HubSpot vs Mailchimp vs ActiveCampaign
Last updated: 2026-08-20
Three marketing platforms compared — pricing, features, and which fits your business size and goals.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | popular HubSpot | best Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0/mo (Free CRM) | $0/mo (Free) |
| Free trial | Free CRM forever (limited features) | Free plan available (up to 250 contacts, 1,000 emails/mo) |
| Best for | Growing businesses needing sales + marketing in one | Small businesses and e-commerce |
| Free plan | Free CRM (1,000 contacts, basic features) | Up to 250 contacts |
| Starting paid price | $20/mo (Starter), $890/mo (Professional) | $13/mo (Essentials, 250 contacts) |
| CRM | Built-in (free tier available) | — |
| Email marketing | Marketing Hub | — |
| Marketing automation | Professional plan+ | — |
| Sales pipeline | ✓ | — |
| Live chat | Free tier available | — |
| API access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrations | 1,500+ apps | 300+ integrations |
| Support | Email + chat + phone (plan dependent) | Email (Free), Chat (Paid) |
| Email sequences | — | Standard plan+ |
| Visual automations | — | Standard plan+ |
| Landing pages | — | ✓ |
| A/B testing | — | Standard plan+ |
| Commerce | — | Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce |
HubSpot Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free CRM forever — contacts, deals, tasks, email tracking
- All-in-one platform — marketing, sales, service in one system
- Excellent onboarding and educational resources (HubSpot Academy)
- Strong automation capabilities on higher tiers
- Large integration ecosystem (1,500+ apps)
- Best-in-class inbound marketing tools
Cons
- Expensive at scale — Marketing Hub Professional starts at $890/mo
- Free CRM has limited contacts (1,000) and minimal automation
- Each hub (Marketing, Sales, Service) priced separately
- Onboarding fees for enterprise plans ($3,000+)
- Custom reporting requires expensive plans
Mailchimp Pros & Cons
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop email builder — easiest to use for beginners
- Free plan (250 contacts, 1,000 emails/month)
- Built-in CRM and audience management tools
- Strong e-commerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce)
- Content studio with built-in image editor
- Wide range of pre-designed email templates
Cons
- Pricing scales steeply — 500→10,000 contacts jumps from $0 to $100+/mo
- Free plan includes Mailchimp branding on emails
- Automation features limited on lower tiers
- A/B testing only on Standard plan ($20/mo+) or 500+ contacts
- Customer support limited to email on free plan
Final Verdict
Both HubSpot and Mailchimp are solid choices in the Marketing Automation space. The right pick depends on your budget, team size, and specific feature needs. We recommend trying both via their free plans or trials before committing.
Our pick: Mailchimp
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for small businesses: HubSpot or Mailchimp?
For small businesses, the better choice depends on your budget and specific needs. Mailchimp generally offers better value for money, while HubSpot has more advanced features for growing teams.
Do HubSpot and Mailchimp offer free trials?
Yes, both platforms offer ways to try before buying. Free CRM forever (limited features) offers a trial, and Free plan available (up to 250 contacts, 1,000 emails/mo) also offers a trial. We recommend trying both before committing.
Can I switch from HubSpot to Mailchimp (or vice versa)?
Yes, most platforms offer data export tools. Contact lists, settings, and historical data can usually be migrated, though some manual setup will be required. Check each platform's migration documentation before switching.