Choosing the right CRM and automation tool is crucial for your business. Here’s a quick breakdown of GoHighLevel and ActiveCampaign to help you decide:
- GoHighLevel: Best for agencies managing multiple client accounts. It offers flat-rate pricing, unlimited contacts, and multi-channel communication (email, SMS, social media). Includes tools like funnel builders and white-label options.
- ActiveCampaign: Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses focused on email marketing. It excels in advanced email automation, customer journey mapping, and predictive analytics. Pricing increases with contact list size.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | GoHighLevel | ActiveCampaign |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Agency Management | Email Marketing |
| Pricing Structure | Flat Rate | Contact-Based |
| Multi-Channel | Yes (Email, SMS, Social Media) | Limited (Email-focused) |
| White-Label Options | Yes | No |
| Advanced Automation | Basic | Advanced |
| Best For | Agencies | Small/Medium Businesses |
Key Takeaway: GoHighLevel is better for agencies needing an all-in-one tool with predictable costs. ActiveCampaign is best for businesses prioritizing email marketing with advanced automation.
Main Features
Automation Tools
GoHighLevel and ActiveCampaign take different approaches to automation. GoHighLevel focuses on multi-channel automation, letting agencies manage campaigns across email, SMS, and social media with two-way communication. This makes it a strong choice for agencies juggling multiple client accounts and repetitive tasks.
ActiveCampaign, on the other hand, shines in email marketing automation and customer journey mapping. Its advanced conditional logic allows businesses to create highly tailored workflows based on customer actions, making it a go-to for detailed email campaigns.
| Automation Feature | GoHighLevel | ActiveCampaign |
|---|---|---|
| Email Sequences | ✓ | ✓ |
| SMS Automation | Two-way messaging | Broadcast only |
| Social Media Integration | Full integration | Limited |
| Multi-channel Campaigns | Comprehensive | Email-focused |
| Conditional Logic | Basic | Advanced |
Let’s now look at how each platform handles CRM capabilities.
CRM Functions
GoHighLevel offers an all-in-one CRM designed to simplify customer interactions. It supports unlimited contacts and users for a flat fee, making it well-suited for agencies that are scaling. A standout feature is its "snapshots", which let users replicate custom fields, forms, funnels, and workflows across client accounts.
ActiveCampaign’s CRM is aimed at small to medium-sized businesses. While it provides strong contact management tools, its pricing increases as your contact list grows, which could lead to higher costs over time.
Page Building Tools
GoHighLevel includes a robust funnel builder, enabling users to create landing pages, sales funnels, and even full websites. This makes it easy to quickly deploy marketing assets across various client accounts.
ActiveCampaign, however, focuses more on email marketing and automation. Its landing page builder is basic, and for advanced funnel-building needs, third-party tools are required.
Platform Connections
GoHighLevel offers integrations with:
- Facebook Messages
- Instagram DMs
- Google Chats
- Email systems
- SMS platforms
ActiveCampaign, while excelling in email marketing integrations, has fewer options for direct communication channels. However, it compensates with its detailed workflow automation and strong email marketing features.
At HighLevel, we’re picking up the baton and providing even more with a customizable all-in-one solution built for agencies and marketers. [1]
GoHighLevel vs ActiveCampaign – Which is Better? (2025)
Cost Breakdown
Take a closer look at the pricing details below to decide which platform aligns better with your long-term needs.
GoHighLevel Plans
GoHighLevel uses a flat-rate pricing model with no limits on contact numbers:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $97 | Unlimited contacts, CRM, funnel builder, email/SMS marketing, appointment scheduling |
| Unlimited/Freelancer | $297 | White-label desktop app, API access, phone/chat support, Partner Program |
| Agency Pro/SaaS Pro | $497 | Advanced API, agent reporting, inbound calling, lead distribution |
| Enterprise | Custom | Dedicated support, HIPAA compliance, custom mobile app |
All GoHighLevel plans come with a 14-day free trial. If you choose annual billing, you can save up to 17%.
ActiveCampaign Plans
ActiveCampaign prices its plans based on the number of contacts in your database. This means costs can increase as your contact list grows, which could impact monthly expenses for businesses with larger databases.
Price Comparison
The main difference between the two platforms lies in their pricing structures: GoHighLevel offers flat-rate pricing, while ActiveCampaign charges based on contact volume. This distinction can affect costs depending on your business type and growth plans:
- For agencies: GoHighLevel’s Unlimited plan at $297/month provides predictable costs, whereas ActiveCampaign’s pricing may rise steeply as your contact list expands.
- For small businesses: GoHighLevel’s Starter plan at $97/month includes all features without contact limits. ActiveCampaign might be more affordable for businesses with very small lists.
