GetResponse vs Ghost
GetResponse is a all-in-one marketing platform while Ghost is a newsletter platform. GetResponse has been around since 1998, giving it a 15-year head start over Ghost (founded 2013). Ghost is the more affordable option at $18/mo, which is $1 less than GetResponse's $19/mo entry point. Both offer free plans to get started. GetResponse has the edge with marketing automation, A/B testing, landing pages.
Quick Verdict
GetResponse wins on deliverability, rating.
Ghost wins on price, integrations.
Best for most users: GetResponse (small businesses).
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.
Ghost
Open-source publishing platform with built-in newsletters and memberships
Ghost is an independent, open-source publishing platform built for professional content creators who want full control over their audience and revenue. It combines a beautiful writing editor, built-in newsletters via Mailgun, and native membership/subscription billing with zero platform fees. Available as a free self-hosted solution or as managed Ghost(Pro) hosting starting at $18/month.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | GetResponse | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Starting Price | $19/mo | $18/mo |
| Free Plan | 500 contacts, 2,500 emails/month | Self-hosted open-source version is completely free; no free tier on Ghost(Pro) |
| Founded | 1998 | 2013 |
| Email Templates | 200 | 50 |
| Integrations | 170 | 1,000 |
| Deliverability Rate | 99% | 95% |
| Marketing Automation | Yes | No |
| A/B Testing | Yes | No |
| Landing Pages | Yes | No |
| Segmentation | Yes | Yes |
| Drag & Drop Editor | Yes | No |
| SMS Marketing | Yes | No |
| Ecommerce Features | Yes | Yes |
| API Access | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Language | Yes | Yes |
| Web Push Notifications | Yes | No |
| Live Chat | Yes | No |
| Advanced Analytics | Yes | Yes |
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
Ghost: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Completely open-source with self-hosting option at zero cost
- + Built-in membership and paid subscription system with 0% platform fees on revenue
- + Distraction-free professional editor optimized for long-form writing
- + Significantly faster page load times compared to WordPress, boosting SEO and reader engagement
- + Native newsletter delivery integrated directly into the publishing workflow
Cons
- − Newsletter emails are limited to Mailgun as the sending provider, which is no longer free
- − No plugin ecosystem or marketplace unlike WordPress — limited extensibility
- − Analytics are basic and only show the last 90 days on the dashboard
- − No drag-and-drop email builder or A/B testing for email campaigns
- − Starter plan limited to only 1 staff user and 1 newsletter with no paid subscription support
The Verdict
GetResponse edges ahead with a 4.3/5 rating compared to Ghost's 4.1/5. The gap comes mainly from ease of use (4.3 vs 3.9) and support (4.3 vs 3.9). On deliverability, GetResponse reports 99% compared to 95% for Ghost — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | GetResponse | Ghost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $19/mo | $18/mo Winner |
| Deliverability | 25% | 99% Winner | 95% |
| Rating | 25% | 4.3/5 Winner | 4.1/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 170 | 1000 Winner |
| Free Tier | 10% | Yes | Yes |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose GetResponse if…
- + You need SMS marketing
- + You need marketing automation
- + You need built-in landing pages
- + You need A/B testing
Choose Ghost if…
- + You want lower starting costs ($18/mo)
- + You're a independent publishers and bloggers
- + You're a newsletter creators who want zero platform fees