How ShortStack vs. Act-On vs. Instapage stack up against each other
Compare Instapage with ShortStack and Act-On to create high-converting landing pages. With personalization, optimization, and collaboration tools, Instapage helps you deliver experiences that drive results.
Get started
See how Instapage stacks up against the competition
| Feature | Instapage | Other builders |
| Drag-and-Drop Tools | ||
| Conversion-optimized templates | ||
| Manual and AI-powered A/B Tests | ||
| AI content suggestions | ||
| Popups and sticky bars | ||
| Canvas and grid blocks | ||
| Reusable and global elements | ||
| Form and popup builders | ||
| Built-in Heatmaps | ||
| Central analytics dashboard | ||
| Ad-to-page personalization and collections | ||
| Contacts, lists, and email | ||
| Dedicated, full-service CRO experts | ||
| Enterprise-ready platform |
Leading the way in building high-performing landing pages
Autopilot exceeds conversions goals with personalized landings
Autopilot exceeded its growth goals by sending people to a keyword message-matched post-click landing page built with Instapage versus a generic tour page.
CFI Financial Group invests in personalization with Instapage
CFI Financial Group integrates Instapage into their technology stack and dramatically increases page conversions
Netradyne drives higher results with Instapage
Netradyne’s products have multiple use cases, like improving fleet efficiency, and training drivers to follow safe driving practices, and securing legal exoneration.
Why Instapage is the smarter choice for your campaigns
Get everything you need to build, scale, and optimize high-converting landing pages—without coding.
Easier page building without coding
Instapage offers a flexible and seamless page creation experience with a library of 500+ conversion-focused layouts, Instablocks®, a drag-and-drop builder, and AI content generation. With technologies like Thor Render Engine®, you can create on-brand, mobile-responsive landing pages that load quickly and start converting during initial visitor clicks.
More insights — better results
Instapage lets you see in detail how each landing page experience and variation is performing so you can make targeted changes that boost page conversions. Use heatmaps for a better understanding of on-page activities, run A/B tests and AI-assisted experiments, and then track and evaluate results within robust analytics dashboards.
More personalized experiences
Instapage lets you quickly create high-performing landing pages tailored to each of your ad campaigns. Deliver personalized experiences for distinct audiences using dynamic text replacement. Effortlessly align specific advertisements to unique pages with AdMaps. Monitor audience-level metrics using our advanced data tools.
Built-in collaboration
Instapage collaboration capabilities bring your entire team together to speed up the process of landing page review, approval, and launch. No more frustrating and unnecessary revisions or edits scattered across emails. Provide instant feedback, conduct real-time page edits, and securely share your pages with outside stakeholders.
Free up time for your business
Invest time into business growth, not busy work. Launch landing pages faster with reusable forms and templates. Build once, reuse forever.
Explore all integrations
Easier page building without coding
Instapage offers a flexible and seamless page creation experience with a library of 500+ conversion-focused layouts, Instablocks®, a drag-and-drop builder, and AI content generation. With technologies like Thor Render Engine®, you can create on-brand, mobile-responsive landing pages that load quickly and start converting during initial visitor clicks.
More insights — better results
Instapage lets you see in detail how each landing page experience and variation is performing so you can make targeted changes that boost page conversions. Use heatmaps for a better understanding of on-page activities, run A/B tests and AI-assisted experiments, and then track and evaluate results within robust analytics dashboards.
More personalized experiences
Instapage lets you quickly create high-performing landing pages tailored to each of your ad campaigns. Deliver personalized experiences for distinct audiences using dynamic text replacement. Effortlessly align specific advertisements to unique pages with AdMaps. Monitor audience-level metrics using our advanced data tools.
Built-in collaboration
Instapage collaboration capabilities bring your entire team together to speed up the process of landing page review, approval, and launch. No more frustrating and unnecessary revisions or edits scattered across emails. Provide instant feedback, conduct real-time page edits, and securely share your pages with outside stakeholders.
Free up time for your business
Invest time into business growth, not busy work. Launch landing pages faster with reusable forms and templates. Build once, reuse forever.
