Keap Alternatives (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Keap, formerly known as Infusionsoft, has long been a go-to for small businesses that want a customer list, follow-up emails and automation in one system. If you're reviewing it, maybe because you'd like a different editor, a simpler set-up or a different mix of features, there are many other tools to compare.

This page lists ten Keap alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Some are familiar names and most are smaller. I've drawn each description from the tool's own website, so check current details there before you decide. If you're new to this area, my explanation of marketing automation for solo operators is a gentle introduction.

Keap alternatives at a glance

In the Free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a plan, or free open source software, you can keep using without a time limit. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free plan. No means the site states neither. Details change, so check before you start.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
ActiveCampaign	Marketing automation	Behaviour-based emails with CRM features	Trial only
Bigin	Light small-business CRM	Simple pipelines for tiny teams	Yes
Brevo	Email, SMS and CRM	Messaging and contacts together	Yes
EngageBay	Marketing, sales and service	CRM, email and helpdesk in one	Yes
GetResponse	Email marketing platform	Newsletters, landing pages and webinars	Yes
HoneyBook	Client management	Proposals, contracts and invoices	Trial only
HubSpot	CRM platform	Free CRM with tools to add later	Yes
Kartra	Funnels and courses	Sales funnels, email and memberships	Trial only
Mautic	Open source automation	Self-hosted campaign building	Yes
Ontraport	CRM and automation	Customer records with payments and campaigns	Trial only

Ten small business CRM and automation tools next to Keap

ActiveCampaign

Best for: Businesses who want detailed automations triggered by what contacts click, open or do.

Bigin

Best for: Owners who want a plain pipeline and follow-up reminders without a heavy system.

Brevo

Best for: Small businesses who want email, text messages and a simple customer database in one platform.

EngageBay

Best for: Small teams who want marketing, a CRM and customer support handled by a single vendor.

GetResponse

Best for: Businesses who send regular newsletters and want landing pages and webinars from the same account.

HoneyBook

Best for: Creative and service freelancers who want enquiries, contracts and invoices in one client flow.

HubSpot

Best for: Businesses who want a well-known CRM with a free starting point and room to grow.

Kartra

Best for: Online sellers who want funnels, email, checkouts and course hosting handled together.

Mautic

Best for: Teams with technical help who want open source marketing automation they can host themselves.

Ontraport

Best for: Small firms who want sales tracking, campaigns and payments tied to the same contact.

Which sales and marketing automation jobs you need done

Tools in this area overlap, but each leans one way. Some began as email platforms and added a CRM. Others began as a CRM and added campaigns. Write down the jobs you need done, then see which side a tool starts from.

• Capturing leads. Forms, landing pages and chat widgets that add people to your list.
• Follow-up. Sequences that send the right message when someone does, or doesn't, respond.
• Pipeline. A clear view of who is a prospect, who is a customer and what happens next.
• Tagging. A tidy way to group people by interest, source or purchase.
• Payments and quotes. Useful if you want billing near the customer record.
• Reporting. Simple answers to which campaigns bring in work.

Email-first, CRM-first or all-in-one: picking a style for your business

• Email-first platforms suit businesses whose main job is newsletters and promotions.
• CRM-first tools suit people who sell through conversations and want deals tracked.
• All-in-one suites suit owners who'd rather have one login for pages, email and customers.
• Client-flow apps suit freelancers who send proposals, contracts and invoices.
• Open source tools suit teams with technical help who want to host their own.

Rebuilding your Keap automations in a new tool

Contacts move across easily. The automations take the effort, because each tool describes triggers and steps in its own way. A sensible sequence helps.

1. Export contacts with their tags, custom fields and consent records.
2. Write out each campaign in plain steps: trigger, wait, message, outcome.
3. Rebuild the welcome sequence first, since it touches every new lead.
4. Reconnect your forms and send a test sign-up from a fresh address.
5. Check your sending domain settings with the new provider.
6. Switch off the old campaigns only once the new ones are running.

Consent rules for automated emails and texts

Automation makes it easy to contact many people, which is exactly why consent matters. In the UK and EU that generally means a clear reason for contacting someone and an easy way to opt out, and other countries have their own rules. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules for your own situation. For general ideas on running campaigns well, my email marketing overview may help.

Why a smaller automation tool might suit you

Smaller vendors often keep things focused, which can mean a quicker set-up and friendlier support. You may find fewer menus and a clearer path through the basics.

Check when the product was last updated, read its help pages and make sure you can export your contacts whenever you wish. Try it on a small segment before moving everyone, and see my business automation tips for busy people for ways to keep it simple.

Do you make a CRM or marketing automation tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Trying out two Keap alternatives side by side

Pick two that fit what you've got in mind, then rebuild one simple welcome sequence in each. Send it to a couple of your own addresses and see how easy it was to build and how it looks on a phone. Keep whichever feels clearest to run.

Frequently asked questions

What is CRM and marketing automation software?

It's software that keeps your contacts and deals in one place and sends follow-up emails or messages automatically, based on what people do, such as joining your list or clicking a link.

Why would someone look for a Keap alternative?

Reasons vary and aren't always about the tool itself. You might want a different editor, other integrations, a simpler set-up or something that suits an online shop or a freelance business. Start by listing what you need most.

Can I move my contacts and automations?

Contacts can usually be exported and imported with their tags. Automations normally need rebuilding by hand, so write them out first and move the most important ones first.

Do I need consent to email people?

In many countries you do. In the UK and EU you generally need a lawful reason and a simple opt-out. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules that apply to you. It's your list and your responsibility.

Is a free plan enough to start with?

It can be for a small list. Read the limits on contacts, sending and automations, and check the features you want are included, before you rely on one.