Maropost vs. ActiveCampaign:
Best SMS Marketing Software for CRM Teams
This comparison reviews Maropost and ActiveCampaign SMS marketing software for growing businesses and CRM-driven teams. Compare text message marketing, SMS marketing automation, compliance, list growth, two-way SMS, and platform reporting side by side.
SMS Marketing Software & Text Message Campaign Features
Maropost lets you broadcast promotional SMS, including sales, launches, and reminders, to lists of opted-in subscribers. This is Maropost's core bulk SMS use case for marketing, distinct from one-to-one transactional alerts.
ActiveCampaign lets marketers with the SMS add-on draft and send broadcast SMS campaigns to contacts subscribed to SMS marketing lists in the US, UK, and Australia.
Maropost supports MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) so you can send images and GIFs with your texts, ideal for retail brands showing products visually. Available in US, Canada, and Australia.
ActiveCampaign supports MMS in the USA and Australia by attaching PNG, JPEG, or GIF files under about 600 KB in the SMS campaign builder, with UK image sends converting to SMS with an embedded URL.
Maropost simplifies SMS campaign creation in two steps: (1) compose your message and compliance details, (2) choose your audience, schedule, and send. The workflow is built for non-technical marketers.
ActiveCampaign walks marketers through SMS broadcast creation with content, shortened links, image insertion, audience selection, scheduling, and compliance checks in the SMS campaign builder.
Maropost includes a live preview panel that shows how your SMS or MMS will render on a mobile device as you type, helping you catch formatting issues before sending.
ActiveCampaign previews SMS and MMS content during campaign setup, including opt-out language and personalization before messages are sent.
Maropost lets you insert contact tag merge fields into SMS content to personalize each message with profile data such as names, preferences, custom attributes, and more.
ActiveCampaign personalizes SMS broadcasts and automation texts with contact fields, deal data, and personalization tags inserted from the message editor.
Maropost lets you embed mobile keywords in campaign copy so recipients can text back a specific word (e.g. SALE, STOCK) to trigger automatic actions like list subscribe or coupon delivery.
ActiveCampaign manages subscribe keywords and QR opt-in programs in the SMS dashboard, rather than embedding custom mobile keywords inside every promotional broadcast body.
Maropost gives you flexible send options: schedule SMS for a future date and time, send immediately with Send Now, or save campaigns as drafts to finish later.
ActiveCampaign lets teams schedule broadcast SMS for a future date and time or send immediately once audience, sender, and compliance requirements are satisfied.
Maropost schedules campaigns relative to each recipient's timezone when permitted sending hours use contact-local timezone mode, so messages arrive at appropriate local times.
ActiveCampaign applies default quiet-hour windows by country and lets automation Send SMS actions target specific local send windows, though broadcast quiet hours use shared regional defaults.
Maropost's Compliance tab lets you control the order and visibility of required elements such as organization name, message body, company link, and opt-out instructions in the final text.
ActiveCampaign configures sender name and opt-out instructions in the SMS editor, with required STOP language available on broadcast and automation messages.
Maropost supports transactional SMS for automated, event-triggered messages like order confirmations, password resets, and OTP codes. Create templates in the UI and trigger sends programmatically via REST API when events occur.
ActiveCampaign focuses on marketing SMS through broadcasts and automations, rather than a dedicated transactional SMS REST deliver campaign editor for one-off OTP sends.
SMS Compliance, 10DLC & Deliverability
Maropost helps teams meet US commercial SMS requirements with verified toll-free numbers or approved 10DLC. Unverified toll-free numbers have strict daily/weekly/monthly send limits. Maropost recommends toll-free over 10DLC for cost and approval speed.
ActiveCampaign guides US senders through A2P 10DLC brand and campaign registration inside SMS Registration, including opt-in collection methods and sample message review.
Maropost lets you configure the legal window when SMS can be sent (default 9 AM to 6 PM) using campaign timezone or each contact's local timezone. Journey SMS auto-pauses outside this window.
ActiveCampaign sets configurable SMS quiet hours by default between late evening and late morning for US, UK, and Australian recipients, with warnings when broadcasts may violate those windows.
Maropost lets you set default organization name and company information link at the account level. These values auto-populate every new SMS campaign's Compliance tab.
ActiveCampaign centralizes SMS compliance settings including quiet hours, sending options, keyword management, and opt-out handling under the SMS area of the account.
Maropost supports compliant opt-in collection, but regulations require you to document how and when each contact opted in: timestamp, method, IP address, phone number, and identity. You must retain these records.
ActiveCampaign requires explicit SMS consent on dedicated SMS marketing lists and documents opt-in collection methods during 10DLC registration for audit readiness.
Maropost sends from a shared short code by default. You can request a dedicated 5–6 digit short code exclusive to your brand so recipients always see the same sender. Available on request via ClientSuccess@maropost.com.
ActiveCampaign provisions registered long-code numbers through its 10DLC onboarding flow rather than offering self-serve dedicated short-code purchase in the SMS dashboard.