Explore all integrations
“Instapage gives us the ability to tailor our landing page content and layout to tell a unique story for each geographical target. The platform also enables us to create different variations with content that performs well for each unique channel. Every marketing team needs this!”
"Instapage has truly maximized our digital advertising performance by enabling us to offer matching, personalized experiences for every ad and audience. Now we can scale our landing page experiences as efficiently and effectively as we scale the ads themselves."
"If we have to wait on a developer, our creative velocity plummets. But Instapage has made it possible for us to exponentially grow our advertising programs and convert more customers"
Get started with Instapage in a few steps
-
Create your Instapage account
Start with Instapage by signing up via Google or your email. You'll get access to a free 14-day trial to discover Instapage capabilities. Feel free to cancel anytime during the 14-day trial if you decide that our product is not suitable for your business. -
Build and personalize your page
Create your first landing page from scratch or choose a template from 500+ customizable layouts. Use the drag-and-drop builder to add page elements, fonts, and backgrounds, refine content with AI, or add custom HTML, Javascript, and CSS. -
Review and make edits
Collaborate on page designs and streamline review processes. Invite your team members and stakeholders to review, edit, and provide feedback on your landing page. Collaborate knowing your page is confidential and only accessible to authorized users. -
Publish and track page performance
Publish your page to a domain or custom URL. Connect your pages to the ads you've created and track page performance within the analytics dashboard, run A/B tests and AI experiments, analyze results, and continuously optimize your landing page to maintain high conversions.
Instapage vs. ShortStack vs. Act-On – Finding the Perfect Landing Page Builder
Choosing the right landing page builder can feel a bit like selecting the perfect team for a heist movie—everyone has a unique skill set, and together they create the ideal plan for success. In the world of digital marketing, Instapage, ShortStack, and Act-On represent the heroes of landing page creation, each with its own strengths and quirks. With Instapage at the forefront for empowering marketers to drive down costs, enhance conversions, and craft relevant landing page experiences, which solution comes out on top? This article promises not only to dissect each contender’s features but also to entertain along the way, revealing insights that make your decision easier and more enjoyable. From customization capabilities to pricing plans, we’re here to give you the scoop!
Meet the Heavyweights: Instapage, ShortStack, and Act-On
In one corner, we have Instapage—the landing page builder that takes the crown for its impressive range of customization features and its focus on conversion optimization. Many marketers can attest to its ability to create tailored landing pages that not only look stunning but also drive results. In another corner stands ShortStack, a versatile tool known for its contest and giveaway management, making it a favorite for brands looking to engage users through interactive content. Finally, we have Act-On, which, while being more of a comprehensive marketing automation platform, offers landing page functionalities that connect seamlessly with broader marketing strategies. Each of these platforms brings something unique to the table, making them worthy contenders in the quest for the ultimate landing page builder.
Round One: A Frenzy of Features - Who Packs the Most Punch?
Comparing Template Variety and Usability
When it comes to the variety of templates and overall ease of use, each platform boasts its own repertoire. Instapage offers a vast collection of professionally designed templates that cater to different industries and goals, making it a breeze for creators to jump into design without starting from scratch. With intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, users can easily customize pages to reflect their brand's personality. In contrast, ShortStack presents a smaller selection of templates primarily focused on engagement-driven designs. Although it may lack the extensive choices of Instapage, ShortStack's templates are visually appealing and user-friendly, ideal for those who want to run promotions or contests. Act-On's templates, while also effective, tend to prioritize integration with marketing campaigns rather than standalone excellence in landing page design. Therefore, marketers looking for flexibility and creative control may find Instapage the best fit for their needs.
Instapage: Your Partner in Crafting Effective, Customized Landing Pages
Instapage positions itself as more than just another tool; it's a robust partner in the quest for conversion optimization. Boasting unmatched customization options, it empowers marketers to create stunning, high-converting landing pages without needing extensive coding knowledge. Its focus on A/B testing is a game changer, as it allows users to experiment with different layouts, messaging, and calls-to-action to discover what truly resonates with their audience. Furthermore, Instapage seamlessly integrates with other marketing tools, making data transfer and collaboration easy—an indispensable asset for teams. The platform's commitment to delivering relevant landing page experiences goes beyond mere aesthetics; it cultivates brand trust and customer loyalty, ultimately leading to increased conversion rates that every marketer dreams of achieving.
