ActiveCampaign vs Loops — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of ActiveCampaign and Loops to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
ActiveCampaign takes the lead with a 4.4 rating and is best for marketing teams needing complex automation workflows with crm integration.. Loops (4.3) is the better pick if you need product-led saas companies who want email automation triggered by product events..
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | ActiveCampaign | Loops |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.4(267) | ★★★★ 4.3(45) |
| Pricing Model | paid | freemium |
| Starter Price | $15/mo (Starter, 1K contacts) | $49/mo (Starter, 5K contacts) |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | web, ios, android | web |
| Learning Curve | hard | medium |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Marketing teams needing complex automation workflows with CRM integration. | Product-led SaaS companies who want email automation triggered by product events. |
| Verdict | recommended | situational |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | Loops |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced visual automation builder | — | |
| Built-in CRM with deal pipelines | — | |
| Lead scoring | — | |
| Predictive content (ML) | — | |
| Site tracking and event triggers | — | |
| Landing pages | — | |
| Product event-based automation | — | |
| User profile management | — | |
| Modern email editor | — | |
| Event tracking API | — | |
| Transactional emails | — | |
| A/B testing | — |
ActiveCampaign
Pros
- ✓Most powerful automation builder in email marketing
- ✓Built-in CRM with lead scoring and deal pipelines
- ✓Predictive content and machine learning features
Cons
- ✕Steep learning curve for the automation features
- ✕No free tier — must pay from day one
- ✕Can be overkill for simple newsletter needs
Loops
Pros
- ✓Product event-based automation is natural for SaaS
- ✓Modern, beautiful email editor
- ✓Free tier supports 1,000 contacts
Cons
- ✕Young product still adding core features
- ✕Only makes sense for SaaS companies
- ✕Pricing jumps significantly from free to Starter
The Bottom Line
Both ActiveCampaign and Loops are solid tools in the Email Marketing space. ActiveCampaign edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.4 vs 4.3) and is the better choice for marketing teams needing complex automation workflows with crm integration.. However, if you prioritize product-led saas companies who want email automation triggered by product events., Loops is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.