Email automation that texts when it matters.
Set up the follow-up once and let it run forever: welcome series, stalled-deal nudges, re-engagement, post-purchase sequences — sent automatically on the right trigger. Ironscale runs email and SMS in the same workflow, so a single automation can reach someone by inbox or by text, whichever they actually read. One flat rate, no per-contact penalty.
TL;DR
Email marketing automation sends the right message automatically on a trigger or behavior — instead of you sending each one by hand.
Ironscale runs email and SMS in one visual workflow builder, inside the CRM, so a single trigger reaches people on whichever channel they read — an ActiveCampaign alternative at a flat $99–$550/mo with no per-contact escalation.
The result: follow-up that never forgets, on the channels that actually convert.
Email is great. Email alone leaves money on the table.
Automated email is one of the highest-ROI channels there is — roughly $36 back per $1 spent. But a 22% open rate means most of your messages aren't seen, and the time-sensitive ones (a new lead, an abandoned booking, a reminder) need to land now. That's where SMS earns its place: a 98% open rate, read in minutes.
The mistake is running them as two disconnected tools. Ironscale runs email and SMS in the same workflow, so one trigger can email the details and text the nudge — and the whole sequence lives next to the CRM record it's acting on.
Automations you'll actually use
New-lead series
Greet every new contact instantly with an email + text sequence that builds trust and pushes to book.
Stalled-deal nudges
When a deal sits too long in a stage, the workflow nudges automatically so it never goes silently cold.
Re-engagement
Bring back cold contacts with a timed sequence — the cheapest leads you'll ever "buy" are the ones you already have.
Onboarding + reviews
After a sale, auto-send onboarding steps and a review request — turning customers into repeat buyers and 5-stars.
Drag-drop builder
Branch on behavior — opened, clicked, replied, booked — with if/then logic, no developer required.
Right message, right list
Target by tag, stage, or behavior so people get relevant messages instead of one-size-fits-all blasts.
Email automation vs. an email-only tool
| Ironscale | ActiveCampaign / email-only | |
|---|---|---|
| Email automation | ✓ Visual builder | ✓ Strong |
| SMS in the same workflow | ✓ Native | Add-on / extra credits |
| Built-in CRM + pipeline | ✓ | Limited or separate |
| Calling + booking | ✓ Included | Not included |
| Pricing model | Flat $99–$550/mo | Per-contact, escalates as list grows |
| Grows-your-list penalty | None | Bill rises with contact count |
Automation is the engine behind everything
The same workflow builder powers your whole funnel: it can trigger the AI appointment setter, run lead nurturing sequences, fire review requests, send appointment reminders, and move deals through your pipeline — all on the same SMS and email rails. It's the practical core of small-business automation: set it once, and it runs without adding a single hire.
Email marketing automation FAQ
What is email marketing automation software?
Software that sends the right email automatically based on a trigger or behavior — a welcome series on signup, a follow-up when a deal stalls, a re-engagement when someone goes cold — instead of sending each one by hand. Ironscale adds SMS to the same workflows.
Why combine email and SMS?
Email is cheap and detailed; SMS is immediate with a 98% open rate. The strongest sequences use both — email for long-form, SMS for the time-sensitive nudge — in one workflow instead of two stitched-together tools.
Is Ironscale an ActiveCampaign alternative?
Yes. ActiveCampaign is strong on email but charges by contact count and treats SMS, CRM, calling, and booking as add-ons. Ironscale includes all of it at one flat rate with no per-contact escalation.
Is automation included?
Yes — the visual workflow builder, email campaigns, and SMS automation are included on every plan from $99/month.
Build a follow-up machine that never forgets.
Free for 14 days. Launch your first email + SMS workflow inside the trial.