When it comes to automating your marketing efforts, finding the right tool is crucial. A platform with strong email automation and advanced user segmentation can make all the difference. Keap has been a popular choice for many, offering a blend of CRM and automation features. But let’s be honest, it’s not perfect for everyone. Some of its limitations have users searching for better alternatives.
If you feel the same, this guide will help you explore the best Keap alternatives—tools that offer more flexibility, better pricing, or stronger automation features to fit your needs.
Let’s get started!
Keap Alternatives: TL;DR
#
Alternative
Best For
Top Feature
Free Trial?
Starting Price (USD/mo)
1
Encharge
Email automation & segmentation
Behavior-based emails
✅
$79
2
ActiveCampaign
Advanced marketing automation
AI-driven automation workflows
✅
$15
3
PipeDrive
Sales-focused CRM
Visual sales pipeline
✅
$14
4
Salesforce Marketing Cloud
Enterprise-level automation
AI-powered personalization
❌
$25
5
Brevo
Budget-friendly email marketing
Multichannel automation
✅
$0
6
Zoho CRM
Small business CRM & automation
AI-powered lead scoring
✅
$12
7
HubSpot CRM
All-in-one marketing & sales
Free forever CRM
✅
$0
8
Freshsales
AI-powered sales automation
AI-driven deal insights
✅
$0
9
Omnisend
E-commerce email marketing
Pre-built e-commerce automation
✅
$0
✅ Top Pick: Encharge – If you’re looking for powerful email automation, behavior-based emails, and seamless user segmentation, Encharge is the top choice.
Not sure yet? No worries! We’ll break down each alternative in this guide. But if you’re short on time, feel free to jump to any section using the table of contents below.
What is Keap?
Answer: Keap is a customer relationship management (CRM) and marketing automation platform designed to help small businesses streamline their sales and marketing processes.
It combines tools for managing contacts, automating repetitive tasks, and handling email marketing campaigns.
What Keap offers
Keap offers a set of tools designed to help businesses streamline operations, automate tasks, and manage customer relationships efficiently.
Top 3 features of Keap:
Contact Management: Store and manage all data for every kind of contact—from leads to business partners.
Sales and Marketing Automation: Automate repetitive tasks, such as follow-ups and appointment scheduling, to ensure consistent communication with leads and customers.
Email Marketing: Create and send personalized email campaigns with customizable templates and advanced analytics.
Despite these features, Keap has drawbacks that push many users to explore better options.
Here’s why: ⬇️
Why Look for a Keap Alternative?
Keap has a solid reputation, but it’s not for everyone. Whether it’s the steep pricing, integration limits, or a frustrating user experience, many marketers are searching for something better.
Top 4 Limitations of Keap:
1. High Cost
Starting at $299 (billed monthly) plus a $1,500 onboarding fee, Keap is far from budget-friendly. For small businesses or startups, this can be a dealbreaker.
2. Limited Integrations
Need to connect with your favorite tools? Many Keap integrations come with extra fees, making your total costs climb fast.
3. Steep Learning Curve
Keap isn’t the easiest tool to master. New team members often struggle to get up to speed, which can slow down workflows.
4. Reporting Limitations
Custom reporting options are limited, meaning you might need manual workarounds to get the data you need.
If any of these pain points sound familiar, you’re not alone. So many marketers are looking for better alternatives as well.
In this guide, you’ll get all the answers. Here are the top 9 Keap alternatives to consider…
List: Top 9 Keap Alternatives for Marketing Automation
The top Keap alternatives right now are Encharge, ActiveCampaign, and HubSpot CRM, offering powerful automation and CRM capabilities.
Other great options include PipeDrive, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Brevo, Zoho CRM, Freshsales, and Omnisend, each answering to different business needs.
Let’s explore each one in detail!
1. Encharge – The Best Keap Alternative
If you’re looking for a Keap alternative, Encharge should be at the top of your list. It’s built for startups and SaaS businesses that need powerful email automation without the complexity.
It helps you send behavior-based emails and create advanced automation flows—without the headache of clunky software.
It also connects seamlessly with tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, Facebook Ads, and Calendly, making it easy to keep all your marketing in sync.
Why Choose Encharge Over Keap?
Keap is pricey. It starts at $299/month for just 1500 contacts—Encharge gives you more for less.
Keap feels outdated. Encharge’s Flow Builder makes automation drag-and-drop simple.
Keap’s segmentation is basic. With Encharge, you can target users based on real behavior for better conversions.
