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Top Keap Alternatives for SMBs in 2026

Keap, once known as Infusionsoft, combines CRM, email marketing, and sales automation for small to medium businesses. It centralizes customer data, automates workflows, and supports pipelines and e-commerce.

Many users seek Keap alternatives due to steep pricing—starting at $299/month for basic plans—and added fees for integrations. Thryv Holdings’ 2026 acquisition has also prompted switches to more affordable, flexible options with strong email and SMS capabilities.

This guide compares 10 leading Keap competitors, focusing on email marketing, CRM, automation, and value. All offer robust features at lower costs.

Key Comparison Criteria for Keap Alternatives

Prioritize these factors when choosing a replacement:

  • Pricing and scalability: Entry-level plans under $50/month with per-user or contact-based tiers.
  • Email and SMS tools: Drag-and-drop builders, automation sequences, segmentation, and deliverability.
  • CRM and sales features: Lead tracking, pipelines, scoring, and deal management.
  • Integrations: Native connections to e-commerce, payments, and calendars without extra charges.
  • Ease of use: Intuitive interfaces, free trials (14-30 days), and onboarding support.
  • Support and uptime: 24/7 chat, knowledge bases, and 99.9% reliability.

Tools scoring highest excel in automation depth and SMB affordability.

Quick Comparison Table

ToolBest ForFree TrialStarting Price (Monthly)Rating (Out of 5)
ActiveCampaignAdvanced automation14 days$294.8
PipedriveSales pipelines14 days$144.5
EngageBayAll-in-one marketingForever free$12.994.4
GetResponseEmail campaigns30 days$194.2
BrevoBudget SMS/emailUnlimited$254.3
MailerLiteDigital sales30 days$104.4
HubSpotFree CRM growthUnlimited free$204.6
FreshsalesDeal closing21 days$94.5
monday sales CRMTeam workflows14 days$124.4
Zoho CRMLead nurturing15 days$144.3

Prices billed annually; ratings based on user reviews for features, value, and support.

Detailed Recommendations

1. ActiveCampaign (Top Overall Pick)

Ideal for email-heavy automation. Build complex customer journeys with behavioral triggers, site tracking, and split testing. CRM handles unlimited deals. 700+ integrations included. Scales seamlessly beyond 10k contacts.

Pros:

  • Predictive sending boosts opens by 20%.
  • Machine learning for lead scoring.
  • Strong A/B testing.

Cons: Steeper learning curve for beginners.

2. Pipedrive

Sales-focused CRM with email sync and automation. Visual pipelines track deals from lead to close. Email templates and scheduling included.

Pros:

  • AI sales assistant.
  • Google Workspace integration.
  • Mobile deal updates.

Cons: Limited marketing automation depth.

3. EngageBay

Budget all-in-one: CRM, email, SMS, and live chat. Free plan supports 250 contacts.

Pros:

  • Appointment booking.
  • 2-way SMS.
  • Custom reporting.

Cons: Advanced segmentation paid-only.

4. GetResponse

Email-first with webinars and funnels. Drag-and-drop builder creates responsive campaigns.

Pros:

  • Conversion funnels.
  • Abandoned cart recovery.
  • E-commerce tracking.

Cons: CRM is basic.

5. Brevo (Formerly Sendinblue)

Transactional and marketing emails with SMS. High deliverability (99%).

Pros:

  • Unlimited contacts on base plan.
  • WhatsApp integration.
  • Detailed analytics.

Cons: Automation caps on free tier.

6. MailerLite

Simple for newsletters and digital products. Pop-ups and forms drive signups.

Pros:

  • Website builder included.
  • High-speed sending.
  • Feature requests implemented fast.

Cons: No native telephony.

7. HubSpot

Free CRM core with paid marketing add-ons. Scales to enterprise.

Pros:

  • Content tools.
  • Meeting scheduler.
  • Free academy courses.

Cons: Full power requires upgrades.

8. Freshsales

AI-powered sales suite with built-in phone and email.

Pros:

  • Visual sales paths.
  • Freddy AI insights.
  • Role-based access.

Cons: Reporting customization limited.

9. monday sales CRM

Customizable boards for sales and projects. Email tracking embedded.

Pros:

  • No-code automations.
  • Team collaboration.
  • Timeline views.

Cons: Overkill for solo users.

10. Zoho CRM

Multichannel leads with email workflows. Zia AI predicts wins.

Pros:

  • Canvas view for deals.
  • Social listening.
  • Mobile app excellence.

Cons: Interface feels dated.

Final Verdict

ActiveCampaign wins as the best Keap alternative for most SMBs—superior automation, CRM, and email at half the price. Start with Pipedrive for pure sales focus or EngageBay/HubSpot for free entry points.

Test 2-3 via trials based on your contact volume and must-haves. Expect 30-50% savings without losing functionality.

FAQ

Why are businesses switching from Keap?

High costs ($299+/month) and integration fees make it unviable for growing SMBs post-acquisition.

Does ActiveCampaign replace Keap’s CRM fully?

Yes, with unlimited users, pipelines, and automation rivaling Keap’s.

Are there free Keap alternatives?

HubSpot and EngageBay offer robust free tiers for under 1k contacts.

How do these handle SMS marketing?

Brevo, EngageBay, and ActiveCampaign include native SMS with automation.

What’s the migration process like?

Most provide CSV imports and Zapier bridges; trials let you test data transfers risk-free.


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Published: | Updated: | Category: email marketing