How to Migrate from ActiveCampaign to MailerLite
Businesses switch from ActiveCampaign to MailerLite primarily to reduce costs. ActiveCampaign's pricing increases significantly as contact lists grow, and many small businesses find they're paying for CRM and automation features they don't fully use. MailerLite offers a clean, intuitive interface at roughly half the cost. For businesses that need solid email marketing with basic automation but don't require ActiveCampaign's CRM depth, MailerLite is a practical downgrade that saves meaningful money.
What Transfers?
Method: CSV export/import
Export ActiveCampaign contacts as CSV. Import into MailerLite with field and group mapping.
Rebuild using MailerLite's drag-and-drop editor and template gallery.
Recreate in MailerLite's automation builder. MailerLite automations are less complex than ActiveCampaign's.
Build new forms in MailerLite. Update all embed codes and integrations.
Historical data stays in ActiveCampaign.
Method: CSV column to groups
Map ActiveCampaign tags to MailerLite groups or fields during import.
Step-by-Step Migration Guide
- 1
Export contacts from ActiveCampaign
Go to Contacts > Export. Include all custom fields, tags, and list assignments. Download as CSV.
- 2
Prepare MailerLite groups
Create groups in MailerLite that correspond to your ActiveCampaign lists and key tags. Groups are MailerLite's primary organization method.
- 3
Import contacts into MailerLite
Go to Subscribers > Import. Upload CSV, map fields, and assign to groups. MailerLite deduplicates by email address.
- 4
Recreate automations
Build MailerLite automations for your key workflows. MailerLite supports triggers like subscriber joins group, completes form, anniversary dates, and custom field updates.
- 5
Rebuild email templates
Design your email templates using MailerLite's drag-and-drop editor. Copy text content from ActiveCampaign and redesign the layout in MailerLite.
- 6
Set up forms and landing pages
Create signup forms, pop-ups, and landing pages in MailerLite. MailerLite includes a landing page builder on paid plans.
- 7
Configure domain and test sends
Add MailerLite DNS records (DKIM, SPF) to your domain. Send test emails to verify formatting and deliverability.
Watch Out For
MailerLite's automation builder lacks ActiveCampaign's advanced features: no CRM deal triggers, no lead scoring, and limited conditional branching. Plan for reduced automation complexity.
MailerLite's account approval process can take 1-2 business days. Apply for your account before you're ready to migrate to avoid delays.
ActiveCampaign's site tracking, event tracking, and attribution data do not transfer. MailerLite's tracking capabilities are more limited.
Ready to switch to MailerLite?
Start with MailerLite's free plan and import your contacts.
What You Get with MailerLite
Pros
- +Excellent value for money — most affordable paid plans
- +Clean, intuitive interface perfect for beginners
- +Built-in website and landing page builder
- +Sell digital products directly
- +Strong drag-and-drop email editor
Cons
- −Free plan limited to 1,000 subscribers
- −No SMS marketing
- −Fewer integrations than competitors
- −Strict approval process for new accounts
- −Limited automation compared to ActiveCampaign