Encharge is easy to use, fast to set up, and doesn’t require hours of learning.
And if you need help? You won’t be left waiting. Every plan comes with fast, responsive support, so you can get answers when you need them.
So, all in all, here’s what Encharge has checked as an alternative to Keap:
More affordable pricing with better features
Easier-to-use automation tools
Fast and reliable support
Key Features of Encharge
Encharge includes everything Keap offers—without breaking the bank, and without the headache.
Flow Builder: Drag-and-drop automation builder.
Behavior Emails: Send emails based on user activity.
Faster, more responsive support—no waiting hours for help.
If Keap feels too expensive, complicated, or limited, Encharge is your best alternative.
2. ActiveCampaign
G2: 4.5/5 ⭐
Capterra: 4.6/5 ⭐
ActiveCampaign is a marketing automation and CRM platform designed for businesses that want to create personalized customer journeys. It offers email marketing, automation, and sales tools to help businesses engage their audience.
It integrates with a variety of tools and provides AI-driven automation to optimize workflows. However, its complexity can make it difficult for beginners to navigate.
Plus – $49/month → Advanced automation and customer insights.
Pro – $79/month → Full omnichannel marketing automation.
Enterprise – $145/month → Scalable campaigns with enterprise support.
ActiveCampaign Pricing vs. Keap
Keap has a flat pricing model starting at $299/month for 2 users and 1,500 contacts, with all features included. The price increases as you add more users and contacts, but the features remain the same.
ActiveCampaign uses a tiered pricing model, where different plans unlock more features. This allows businesses to start at a lower cost but requires upgrading for advanced tools.
Plan
Keap
ActiveCampaign
Entry-Level
$299/mo (2 users, 1,500 contacts)
$15/mo (1 user, limited features)
Mid-Tier
Price increases with users/contacts
$49–$79/mo (More features, automation)
High-Tier
Custom pricing for large businesses
$145+/mo (Full automation, advanced tools)
Scaling Costs
More users/contacts = Higher cost
More features = Higher cost
Why Switch from Keap to ActiveCampaign?
If you’re looking for a more flexible, scalable pricing model, ActiveCampaign is a strong choice. It lets you start small and upgrade only when needed, making it ideal for growing businesses focused on email marketing and automation over an all-in-one CRM.
3. Pipedrive
G2: 4.3/5 ⭐
Capterra: 4.5/5 ⭐
Pipedrive is a sales-focused CRM designed to help teams track deals, manage pipelines, and automate follow-ups. It’s built for sales professionals who want a simple yet powerful tool to manage their leads.
It comes with AI-powered automation, email tracking, and customizable reports, making it easy to monitor customer interactions. However, it lacks built-in marketing automation, which limits its functionality for businesses looking for an all-in-one tool.
Key features of Pipedrive
AI-powered Sales Assistant for smarter deal management.
Full email sync with tracking and automation.
Customizable pipelines and detailed sales reports.
Pros & Cons of Pipedrive
Pros
Cons
✅ Easy-to-use interface
❌ Limited marketing automation
✅ Strong sales tracking tools
❌ No built-in email marketing
✅ AI-powered deal management
❌ Can get expensive with add-ons
✅ Customizable pipelines
❌ No free plan
Pipedrive Pricing
Essential – $14/user/month → Lead, calendar, and pipeline management with AI-powered reporting.
Advanced – $39/user/month → Full email sync, automation builder, and meeting scheduling.
Professional – $49/user/month → AI-powered Sales Assistant, contract management, and revenue forecasts.
Power – $64/user/month → Project tracking, advanced account permissions, and 24/7 support.
Enterprise – $99/user/month → Unlimited reports, enhanced security, and maximum automation.
Pipedrive Pricing vs. Keap
While Keap starts at $299/month for 2 users and 1,500 contacts, offering all features upfront. Pipedrive follows a per-user pricing model, where each plan adds more features. This makes it cost-effective for small teams but requires upgrading for advanced capabilities.
Plan
Keap
Pipedrive
Entry-Level
$299/mo (2 users, 1,500 contacts)
$14/user/mo (Basic CRM, lead management)
Mid-Tier
Price increases with users/contacts
$39–$49/user/mo (Email sync, automation, AI tools)
If sales pipeline management is your main priority, Pipedrive is a great alternative. It’s a more affordable, sales-focused CRM that lets you pay per user, making it ideal for teams that don’t need Keap’s built-in marketing and automation tools.
