SmartChat vs. ActiveCampaign
SmartChat vs. ActiveCampaign.
SmartChat and ActiveCampaign differ in data location, consent and automations. SmartChat names servers in Germany and a consent record per contact as a PDF. ActiveCampaign, LLC is based in Chicago, and its privacy policy names possible transfers to the USA, Australia and Ireland, among others. ActiveCampaign does not describe a consent record on its public pages. As of: 02.11.2026.
The comparison table at a glance.
The table shows points that are documented for both providers. The information about ActiveCampaign comes from ActiveCampaign's pages, retrieved on 02.11.2026. Where the exact wording matters, it appears in quotation marks.
| SmartChat | ActiveCampaign | |
|---|---|---|
| proof of consent | Per contact with date, time and method as a PDF, in every plan | x |
| WhatsApp newsletter and follow-ups | Included in every plan, even Free. Sending costs no credits | “Broadcast and automated messaging” in all three WhatsApp plans (Core, Advanced, Premium). Templates via “Pre-paid monthly recurring credits” |
| Automations | Number per plan: 1, 1, 3, unlimited (Free, Starter, Basic, Pro) | Size per automation: “Starter: 5 actions per automation”, in the higher plans “Unlimited actions” |
| Free access | Free: €0, no time limit, no credit card | “Try it free for 14 days.” |
| Price view | Euros per month. 37% discount when you pay 12 months in advance | “Billed yearly for 1,000 contacts.” |
| Setup | No setup fee, no add-ons | "There are no setup costs or hidden fees when you start with ActiveCampaign." |
| API and webhook | In every plan: Yes | In the WhatsApp plans from Advanced: “API & webhooks” |
| You want to build a first simple workflow today and have no technical knowledge | Yes, in every plan | Yes, in all three WhatsApp plans |
| Data location | Server in Germany | ActiveCampaign, LLC, Chicago. Data “may be transferred to ActiveCampaign locations in the United States, Australia, Ireland” and other countries |
| Source | SmartChat pricing and feature pages | ActiveCampaign pricing, WhatsApp pricing, privacy policy |
x = not described on the provider's public pages, as of 02.11.2026.
Automations are measured differently. SmartChat states the number of automations per plan, ActiveCampaign the number of actions within one automation. We do not state ActiveCampaign's amounts because they were not visible in our retrievals of the pricing page. They are listed on ActiveCampaign's pricing page.
Who fits what.
The two providers set different priorities. The following points state documented features, not a verdict.
SmartChat features
- One channel, fully focused on WhatsApp. SmartChat sends only via WhatsApp and, after you enter your website, sets up a landing page, confirmation message and follow-ups in 60 seconds.
- Consent with proof. Double opt-in runs automatically, and a consent record as a PDF is available for every contact. Newsletters and follow-ups go only to contacts who have confirmed.
- Unsubscribe via STOP. Confirmed contacts unsubscribe with one word: STOP.
- The same features in every plan. Landing page, website popup, Click-to-WhatsApp button, QR code, API, MCP and webhook are part of all four plans.
- A price with no extras. No add-ons and no setup fee. You pay Meta fees directly to Meta.
ActiveCampaign features
- Its own pricing page for WhatsApp. It lists three plans: Core, Advanced and Premium.
- Forms and landing pages. The pricing page lists “Forms” and “Landing pages” in all three WhatsApp plans.
- chatbots. The pricing page lists “Chatbots” in all three WhatsApp plans.
- AI credits. The pricing page says: “Each plan includes 500 AI credits”.
Prices at a glance.
We have no double-confirmed figures for ActiveCampaign's amounts. That is why there is no sample calculation here. ActiveCampaign's pricing page shows prices for “1,000 contacts” with yearly billing and offers a free 14-day trial. All amounts below are in euros per month.
SmartChat plans
SmartChat offers four plans with a fixed price. If you pay 3 or 12 months in advance, you get 24% or 37% off. Contacts are unlimited in every plan.
| Free | Starter | Basic | Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per month | 0 € | 299 € | 499 € | 999 € |
| Per month with 3 months paid in advance (24% discount) | 0 € | 227 € | 379 € | 759 € |
| Per month with 12 months paid in advance (37% discount) | 0 € | 188 € | 314 € | 629 € |
| Contacts | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Messages | 100 one-time | 3,000 per month | 6,000 per month | Unlimited |
| team seats | 1 | 3 | 6 | 12 |
| Automations | 1 | 1 | 3 | Unlimited |
| Source | SmartChat pricing | SmartChat pricing | SmartChat pricing | SmartChat pricing |
Fits less well, when.
