10 best marketing automation tools: Streamline campaigns and scale smarter

Why marketing automation is essential in 2026

Marketing in 2026 demands precision, personalization and performance. Businesses are moving beyond one-size-fits-all email blasts toward automated, AI-enhanced workflows that engage customers across multiple channels.

Marketing automation tools empower teams to plan, execute and track campaigns without manual effort. According to recent Forrester data, companies using automation platforms achieve a 25–30% increase in lead conversion rates and significantly lower customer acquisition costs.

From startups to large enterprises, automation is now central to modern marketing. Below are the 10 best marketing automation tools in 2026 that help streamline workflows, boost engagement and scale smarter.

HighLevel CRM

Best for: Agencies and small-to-midsize businesses seeking an all-in-one growth platform.

Key features:

• Unified CRM, email/SMS automation and sales funnel builder.

• Visual workflow automation and pipeline management.

• Built-in landing pages, forms and appointment scheduling.

• White-label options for agencies managing multiple clients.

AI capabilities: AI-powered workflows, conversational AI bots and predictive campaign recommendations.

Pricing: Starts at $97/month, with scalable agency plans available.

Brevo

Best for: Small businesses seeking an affordable automation suite.

Key features:

• Email, SMS and WhatsApp campaign automation.

• Drag-and-drop workflow builder.

• Transactional email and CRM tools.

AI capabilities: Predictive send-time and engagement insights.

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $25/month.

HubSpot Marketing Hub

Best for: Businesses needing a powerful, integrated inbound marketing platform.

Key features:

• Automated email campaigns, smart content and lead scoring.

• Social media scheduling and ad management.

• Deep integration with HubSpot CRM and Sales Hub.

AI capabilities: Predictive analytics, SEO optimization suggestions and content generation assistance.

Pricing: Free basic plan; paid plans start at $20/month per seat.

ActiveCampaign

Best for: Small businesses and e-commerce stores focused on customer lifecycle marketing.

Key features:

• Behavior-based email automation and tagging.

• Dynamic content personalization.

• Multi-channel automation across email, SMS and social.

AI capabilities: Predictive sending and AI-assisted campaign optimization.

Pricing: Starts at $19/month, billed annually.

Marketo Engage (Adobe)

Best for: Enterprises with advanced B2B marketing needs.

Key features:

• Lead nurturing, account-based marketing (ABM) and scoring.

• Deep Salesforce integration.

• Advanced analytics and personalization engines.

AI capabilities: Predictive content and lead scoring powered by Adobe Sensei AI.

Pricing: Custom pricing; typically mid- to high-tier for enterprises.

Mailchimp

Best for: Small businesses transitioning from email marketing to full automation.

Key features:

• Pre-built automation templates for onboarding, abandoned carts and upsells.

• Multichannel marketing through email, social and web.

• Integrated analytics and audience segmentation.

AI capabilities: Predictive demographics, send-time optimization and content recommendations.

Pricing: Free plan available; paid tiers start at $13/month.

Salesforce Marketing Cloud

Best for: Large organizations running complex, multi-channel campaigns.

Key features:

• Journey Builder for cross-channel automation.

• Advanced segmentation and personalization tools.

• Integration with Sales Cloud and Service Cloud.

AI capabilities: Einstein AI for predictive insights, personalization and engagement scoring.

Pricing: Custom pricing, typically enterprise-level.

Klaviyo

Best for: E-commerce and retail brands using Shopify, WooCommerce or Magento.

Key features:

• Customer segmentation and email automation.

• Pre-built e-commerce templates for cart recovery and recommendations.

• Real-time data sync with online stores.

AI capabilities: Predictive analytics for purchase timing and revenue forecasting.

Pricing: Free tier for up to 250 contacts; paid plans start at $30/month.

Pardot

Best for: B2B marketers focused on lead nurturing and sales alignment.

Key features:

• Lead scoring, dynamic content and ROI reporting.

• Seamless integration with Salesforce CRM.

• Account-based marketing tools.

AI capabilities: Einstein AI for engagement prediction and automated lead grading.

Pricing: Starts at $1,250/month for Growth plan.

GetResponse

Best for: Content-driven small businesses and solopreneurs.

Key features:

• Email automation, webinar hosting and funnel builder.

• List segmentation and conversion tracking.

• Pre-built campaign templates.

AI capabilities: AI campaign generator and smart optimization engine.

Pricing: Starts at $15/month with a free plan for basic use.

Comparison: Features, AI and pricing overview

How to choose the right marketing automation tool

When evaluating marketing automation platforms, focus on:

• Ease of use: Platforms like HighLevel and Mailchimp offer visual builders ideal for beginners.

• AI depth: Tools like Highlevel, Marketo, and Salesforce excel at predictive analytics and personalization.

• Integrations: Highlevel and Hubspot provide compatibility with their CRM, e-commerce and analytics platforms.

• Pricing: HighLevel offers unlimited contacts, users, and funnels starting at just $97, while competitors like HubSpot and Brevo charge based on the number of seats and contacts, making HighLevel far more cost-effective.

• Scalability: HighLevel scales effortlessly with your business, supporting unlimited users, clients, and automation without extra costs.

Testing through free trials and demos ensures your team can implement automation without friction.

Emerging trends in marketing automation (2026)

• AI-generated campaigns: Marketers now use AI to build entire workflows, from copywriting to scheduling.

• Omnichannel personalization: Automation spans email, SMS, chat and voice for seamless experiences.

• Data privacy integration: Tools include built-in GDPR and consent management.

• Predictive analytics: AI-driven forecasting helps teams allocate budgets and prioritize high-value leads.

• No-code workflow builders: Visual automation tools enable faster deployment without technical support.

These innovations are redefining how marketing teams connect with audiences and measure performance.

Conclusion: Scale smarter with the right Automation platform

The future of marketing belongs to businesses that automate intelligently.

Whether you choose HighLevel’s unified platform, HubSpot’s inbound tools or Marketo’s enterprise power, the right automation system turns data into results.

By focusing on usability, AI capabilities and cross-channel orchestration, your brand can create personalized, high-impact campaigns scaling smarter and faster in 2025.

FAQs | Marketing automation tools

What is a marketing automation tool?

It’s a software platform that automates repetitive marketing tasks like email campaigns, lead nurturing and social engagement to improve efficiency and ROI.

Which marketing automation platform is best for small businesses?

HighLevel, Brevo and ActiveCampaign are top choices for small teams needing affordable, all-in-one tools.

How does AI enhance marketing automation?

AI improves targeting, personalization and timing by analyzing user behavior and predicting future engagement.

Are marketing automation platforms expensive?

Not necessarily many offer free or low-cost tiers suitable for small businesses, with scalability as you grow.

What’s the easiest automation tool to start with?

Mailchimp and HighLevel are widely praised for their intuitive visual builders and ready-to-use templates.