GoHighLevel vs ActiveCampaign – Which One is Best for your Marketing Automation in 2025
Curious who wins in the GoHighLevel vs ActiveCampaign showdown? We have done the comparison for you.
Sure, GoHighLevel 🏆 is the clear winner, no doubt about that. But aren’t you a little curious why it wins?
I know, I already spoiled the ending for you but trust me, the comparison we have put together is worth reading . It’s detailed, visual, and actually fun to go through.
With just one glance, you will get a crystal clear picture of who wins, why they win, and where each platform shines. And this maybe you even find a few ActiveCampaign features that you personally prefer. That’s the beauty of seeing everything laid out side by side.
So, this blog is focussed on the points which highlight “Why do we say GHL is the better pick?”
In this blog, we’ll break down:
- Where each tool shines
- Where they fall short
- And which one makes the most sense for your business
Feature Comparison: GoHighLevel vs ActiveCampaign
Let’s start with a side-by-side table so you can see the difference clearly:
| Feature | GoHighLevel | ActiveCampaign |
| CRM + Pipeline | Built-in | Needs integration |
| Email + SMS | Native + 2-way SMS | Email only (SMS via Twilio) |
| Sales Funnels | Built-in funnel builder | Requires ClickFunnels or similar |
| Booking/Calendar | Native calendar system | Needs Calendly or Acuity |
| Automation Workflows | Visual workflows + triggers | Visual workflows |
| White Labeling | Fully white-labeled platform | Not available |
| Memberships & Courses | Built-in LMS | Not offered |
| Reputation Management | Review automation | Not available |
| Price Range | Starts at $97/mo | Starts at $29/mo |
| All-in-One System | Yes | No |
Where GoHighLevel Shines (and Why It Matters)
1. It Replaces 5+ Tools
Most businesses using ActiveCampaign also use:
- Calendly (for bookings)
- ClickFunnels (for funnels)
- Twilio (for SMS)
- Zapier (for automations)
- A CRM like Pipedrive or HubSpot
GHL combines all of this natively.
2. Designed for Agencies and SMBs
If you’re a coach, consultant, local business, or an agency, GoHighLevel is literally built for your workflows. Client tracking, lead nurturing, booking management, and even invoicing, it’s all there.
3. White Label Everything
You can brand it 100% under your business. Perfect for agencies that want to resell or offer client dashboards. ActiveCampaign doesn’t allow this.
4. Two-Way SMS and WhatsApp
Most tools ignore SMS. GHL makes it part of your pipeline. You can send, receive, automate, and trigger actions, all with two-way messaging.
ActiveCampaign supports SMS, but you’ll need Twilio and some duct tape.
Where ActiveCampaign Still Wins
Let’s be honest, ActiveCampaign isn’t useless.
It wins in a few areas:
- Email Deliverability – Slightly better reputation on cold email sends
- Integrations – Huge third-party ecosystem
- Ease of use – Cleaner UI for beginners
So if you only need email marketing with basic automation, ActiveCampaign might be all you need.
But once you want to scale, build funnels, track leads, and automate your full journey, you’ll hit limits fast.
Real World Scenario
Let’s say you’re running lead gen for a local med spa.
With ActiveCampaign, you’d need:
- A separate funnel in ClickFunnels
- A calendar on Calendly
- SMS with Twilio
- Automation glue via Zapier
- Then AC to send emails
With GoHighLevel?
With Ghl everything is in one place, there is no of Zapier or other autmation tools.
Pricing Comparison
Let’s talk about what you are going to get and it is worth the subscription fee you are paying.
While ActiveCampaign looks cheaper on the surface, once you add in the extra tools (Calendly, ClickFunnels, etc), the cost and complexity goes up.
How Many Tools Do You Actually Need?
Now let’s explore Integration Dependency Comparison of Go High Level and Active Campaign
Integration Dependency Comparison
| Functionality Area | GoHighLevel | ActiveCampaign |
| Funnels | Built-in | Needs ClickFunnels or similar |
| Appointment Booking | Built-in calendar & reminders | Needs Calendly or Acuity |
| SMS/Text Messaging | Native 2-way SMS & WhatsApp | Needs Twilio |
| Automation Triggers | Direct, no Zapier needed | Often needs Zapier for custom flows |
| Client CRM | Fully integrated | Needs third-party CRM (e.g. Pipedrive) |
| Reporting & Dashboards | Unified inside GHL | Limited, may need custom setup |
| Form Builder | Included | Basic, might need Typeform/Formstack |
| Landing Pages | Drag & drop builder | Not available |
Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
We hope the whole picture is quite clear to you
If you’re just starting and only want to send emails → ActiveCampaign will work.
But if you’re serious about automation, client experience, and growth…
→ GoHighLevel 🏆 is the clear winner.
And Reson is simple GoHighlevel replaces more tools,saves time and save more money.
It replaces multiple tools.
It saves time and money.
And it grows with your business.
Pro Tips Before You Choose
Start with a 14-day free trial on both test workflows and setup time.
List all the tools you’re currently using and see how many GHL can replace.
If you’re an agency, try GHL’s SaaS mode, which lets you resell the platform under your brand.
FAQs
Q: Is GoHighLevel good for solo businesses?
Yes. Even if you’re a one-person team, it saves you hours of manual follow-up and tool-switching.
Q: Can I migrate from ActiveCampaign to GHL?
Yes. You can import contacts, tags, campaigns, and even recreate automations in GHL.
Q: Does GoHighLevel have better support?
It offers 24/7 live chat and an active Facebook group for peer support. Agencies also get onboarding help.
Final Thoughts
Both tools are powerful.
But only one is built to simplify your entire system.
GoHighLevel gives you full control, from capture to close, with fewer moving parts.
If that’s the kind of system you want, GHL is the better pick.
