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Action Network

actionnetwork.org

From $15/mo Free plan WebAPI
Visit actionnetwork.org
Spec score 9.1 #1 of 28 in Advocacy Software

What it is

Action Network is an online organizing platform for people and groups working on progressive causes. Organizers can create petitions, event RSVPs, surveys, fundraising forms, ticketed event pages, and letter campaigns, then use mass email and mobile texting tools. Email features include testing subject or message variants, templates, automated workflows, drip campaigns, personalization, targeting, and analytics. Event tools cover RSVP management, reminders, self check-in, ticketing, and maps; fundraising pages support recurring giving and donor management. Lists can be downloaded. Integrations include Salesforce sync, Catalist, SpeechifAI, ActBlue, CallHub, Zapier, Make, and n8n. Its REST API can retrieve and post data and sync systems, but access is limited to paying partners. The free plan is available; Movement starts at $15/mo and charges for email usage above its included allowance. Mobile SMS and MMS campaigns are a separate add-on to an email partnership. The platform says it does not provide websites, offline organizing, general CRM work, or FEC compliance.

Spec sheet

What it does
Action Network is a progressive online organizing platform for publishing petitions, event RSVPs, surveys, fundraisers, ticketed events and letter campaigns, then communicating with participating activists by email or mobile messaging.Read 15 Oct 2026 · help.actionnetwork.org
Purpose
Action Network describes itself as a progressive online organizing platform for individuals and groups organizing for progressive causes.Read 28 Sep 2026 · help.actionnetwork.org
API
A REST-style API and webhooks support synchronizing people, email addresses, action histories, subscriptions, embeds and near-real-time event notifications.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Integrations
Action Network reports more than 20 integrations, including Salesforce, Catalist, SpeechifAI, ActBlue, CallHub, Zapier, Make, n8n, Inbox Monster and Mobile Commons.Read 15 Oct 2026 · help.actionnetwork.org
Security
Action Network says it encrypts traffic and stored data, uses HTTPS/SSL on its pages and widgets, and is PCI compliant; Stripe handles card information.Read 28 Sep 2026 · help.actionnetwork.org
Support
Plans include unlimited email support, a getting-started training series, and help articles; the site also offers a weekly demo every Tuesday at 1pm Eastern.Read 28 Sep 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Founded
2012Read 23 Sep 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Actions
Organizers can publish petitions, event RSVPs, surveys, fundraising forms, ticketed event pages, and letter campaigns.Read 28 Sep 2026 · help.actionnetwork.org
API access
Most API access requires a partner-issued API key; helper POST endpoints can be used without a key for some browser-based forms.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
API limits
The API uses HAL+JSON, generally follows OSDI, is limited to four calls per second and webhooks typically arrive within five minutes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Automation
The platform includes visual Ladders for automated drip campaigns and workflows.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Company reach
The official about page reports more than 12,000 progressive groups using Action Network, 55 million letters sent and 5 million event attendees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Company size
LinkedIn lists the nonprofit as having 11–50 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company status
Action Network is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, and it is the sole shareholder of Action Squared Inc., identified as the maker of the Action Network toolset.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Company structure
Action Network says it is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit and the sole shareholder of Action Squared Inc., the maker of its toolsets.Read 28 Sep 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Documentation
The help center covers getting started, billing, groups, actions, emails, mobile messaging, design, data, networks, FAQs and API integrations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · help.actionnetwork.org
Email and mobile
The platform includes mass email and mobile texting tools, and organizers can download their list data.Read 28 Sep 2026 · help.actionnetwork.org
Email features
Email tools include A/B testing, custom templates, automated workflows, drip campaigns, personalization, targeting, and analytics.Read 28 Sep 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Email marketing
The platform provides visual or code-based email creation, personalization, targeting, automated drip workflows, analytics and A/B testing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Events
Event management includes RSVP handling, calendar integration, reminders, self check-in and in-person or virtual events.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Events and fundraising
Event tools include RSVP management, reminders, self check-in, ticketing, and maps, while fundraiser pages support recurring giving and donor management.Read 28 Sep 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Forms and surveys
Custom forms support conditional logic and validation, while surveys provide multiple question types and branching.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Fundraising
Fundraising campaigns provide customizable donation pages, recurring giving, donor management, payment integrations and progress tracking.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Licence
The service is proprietary; its terms state that Action Squared owns the services and restricts reproduction, modification and derivative works.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Limit: event management
A Software Advice reviewer says event execution and ticketing are weaker than competing platforms, especially for virtual events and integrations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Limit: onboarding complexity
G2 reviewers report limited basic instructions and say large tag setups can be time-consuming and initially complicated for less technical users.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: unsolicited communications complaints
Trustpilot reviewers repeatedly complain about large volumes of messages or calls after signing petitions and difficulty getting removed from lists.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Limits and fit
The platform says it does not provide websites, offline organizing, general CRM work, or FEC compliance, and activist records require an email address or phone number.Read 28 Sep 2026 · help.actionnetwork.org
Mobile add-on
Mobile messaging supports SMS and MMS campaigns and is available only as an add-on to an email partnership.Read 28 Sep 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Mobile messaging
SMS and MMS campaigns support A/B testing, automated workflows and calls to elected officials or custom targets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Networks
Network plans provide multi-group hierarchies, tiered permissions, centralized control, parent-child data flow and syndication.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Notable release
The August 24, 2026 release added Inbox Monster integration, automatic virtual-event attendance tracking, improved petition PDF exports and self-service DataBot.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Organization audience
The maker describes its tools as intended for people-powered progressive organizations, from grassroots groups to established federated organizations.Read 28 Sep 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Petitions
Petition tools collect signatures, track progress, support social sharing and export results.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Praise: grassroots mobilization
Software Advice reviewers praise rapid deployment, email automation, audience segmentation, mobile keywords, petitions and fundraising for grassroots campaigns.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Praise: usability and targeting
G2 reviewers praise easy list uploads, quick deployment, supporter targeting, personalization, fundraising tracking and mass-email communication.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on Capterra
5.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Rating on G2
2.5 out of 5 from at least one displayed review; G2 says there are not enough reviews for buying insight.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on GetApp
5.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Rating on Software Advice
5.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Rating on Trustpilot
1.5 out of 5 from 35 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Release cadence
Release notes say new features, fixes and updates are shipped every few weeks or more often.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
SDKs and tools
Developer documentation links to a jQuery plugin, a CSV-to-API utility, an API browser and a community Ruby client.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Security controls
The privacy policy states that data is encrypted in transit and at rest and protected with web application firewalls, security scans, audits, access logging and monitoring.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Security limitation
Terms say reasonable safeguards are used but security cannot be guaranteed because people and security systems are not foolproof.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Self-hosting
The product is delivered as a hosted web service and the official materials provide no self-hosting option.Read 15 Oct 2026 · help.actionnetwork.org
Shift events
Shift Events let activists RSVP to multiple shifts and receive automatic reminders before each shift.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
System requirements
The service requires internet access, a modern web browser and JavaScript enabled.Read 15 Oct 2026 · help.actionnetwork.org
Ticketed events
Ticketed-event pages support pricing tiers, capacity limits, payment processing and integrated donation forms.Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org

