ActiveCampaign vs Substack: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of ActiveCampaign and Substack. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Substack starts at $5/mo, making it $10/mo cheaper than ActiveCampaign ($15/mo). Substack offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
ActiveCampaign vs Substack: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $15/mo | $5/mo |
| Number of Plans | 7 | 7 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | usage-based | usage-based |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Substack is the more affordable option, starting at $5/mo compared to ActiveCampaign's $15/mo. Both are Email Marketing tools with 14 combined pricing plans and 132 features compared.
Substack stands out with a free plan for getting started.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Email Marketing needs.
| Pricing Plans |  ActiveCampaign Try it freeAffiliate |  Substack Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Enterprise $145/month Includes
| Free $0/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 2 | ProPopular $79/month Includes
| Basic $5/monthCheapest $5 / year Includes
|
| Tier 3 | Plus $49/month Includes
| Standard $7/monthCheapest $7 / year Includes
|
| Tier 4 | Starter $15/month Includes
| Advanced $10/monthCheapest $10 / year Includes
|
| Tier 5 | Premium $218/month Includes
| Pro $15/monthCheapest $15 / year Includes
|
| Tier 6 | AdvancedPopular $99/month Includes
| Premium $30/monthCheapest $30 / year Includes
|
| Tier 7 | Core $99/month Includes
| Enterprise $75/monthCheapest $75 / year Includes
|
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ActiveCampaign
Email marketing, automation, and CRM for customer experience
View all ActiveCampaign plansWhat Reviewers Say
Substack
Substack offers a free plan, starts at $10/mo lower ($5/mo vs $15/mo).
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: Substack
Try Substack freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose ActiveCampaign if:
- •You want more features built-in—ActiveCampaign offers 88 additional features across its plans
- •ActiveCampaign's 7-tier usage-based structure gives clearer cost visibility for budget planning
- •ActiveCampaign's feature bundling aligns with how Email Marketing teams actually work day-to-day
Choose Substack if:
- •You want lower per-user costs—Substack starts at $5/mo, saving $10/mo compared to ActiveCampaign at $15/mo
- •You need a free plan with Set up paid subscriptions, Keep 90% of revenue—Substack offers no-cost access with no credit card required
- •You prefer Substack's usage-based model with its 7-tier structure
Substack is the more affordable choice [1], starting at $5/mo compared to ActiveCampaign's $15/mo. For a 50-person team on paid plans, this translates to Substack saving approximately $500/month. Substack offers 7 pricing tiers compared to ActiveCampaign's 7, giving you more granular control over scaling costs as your team grows. Across all tiers, Substack provides 22 total features versus 110 for ActiveCampaign, offering a more focused toolset depending on your specific needs. For budget-conscious teams seeking predictable costs, Substack delivers superior value. ActiveCampaign may justify its premium for specialized needs, but most organizations will find Substack the smarter financial choice.
Best choice: ActiveCampaign
Try ActiveCampaign freeFrequently Asked Questions: ActiveCampaign vs Substack
Which is cheaper, ActiveCampaign or Substack?
How many pricing plans does ActiveCampaign have vs Substack?
Does ActiveCampaign or Substack offer a free plan?
Can I save money by paying annually for ActiveCampaign or Substack?
What is the most popular ActiveCampaign plan?
How do ActiveCampaign and Substack compare for Email Marketing?
Sources
- ActiveCampaign Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Substack Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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