4. Salesforce Marketing Cloud
G2: 4.0/5 ⭐
Capterra: 4.2/5 ⭐
Salesforce Marketing Cloud is a high-end marketing automation platform designed for large businesses that need multi-channel engagement. It combines email, SMS, social media, and AI-driven insights to create personalized customer journeys.
This tool is powerful but complex, requiring dedicated setup and expertise. It’s best suited for enterprises that need deep customization and advanced AI-driven marketing automation.
Key features of Salesforce Marketing Cloud
AI-powered customer journeys and predictive analytics.
Multi-channel automation for email, SMS, and social media.
Advanced segmentation and data-driven marketing insights.
Pros & Cons of Salesforce Marketing Cloud
Pros
Cons
✅ Powerful AI-driven automation
❌ Expensive pricing
✅ Multi-channel marketing
❌ Steep learning curve
✅ Advanced customer segmentation
❌ Requires technical expertise
✅ Enterprise-level customization
❌ Overkill for small businesses
Salesforce Marketing Cloud Pricing
Starter Suite – $25/user/month → Basic CRM, email marketing, and analytics.
Growth Edition – $1,500/month → Multi-channel automation and landing pages.
Advanced Edition – $3,250/Org/month → AI-powered analytics and SMS marketing.
Salesforce Marketing Cloud Pricing vs. Keap
Keap keeps pricing simple—$299/month for 2 users and 1,500 contacts, with all features included. Costs rise only when you add more users or contacts.
Salesforce Marketing Cloud follows a tiered model, starting at a lower per-user cost but charging significantly more for automation, AI, and advanced marketing tools.
Plan
Keap
Salesforce Marketing Cloud
Entry-Level
$299/mo (2 users, 1,500 contacts)
$25/user/mo (Basic CRM, email marketing)
Mid-Tier
Scales with users/contacts
$1,500/mo (Automation, landing pages)
High-Tier
Custom pricing for large businesses
$3,250/org/mo (AI analytics, SMS marketing)
Scaling Costs
More users/contacts = Higher cost
More features = Higher cost
Why Switch from Keap to Salesforce Marketing Cloud?
For large-scale marketing teams, Salesforce Marketing Cloud offers AI-driven insights, deep segmentation, and multi-channel automation that Keap doesn’t. If you need enterprise-level power and don’t mind the cost, it’s a strong alternative.
5. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
G2: 4.5/5 ⭐
Capterra: 4.6/5 ⭐
Brevo is a cost-effective email marketing and automation platform that caters to small businesses. It’s best known for its affordable pricing, easy-to-use interface, and strong email marketing features.
While it offers basic CRM and automation tools, it lacks the advanced sales and pipeline tracking that other platforms provide. It’s ideal for companies focused primarily on email and SMS marketing.
Key features of Brevo
Email and SMS marketing with automation workflows.
Basic CRM features for managing contacts and segmentation.
Predictive sending and A/B testing for better campaign performance.
Pros & Cons of Brevo
Pros
Cons
✅ Affordable pricing
❌ Limited CRM capabilities
✅ Easy-to-use email automation
❌ No advanced sales tracking
✅ SMS marketing included
❌ Less powerful automation than Keap
✅ Free plan available
❌ Customer support can be slow
Brevo Pricing
Free – 300 emails/day, basic automation.
Starter – $9/month → 5,000+ emails.
Business – $18/month → Advanced automation and predictive sending.
Enterprise – Custom pricing → Unlimited contacts and exclusive features.
Brevo Pricing vs. Keap
Brevo uses a tiered pricing model, where you pay based on email volume and features, making it more flexible for email-heavy businesses.
If you prioritize email marketing over CRM and automation, Brevo is a cost-effective choice. It’s great for businesses focused on high email volume without needing advanced sales tools.
6. Zoho CRM
G2: 4.1/5 ⭐
Capterra: 4.3/5 ⭐
Zoho CRM is a popular choice for businesses that want a budget-friendly, customizable CRM. It includes automation, AI-powered insights, and integrations with Zoho’s ecosystem.
It’s known for its affordability and deep customization options, making it attractive to small and mid-sized businesses.
