ActiveCampaign vs Marketo: Which Marketing Automation Is Better in 2026?
Compare pricing, features, integrations, verified reviews, AI capabilities, security, and customer satisfaction — side by side, with no marketing spin.
The Short Answer
ActiveCampaign vs Marketo, in 15 seconds
Choose ActiveCampaign if…
- You want the lower entry price
- You want deeper AI and automation features
Choose Marketo if…
- You depend on a broad integration ecosystem
- You have strict security & compliance needs
- You need the broader feature set
Head-to-Head Scorecard
How ActiveCampaign and Marketo score
It's evenly matched — each leads on 3 of 9 measured dimensions.
- Even
Customer Rating
Average score from verified user reviews
ActiveCampaignNo reviewsMarketoNo reviews - Even
Review Volume
Number of verified reviews — a proxy for adoption
ActiveCampaign0Marketo0 - ActiveCampaign
Entry Pricing
Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)
ActiveCampaign$15/moMarketoCustom - Even
Free Access
Availability of a free plan and/or free trial
ActiveCampaignFree trialMarketoFree trial - Marketo
Integrations
Number of listed third-party integrations
ActiveCampaign8Marketo10 - Marketo
Features
Number of listed product capabilities
ActiveCampaign11Marketo12 - ActiveCampaign
AI Features
Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML
ActiveCampaign2Marketo1 - Marketo
Security & Compliance
Number of listed compliance certifications
ActiveCampaign3Marketo4 - ActiveCampaign
Platforms & Deployment
Supported platforms and deployment options
ActiveCampaign4Marketo3
Feature Comparison
ActiveCampaign vs Marketo feature breakdown
Search or filter the full feature matrix — core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.
ActiveCampaignPricing Comparison
ActiveCampaign vs Marketo pricing
Entry pricing, plan tiers and the cost factors that shape total cost of ownership.
ActiveCampaign
$15/mo to start- Email marketing
- Basic automations
- Segmentation
- 1 user
- Everything in Starter
- Landing pages
- Automation map
- Basic CRM
- Everything in Plus
- Predictive sending
- Advanced reporting
- Unlimited automation
- Custom reporting
- Advanced security
- Dedicated support
- Unlimited email design testing
Marketo
Custom to start- Smart Campaigns
- Engagement programs
- Email with A/B testing
- CRM sync (Salesforce/Dynamics)
- Everything in Growth
- Advanced nurturing
- Segmentation
- Marketing calendar
- Advanced lead scoring
- Revenue attribution
- Predictive content
- ABM capabilities
- Advanced analytics
- Custom objects
- Premium support
- Highest scale
Total cost of ownership factors
Beyond list price, factor in implementation, training, add-ons and per-seat scaling when estimating total cost of ownership.
Pros & Cons
ActiveCampaign vs Marketo: strengths and trade-offs
ActiveCampaign
Pros
- Free trial offered
- Compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, HIPAA
- Stronger AI / automation features
- Public API available
Cons
- No free plan
- Fewer native integrations than the alternative
Marketo
Pros
- Free trial offered
- Broad integration ecosystem (10)
- Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
- Public API available
Cons
- No free plan
- Pricing is quote-based (less transparent)
Buyer Fit
Who should use ActiveCampaign vs Marketo?
Startups
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign keeps early-stage costs lowest with its entry tier.
Small businesses
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign offers the most accessible pricing for lean teams.
Agencies
Marketo
Marketo connects to more tools for multi-client workflows.
Enterprises
Marketo
Marketo leads on compliance and breadth for complex needs.
Ecommerce
Marketo
Marketo integrates with more of the commerce stack.
SaaS companies
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.
Integration overlap
Shared integrations (2)
Only in ActiveCampaign (6)
Only in Marketo (8)
Keep Exploring
Other alternatives worth considering
Similar marketing automation products buyers compare alongside ActiveCampaign and Marketo.
Ask SIA which solution fits your business
SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs ActiveCampaign and Marketo against your team size, budget, integrations and compliance needs — then recommends the right fit and the questions to ask each vendor.
Get a personalised recommendationActiveCampaign vs Marketo — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ActiveCampaign and Marketo?
ActiveCampaign and Marketo are both Marketing Automation solutions. ActiveCampaign is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while Marketo is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.
Which is better, ActiveCampaign or Marketo?
Based on user ratings, ActiveCampaign scores higher at 0.0/5. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific requirements.
Which is cheaper, ActiveCampaign or Marketo?
Both products have custom pricing. We recommend contacting both vendors for a quote tailored to your team size.
Does ActiveCampaign or Marketo have a free plan?
Neither ActiveCampaign nor Marketo currently offers a free plan, but ActiveCampaign provides a free trial.
Can I switch from ActiveCampaign to Marketo?
Switching between ActiveCampaign and Marketo is possible. Both support data export. Check integration compatibility and plan for data migration to minimise disruption to your team.
Who should use ActiveCampaign vs Marketo?
ActiveCampaign is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. Marketo works well for teams needing advanced capabilities.
Our Verdict
The bottom line on ActiveCampaign vs Marketo
Best Overall
Either
It's a tie balances user satisfaction and proven adoption.
Best for Startups
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign has the friendliest entry point for new teams.
Best for Enterprise
Marketo
Marketo leads on compliance and feature breadth.
Best Value
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign delivers the lowest cost to get started.
Best AI Features
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign ships more AI and automation.
Highest Rated
Either
Both earn equal user ratings.