kitio.aiMailchimp vs Act-On
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Mailchimp has the lower starting price: about $13 a month, against $900 for Act-On.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Email templates
- Customer journeys
- Intuit Assist AI
- Landing pages
- SMS marketing
- Journey orchestration
- Act-On AI assistance
- Multichannel campaigns
- Lead scoring and segmentation
- Revenue reporting
- CRM integrations
| Feature | Mailchimp | Act-On |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Email marketing and automation with Intuit Assist AI | Marketing automation for B2B lifecycle programs, with built-in AI |
| Category | Marketing | Marketing |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting price | $13/mo | $900/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Made by | Intuit | Act-On Software |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Mailchimp has the lower starting price: about $13 a month, against $900 for Act-On.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
4 plans
Free
Free
- Up to 250 contacts
- 500 sends/mo (250/day)
- 1 seat
Essentials
$13/mo
- Starting price, scales with contacts
- Sends up to 10x contacts
- 3 seats
Standard
$20/mo
- Starting price, scales with contacts
- Generative AI and enhanced automations
- Sends up to 12x contacts, 5 seats
Premium
$350/mo
- Starting price, scales with contacts
- Predictive segmentation
- Sends up to 15x contacts, unlimited seats
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Mailchimp
- Very well known and easy to start
- Many integrations
- Good templates
- Small free plan
- Price rises quickly with contacts
Act-On
- Works with the CRM you already use
- Covers the whole customer lifecycle
- Deliverability services available
- Starts at $900 per month
- Annual contract required
- No free plan or self-serve trial listed
Which one should you choose?
Choose Mailchimp if you want:
- Very well known and easy to start
- Many integrations
- Good templates
Watch out: small free plan.
Choose Act-On if you want:
- Works with the CRM you already use
- Covers the whole customer lifecycle
- Deliverability services available
Watch out: starts at $900 per month.
Mailchimp vs Act-On FAQ
What is the difference between Mailchimp and Act-On?
Mailchimp: Email marketing and automation with Intuit Assist AI. Act-On: Marketing automation for B2B lifecycle programs, with built-in AI. Both are marketing tools.
Is Mailchimp or Act-On cheaper?
Mailchimp has the lower starting price: about $13 a month, against $900 for Act-On.
Do Mailchimp and Act-On have free plans?
Mailchimp: Yes. Act-On: No.
Who makes Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is made by Intuit, based in United States.
Who makes Act-On?
Act-On is made by Act-On Software, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Mailchimp or Act-On?
Choose Mailchimp if you value very well known and easy to start and many integrations. Choose Act-On if you value works with the crm you already use and covers the whole customer lifecycle.