Round Two: Speed and Performance - The Need for Speed
Imagine walking into your favorite coffee shop, eagerly anticipating your morning brew, only to find yourself stuck in a sluggish line. It’s frustrating, right? Website loading times are no different—slow visitors can lead to high bounce rates and unsatisfied customers. In this round, we compare how each platform stacks up regarding loading speed and performance metrics, recognizing their importance in the fast-paced digital landscape.
Instapage's Advantages in Speed and Performance:
- Utilizes advanced caching technologies to ensure fast loading times.
- Optimized for mobile devices, ensuring quick access on smartphones and tablets.
- Offers AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) to enhance speed for mobile users.
- Built-in analytics tools allow for performance monitoring and adjustments.
ShortStack's Speed and Performance Perks:
- Simple integrations that keep page functionalities quick and efficient.
- Focused on streamlined UX, resulting in faster user engagement.
- Lightweight templates designed for quick loading, especially for interactive campaigns.
Act-On's Benefits in Speed and Performance:
- Integrates smoothly with marketing automation tools for efficient data processing.
- Provides hosting on reliable servers, ensuring optimal performance.
- Performance optimized for tracking across multiple campaigns.
In this speed race, Instapage takes the lead with its focus on quick loading times, offering features like AMP to further enhance performance. While each platform has its strengths, the ability to deliver landing pages swiftly and efficiently gives Instapage a notable edge.
Round Three: Usability and the Learning Curve - Who’s the Friendliest?
Navigating a new tool shouldn't feel like decoding hieroglyphics, and this round focuses on how user-friendly each platform is. Instapage is designed with the novice in mind; its clean interface and intuitive editor make it accessible to all levels of users. Tutorials and resources are readily available to guide new users every step of the way. ShortStack, while having a narrower focus, offers similar ease of use, especially for those looking to create campaigns that incorporate interactive elements. Act-On, although powerful, may pose a steeper learning curve due to its comprehensive features, which can be overwhelming for new users. Nevertheless, once you get past the initial hiccups, it provides robust support for more sophisticated marketing strategies. In the end, Instapage emerges as the most inviting option for marketers eager to hit the ground running.
Round Four: The Support Crew - Who’s Got Your Back?
In the high-stakes world of landing page creation, having reliable customer support can feel like having an ace up your sleeve. Instapage offers a myriad of customer support options, including chat support, email assistance, and a library of resources that make troubleshooting easy. Similarly, ShortStack provides robust support through chat and email, along with helpful documentation for their users. Act-On also puts emphasis on customer support, offering various resources, including a community forum where users can share insights and solutions. Each platform has its strengths, but Instapage's commitment to readily available support, coupled with an extensive knowledge base, provides an unbeatable safety net.
Round Five: Pricing Models - Finding the Best Bang for Your Buck
When it comes to pricing, knowing what you're paying for is crucial. Instapage operates on a subscription model that, while on the higher end, delivers exceptional value for businesses focused on conversion. ShortStack typically begins at a lower price point but charges based on usage, making it suitable for smaller campaigns or businesses. Act-On has a more complex pricing structure due to its extensive suite of tools, which can be a deal-breaker for those solely interested in landing page creation. As you analyze your options, consider how each pricing model aligns with your business goals and marketing strategies.
In conclusion, while Instapage, ShortStack, and Act-On each provide unique advantages and features, your final choice will ultimately depend on your specific needs and preferences. Whether it’s advanced customization options, ease of use, responsive support, or budget considerations, all roads lead to a decision that’s right for your marketing goals. If you prioritize powerful features and transformative landing page capabilities, why not explore Instapage with a free trial? After all, who wouldn’t want the tools to boost conversions and build customer loyalty?
