ActiveCampaign vs. Klaviyo: Feature-by-Feature Comparison for Different Business Sizes
Choosing between ActiveCampaign and Klaviyo depends on your business type and goals. ActiveCampaign excels in automation and customer engagement across industries, while Klaviyo is tailored for eCommerce with tools to track revenue and optimize sales. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- ActiveCampaign: Best for service-based businesses or those needing advanced automation and CRM integration.
- Klaviyo: Ideal for eCommerce businesses focused on revenue tracking, product-based segmentation, and detailed customer insights.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | Klaviyo |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Service-based businesses, various industries | eCommerce-focused businesses |
| Dashboard Focus | Contact management & engagement | Revenue & sales tracking |
| Automation | Advanced triggers & workflows | Prebuilt eCommerce flows |
| Data Storage | Recent activities only | Complete historical data |
| Analytics | General marketing metrics | eCommerce-specific metrics |
| Pricing (1,000 contacts) | $30 | $30 |
| Pricing (100,000 contacts) | $687 | $1,200 |
Key Takeaway: For eCommerce, choose Klaviyo for its sales-driven features. For broader industry use or cost-effective scaling, ActiveCampaign is the better fit.
Klaviyo vs ActiveCampaign (2024) | Which One is Better?
Platform Basics
ActiveCampaign and Klaviyo are both powerful email marketing platforms, but they cater to different needs based on their design and target audiences.
ActiveCampaign Core Features
ActiveCampaign stands out for its focus on contact management and customer engagement, supported by its advanced automation tools. Jasmin Hukic from Jellyreach highlights this by saying, "When it comes to automation, there are no doubts – ActiveCampaign is a level above any vendor, including Klaviyo."
Here’s what ActiveCampaign brings to the table:
- Advanced Automation Builder: Offers a wide range of triggers and workflows to create detailed customer journeys.
- Flexible CRM Integration: Combines email marketing with customer relationship management tools.
- Versatility Across Industries: Works well for various business types, from service providers to B2B companies.
- Contact-Focused Dashboard: Prioritizes engagement metrics and tracks customer interactions.
On the other hand, Klaviyo is tailored specifically for eCommerce businesses.
Klaviyo Core Features
Klaviyo is built to help online retailers optimize their sales and track revenue. Its tools are designed to give businesses a clear view of their performance.
"Comparing the two dashboards, Klaviyo is more revenue-focused while ActiveCampaign is more about contacts and customer engagement." – Jasmin Hukic, Jellyreach
Some of Klaviyo’s standout features include:
- Dynamic Product Blocks: Syncs with store inventory to display products in real-time.
- Historical Data Storage: Keeps detailed records of customer purchase history for precise segmentation.
- eCommerce Analytics: Provides live data on products, revenue, and customer behavior through custom dashboards.
- Deep Store Integration: Connects seamlessly with major eCommerce platforms.
| Feature Focus | ActiveCampaign | Klaviyo |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Dashboard Emphasis | Contact Management & Engagement | Revenue & Sales Tracking |
| Data Storage | Latest Activities | Complete Historical Data |
| Automation Depth | Extensive Template Library | Basic eCommerce Workflows |
| Analytics Type | General Marketing Metrics | eCommerce-Specific Metrics |
Head-to-Head Feature Comparison
Email Automation Tools
Both platforms offer visual automation builders as part of their automation tools. ActiveCampaign stands out with a broader selection of triggers and templates. One unique feature it offers is the ability to stop other automations when a subscriber enters a specific workflow. Klaviyo, on the other hand, organizes its automation into ‘flows’ tailored for eCommerce needs, such as welcome series, abandoned cart recovery, post-purchase follow-ups, and customer winback campaigns.
Customer Targeting Options
Klaviyo shines in customer segmentation for eCommerce by using complete historical purchase data. This allows for more precise targeting based on customer behavior. ActiveCampaign also provides segmentation tools, but these rely on recent activities, making it less comprehensive for long-term customer insights.
| Segmentation Capabilities | ActiveCampaign | Klaviyo |
|---|---|---|
| Data Storage | Recent Activities Only | Complete Historical Data |
| Segment Creation | On-the-fly Throughout Platform | Advanced eCommerce Focus |
| Targeting Criteria | Contact-based Metrics | Revenue and Purchase History |
| Custom Rules | Standard Marketing Rules | Deep eCommerce Metrics |
Platform Connections
Klaviyo offers smooth integration with Shopify, enabling real-time data synchronization for eCommerce businesses.
Data and Performance Tracking
Klaviyo’s analytics focus on revenue-related metrics like customer lifetime value, purchase frequency, and average order value, aligning with its eCommerce specialization. ActiveCampaign, however, emphasizes engagement metrics, such as email performance, contact responsiveness, and overall campaign outcomes.