Think about your business’s growth when deciding. While ActiveCampaign might look cheaper at first, GoHighLevel’s flat-rate structure can provide more predictable and scalable pricing as your business grows.
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User Experience
When choosing a platform, usability and responsive support are just as important as pricing. Let’s break down how these two platforms stack up in terms of navigation and help options.
Platform Navigation
Both platforms are designed to be user-friendly, but they take different approaches to simplify the experience.
GoHighLevel offers a clean, straightforward interface that’s easy to navigate. This makes it accessible even for those without much technical experience. Key features include:
- Direct access to campaign tools
- Client management capabilities
- Automation workflows
- Tools for asset creation
ActiveCampaign, on the other hand, focuses heavily on email marketing and automation. While its advanced features are powerful, they may require a bit of time to get familiar with.
Help and Support
Support is a critical part of any platform, and both GoHighLevel and ActiveCampaign provide solid options for their users.
GoHighLevel delivers 24/7 support through various channels, making it a reliable choice for agencies and users alike:
| Support Channel | Availability | Access Level |
|---|---|---|
| Zoom Support Calls | 24/7 | Agency Admins |
| Live Chat | 24/7 | Agency Admins/Users |
| Support Ticketing | 24/7 | All Users |
| Phone Support | Business Hours | Agency Admins |
Additionally, GoHighLevel offers several self-help resources, such as:
- A comprehensive knowledge base
- Weekly and monthly training sessions
- A vibrant Facebook community for peer advice
- A YouTube channel filled with tutorials
ActiveCampaign also provides strong support, though response times can depend on your subscription level. Known for its expertise in email marketing, the platform offers detailed guidance to help users make the most of its tools.
For GoHighLevel users, roles like Location Admins often rely on agency contacts for assistance. Higher-tier plans include priority support, which is especially useful for agencies juggling multiple clients. Quick issue resolution can be a game-changer when maintaining client satisfaction.
Platform Selection Guide
Based on the earlier comparisons of features and costs, let’s break down which platform might suit your business model and goals.
Best Uses for GoHighLevel
GoHighLevel works best for agencies that:
- Handle multiple client accounts
- Need white-label options
- Manage unlimited contacts and sub-accounts
- Rely on all-in-one client communication tools
With its fixed monthly pricing, GoHighLevel is a great fit for agencies aiming to scale. It centralizes communication by supporting text messages, email campaigns, Facebook Messages, Instagram DMs, Google Chats, and WhatsApp – all in one place. This eliminates the need for multiple software subscriptions.
Best Uses for ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign, on the other hand, shines when it comes to advanced email automation and customer journey tools. It’s ideal for:
- Small to medium-sized businesses managing their own marketing
- Companies focused on email campaigns
- Businesses that need advanced audience segmentation
- Organizations looking for predictive analytics
ActiveCampaign offers features like machine learning, predictive sending, content personalization, and detailed segmentation. With over 850 direct integrations through Zapier, it works seamlessly with existing tech setups and supports custom workflows.
| Business Need | Best Platform Choice | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Agency Management | GoHighLevel | Fixed pricing with unlimited contacts |
| Email Marketing Focus | ActiveCampaign | Advanced automation and personalization |
| Multi-channel Communication | GoHighLevel | Unified messaging across platforms |
| Custom Integration Needs | ActiveCampaign | Over 850 direct integrations |
| White-label Options | GoHighLevel | Full branding customization |
| Predictive Analytics | ActiveCampaign | Machine learning features |
This breakdown can help you determine which platform aligns better with your business goals and operational needs.
Conclusion
Here’s a quick recap of the key insights on features, pricing, and usability.
Key Takeaways
The two platforms stand out in different ways:
- GoHighLevel shines as an all-in-one platform tailored for agencies. It offers unlimited contacts and sub-accounts for a fixed monthly fee and is particularly strong in white-labeling features.
- ActiveCampaign specializes in email marketing automation, leveraging tools like machine learning and predictive sending to enhance email campaign performance.
| Feature Category | GoHighLevel | ActiveCampaign |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Agency Management | Email Marketing |
| Pricing Structure | Fixed Rate | Contact-Based |
| Core Users | Marketing Agencies | Small/Medium Businesses |
Choosing the Right Platform
The best choice depends on your business goals and operational needs.
GoHighLevel is ideal if you:
- Manage multiple client accounts
- Need centralized tools for agency management
- Want white-label options for branding
ActiveCampaign is a better fit if you:
- Prioritize advanced email marketing
- Need customer journey automation
- Rely on third-party integrations
- Use predictive analytics for decision-making
As one HighLevel representative put it:
"At HighLevel, we’re picking up the baton and providing even more with a customizable all-in-one solution built for agencies and marketers." [1]
Ultimately, the decision should align with your business model and the specific challenges you aim to address.
