NationBuilder vs ActBlue

NationBuilder4.0Visit ActBlue9.0Visit

NationBuilder #2 in Political Software 4.0/10 14-day trial ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit NationBuilder

vs

Higher score ActBlue #5 in Political Software 9.0/10 Free plan · paid from $40/mo Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit ActBlue

• NationBuilder fits best

  Organizations wanting an all-in-one campaign CRM

• ActBlue fits best

  Fundraising-led campaigns adding field operations

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Side by side

Feature	NationBuilder 4.0/10 Visit ↗	ActBlue 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	4.0	9.0
Ranking	#2 in Political Software	#5 in Political Software
Best for	Organizations wanting an all-in-one campaign CRM	Fundraising-led campaigns adding field operations
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Not published	$40/mo
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	5 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features NationBuilder 0/5 · ActBlue 5/5
Voter contact tools	Not published	✓ (best)
Canvassing	Not published	✓ (best)
Fundraising tools	Not published	✓ (best)
SMS campaigns	Not published	✓ (best)
Mobile app	Not published	✓ (best)
Specs
Election coverage	Not published	Multiple
Our review
Pros	Combines constituent profiles, segmentation and contact history Connects fundraising, memberships, email and text outreach Includes websites, events, petitions and volunteer signup tools	Combines contribution forms and recurring donations with field tools. Field Tools include texting, phone banking, canvassing and volunteer management. Integrates with NGP VAN, Action Network, Mailchimp and Mobilize.
Cons	Starter and Pro database capacity varies by plan Enterprise pricing is custom The broad feature set may exceed the needs of groups seeking a focused tool	Eligibility is limited to Democratic and progressive-aligned entities. Core fundraising and Field Tools can incur transaction or usage fees. The Website Builder is a separate $40-per-month plan.
Our verdict	NationBuilder brings supporter records and campaign activity together in a web-based platform for political campaigns, advocacy organizations, nonprofits and other groups organizing supporters. Its constituent database includes profiles,… Read the review →	ActBlue brings online fundraising, field organizing and campaign website tools together for eligible Democratic candidates, progressive organizations, political committees and nonprofits. Its contribution forms and recurring donations suit… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• NationBuilder — where it wins

  • Combines constituent profiles, segmentation and contact history
  • Connects fundraising, memberships, email and text outreach
  • Includes websites, events, petitions and volunteer signup tools

  Where it doesn't

  • Starter and Pro database capacity varies by plan
  • Enterprise pricing is custom
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of groups seeking a focused tool

• ActBlue — where it wins

  • Combines contribution forms and recurring donations with field tools.
  • Field Tools include texting, phone banking, canvassing and volunteer management.
  • Integrates with NGP VAN, Action Network, Mailchimp and Mobilize.

  Where it doesn't

  • Eligibility is limited to Democratic and progressive-aligned entities.
  • Core fundraising and Field Tools can incur transaction or usage fees.
  • The Website Builder is a separate $40-per-month plan.

• NationBuilder4.0/10 · 14-day trial

  An all-in-one hub for supporter records, fundraising, communications and campaign work.

  Visit NationBuilderFull verdict →
• ActBlue9.0/10 · Free plan · paid from $40/mo

  A fundraising-led campaign toolkit that adds field operations, forms and website tools.

  Visit ActBlueFull verdict →