Buttondown vs GetResponse
Buttondown is a newsletter platform while GetResponse is a all-in-one marketing platform. GetResponse has been around since 1998, giving it a 19-year head start over Buttondown (founded 2017). Buttondown is the more affordable option at $9/mo — that's $10 less than GetResponse's $19/mo entry point. Buttondown offers a free plan (100 subscribers), while GetResponse does not. GetResponse has the edge with A/B testing, SMS marketing, a drag-and-drop editor.
Quick Verdict
Buttondown wins on price, rating, free tier.
GetResponse wins on deliverability, integrations.
Best for most users: Buttondown (developers).
Buttondown
The easiest way to start and grow your newsletter
Buttondown is a minimalist newsletter platform beloved by developers and writers who prefer Markdown over drag-and-drop editors. It focuses on writing quality and simplicity, with excellent API support for custom integrations and automations.
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 | Buttondown | GetResponse |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Starting Price | $9/mo | $19/mo |
| Free Plan | 100 subscribers | No free plan |
| Founded | 2017 | 1998 |
| Email Templates | 5 | 200 |
| Integrations | 30 | 170 |
| Deliverability Rate | 98% | 99% |
| Marketing Automation | ✓ | ✓ |
| A/B Testing | ✕ | ✓ |
| Landing Pages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segmentation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drag & Drop Editor | ✕ | ✓ |
| SMS Marketing | ✕ | ✓ |
| Ecommerce Features | ✓ | ✓ |
| API Access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-Language | ✕ | ✓ |
| Web Push Notifications | ✕ | ✓ |
| Live Chat | ✕ | ✓ |
| Advanced Analytics | ✓ | ✓ |
Buttondown: Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Markdown-first writing experience
- +Excellent API for developers
- +Clean, minimal interface
- +Paid subscription support
- +Custom domain on free plan
Cons
- −No visual email editor
- −Minimal templates
- −No A/B testing
- −Small free plan (100 subscribers)
- −Limited integrations
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
Buttondown and GetResponse are closely matched — both score within 0.1 points of each other in our overall rating. Your decision should come down to specific needs rather than overall quality. On deliverability, GetResponse reports 99% compared to 98% for Buttondown — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | Buttondown | GetResponse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $9/mo | $19/mo |
| Deliverability | 25% | 98% | 99% |
| Rating | 25% | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 30 | 170 |
| Free Tier | 10% | Yes | No |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose Buttondown if…
- + You want lower starting costs ($9/mo)
- + You need a free plan to get started
- + You're a developers
- + You're a writers
Choose GetResponse if…
- + You need SMS marketing
- + You need A/B testing
- + You're a small businesses
- + You're a ecommerce