Drip vs ActiveCampaign: E-commerce vs CRM-Driven Drips

Overview

Drip and ActiveCampaign are both powerful drip email platforms, but they evolved from different starting points. Drip emerged as an e-commerce automation specialist with strong Shopify and WooCommerce integrations. ActiveCampaign developed as a CRM-integrated marketing automation platform serving sales-driven businesses.

Key Differences

E-commerce Focus

Drip understands e-commerce deeply. Product-based drip campaigns, purchase behavior triggers, browse abandonment, cart recovery - all native capabilities. The Shopify and WooCommerce integrations sync product catalogs for dynamic email content.

ActiveCampaign supports e-commerce through integrations but wasn't built for it. You can connect to Shopify and run e-commerce drips, but the platform's DNA is sales automation, not product recommendations.

CRM and Sales

ActiveCampaign includes a full CRM with deal pipelines, tasks, and sales automation. Your drip campaigns can update deals, assign tasks, and trigger sales activities. This integration makes ActiveCampaign powerful for sales-driven businesses.

Drip lacks a built-in CRM. It's focused on marketing automation, not sales pipeline management. If you need CRM functionality, you'll integrate with a separate tool.

Pricing Comparison

Who Should Choose What

Choose Drip if:

• You run an e-commerce store (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce)
• Product-based drip campaigns are your priority
• You need cart abandonment and browse abandonment drips
• Product recommendations in emails matter
• E-commerce revenue tracking is important

Choose ActiveCampaign if:

• You need CRM and drip automation combined
• Sales team coordination with drip campaigns matters
• Lead scoring and sales pipeline are priorities
• You run a B2B or service business
• Complex multi-branch drip workflows are needed

Consider Sequenzy for SaaS

Neither Drip nor ActiveCampaign is optimized for SaaS drip campaigns. If you run a subscription software business, Sequenzy offers native billing integration, AI drip generation, and MRR tracking at $19/mo - purpose-built for SaaS rather than e-commerce or sales.

The Bottom Line

Drip is the better choice for e-commerce businesses wanting sophisticated product-based drip campaigns. ActiveCampaign wins for businesses needing CRM integration and sales-coordinated drip marketing. Match the tool to your business model.