Plans and prices

Free Free free tools for grassroots activists · advocacy tools, data uploads, help articles Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Free Free Free tools for grassroots activists Read 28 Sep 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Movement $15 a month starting at $15/month; usage-based volume billing with monthly minimums single, small to midsize organizations · $1.25 per 1,000 emails · $15 minimum Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Movement $15 a month Starting at $15/mo; usage-based at $1.25 per 1,000 emails, with a $15 monthly minimum covering the first 12,000 emails Single, small to midsize organizations · mobile messaging is a separate add-on Read 28 Sep 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Network $125 a month Starting at $125/mo; usage-based at $2.50 per 1,000 emails, with a $125 monthly minimum covering the first 50,000 emails Federated or multi-group organizations · mobile messaging is a separate add-on Read 28 Sep 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Network $125 a month starting at $125/month; usage-based volume billing federated or multi-group organizations · $2.50 per 1,000 emails · $125 minimum Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Boost $450 a month Starting at $450 per month; flat monthly add-on varies by email volume ($450 below 2 million emails, $750 for 2–8 million, $1,050 above 8 million) Add-on · advanced tools and features Read 28 Sep 2026 · actionnetwork.org
Enterprise Priced on request custom pricing organizations with 1M+ monthly emails Read 15 Oct 2026 · actionnetwork.org

Every Action Network plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan available for grassroots activists.
  • Supports petitions, events, surveys, fundraising, and letter campaigns.
  • Email tools include workflows, targeting, and analytics.
  • Event tools include ticketing, reminders, maps, and self check-in.
  • Integrates with Salesforce, ActBlue, Zapier, and others.

Limits

  • Movement starts at $15/mo, with usage-based email charges.
  • Mobile messaging is a separate add-on.
  • API access is limited to paying partners.
  • Does not provide websites, offline organizing, general CRM, or FEC compliance.

Who it suits

It suits grassroots and established progressive organizations that need online campaigns, email, events, or fundraising tools. The listed limits matter for groups seeking websites, offline organizing, general CRM, or FEC compliance.

Action Network in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

Action Network is an organizing and supporter-communications platform for progressive causes. It suits grassroots campaigns and federated organizations that need petitions, email, events, and fundraising in one system; organizations needing a general CRM, website, or offline organizing tools should look elsewhere.

Its strongest case is the breadth of campaign and event workflows, paired with email automation and integrations. The trade-off is that email charges scale with volume on the main paid plans, mobile messaging costs extra, and activist records need an email address or phone number.

