Klaviyo specializes in e-commerce email and SMS marketing with superior segmentation for product-based businesses, while ActiveCampaign offers broader CRM and automation capabilities suited for service-based companies and B2B operations. Klaviyo's pricing scales directly with list size, whereas ActiveCampaign uses contact-based pricing.
Klaviyo vs ActiveCampaign — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Email and SMS marketing platform built specifically for e-commerce with native Shopify integration and real-time analytics.
Enterprise-grade CRM and marketing automation platform with integrated sales and service tools.
Primary Use Case. Pricing Model. Native SMS Capabilities. CRM Features. E-commerce Integrations. Automation Workflows. Free Trial Period
Choose Klaviyo if you run a direct-to-consumer e-commerce business and prioritize email and SMS as your primary marketing channels with product-level segmentation. Choose ActiveCampaign if you need comprehensive CRM functionality, sales pipeline management, or operate a service-based/B2B business requiring complex multi-touch automation across multiple departments.
Klaviyo: $20/month | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: $100/month | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: $720/month | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: All email features included | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: eCommerce-optimized templates | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Advanced behavior-led segmentation | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Unified customer data foundation | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Not included | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Basic email features only | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Extensive custom via API | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Real-time behavioral graphs with continuous updates | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Email, SMS, push, in-app, direct mail | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Higher minimum investment required | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Mid-to-large ecommerce, Shopify Plus, data-driven brands | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Average eCommerce Email Revenue Per Send
Klaviyo: $72 | ActiveCampaign: Not published
Klaviyo: $20/month (500 contacts) | ActiveCampaign: $9 (500 contacts)
Klaviyo: Varies by plan features | ActiveCampaign: $385–$495
Klaviyo: B2C customer data platform | ActiveCampaign: Full B2B/B2C CRM with lead scoring
Klaviyo: Included in all plans | ActiveCampaign: Available (add-on/integration)
Klaviyo: Native with product catalog sync, dynamic blocks, and product recommendations | ActiveCampaign: Supported via marketplace
Klaviyo: 4,200% ROI (industry average) | ActiveCampaign: 4,200% ROI (industry average)
Klaviyo: Email, SMS, push (native) | ActiveCampaign: Email, SMS, web, social, chat (native)
Klaviyo: 45+ filters | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Limited 2-way capability | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Native email + SMS + pop-ups | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Yes, multi-channel A/B testing | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Smart scheduling with AI optimization | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Active profiles (contacts with behavior) | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Limited (plan-dependent) | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Included (higher plans only) | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Advanced behavioral data segmentation | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: 3 (Email, SMS, WhatsApp) | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Personalized send time optimization | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Built-in CDP as core foundation | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Steeper learning curve (data-focused) | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Predictive send-time optimization (Q4 2025), AI-driven personalization | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Enterprise-grade, proven at scale with dedicated infrastructure | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Unlimited triggered sequences with advanced conditional logic | ActiveCampaign: Unlimited advanced workflows
Klaviyo: SMB to Enterprise (all Shopify store sizes) | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: $72 per email sent | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Industry average 4,200% | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Deep native with purchase-event segmentation | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Behavioral purchase-event segmentation | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Email and SMS | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: North America eCommerce focus | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: $20+ (usage-based) | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Email, SMS, Web Push, Forms | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: 24/5 email, phone 9-5 EST | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Behavioral, predictive, e-commerce segments, custom attributes | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: 150,000+ e-commerce merchants | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: 1-2 weeks | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: $0.01-$0.015 | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Advanced multi-channel | ActiveCampaign: Advanced - conditional branching, multi-step, custom logic
Klaviyo: Native integration with major platforms | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: AI-powered with customer data platform | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Unlimited | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: $20 | ActiveCampaign: $9 (Lite tier)
Klaviyo: Yes, native SMS | ActiveCampaign: Yes (paid add-on)
Klaviyo: No, third-party required | ActiveCampaign: No (forms only)
Klaviyo: Native SMS included | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: 200+ Shopify-optimized | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: 250 | ActiveCampaign: 600 calls/min
Klaviyo: Unlimited with predictive optimization | ActiveCampaign: Advanced (conditional logic, multi-branch)
Klaviyo: 10-15% with predictive send time | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: 1-2 days | ActiveCampaign: 2-4 weeks
Klaviyo: 500+ | ActiveCampaign: 200+ professional templates
Klaviyo: 500 | ActiveCampaign: No free plan
Klaviyo: None (paid only) | ActiveCampaign: No free tier
Klaviyo: 5 active automations | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: 150+ with AI generation | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Yes (all plans) | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: $20 (for 500 contacts) | ActiveCampaign: $9
Klaviyo: 500+ | ActiveCampaign: 500+ templates
Klaviyo: 1-2 weeks (visual setup) | ActiveCampaign: 1-2 weeks
Klaviyo: Web push only | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Native built-in integration | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: 100+ million | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Mid-Tier Price (5K contacts/subscribers)
Enterprise Price (100K+ contacts/subscribers)
Klaviyo: $1,200+ | ActiveCampaign: $229+
Klaviyo: 21 days | ActiveCampaign: 14 days
Klaviyo: Basic customer profiles only | ActiveCampaign: Full deal pipelines with forecasting and attribution
Klaviyo: $20 | ActiveCampaign: $15/month
Klaviyo: Basic behavioral and manual only | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: Not supported | ActiveCampaign: N/A
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Plus plan ($99+/month) and above
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: AI-generated email drafts included
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: A/B testing and spam testing