At SmartChat
- You want to send across several channels. SmartChat only sends via WhatsApp.
- You want to build chatbots yourself. SmartChat has no chatbot builder. SmartChat AI replies to messages.
- You need several automations of your own in the cheapest plan. Your own automations start with Basic. The one automation in Starter is the fixed double opt-in automation.
With ActiveCampaign
- You are looking for a consent record per contact as a PDF. It is not described on ActiveCampaign's public pages.
- You want to use API and webhooks in the first WhatsApp plan. ActiveCampaign lists them from the Advanced plan.
- You are looking for a fixed data location in Germany. The privacy policy names possible transfers to locations in the USA, Australia and Ireland.
FAQ about SmartChat and ActiveCampaign.
What is the difference between SmartChat and ActiveCampaign on consent?
SmartChat includes the automatic double opt-in in every plan, plus proof of consent for each contact with date, time and source as a PDF. ActiveCampaign does not describe proof of consent on its public pages, as of 02.11.2026. For ActiveCampaign's double opt-in we have no statement confirmed twice, so we list none.
Where is the data stored at ActiveCampaign and at SmartChat?
SmartChat's servers are in Germany. ActiveCampaign, LLC is based in Chicago. ActiveCampaign's privacy policy says data "may be transferred to ActiveCampaign locations in the United States, Australia, Ireland" and names further countries. It also names the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework.
What does ActiveCampaign cost for WhatsApp?
The amounts were not visible when we retrieved the pricing page, so we list none. The page shows three WhatsApp plans: Core, Advanced and Premium. It says "Billed yearly for 1,000 contacts." and offers a free 14-day trial. The amounts are on ActiveCampaign's pricing page.
What plans does SmartChat have, and what do you save by paying in advance?
Free costs €0, Starter €299, Basic €499 and Pro €999 per month. If you pay 3 months in advance, you save 24%. With 12 months in advance, you save 37%, for example €188 instead of €299 per month in Starter. Source: SmartChat pricing.
Do both providers send WhatsApp newsletters?
Yes, both list it. SmartChat includes the WhatsApp newsletter and follow-ups in every plan, and sending costs no credits. ActiveCampaign lists "Broadcast and automated messaging" in all three WhatsApp plans and templates through prepaid monthly credits.
How many automations do you get?
SmartChat lists 1 automation in Free, 1 in Starter, 3 in Basic and unlimited in Pro. The one in Starter is the fixed double opt-in automation. ActiveCampaign measures differently: the Starter plan allows "5 actions per automation", the higher plans "Unlimited actions".
Can you try both providers for free?
Yes. With SmartChat, the Free plan has no time limit and needs no credit card, with 100 messages and 500 credits one time. ActiveCampaign writes on its pricing page: “Try it free for 14 days.”
Are there setup costs?
Not with either. SmartChat charges no setup fee and has no add-ons. ActiveCampaign writes: “There are no setup costs or hidden fees when you start with ActiveCampaign.” With SmartChat, you pay the Meta fees directly to Meta.
Which integrations do SmartChat and ActiveCampaign have?
How do you gain contacts with SmartChat?
Through landing page, website popup, Click-to-WhatsApp button and QR code, in every plan. Whoever signs up confirms by message in WhatsApp, and only after that do newsletters and follow-ups go to them. They can unsubscribe with STOP.
Does SmartChat have a chatbot builder?
No. SmartChat AI replies to messages in the contact's language, and in Basic and Pro, SmartChat builds your automation. ActiveCampaign lists “Chatbots” in all three WhatsApp plans.
Where does the information about ActiveCampaign come from?
From ActiveCampaign's public pages, retrieved on 02.11.2026: pricing page, WhatsApp pricing page and privacy policy. Prices and features can change. SmartChat is the provider of this page. If you spot a wrong statement, report it via Contact.
Try SmartChat for free.
Enter your website. In 60 seconds, your WhatsApp marketing system is ready, no credit card needed.
Sources and date. All information about ActiveCampaign comes from the provider's public pages, retrieved on 02.11.2026. Prices and features can change. SmartChat is the provider of this page. This comparison comes from SmartChat and is not legal advice.
ActiveCampaign: ActiveCampaign pricing · ActiveCampaign WhatsApp pricing · ActiveCampaign privacy policy
SmartChat: SmartChat pricing · Landing page · Website popup · Click-to-WhatsApp button · Double opt-in · proof of consent · API · MCP
ActiveCampaign is a trademark of its respective owners. Found a wrong statement? Please report it via Contact.
Last updated: By SmartChat Team