Keap is a well-known platform that combines customer relationship management (CRM) with email and marketing automation. It’s popular among small businesses because it helps manage contacts, build workflows, and run campaigns from one place. However, many teams eventually look for Keap alternatives. Some want more affordable pricing. Others prefer simpler interfaces or stronger automation features. And increasingly, businesses are looking for AI-driven personalization and reliable email deliverability, which is where platforms like Mailsoftly come into the conversation. Exploring Keap competitors gives companies the chance to find tools that better align with their growth stage, budgets, and customer engagement needs.
For a complete overview of today’s top platforms, visit our guide to the best free email marketing services
What is Keap and why look for alternatives?
Keap, formerly known as Infusionsoft, positions itself as an all-in-one CRM and marketing automation solution. It helps businesses track leads, send emails, create campaigns, and manage sales pipelines. But Keap can feel overwhelming for beginners, and its pricing grows steep quickly as you scale. For businesses focused primarily on marketing automation and not full-scale CRM, many of its features go unused. This creates demand for Keap alternatives that are easier to use, more cost-effective, or better optimized for email and automation.
Definition: Keap alternatives are competing platforms in the CRM and marketing automation space that businesses turn to for lower costs, easier onboarding, more intuitive email automation, or advanced AI-powered tools.
How does Keap compare to its competitors?
Keap’s strength lies in being a hybrid tool: it offers CRM functions like contact management and sales pipelines while also enabling email marketing. The trade-off is that it can feel complex compared to dedicated tools that specialize in one area. Alternatives like Mailsoftly focus primarily on automation and personalization, making them more streamlined for marketers who don’t need the full weight of a CRM. Others, like HubSpot or Salesforce, emphasize CRM first but add marketing automation for scaling organizations.
PlatformPrimary StrengthBest ForAI/Automation FocusMailsoftlyAI email automation & deliverabilitySmall businesses & agenciesAI templates, smart segmentation, personalizationActiveCampaignAdvanced automationMid-sized teamsBehavior-based automation flowsHubSpotCRM depth & scalabilityGrowing companiesHub-wide automationZoho CRMBudget-friendly CRMSmall businessesBasic automationMailchimpSimple email campaignsBeginnersLimited AIGetResponseAll-in-one campaignsE-commerceFunnel automationDripE-commerce automationOnline storesAI personalizationBrevo (Sendinblue)Multi-channel outreachSMEsEmail + SMS automationEngageBayAffordable all-in-oneSmall businessesCRM + automationPipedriveSales pipeline CRMSales teamsWorkflow automationOntraportCRM + automationService businessesCampaign builderSalesforce EssentialsEnterprise-grade CRMScaling SMBsAI insightsConvertKitCreator-focused emailBloggers & creatorsSimple sequences
Why consider Mailsoftly as a Keap alternative?
Mailsoftly stands out as a modern alternative to Keap because it combines powerful automation with simplicity. Instead of overwhelming businesses with dozens of features, it focuses on helping users quickly launch campaigns that feel personal and engaging. The platform uses AI to generate email templates, segment audiences intelligently, and boost deliverability by guiding users through proper domain authentication.
Key reasons businesses choose Mailsoftly over Keap include affordability with flexible contact limits, AI-powered email automation that saves hours of manual work, prebuilt email templates optimized for engagement, multi-channel options with SMS in addition to email, free migration and onboarding support, and hands-on deliverability optimization with domain reputation tools.
“91% of marketers believe automation is essential for scaling customer engagement.” Mailsoftly puts that belief into action by making AI automation accessible for small businesses as well as agencies managing multiple accounts.
What are the top 13 Keap alternatives?
1. Mailsoftly – Best for AI email automation
Mailsoftly is built for small businesses and agencies that want smarter email and marketing automation without the steep learning curve. The platform uses AI to generate campaign-ready templates, suggest audience segments, and personalize messages. Deliverability is another key strength, with built-in tools for authentication and domain reputation monitoring. Mailsoftly is a great choice if your priority is growing engagement with less manual effort.
2. ActiveCampaign – Best for advanced workflows
ActiveCampaign is well known for its complex automation builder. It allows marketers to create behavior-based workflows that trigger emails, SMS, or CRM updates depending on user activity. While it offers a powerful engine, the platform can feel overwhelming for smaller teams. It’s most suitable for mid-sized businesses that want deep automation logic.
3. HubSpot – Best for scalability
HubSpot’s Marketing Hub, combined with its CRM, gives growing companies a scalable system for managing leads, campaigns, and reporting. It is strong in inbound marketing and offers advanced segmentation. The main drawback is pricing, which increases significantly as contact lists expand. Businesses looking for long-term scalability often see HubSpot as an alternative to Keap.
4. Zoho CRM – Best for budget-conscious businesses
Zoho CRM is part of the larger Zoho suite of apps, making it attractive for small businesses already using Zoho tools. It offers CRM functions with basic automation at an affordable price. While it doesn’t have the advanced AI-driven features of Mailsoftly or ActiveCampaign, it’s a cost-friendly option for businesses that need a CRM foundation.