Key Features
AI-powered assistant (Zia) for insights and predictions
Workflow automation and blueprint-based process management
Omnichannel communication, including email, social, and telephony
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
✅ Affordable compared to many competitors
❌ Interface can feel outdated
✅ Strong customization options
❌ Limited third-party integrations
✅ AI-driven insights with Zia
❌ Can have a learning curve
✅ Good automation and workflow tools
❌ Support can be slow at times
Zoho CRM Pricing
Standard – $12/user/month → Includes mass email, workflows, and basic forecasting
Professional – $20/user/month → Adds CPQ, webhooks, and inventory management
Enterprise – $35/user/month → Includes AI assistant, journey orchestration, and sandbox
Ultimate – $45/user/month → Advanced AI, data storytelling, and enhanced customization
Zoho CRM Pricing vs. Keap
Keap gives you everything upfront for a flat monthly fee, while Zoho CRM lets you pick a plan based on the features you need. This means Zoho can be cheaper per user but may require upgrades to unlock advanced tools.
Plan
Keap
Zoho CRM
Entry-Level
$299/mo (2 users, 1,500 contacts)
$12/user/mo (Mass email, workflows)
Mid-Tier
Scales with users/contacts
$20/user/mo (CPQ, webhooks, inventory)
Advanced
Scales with users/contacts
$35/user/mo (AI assistant, journey orchestration)
Enterprise
Custom pricing for large businesses
$45/user/mo (Advanced AI, enhanced customization)
Why Switch from Keap to Zoho CRM?
Zoho CRM is a better fit if you prefer a flexible, pay-for-what-you-need model and want more AI-driven features at a lower entry cost.
7. HubSpot CRM
G2: 4.4/5 ⭐
Capterra: 4.5/5 ⭐
HubSpot CRM is an all-in-one platform that combines marketing, sales, and customer service tools. It offers a free plan with basic CRM features and paid plans with automation and analytics.
It’s great for businesses looking for an easy-to-use system with strong marketing capabilities.
Key Features
Free CRM with basic marketing, sales, and service tools
Advanced marketing automation and reporting in paid plans
Scalable pricing model for small businesses and enterprises
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
✅ Free plan available
❌ Paid plans get expensive fast
✅ Easy-to-use interface
❌ Limited automation in lower tiers
✅ Strong marketing automation
❌ Add-ons can increase costs
✅ Great reporting and analytics
❌ Support is limited on free plan
HubSpot CRM Pricing
Free – $0/month → Basic CRM with marketing, sales, and service tools
Starter – $15/user/month → Adds essential marketing and sales features
Professional – $1,170/month (5 seats) → Advanced automation, reporting, and integrations
Enterprise – $4,300/month (7 seats) → Scalable CRM with enterprise-level features
HubSpot CRM Pricing vs. Keap
Keap includes all features at a flat rate, while HubSpot CRM follows a tiered model, where advanced automation and reporting come at a significantly higher cost. HubSpot’s free plan is a great starting point, but scaling up gets expensive fast.
Freshsales also follows a tiered pricing model, where AI insights, automation, and forecasting are locked behind higher plans. If you need an affordable CRM with AI-driven sales tools, Freshsales may be a better fit.
Plan
Keap
Freshsales
Entry-Level
$299/mo (2 users, 1,500 contacts)
Free (3 users – Basic CRM)
Mid-Tier
Scales with users/contacts
$9/user/mo (Pipeline management & templates)
Advanced
Scales with users/contacts
$39/user/mo (AI insights & automation)
Enterprise
Custom pricing for large businesses
$59/user/mo (Custom modules & forecasting)
Why Switch from Keap to Freshsales?
Freshsales is a strong alternative if you need AI-powered sales tools at a lower cost per user, especially for small teams.
9. Omnisend
G2: 4.6/5 ⭐
Capterra: 4.7/5 ⭐
Omnisend is an eCommerce-focused marketing automation platform specializing in email and SMS marketing. It’s designed for online stores that need powerful segmentation and automation.
It’s best suited for businesses that rely on email marketing and need advanced automation tools.
Key Features
Advanced email and SMS marketing automation
Pre-built workflows for cart abandonment, re-engagement, and welcome series
Multi-channel marketing, including push notifications and social ads
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
✅ Strong email and SMS marketing automation
❌ Not a full CRM
✅ Pre-built automation workflows
❌ Limited sales features
✅ Good integrations with eCommerce platforms
❌ Pricing scales with email volume
✅ Multi-channel marketing capabilities
❌ Fewer CRM features than competitors
Omnisend pricing
Free Plan → Available for only up to 250 contacts
Standard Plan (1501-2000 contacts) → $30/month (24,000 emails/month, unlimited web push notifications, priority support)
Pro Plan (1501-2000 contacts) → $59/month (Unlimited emails, advanced reporting, priority support, monthly SMS credits)
Omnisend Pricing vs. Keap
Omnisend’s pricing is based on list size and feature access, while Keap charges a flat rate starting at $299/month for all features, scaling with users and contacts. Omnisend is more affordable for smaller lists, but costs rise significantly as your list grows.
