ActiveCampaign Marketing Starter vs Buffer: Pricing Comparison (2026)
ActiveCampaign Marketing Starter starts at $19/mo. Buffer starts at $6/mo. Buffer is $13/mo cheaper on the entry tier than ActiveCampaign Marketing Starter.
See price history: ActiveCampaign Marketing Starter · Buffer
Marketing automation platform positioned as the mid-market alternative to HubSpot Marketing Hub and Mailchimp — more powerful than Mailchimp, cheaper than HubSpot. Distinctive for its automation depth (multi-step workflows, conditional logic) available at lower tiers than competitors. Priced per contact starting at $15/mo (Lite tier). Popular with agencies managing client marketing and SMB e-commerce teams.
Social media scheduling and analytics from a fully-remote 80-person company known for radical transparency (publishes salaries, revenue publicly). Positioned as the alternative to Hootsuite for small businesses and creators. Distinctive for its calm, no-upsell culture. Priced $6-$120/mo across four tiers. Losing ground to Hootsuite (enterprise) and Later (Instagram-first) but still profitable and cash-generative.
All plans compared
| # | Plan | ActiveCampaign Marketing Starter monthly | ActiveCampaign Marketing Starter annual | Buffer monthly | Buffer annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Starter / Free | 19 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Plus / Essentials | — | 49 | 6 | 5 |
| 3 | Pro / Team | — | 79 | 12 | 10 |
| 4 | Enterprise | — | 145 | — | — |
What each is best for
Marketing automation platform positioned as the mid-market alternative to HubSpot Marketing Hub and Mailchimp — more powerful than Mailchimp, cheaper than HubSpot. Distinctive for its automation depth (multi-step workflows, conditional logic) available at lower tiers than competitors. Priced per contact starting at $15/mo (Lite tier). Popular with agencies managing client marketing and SMB e-commerce teams.
Social media scheduling and analytics from a fully-remote 80-person company known for radical transparency (publishes salaries, revenue publicly). Positioned as the alternative to Hootsuite for small businesses and creators. Distinctive for its calm, no-upsell culture. Priced $6-$120/mo across four tiers. Losing ground to Hootsuite (enterprise) and Later (Instagram-first) but still profitable and cash-generative.
At a glance
| ActiveCampaign Marketing Starter | Buffer | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Entry price | $19/mo | $6/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | — |
| Pricing model | Per Usage | Per Seat |
| Last verified | July 23, 2026 | July 27, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified July 27, 2026. Tracked daily.