Maropost uses a pool of shared short codes (US/Canada) and long codes (other countries) across clients. Each message may show a different sender number unless you purchase a dedicated short code.
ActiveCampaign assigns brand-specific registered sending numbers through SMS onboarding rather than rotating unrelated shared short codes across clients on every message.
Maropost maintains an account-wide SMS Do Not Mail suppression list. Anyone on it will never receive SMS from your account, and contacts with permanent delivery failures are added automatically.
ActiveCampaign processes STOP and related opt-out keyword replies and removes contacts from SMS marketing lists so suppressed subscribers do not receive additional texts.
Maropost warns you when scheduling a campaign outside permitted hours, with Pause (default) or Send Anyway options to prevent accidental compliance violations.
ActiveCampaign warns when broadcast SMS may send during quiet hours but does not automatically block every broadcast; automation Send SMS steps can queue for compliant local windows.
Maropost lets you replace the default mpt1.co short domain with your own branded domain for SMS links. Add a CNAME DNS record and verify ownership in Settings.
ActiveCampaign shortens links in the SMS campaign builder for click tracking, while fully branded custom SMS link tracking domains are not the default model.
Maropost supports teams messaging Texas residents under Texas Senate Bill 140 (effective Sept 2025), which requires registration via Form 3401, a $200 annual fee, and a $10,000 security deposit.
ActiveCampaign publishes US SMS compliance guidance through 10DLC registration and quiet-hour settings, but merchants remain responsible for state registrations such as Texas SB 140.
Business SMS Marketing & Subscriber List Growth
Maropost provides dedicated lists that store SMS subscribers separately from email lists. Each list has its own dashboard with subscriber statistics and management tools.
ActiveCampaign stores SMS subscribers on dedicated SMS marketing lists with contact profiles showing phone numbers, list membership, and channel consent.
Maropost lets you build popup or embedded web forms to capture phone numbers and grow your SMS list directly from your website with compliant opt-in fields.
ActiveCampaign captures SMS opt-ins through signup forms, SMS keywords with QR codes, list subscription workflows, and checkout or onsite collection on supported plans.
Maropost supports double opt-in when enabled on a form with a phone field: the SMS contact is only added after the subscriber confirms via email. You must disclose SMS consent clearly since double opt-in is email-based.
ActiveCampaign supports consent collection patterns that vary by form and keyword setup, with confirmation messages available on keyword opt-in programs.
Maropost lets you bulk import phone numbers from CSV or TXT files, mapping phone column, optional subscription status (S=Subscribed, U=Unsubscribed), and optional UID column.
ActiveCampaign lets merchants import contacts into SMS lists via CSV or bulk editor when documented consent meets TCPA and list-subscription requirements.
Maropost lets you target campaigns using contact lists, segments, or both. If a contact appears in multiple selected audiences, they receive the message only once.
ActiveCampaign targets SMS broadcasts and automations using lists, segments, tags, and ecommerce conditions from connected Shopify and other store integrations.
Maropost lets you exclude specific lists or segments from a campaign send, useful for suppressing recent buyers, VIPs already messaged, or other subsets.
ActiveCampaign maintains opt-out suppression on SMS lists and applies list membership rules so unsubscribed contacts do not receive additional marketing texts.
Maropost's Shopify integration syncs phone numbers and sms_marketing_consent status in real time when customers opt in on your Shopify store.
ActiveCampaign Shopify integration syncs customer phone numbers and Shopify SMS marketing state, opt-in level, and consent-updated fields for segmentation and automation.
Maropost's Retail Express integration syncs customer phone data and SMS subscription preferences so you can message retail customers from one platform.
ActiveCampaign does not offer a native Retail Express integration for syncing in-store retail customer phone fields and SMS preferences into its platform.
Maropost gives you control over when forms appear: on page load, exit intent, after scrolling a percentage, on specific URLs, or hide for X days after dismissal.
ActiveCampaign forms and onsite experiences support display logic, targeting, and conditional visibility for email and SMS acquisition on connected sites.
Maropost landing pages can be used as destinations for SMS campaigns and as acquisition surfaces to collect mobile opt-ins.
ActiveCampaign keyword programs provide shareable opt-in links and downloadable QR codes for landing pages, packaging, and in-store SMS list growth.
SMS Marketing Automation, Two-Way SMS & Journeys
Maropost lets you define mobile keywords, specific words or phrases (e.g. JOIN, SALE), that contacts can text to your number. Each keyword links to an action and an automatic response message.
ActiveCampaign lets brands create SMS keywords in the SMS dashboard with linked lists, confirmation messages, and auto-generated QR codes for opt-in.
Maropost sends a custom auto-reply instantly when a defined keyword is received. Replies can include coupon codes, links, or nested keywords.
ActiveCampaign sends automatic keyword confirmation replies when subscribers text join keywords, alongside required STOP and HELP compliance handling.
Maropost handles inbound replies by matching text against active keywords within a 2-hour window. Valid keyword matches get the keyword response; everything else gets the invalid response.