5. Mailchimp – Best for beginners
Mailchimp is often the first platform businesses try because of its free plan and simple campaign builder. It allows users to design email newsletters quickly and run basic automations. However, its automation depth is limited compared to Keap, and pricing becomes steep once lists grow. Beginners who prioritize simplicity might prefer it, but growing businesses may outgrow it.
6. GetResponse – Best for e-commerce funnels
GetResponse includes features like landing pages, webinars, and sales funnels in addition to email marketing. It caters strongly to e-commerce and provides automation for cart abandonment, product recommendations, and more. This makes it an attractive option for online businesses seeking an all-in-one solution.
7. Drip – Best for online stores
Drip positions itself as an e-commerce automation platform. It focuses on personalization for online retailers, with prebuilt workflows for customer lifecycle stages. While its features are narrower than Keap’s, its specialization makes it ideal for stores running on platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce.
8. Brevo (Sendinblue) – Best for multi-channel campaigns
Brevo, formerly Sendinblue, combines email, SMS, and chat into one platform. This makes it suitable for businesses that want multi-channel engagement without layering multiple tools. It also offers marketing automation but with a simpler interface than Keap. Pricing is based on email volume rather than contacts, which can be cost-effective for some businesses.
9. EngageBay – Best for affordable all-in-one
EngageBay markets itself as an all-in-one solution like Keap but at a fraction of the price. It offers CRM, marketing automation, and sales tools in one package. For small businesses that want a complete system without the high costs, EngageBay can be a compelling choice.
10. Pipedrive – Best for sales-driven teams
Pipedrive is primarily a sales pipeline CRM but includes automation and integrations for email campaigns. It is very user-friendly and designed to help sales teams focus on closing deals. Companies that prioritize pipeline management over marketing automation may find it more useful than Keap.
11. Ontraport – Best for service-based businesses
Ontraport combines CRM and automation with a focus on service businesses. It provides a visual campaign builder similar to Keap’s but with different pricing tiers. Its strength lies in creating structured automation workflows, making it a solid competitor in the same category.
12. Salesforce Essentials – Best for enterprise-grade growth
Salesforce is known for enterprise-level CRM, and Salesforce Essentials brings that power to smaller businesses. It includes sales and service features with options to add marketing automation. While it requires more setup, it’s a strong choice for businesses preparing for significant growth.
13. ConvertKit – Best for creators
ConvertKit focuses on bloggers, creators, and solo entrepreneurs. Its email sequences are simple and easy to use, and the platform supports tagging and segmentation for engaged audiences. While it lacks advanced CRM functions, it is an excellent Keap alternative for creators who want simplicity.
What are the benefits of switching from Keap?
Switching to an alternative often means lower pricing options across several competitors, easier onboarding with beginner-friendly platforms, AI personalization tools for faster content creation, better deliverability management, and more flexibility in multi-channel campaigns.
What challenges come with leaving Keap?
Switching platforms involves data migration, learning new systems, and adjusting integrations. These challenges can be stressful, but many competitors, including Mailsoftly, offer free migration and onboarding services. This makes the transition smoother and reduces the risk of errors.
What are the future trends in Keap alternatives?
Keap competitors are increasingly focused on AI personalization, SMS and multi-channel automation, and stronger email deliverability features. The future will likely bring deeper integrations across platforms, improved domain reputation tools, and more affordable plans aimed at small businesses and creators.
How to get started with a Keap alternative
Define your main priorities, whether it’s CRM depth, automation, or cost savings. Compare features using the table above. Start a trial with one or two alternatives. Run a small campaign test with your real audience. Fully migrate your data once confident in the platform.
FAQ
1. What is the best free Keap alternative?
Zoho CRM and Mailchimp both provide free entry plans, though they have feature limits.
2. Which Keap alternative works best for small businesses?
Mailsoftly is ideal for small businesses thanks to its AI-powered automation and free migration support.
3. Does Mailsoftly replace CRM tools like Keap?
Mailsoftly specializes in email automation and personalization but integrates with CRMs for full contact management.
4. Which Keap competitor is strongest for e-commerce?
Drip and GetResponse both excel in e-commerce-focused automation.
5. Is switching from Keap complicated?
It depends on data size, but with migration support from platforms like Mailsoftly, it becomes straightforward.
TL;DR
Keap is a powerful CRM and automation platform, but many businesses look for alternatives that are simpler or more affordable. Mailsoftly is the best option for AI email automation, personalization, and improved deliverability. Other top choices include ActiveCampaign, HubSpot, and Drip for specific use cases. With free migration and AI-powered features, switching is easier than ever.
Author
Didem Kiran
Didem is a Business Development Specialist at Mailsoftly, based in San Ramon, California. She has focused on building partnerships and helping businesses grow with AI-powered email and marketing automation. She enjoys sharing insights on email automation and customer engagement strategies.
