM, landing pages, testing, and AI tools.

    Visit ActiveCampaignFull verdict →
  • Zoho Marketing Automation8.7/10 · From $14/mo (annual) · 14-day trial

    A budget-conscious web platform with core journeys, scoring, forms, and CRM integrations.

    Visit ZohoFull verdict →

More comparisons

All lead nurturing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update