ActiveCampaign routes inbound SMS replies to the SMS Inbox where teams can read, search, and respond to customer messages, including from the mobile app.
Maropost supports text-to-win contests: promote a keyword (e.g. WIN2026), add contacts who text in to a list, then pick a winner from subscribers and notify them via SMS.
ActiveCampaign SMS Reply Triggers can start automations when contacts reply with specific keywords, supporting contest and engagement flows with configured conditions.
Maropost powers back-in-stock alerts with keywords on out-of-stock product pages (e.g. STOCK42). When the item is restocked, deactivate the keyword and Maropost SMS everyone who subscribed with a link to buy.
ActiveCampaign automations can send back-in-stock or replenishment SMS when ecommerce integrations and custom triggers supply product availability signals to workflows.
Maropost lets you add an SMS step inside automated customer journeys alongside email actions. The journey engine sends the right text at the right point in the customer lifecycle without manual intervention.
ActiveCampaign automations include Send SMS actions on the visual canvas for welcome, cart, browse, and lifecycle workflows alongside email and site messages.
Maropost's Send SMS journey widget includes its own Compliance tab so you can verify legal content before the journey goes live.
ActiveCampaign configures opt-out instructions and send windows on each Send SMS automation action, applying compliance language to journey-triggered texts.
Maropost automatically pauses journey SMS messages when they would send outside permitted hours for a contact's timezone, then resumes when the window opens.
ActiveCampaign queues automation SMS outside configured day-and-time windows and sends at the next matching local window rather than dropping the message entirely.
Maropost skips the Send SMS journey step silently when a contact has no linked SMS phone record, then continues them to the next journey action.
ActiveCampaign automation splits, goals, and conditions branch on list membership, tags, and SMS consent so contacts without SMS permission follow alternate paths.
Maropost delivers transactional SMS for automated, event-triggered messages like order confirmations, password resets, and OTP codes. Create templates in the UI and trigger sends programmatically via REST API when events occur.
ActiveCampaign exposes REST APIs for contacts and ecommerce data and supports Twilio outbound SMS actions, though not a native transactional SMS deliver UI.
SMS Marketing Platform Analytics & Attribution
Maropost provides a per-campaign dashboard after send with message preview, performance tiles (sends, delivered, replies, clicks), drill-down reports, and campaign metadata.
ActiveCampaign provides an SMS Campaign Performance dashboard with delivery, click, reply, failure, and opt-out metrics across broadcast campaigns.
Maropost shortens all URLs in your SMS body to trackable links on mpt1.co when click tracking is enabled (default ON), so you can measure clicks per link in the campaign dashboard.
ActiveCampaign tracks SMS link clicks through shortened URLs in broadcast messages and includes click rate in SMS campaign performance reporting.
Maropost tracks revenue generated from SMS campaigns alongside delivery and engagement metrics so you can measure ROI of your text marketing.
ActiveCampaign SMS reports focus on engagement metrics; revenue impact is measured indirectly through Conversion Attribution UTMs and ecommerce reports rather than native SMS revenue totals.
Maropost's Contact 360 profile shows SMS-specific analytics per person: sends, opens, clicks, bounces, campaign history, and keyword interactions in one unified view.
ActiveCampaign contact records show phone numbers, SMS list membership, and message engagement alongside email and CRM activity in one profile.
Maropost lets you build scheduled or one-time reports across selected SMS campaigns with metrics like delivery rate, reply rate, bounce rate, and unsubscribe rate. Export as CSV, XLS, PDF, or XLSX.
ActiveCampaign SMS Campaign Performance and individual campaign reports break down sends, deliveries, clicks, replies, and opt-outs by broadcast.
Maropost provides a billing-focused report showing every individual message segment sent or received, with segment counts, message type (campaign, test, keyword reply), and timestamps.
ActiveCampaign individual SMS campaign reports show message-level delivery, engagement, replies, and failure details for each broadcast send.
Maropost's main Dashboard includes an SMS Volume widget showing outbound and inbound message counts over time as a line chart for account-level monitoring.
ActiveCampaign aggregate SMS reporting summarizes total campaigns, message volume, and channel engagement over selectable date ranges for account monitoring.
Maropost's Account & Billing Usage section shows your real-time SMS consumption alongside email, filterable by month or year.
ActiveCampaign bills SMS using message credits on the SMS add-on, with MMS and multi-segment sends consuming additional credits visible during campaign setup.
Maropost lets you schedule custom SMS reports to run daily, weekly, or monthly and email results automatically. Date ranges use Eastern Time.
ActiveCampaign lets teams filter SMS performance reports by list, date range, and campaign name, with export options varying by report type.
Maropost lets you download SMS send reports and custom reports as Excel (.xlsx) files for offline analysis and sharing with stakeholders.
ActiveCampaign supports exporting campaign and attribution report data for offline analysis, though dedicated recurring Eastern-time SMS exports are not a default schedule.