GetResponse vs ActiveCampaign
GetResponse and ActiveCampaign are two of the email marketing tools people compare most — but they're built for different users. GetResponse has a free plan (paid from Free USD/mo) and is best for growing businesses wanting email marketing plus automation, funnels & webinars in one tool, while ActiveCampaign starts at $15 USD/mo and suits businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation.
The main trade-offs: GetResponse covers more of the features we track (6 of 10 vs 5), GetResponse is cheaper to start. Weighing it all up, GetResponse is the better fit for most people — with ActiveCampaign pulling ahead for businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation.
GetResponse
★★★★★★★★★★4.31,337+ reviews · G2 & CapterraA mature all-in-one platform for email marketing, automation, and funnels.
USD/mo
ActiveCampaign
★★★★★★★★★★4.617,028+ reviews · G2 & CapterraBest-in-class email marketing & automation, with a solid CRM.
USD/mo
For most people, GetResponse is the better choice — but ActiveCampaign wins for specific needs.
Key differences
- GetResponse is cheaper to start (Free USD/mo vs $15 USD/mo).
- ActiveCampaign is notably stronger on value for money (8.2 vs 7.0).
- GetResponse covers more of the tracked features (6 vs 5).
Full comparison
The winning option in each row is highlighted in green.
| Criteria | GetResponse | ActiveCampaign |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | ★★★★★★★★★★4.3 | ★★★★★★★★★★4.6 |
| Starting price | Free USD/mo | $15 USD/mo |
| Free trial | Free plan | 14 days |
| Integrations | 100+ native + Zapier | 900+ native integrations |
| Affiliate commission | 40-60% recurring for first 12 months (tiered, via PartnerStack) | 20-30% recurring |
| Best for | Growing businesses wanting email marketing plus automation, funnels & webinars in one tool | Businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation |
| Ease of use | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| Value for money | 7.0 | 8.2 |
| Features | 9.0 | 9.2 |
| Support | 8.0 | 8.5 |
| CRM | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Email Marketing | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Funnel / Landing Builder | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Automation / Workflow | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| SMS Marketing | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Booking / Scheduling | — No | — No |
| Membership / Courses | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Built-in Affiliate Program | — No | — No |
| White-label | — No | — No |
| Mobile App | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Pricing plans
The main paid tiers for each tool (billed annually where applicable).
GetResponse
✅ Verified from the vendor's pricing page · checked June 2026. View official pricing →
ActiveCampaign
✅ Verified from the vendor's pricing page · checked June 2026. View official pricing →
Pros & cons
GetResponse
- Feature-rich: email, automation, funnels, landing pages, webinars & courses in one place
- Genuine free-forever plan (up to 500 contacts) with 24/7 live chat support
- Powerful visual marketing automation plus built-in AI tools
- Pricing scales up quickly as your contact list grows
- No true sales-pipeline CRM or white-label; SMS is limited to the top Enterprise/MAX plan
ActiveCampaign
- The most flexible automation/workflow engine
- Excellent email deliverability and segmentation
- Built-in sales CRM
- No true funnel builder
- Pricing scales up fast with contact count
Which one should you pick?
Choose GetResponse if…
Best for growing businesses wanting email marketing plus automation, funnels & webinars in one tool. GetResponse is a mature, feature-rich email marketing and automation platform with landing pages, webinars, and a course creator. It's a strong pick for email-focused marketers, though all-in-ones like Systeme.io bundle funnels and courses more affordably for beginners.
Choose ActiveCampaign if…
Best for businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation. The automation engine to beat. If your growth runs on sophisticated email journeys and segmentation, nothing here is more capable — just watch the per-contact pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Is GetResponse or ActiveCampaign better?
Overall we lean toward GetResponse for most users, but ActiveCampaign is the better fit for businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation.
Which is cheaper, GetResponse or ActiveCampaign?
GetResponse is cheaper to start at Free USD/mo, compared with $15 USD/mo for ActiveCampaign.
Which is easier to use for beginners?
GetResponse scores higher on ease of use (8.0/10), making it the friendlier choice if you're just getting started.
Can I try GetResponse and ActiveCampaign before paying?
GetResponse: Free plan. ActiveCampaign: 14 days. We recommend trialling your top pick before committing.
Does GetResponse or ActiveCampaign have a free plan?
GetResponse has a free plan, making it the lower-risk way to start. The other relies on a time-limited free trial rather than a permanent free tier.
Which is better value for money, GetResponse or ActiveCampaign?
ActiveCampaign scores higher on value in our review (8.2/10) — it gives you more for what you pay. Weigh that against the features you'll actually use.
Does GetResponse have a free plan?
Yes. GetResponse offers a free-forever plan for up to 500 contacts with 2,500 emails per month, one landing page, and basic features (emails carry a GetResponse badge). Paid plans start at $19/month.
Is ActiveCampaign just email?
No — it includes a capable sales CRM and automation, but it isn't a funnel/landing-page builder like GoHighLevel.
The bottom line
For most people weighing up GetResponse vs ActiveCampaign, GetResponse is the stronger all-round pick — best for growing businesses wanting email marketing plus automation, funnels & webinars in one tool, and backed by a 4.3/5 rating. Go with ActiveCampaign instead for businesses that need deep email automation and segmentation. Best of all you can start free with GetResponse and see if it fits before paying a cent.
→ See GetResponse alternatives→ Read the full GetResponse review