Quick comparison
Shortlist first, details second. Always double-check current pricing and plan limits on the vendor site.
| Tool | Best for | Setup time | Pricing | Why it’s here | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ActiveCampaign Top pick | Automation + segmentation | Half day | Paid | Powerful automation for lifecycle and lead nurturing | More setup and cost |
| Brevo | Value email + basic automation | 1–2 hours | Paid | Good balance of features and price | Less advanced automation depth |
| MailerLite | Newsletters + simple flows | 1–2 hours | Paid | Fast to set up and easy to run | Not ideal for complex lifecycle automation |
How we picked
- Optimized for agency workflows: delivery visibility, client collaboration, and handoffs.
- Prioritized low-friction setup and sane permissions (so you actually adopt it).
- Checked reporting and “share with clients” realism (not just feature checkboxes).
- Included a clear watch-out for each option to avoid bad fits.
Pricing checked: 7 Jan 2026. Evaluated on: setup friction, permissions, reporting, and handoff realism.
ActiveCampaign
Best for: agencies building complex workflows
Choose ActiveCampaign when your deliverable is automation: segmentation, scoring, and multi-step customer journeys.
- Strong automation builder.
- Great for lead nurturing and lifecycle.
- Worth it when you use the depth.
Brevo
Best for: teams that want solid features at a better price
Brevo can be a good fit when you need email marketing and some automation but want simpler operations.
- Good value.
- Fast to launch campaigns.
- Good enough automation for many clients.
MailerLite
Best for: simple newsletter-focused work
MailerLite is great when you just need to send newsletters and run simple automations.
- Easy onboarding.
- Clean editor.
- Low overhead for small clients.
Bottom line
If you sell automation as a service, ActiveCampaign is usually the better long-term platform. If you want value and simpler ops, Brevo is a strong alternative. For simple newsletter work, MailerLite is the easiest to run.
FAQ
Which has better automation?
ActiveCampaign is typically deeper for segmentation and complex workflows.
Is Brevo enough for agencies?
Often yes for simpler clients. For heavy lifecycle automation, ActiveCampaign is safer.
What’s the biggest deliverability lever?
List hygiene and sending practices. Tools help, but process matters most.