NGP VAN vs ActBlue

NGP VAN8.8Visit ActBlue8.6Visit

Higher score NGP VAN #3 in Political Software 8.8/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit NGP VAN

vs

ActBlue #5 in Political Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit ActBlue

• NGP VAN fits best

  Large campaigns needing comprehensive voter operations

• ActBlue fits best

  Fundraising-led campaigns adding field operations

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Side by side

Feature	NGP VAN 8.8/10 Visit ↗	ActBlue 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.6
Ranking	#3 in Political Software	#5 in Political Software
Best for	Large campaigns needing comprehensive voter operations	Fundraising-led campaigns adding field operations
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	—
Free plan	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Tickets, Docs	Email, Docs
Compliance	2FA	PCI DSS, 2FA
Integrations	10 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features NGP VAN 1/5 · ActBlue 5/5
Voter contact tools	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Canvassing	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Fundraising tools	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
SMS campaigns	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Mobile app	✓	✓
Specs
Election coverage	Not checked yet	Multiple
Our review
Pros	Combines donor records, fundraising, and compliance reporting Supports email, SMS, petitions, canvassing, and phone banking Call Time Mobile syncs fundraising activity in real time	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	Pricing requires contacting sales Its broad toolset may exceed the needs of focused teams Mobile call-time fundraising is a specific workflow, not a general mobile CRM	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	NGP VAN brings donor and supporter records together with fundraising, compliance reporting, organizing, advocacy, email, SMS, events, and membership workflows. It is intended for Democratic campaigns, progressive nonprofits, advocacy… 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

• NGP VAN — where it wins

  • Combines donor records, fundraising, and compliance reporting
  • Supports email, SMS, petitions, canvassing, and phone banking
  • Call Time Mobile syncs fundraising activity in real time

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Its broad toolset may exceed the needs of focused teams
  • Mobile call-time fundraising is a specific workflow, not a general mobile CRM

• 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.

• NGP VAN8.8/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad voter-operations platform for campaigns that need fundraising, outreach, and organizing together.

  Visit NGP VANFull verdict →
• ActBlue8.6/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit ActBlueFull verdict →