Key features

Campaigns and communications

Organizers can publish petitions, surveys, letter campaigns, event RSVPs, ticketed event pages, and fundraising forms. Email includes custom templates, personalization, targeting, A/B testing, automated workflows, drip campaigns, and analytics. These tools cover both one-off appeals and more segmented, scheduled outreach, while downloadable list data gives organizations a way to take their records with them.

SMS and MMS campaigns are available only as a mobile add-on to an email partnership, not as a standalone option. Groups that need texting should budget for that separate cost rather than assume it comes with an email plan.

Events, fundraising, and integrations

Event features include RSVP management, reminders, self check-in, ticketing, and maps. Fundraising pages support recurring giving and donor management, which makes the platform more useful for organizations combining mobilization with ongoing fundraising. Integration options include a full Salesforce sync, built-in Catalist and SpeechifAI connections, and ActBlue, CallHub, Zapier, Make, and n8n.

API and security

The REST API can retrieve and post data and sync systems, but access is limited to paying partners. Action Network says it encrypts stored data and traffic, uses HTTPS/SSL on pages and widgets, and is PCI compliant; Stripe handles card information. Plans include unlimited email support, a getting-started training series, and help articles, with a weekly demo on Tuesdays at 1pm Eastern.

Pricing

The free plan offers tools for grassroots activists, making it the natural starting point for individuals or small campaigns that can work within its free offering. Movement starts at $15/mo, with usage-based email at $1.25 per 1,000 emails and a $15 monthly minimum covering the first 12,000 emails. It is positioned for single, small to midsize organizations; email use above the included threshold adds cost.

Network starts at $125/mo and charges $2.50 per 1,000 emails, with a $125 monthly minimum covering the first 50,000. Its intended audience is federated or multi-group organizations, but its higher minimum and per-email rate make it a more consequential commitment as volume grows. Mobile messaging is a separate add-on on both paid plans.

Boost is an add-on for advanced tools and features, priced at $450 per month below 2 million emails, $750 for 2–8 million, and $1,050 above 8 million. Enterprise has custom pricing for organizations sending 1M+ monthly emails. These options target larger operations rather than organizations seeking a simple fixed-price upgrade.

Platforms

Action Network runs on the web and offers an API. The API is useful for system syncing and data exchange, but only paying partners can access it.

Who it's for

The platform is built for people-powered progressive organizations, from grassroots groups to established federated networks. It is a particularly strong fit for teams running advocacy campaigns alongside events and fundraising, especially when Salesforce or the listed advocacy and automation integrations matter.

It is a poor fit for general-purpose constituent or customer relationship management, website hosting, offline organizing, or FEC-compliant work. A group also cannot keep activist records that lack both an email address and a phone number.

Pros and cons

Pros: Petitions, letters, events, fundraising, and email live in one organizing toolset, reducing the need to split those campaign tasks across separate products.

Pros: Email targeting, testing, automation, and analytics support more deliberate outreach than basic bulk sending.

Pros: Salesforce sync and integrations such as ActBlue, Zapier, and n8n can connect organizing with adjacent systems.

Cons: Email charges are usage-based on Movement and Network, so higher volume raises costs beyond each monthly minimum.

Cons: SMS and MMS require a separate add-on to an email partnership, adding cost for organizations that need mobile outreach.

Cons: No website, offline-organizing, general CRM, or FEC-compliance capabilities are provided, and each activist record needs an email address or phone number.

Alternatives

Changemaker Lite is worth considering for organizations that want a free, self-hosted option with 45+ campaign tools, unlimited users and data, and their own infrastructure. Choose New/Mode if a free forever individual plan with unlimited contacts, email blasts, Smart Petitions, email-your-rep campaigns, and social advocacy tools better matches the need. VoterVoice offers customized packages with jurisdiction-specific grassroots advocacy and policy monitoring options.

ActionKit is another paid API and web option. CiviClick is also a paid API and web alternative. Consider ControlShift if its custom-priced, order-form approach suits procurement. Quorum Grassroots tailors pricing to organization size and needs, including users, advocate database size, and feature requirements. Muster starts at $99/mo for its Advocacy CRM, with pricing scaling by stored contacts and features including district matching, segmentation, forms, and advocate mapping.

For broader category comparisons, see Advocacy Software, Nonprofit Marketing Software, and Nonprofit Email Marketing Software.

Verdict

Choose Action Network if a progressive organization wants campaign publishing, supporter email, event operations, and fundraising together, with integrations to connect its organizing stack. Its usage-based email costs and separate mobile add-on are the main reasons to compare alternatives, while its boundaries around CRM, websites, offline work, and FEC compliance make it unsuitable as an all-purpose nonprofit operations system.

Verdict

Action Network brings campaign publishing, email, event, and fundraising tools together for progressive organizing. Check the usage-based email charges and separate mobile add-on against your needs.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to Action NetworkAll alternatives →