ActiveCampaign vs GetResponse
ActiveCampaign and GetResponse are both popular choices in the all-in-one marketing platform space. GetResponse has been around since 1998, giving it a 5-year head start over ActiveCampaign (founded 2003). ActiveCampaign starts at $15/mo billed annually, while GetResponse starts at $19/mo. Their pricing is not measured the same way, so we don't rank them on price. GetResponse offers a free plan (500 contacts, 2,500 emails/month), while ActiveCampaign does not. Both tools work well for ecommerce and agencies.
Quick Verdict
ActiveCampaign wins on rating, integrations.
GetResponse wins on deliverability, free tier.
It's a close call — your choice depends on your specific needs.
ActiveCampaign
Marketing automation that drives growth
ActiveCampaign is widely regarded as having the best marketing automation capabilities in the email marketing space. It combines email marketing with a built-in CRM, making it ideal for businesses that need sophisticated automation workflows and sales pipeline management.
GetResponse
All-in-one marketing platform
GetResponse is a full-featured marketing platform that goes beyond email marketing to include webinars, landing pages, sales funnels, and marketing automation. Founded in 1998, it's one of the most established players with a strong track record for deliverability.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | GetResponse |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Starting Price | $15/mo billed annually | $19/mo |
| Free Plan | No free plan | 500 contacts, 2,500 emails/month |
| Founded | 2003 | 1998 |
| Email Templates | 250 | 200 |
| Integrations | 900 | 170 |
| Deliverability Rate | 97.5% | 99% |
| Marketing Automation | Yes | Yes |
| A/B Testing | Yes | Yes |
| Landing Pages | Yes | Yes |
| Segmentation | Yes | Yes |
| Drag & Drop Editor | Yes | Yes |
| SMS Marketing | Yes | Yes |
| Ecommerce Features | Yes | Yes |
| API Access | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Language | Yes | Yes |
| Web Push Notifications | No | Yes |
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Analytics | Yes | Yes |
ActiveCampaign: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Industry-leading automation builder
- + Built-in CRM for sales teams
- + 900+ integrations (largest ecosystem)
- + Excellent deliverability
- + Powerful segmentation and contact scoring
Cons
- − No free plan available
- − Steep learning curve for beginners
- − Gets expensive with higher-tier features
- − Reporting could be more intuitive
- − Landing page builder is basic compared to dedicated tools
GetResponse: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + All-in-one platform with webinars, landing pages, and funnels
- + Excellent automation builder with visual workflows
- + Built-in webinar hosting
- + Strong deliverability (99%+)
- + Competitive pricing for feature set
Cons
- − Free plan limited to 500 subscribers
- − Interface can feel overwhelming for beginners
- − Webinar quality not comparable to dedicated platforms
- − Customer support response times vary
- − Some features locked behind higher tiers
The Verdict
ActiveCampaign edges ahead with a 4.5/5 rating compared to GetResponse's 4.3/5. The gap comes mainly from feature depth (4.7 vs 4.3) and support (4.7 vs 4.3). On deliverability, GetResponse reports 99% compared to 97.5% for ActiveCampaign — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | ActiveCampaign | GetResponse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $15/mo billed annually | $19/mo |
| Deliverability | 25% | 97.5% | 99% Winner |
| Rating | 25% | 4.5/5 Winner | 4.3/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 900 Winner | 170 |
| Free Tier | 10% | No | Yes Winner |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose ActiveCampaign if…
- + You're a b2b
- + You're a saas
- + Industry-leading automation builder
Choose GetResponse if…
- + You need a free plan to get started
- + You're a small businesses
- + You're a solopreneurs