Plan
Keap
Omnisend
Entry-Level
$299/mo (2 users, 1,500 contacts)
Free (500 emails/month)
Mid-Tier
Scales with users/contacts
$30/mo (2,000 contacts, 24,000 emails)
Advanced
Scales with users/contacts
$59/mo (2,500 contacts, unlimited emails)
Enterprise
Custom pricing for large businesses
Custom pricing (high-volume senders)
Why Switch from Keap to Omnisend?
If your focus is email marketing and e-commerce automation, Omnisend offers cheaper entry pricing and scalable email volumes—but costs can rise with a growing contact list.
How We Selected The Top Keap Alternatives
Picking the best Keap alternatives wasn’t about listing random CRMs. We focused on platforms that match or outperform Keap in automation, CRM capabilities, and ease of use—without the steep price tag.
The goal? Helping you find a tool that fits your needs without unnecessary complexity.
Here’s what we looked at when compiling this list:
Features & Capabilities – Does it offer strong CRM and automation like Keap?
Ease of Use – No clunky, outdated interfaces.
Pricing & Value – More bang for your buck.
User Reviews & Ratings – Real feedback from real businesses.
Scalability – Can it grow with your business?
Integrations – Works with your existing tools.
By sticking to these factors, we’ve narrowed down the best options so you don’t waste time testing a bunch of platforms that don’t deliver.
Which Alternative to Keap is Best for Your Business?
It depends. The best Keap alternative comes down to what you need most—more automation, a simpler CRM, or just a more affordable option.
That said, Encharge is the best alternative to Keap when it comes to marketing automation. If you’re looking for a smarter, more efficient way to nurture leads and boost conversions, Encharge is the way to go.
Found the Best Alternative to Keap?
If you’re searching for the best Keap alternative, this list should help you narrow it down. The right tool depends on your specific needs, but hopefully, this breakdown made the decision much easier.
Our email automation tools help you close more sales and make more money through smarter email marketing. If that’s what you’re after, Encharge is ready when you are!
Keap Alternatives: FAQs
1. What is better than Keap?
If you need advanced email marketing automation without the high cost, Encharge is a better alternative to Keap. Keap is a mix of CRM, email, and payments, but if you don’t need all that, why pay for it? Encharge gives you powerful automation at a better price, built specifically for email marketing and customer journeys.
How to find a better alternative to Keap:
Decide if you need CRM + payments or just automation and email.
Compare tools like Encharge, HubSpot, and ActiveCampaign.
Choose Encharge if you want powerful automation without unnecessary features.
2. How does Keap compare to HubSpot?
Keap is an all-in-one tool, while HubSpot is a full CRM and marketing platform. Both are expensive if you need automation. Encharge is a smarter choice if you want advanced email marketing automation without paying for a full CRM.
How to choose between Keap, HubSpot, and Encharge:
If you need a full CRM, HubSpot might work—but it gets expensive.
If you need automation without CRM bloat, Encharge is a better option.
Want a tool that focuses on email marketing and automation? Encharge is built for that.
3. Is Keap a CRM tool?
Yes, Keap includes a CRM, but it’s not the best option if you mainly need marketing automation. Many businesses pay for Keap’s CRM but barely use it. If you’re focused on email automation, lead nurturing, and customer journeys, Encharge is a better choice.
How to choose the right tool:
If you need CRM + invoicing, Keap can work—but it’s pricey.
If you need automation without the CRM baggage, try Encharge.
Want to send the right emails at the right time? Encharge does that best.
4. How much does Keap cost?
Keap starts at $299/month for 2 users and 1,500 contacts, which can get expensive fast. If you need more contacts, the price climbs quickly. Encharge offers a more affordable alternative with powerful automation, without forcing you into a full CRM.
How to find a more affordable alternative to Keap:
Compare Keap’s pricing to tools like Encharge and ActiveCampaign.
Check if you actually need CRM + invoicing, or just email automation.
Choose Encharge if you want automation without paying for extra features.
Want better automation without the Keap price tag? Try Encharge!
