Act-On vs SharpSpring

Detailed side-by-side comparison

Act-On

From $900/mo

Act-On is a comprehensive marketing automation platform tailored for small to mid-sized B2B and B2C companies, focusing on email marketing, lead nurturing, and multi-channel campaigns. It emphasizes user-friendliness with an intuitive interface that allows marketers without technical backgrounds to create and measure campaigns effectively.

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SharpSpring

From $449/mo

SharpSpring is an all-in-one marketing automation platform designed specifically for SMBs and marketing agencies, combining CRM, email marketing, and social media tools in a single solution. It delivers enterprise-level features at a more affordable price point and includes agency-specific capabilities like white-label options and unlimited client accounts.

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Feature Comparison

Feature	Act-On	SharpSpring
Email Marketing & Automation	Robust email marketing with extensive templates, workflows, and automation capabilities designed for ease of use	Behavioral-based email workflows with marketing automation that requires more technical setup but offers deeper customization
CRM Integration	Integrates with external CRMs like Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics	Includes a built-in CRM with contact and deal management, eliminating need for separate CRM software
Lead Management	Lead scoring and nurturing with website visitor tracking and behavior analytics	Lead scoring with VisitorID technology for visitor tracking, plus dynamic forms and progressive profiling for advanced lead capture
User Interface & Ease of Use	Highly intuitive interface specifically designed for non-technical marketers with minimal learning curve	More complex interface with steeper learning curve but offers greater depth for advanced users
Reporting & Analytics	Comprehensive, user-friendly reporting dashboards with clear campaign analytics	Powerful but complex reporting capabilities that can be difficult to customize without technical knowledge
Agency Features	Standard marketing automation features without specific agency-focused capabilities	Built for agencies with unlimited client accounts, white-label capabilities, and multi-client management tools

Pricing Comparison

SharpSpring starts at $449/month compared to Act-On's $900/month, making it significantly more affordable while offering unlimited users. Act-On's higher price point reflects its more polished user experience and stronger support resources, while SharpSpring provides better value for agencies and businesses managing multiple clients.

Verdict

Choose Act-On if...

Choose Act-On if you prioritize ease of use and need a marketing automation platform that non-technical team members can quickly adopt, and you're willing to pay a premium for superior customer support and a more intuitive interface. It's ideal for B2B/B2C companies that already use Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics and want seamless CRM integration.

Choose SharpSpring if...

Choose SharpSpring if you're a marketing agency managing multiple clients, need unlimited users without additional costs, or want an all-in-one solution with built-in CRM to consolidate tools. It's best for budget-conscious SMBs and agencies willing to invest time in learning a more complex platform in exchange for enterprise features at half the price.

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Marketing Automation

Pros & Cons

Act-On

Pros

+ User-friendly interface suitable for marketers without technical backgrounds
+ Strong email marketing capabilities with robust templates and workflows
+ Excellent customer support and training resources
+ Comprehensive reporting and analytics dashboards

Cons

- Higher pricing compared to some competitors in the mid-market segment
- Limited advanced customization options for complex automation workflows
- Some users report occasional performance issues with larger contact databases

SharpSpring

Pros

+ Affordable pricing compared to enterprise competitors like HubSpot and Marketo
+ Unlimited users and client accounts for agencies
+ Comprehensive all-in-one platform reducing need for multiple tools
+ Strong agency-focused features with white-label capabilities

Cons

- Steeper learning curve and less intuitive interface than some competitors
- Limited third-party integrations compared to market leaders
- Reporting capabilities can be complex and difficult to customize