Mailchimp vs GetResponse
Mailchimp and GetResponse are two of the email marketing tools people compare most — but they're built for different users. Mailchimp starts at $13 USD/mo and is best for beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns, while GetResponse has a free plan (paid from Free USD/mo) and suits growing businesses wanting email marketing plus automation, funnels & webinars in one tool.
The main trade-offs: GetResponse is cheaper to start, Mailchimp is easier to learn. They end up closely matched overall, so your best pick depends on which of those matters most to you.
Mailchimp
★★★★★★★★★★4.130,515+ reviews · G2 & CapterraThe most popular email tool, beginner-friendly with a free starter plan.
USD/mo
GetResponse
★★★★★★★★★★4.31,337+ reviews · G2 & CapterraA mature all-in-one platform for email marketing, automation, and funnels.
USD/mo
Mailchimp and GetResponse are closely matched — your best pick comes down to what you need most.
Key differences
- GetResponse is cheaper to start (Free USD/mo vs $13 USD/mo).
- GetResponse is notably stronger on features (9.0 vs 7.4).
Full comparison
The winning option in each row is highlighted in green.
| Criteria | Mailchimp | GetResponse |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | ★★★★★★★★★★4.1 | ★★★★★★★★★★4.3 |
| Starting price | $13 USD/mo | Free USD/mo |
| Free trial | 14 days | Free plan |
| Integrations | 300+ native integrations | 100+ native + Zapier |
| Affiliate commission | Varies (partner program) | 40-60% recurring for first 12 months (tiered, via PartnerStack) |
| Best for | Beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns | Growing businesses wanting email marketing plus automation, funnels & webinars in one tool |
| Ease of use | 8.8 | 8.0 |
| Value for money | 6.9 | 7.0 |
| Features | 7.4 | 9.0 |
| Support | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| CRM | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Email Marketing | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Funnel / Landing Builder | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Automation / Workflow | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| SMS Marketing | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Booking / Scheduling | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Membership / Courses | — No | ✓ Yes |
| 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).
Mailchimp
✅ Verified from the vendor's pricing page · checked June 2026. View official pricing →
GetResponse
✅ Verified from the vendor's pricing page · checked June 2026. View official pricing →
Pros & cons
Mailchimp
- Very easy to start, polished templates
- Free plan for small lists
- Recognized brand with broad integrations
- Gets expensive as your list grows
- Automation is weaker than ActiveCampaign
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
Which one should you pick?
Choose Mailchimp if…
Best for beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns. The friendliest on-ramp to email marketing. Great templates and a free tier, but value erodes as your list grows and advanced automation lags rivals.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mailchimp or GetResponse better?
They're closely matched. Mailchimp is best for beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns, while GetResponse suits growing businesses wanting email marketing plus automation, funnels & webinars in one tool.
Which is cheaper, Mailchimp or GetResponse?
GetResponse is cheaper to start at Free USD/mo, compared with $13 USD/mo for Mailchimp.
Which is easier to use for beginners?
Mailchimp scores higher on ease of use (8.8/10), making it the friendlier choice if you're just getting started.
Can I try Mailchimp and GetResponse before paying?
Mailchimp: 14 days. GetResponse: Free plan. We recommend trialling your top pick before committing.
Does Mailchimp or GetResponse 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, Mailchimp or GetResponse?
GetResponse scores higher on value in our review (7.0/10) — it gives you more for what you pay. Weigh that against the features you'll actually use.
Is Mailchimp still worth it in 2026?
For simple newsletters and beginners, yes. For advanced automation or large lists, cheaper and more powerful options exist.
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.
The bottom line
Mailchimp and GetResponse are genuinely close, so you won't go far wrong either way. Lean toward Mailchimp for beginners and small businesses sending simple campaigns, or GetResponse for growing businesses wanting email marketing plus automation, funnels & webinars in one tool. You can try it free with Mailchimp and start free with GetResponse, so shortlist both and test them before you commit.
→ See Mailchimp alternatives→ Read the full Mailchimp review