ActiveCampaign alternatives: 6 open-source picks
ActiveCampaign costs $15/mo — $180 a year. These 6 alternatives replace it for $0, led by Mautic, Plunk and Notifuse. All 6 are open source. License, stars and last commit checked by hand on 2026-08-29. No trials, no crippled tiers.
The full automation engine with no contact tax; it replaces the SaaS bill with serious server maintenance.
licenseGPL-3.0+
runsyour server
installDownload the production package or install with Composer, then configure PHP, a database, cron, and a mail transport
dataContacts, segments, campaigns, events, and reports live in the configured MySQL or MariaDB database; assets, configuration, logs, and queue files live on the server filesystem.
the catch vs ActiveCampaignMautic can match deep automation, but the user must operate the application, database, cron, upgrades, backups, mail transport, and deliverability stack.
setupThe first wall is not the installer but production operation: PHP and database tuning, several cron jobs, HTTPS, backups, upgrades, SMTP/API sending, and DNS authentication.
facts verified 2026-08-10
Campaigns, transactional mail and workflows in one container; the sending provider still sends a bill.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour machine or their cloud
installHosted signup, or the official Docker Compose stack
dataThe self-hosted stack stores core data in PostgreSQL, jobs and cache in Redis, and objects in MinIO; hosted data is kept in Plunk's EU infrastructure.
the catch vs ActiveCampaignPlunk is developer-first and much thinner in visual audience management, CRM depth, segmentation tooling, and marketer-oriented reporting.
setupHosted use still needs domain authentication; self-hosting adds PostgreSQL, Redis, MinIO, Nginx or another proxy, exposed web and SMTP services, DNS, and ongoing deliverability work.
facts verified 2026-08-10
Visual campaigns and automations in one modern compose stack; PostgreSQL and an SMTP provider still need seats.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour machine or their cloud
installHosted signup, or one application container plus PostgreSQL for self-hosting
dataSelf-hosted contacts, campaigns, automations, and events live in PostgreSQL; files can use S3-compatible storage, and the configured email provider receives message payloads. Hosted data lives in Notifuse's cloud.
the catch vs ActiveCampaignNotifuse is newer and narrower, without ActiveCampaign's mature CRM, predictive features, and thousand-plus integration ecosystem.
setupSelf-hosting still needs Docker, PostgreSQL, a public HTTPS endpoint, an SMTP or API sending provider, and correctly authenticated sending domains.
facts verified 2026-08-10
Publishing platform with memberships and paid newsletters built in. The self-hosted answer to Substack taking 10% of your revenue.
licenseMIT
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
High-performance single-binary newsletter and mailing list manager with campaigns, templates, and Postgres backend
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
Lean newsletter tool in Elixir — campaigns, segments, signup forms. Bring your own SES/SMTP and sending is nearly free.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
What each one is, in full: Mautic · Ghost · Listmonk · Keila
last updated 2026-08-29 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
how to choose a ActiveCampaign alternative
Easiest to get running
Listmonk — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
Most proven
Ghost, with 49,000 GitHub stars — the largest community of the 6, which usually means more answers when something breaks.
Needs real ops to self-host
Mautic is capable but expects someone to run a server, updates and backups. Budget for that before choosing it.
what you give up by leaving ActiveCampaign
- deep lifecycle automation, CRM, deliverability, integrations, and data history
- inbox-placement expertise
- advanced automations
- commerce integrations
- recommendation and ad networks
None of the picks above covers all of it. The full verdict says which gaps matter.
ActiveCampaign alternatives at a glance
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mautic | GPL-3.0+ | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 10,300 | 2026-08 |
| Plunk | AGPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 5,300 | 2026-08 |
| Notifuse | AGPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 2,038 | 2026-08 |
| Ghost | MIT | docker to self-host | self-hosted, web | 49,000 | 2026-08 |
| Listmonk | AGPL-3.0 | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 22,000 | 2026-08 |
| Keila | AGPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | self-hosted, web | 2,000 | 2026-08 |
why people still pay for ActiveCampaign
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. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $180 a year.
questions about switching from ActiveCampaign
Is there an open-source alternative to ActiveCampaign?
Yes: Mautic, Plunk, Notifuse and 3 more. Every tool on this page is open source: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Can open source really replace ActiveCampaign?
Our verdict is 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. The full verdict, and what you give up by switching, is at caniopensourceit.online/activecampaign.
What is the easiest open-source ActiveCampaign alternative to set up?
Listmonk — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
What is the most popular open-source ActiveCampaign alternative?
By GitHub stars, Ghost (49,000). Listmonk is next with 22,000.