Cost Structure
Both platforms base their pricing on contact count and tiered features. Klaviyo also factors in email volume, which aligns with its eCommerce emphasis. In contrast, ActiveCampaign’s pricing is mainly tied to contact numbers and tier options, making it appealing for businesses prioritizing advanced automation without a specific focus on eCommerce.
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Best Fit by Business Size
Options for Small Businesses
For small businesses managing up to 10,000 contacts, entry-level pricing is comparable – both Klaviyo and ActiveCampaign Lite start at $30 for 1,000 contacts. Klaviyo stands out by offering detailed customer insights through its complete historical purchase data, making it a strong choice for small eCommerce businesses.
| Contact Volume | Klaviyo | ActiveCampaign Lite |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $30 | $30 |
| 5,000 | $100 | $99 |
| 10,000 | $150 | $174 |
These pricing details are based on the latest data. As businesses expand, differences in pricing and features become more noticeable.
Solutions for Growing Companies
As contact lists grow, mid-sized businesses encounter larger pricing gaps and shifting feature priorities. For instance, at 25,000 contacts, ActiveCampaign Lite costs $286, while Klaviyo is priced at $400.
The right platform often depends on the business model:
- eCommerce businesses may prefer Klaviyo for its revenue-focused dashboard and analytics.
- Service-based businesses might lean toward ActiveCampaign for its advanced automation tools and engagement-driven reports.
Enterprise-Level Capabilities
Large companies managing over 50,000 contacts will notice a significant pricing difference. For example, at 100,000 contacts, Klaviyo charges $1,200, while ActiveCampaign Lite costs $687.
Klaviyo offers features tailored for eCommerce, such as full historical data retention, revenue-focused reporting, and deep analytics. On the other hand, ActiveCampaign excels with a broader range of automation templates, powerful marketing automation, and more affordable scaling for large databases.
For enterprises outside the eCommerce space, ActiveCampaign’s diverse tools and cost-effective scaling may be a better fit. Choosing between the two depends on whether your business prioritizes eCommerce insights or a wider range of automation features.
Decision Guide
Here’s how to pick the platform that fits your business needs:
Industry Focus and Business Type
- If you run an eCommerce business, Klaviyo integrates effortlessly with Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce.
- For service-based businesses, ActiveCampaign stands out with its flexible automation options.
Contact List Size and Budget
Your contact list size plays a big role in determining costs. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Contact Volume | Suggested Platform | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 – 10,000 | Either Platform | Entry-level pricing is similar |
| 25,000 – 50,000 | ActiveCampaign | More budget-friendly for mid-level lists |
| 100,000+ | ActiveCampaign | Offers significant cost savings for large lists |
Features That Matter Most
- Go with Klaviyo if you need advanced automation, personalization, and analytics. It’s particularly strong in these areas, especially for eCommerce.
- Choose ActiveCampaign if flexible pricing that adapts to your growing contact list is a priority.
Growth Stage
Both platforms start at $30 for 1,000 contacts, making them accessible for startups and small businesses.
- As your business grows, ActiveCampaign’s Lite plan becomes more affordable.
- Klaviyo, while pricier, continues to deliver specialized tools for eCommerce.
Technical Needs
Klaviyo includes all features in every paid plan, making it straightforward. ActiveCampaign, on the other hand, uses a tiered system, allowing you to gradually access more features as your needs expand.
When deciding, think about your business focus, growth goals, and budget. Switching platforms later can be costly and time-consuming, so make an informed choice upfront.
Summary
Here’s a quick recap of how these platforms stack up against each other. Klaviyo shines in eCommerce with its robust data storage and revenue tracking tools, while ActiveCampaign stands out for its advanced automation features that cater to a wide range of industries.
When it comes to pricing, ActiveCampaign becomes more budget-friendly as your contact list grows, especially with its Lite plan. Here’s a side-by-side look at their strengths:
| Aspect | ActiveCampaign | Klaviyo |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Service-based businesses, various industries | eCommerce-focused businesses |
| Data Management | Tracks recent activities only | Stores complete historical data |
| Automation | Advanced triggers and options | Simpler automation tools |
| Cost Efficiency | Ideal for larger contact lists | Better for smaller lists |
Choosing between these platforms depends on your business needs and future plans. If you’re in eCommerce and need tools like revenue tracking and product-based segmentation, Klaviyo’s features make it a strong contender. On the other hand, if you’re looking for versatile automation that works across different industries, ActiveCampaign might be the better fit. Both platforms start at similar price points for small lists, but their strengths become more distinct as your business grows. Check the detailed comparisons above to find the best match for your goals.