kitio.aiSalesforce Marketing Cloud vs Act-On
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Salesforce Marketing Cloud starts at See pricing page and Act-On starts at $900/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Cross-channel journeys
- Email and mobile messaging
- Agentforce marketing agents
- Audience segmentation
- Personalization
- CRM data integration
- Journey orchestration
- Act-On AI assistance
- Multichannel campaigns
- Lead scoring and segmentation
- Revenue reporting
- CRM integrations
| Feature | Salesforce Marketing Cloud | Act-On |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Salesforce's marketing suite with Agentforce AI and customer data | Marketing automation for B2B lifecycle programs, with built-in AI |
| Category | Marketing | Marketing |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See pricing page | $900/mo |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Made by | Salesforce | Act-On Software |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Pricing compared
Salesforce Marketing Cloud starts at See pricing page and Act-On starts at $900/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
Prices in USD, checked Nov 5, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Salesforce Marketing Cloud
- Deep link with Salesforce CRM data
- Covers many channels in one suite
- AI agents built into the platform
- Expensive and quote-based
- Complex setup, often needs partners
- Best value only inside the Salesforce stack
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 Salesforce Marketing Cloud if you want:
- Deep link with Salesforce CRM data
- Covers many channels in one suite
- AI agents built into the platform
Watch out: expensive and quote-based.
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.
Salesforce Marketing Cloud vs Act-On FAQ
What is the difference between Salesforce Marketing Cloud and Act-On?
Salesforce Marketing Cloud: Salesforce's marketing suite with Agentforce AI and customer data. Act-On: Marketing automation for B2B lifecycle programs, with built-in AI. Both are marketing tools.
Is Salesforce Marketing Cloud or Act-On cheaper?
Salesforce Marketing Cloud starts at See pricing page and Act-On starts at $900/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Salesforce Marketing Cloud and Act-On have free plans?
Salesforce Marketing Cloud: No. Act-On: No.
Who makes Salesforce Marketing Cloud?
Salesforce Marketing Cloud is made by Salesforce, based in United States.
Who makes Act-On?
Act-On is made by Act-On Software, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Salesforce Marketing Cloud or Act-On?
Choose Salesforce Marketing Cloud if you value deep link with salesforce crm data and covers many channels in one suite. Choose Act-On if you value works with the crm you already use and covers the whole customer lifecycle.