Can I open-source ActiveCampaign?

YES · mature open-source replacement
price $15/moyou'd save $180/yrcategory 📮 newslettersreplaced by 0 people

Yes. Ghost (49k stars), Listmonk (22k stars), Mautic (10k stars) are mature open-source replacements for ActiveCampaign — self-host with docker and stop paying $15/mo.

why people still pay

People still pay for ActiveCampaign because newsletter operators pay for inbox placement, growth mechanics, and operational confidence on publication day. The recurring cost buys DNS authentication, reputation, bounces, complaints, unsubscribe compliance, templates, queues, analytics, backups, and support, not just the visible interface.

what you lose

xdeep lifecycle automation, CRM, deliverability, integrations, and data history

xinbox-placement expertise

xadvanced automations

xcommerce integrations

xrecommendation and ad networks

the open-source alternatives

These projects already replace it, free.

MMauticThe full automation engine with no contact tax; it replaces the SaaS bill with serious server maintenance.10kaug 2026open source↗PPlunkCampaigns, transactional mail and workflows in one container; the sending provider still sends a bill.5.3kaug 2026open source↗NNotifuseVisual campaigns and automations in one modern compose stack; PostgreSQL and an SMTP provider still need seats.2.0kaug 2026open source↗

What each one is, in full: Mautic

all 6 open-source alternatives to ActiveCampaign →· no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real

share on X ↗"I just replaced ActiveCampaign ($15/mo) with open source"
the numbers

ActiveCampaign pricing

planmonthlyannual (per mo)what you get
starter$15—1 user, 5 automation actions, limited segmentation, email sends 10x contact limit, 15 active goals, 1 brand kit.
pluscustom—1 user, unlimited automation actions, landing pages, standard segmentation, email sends 10x contact limit, 25 active goals.
procustom—3 users, advanced segmentation, email sends 12x contact limit, 200 active goals.
enterprise$145—5 users, premium segmentation, email sends 15x contact limit, 200 active goals.

free tierno free tier; 14-day trial shown, no credit card needed.

billingannual billing displayed in plan table; full monthly/annual USD table not exposed in crawled official page

hidden costsPricing scales by contacts; add-ons include AI Activities, Enhanced CRM, SMS, WhatsApp and transactional email; page says upgrades are used when list grows.

verified 2026-08-10 · source ↗

questions
Can I open-source ActiveCampaign?

Yes. Mautic replaces ActiveCampaign today — self-host it on your own server or machine with no subscription. The full list of open-source alternatives is on this page.

How much does ActiveCampaign cost?

ActiveCampaign costs about $15/month (Starter, checked 2026-07-31), which is $180 per year. That's what you save by replacing it with open source.

What do I lose by replacing ActiveCampaign?

Honestly: deep lifecycle automation, CRM, deliverability, integrations, and data history; inbox-placement expertise; advanced automations; commerce integrations; recommendation and ad networks. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.

Is there an open-source alternative to ActiveCampaign?

Yes: Mautic (The full automation engine with no contact tax; it replaces the SaaS bill with serious server maintenance.) Plunk (Campaigns, transactional mail and workflows in one container; the sending provider still sends a bill.) Notifuse (Visual campaigns and automations in one modern compose stack; PostgreSQL and an SMTP provider still need seats.) All 6 curated open-source alternatives are at caniopensourceit.online/activecampaign/alternatives.