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Limited platform support
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Native CRM with advanced features
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Experienced marketers preferred
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: $15/month
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: $49/month (Plus)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: $145/month
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: 2 (Marketing & CRM)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: $49/month
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Nearly identical ratings
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: 1,000 contacts
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Unlimited
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Full-featured with scoring
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: 2-4 weeks (with training)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: $149 (Pro plan, unlimited)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Full CRM with pipeline, forecasting, and scoring
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Predictive sending, lead scoring
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Moderate - requires learning
Starting Monthly Price (Annual Commitment)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Behavioral, manual, predictive (limited AI)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Yes (native)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: 2-4 hour sync
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: 4-8 weeks
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Basic (via third-party apps)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: 8-12% (varies by setup)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Yes (behavioral, predictive, dynamic)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: None (paid only)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: 4+ (Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, native)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: 2 (last-click, first-click)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Advanced predictive with AI priority ranking
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: No (14-day trial only)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: 10-300 calls (tier-dependent)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: 100+ (plan-dependent)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Advanced with A/B testing, dynamic content, behavior triggers
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Predictive send time, contact scoring, revenue attribution
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Unlimited (500 contacts max)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Advanced (deals, pipelines, forecasting)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Yes (all paid plans)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Yes (all plans)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Full CRM with sales pipelines and deal tracking
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: 500+ pre-built workflows
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: $229/month
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Limited functionality
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Advanced AI-powered with predictive scoring
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: $549 (10 seats @ $35 + contact tier)
Marketing Automation Workflows (Pre-built)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Unlimited with advanced conditional logic
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Full CRM with lead scoring, pipeline, forecasting
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: 24 hours (email)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Yes - iOS and Android
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Not included
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: All plans
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: 4-6 weeks
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Yes - full sales pipeline, deal tracking
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: No - requires third-party integration
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Separate add-on ($10+/month)
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: Full sales pipeline with deal tracking
Klaviyo: N/A | ActiveCampaign: 8/10 (steep)
How to choose between Klaviyo and ActiveCampaign
Klaviyo vs ActiveCampaign — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Klaviyo vs ActiveCampaign. Contains 208 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Klaviyo vs ActiveCampaign — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Klaviyo vs ActiveCampaign.
Which platform is better for Shopify stores?
Klaviyo is significantly better for Shopify stores. It has 200+ e-commerce-specific integrations and native product intelligence that automatically syncs product data, inventory, and customer purchase history. Its pricing model (based on subscriber count rather than contacts) is more cost-effective for e-commerce businesses. ActiveCampaign works with Shopify but requires more manual configuration and lacks product-level segmentation capabilities.
Which is more affordable for large subscriber lists?
ActiveCampaign is far more affordable for large lists. At 100K contacts, Klaviyo costs $1,200+/month while ActiveCampaign costs $229/month. However, for businesses with fewer than 10K subscribers, Klaviyo's pricing can be competitive. The breakeven point is typically around 5,000-10,000 subscribers where ActiveCampaign becomes the better value.
Can I do SMS marketing with both platforms?
Yes, both offer SMS, but Klaviyo is superior. Klaviyo has purpose-built SMS tools with dedicated compliance features, compliance checks, and optimized templates. ActiveCampaign added SMS but it's less integrated and requires additional setup. If SMS is mission-critical to your strategy, Klaviyo is the stronger choice.
ActiveCampaign is significantly better for B2B sales. It includes deal pipelines, sales forecasting, lead scoring, and revenue attribution—features critical for sales teams. Klaviyo has minimal sales features and is not designed for sales-driven processes. If your team needs CRM functionality alongside marketing automation, ActiveCampaign is the clear winner.
Klaviyo is easier to learn and set up, especially for marketers with e-commerce experience. Its interface is streamlined for email and SMS workflows. ActiveCampaign has a steeper learning curve due to its comprehensive feature set across CRM, sales, marketing, and support. New ActiveCampaign users typically need 2-4 weeks to master advanced workflows, while Klaviyo users are productive in 3-5 days.
How to Choose Between Klaviyo and ActiveCampaign
Primary Use Case: Klaviyo has E-commerce email, SMS, and product analytics, while ActiveCampaign has Multi-channel CRM, sales automation, and service business workflows.
Pricing Model: Klaviyo has $20-$1,200+/month (scales with list size, not contacts), while ActiveCampaign has $9-$229/month (scales with contact count).
Native SMS Capabilities: Klaviyo has Built-in SMS with dedicated compliance tools and templates, while ActiveCampaign has SMS available but requires additional configuration.
CRM Features: Klaviyo has Basic customer profiles tied to purchase history, while ActiveCampaign has Full CRM with deal pipelines, lead scoring, and sales workflows.
E-commerce Integrations: Klaviyo has 200+ integrations optimized for Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, while ActiveCampaign has 100+ integrations with moderate e-commerce optimization.
Automation Workflows: Klaviyo has 250+ pre-built templates focused on product recommendations, while ActiveCampaign has 400+ pre-built templates across sales, support, and marketing.
Free Trial Period: Klaviyo has 21 days (no credit card required), while ActiveCampaign has 14 days (credit card required).