That Marketing Buddy

MailerLite vs GetResponse: a real free plan and cheaper entry prices, or a bigger annual discount?

Email marketing and CRM platforms · Verified · By Joonas Rotko

MailerLite logo

MailerLite

Desk research

From Comfort, billed annually

$10.80/mo

$12/mo billed monthly

GetResponse logo

GetResponse

Desk research

From Starter, billed annually

$15.58/mo

$19/mo billed monthly

Quick answer

MailerLite is the cheaper buy at two of the three list sizes I price. At 500 subscribers Comfort is $12/month billed monthly, while GetResponse Starter, its closest plan, is $19/month billed monthly, and at 5,000 subscribers MailerLite Comfort is $49/month billed monthly, while GetResponse Starter is $54/month billed monthly. For a 3-person team at 1,000 subscribers the monthly prices are level and GetResponse is cheaper on annual billing, because its yearly discount is bigger. MailerLite also has a permanent free plan up to 250 subscribers (GetResponse has only a 14-day trial) and real automation on its cheapest paid tier, where GetResponse Starter is capped at a single automation workflow.

Across the three setups below: MailerLite in 3 of 3 scenarios.

Which one fits you?

  1. Solo marketer or small business, a list just past the free tier

    MailerLite logo

    MailerLite

    My pick

    $10.80/mo billed annually

    At 500 subscribers MailerLite Comfort is $12/month billed monthly, or $10.80/month billed annually. GetResponse Starter is $19/month billed monthly, or $15.58/month billed annually. MailerLite is cheaper on both billing bases at this size, and it also includes more automation.

    Why this pick, and when to skip it

    Skip it if you expect to pay on annual billing for a larger team. The gap narrows there: GetResponse's yearly discount is bigger than MailerLite's.

    See MailerLite plans

  2. Growing list, sending regularly

    MailerLite logo

    MailerLite

    My pick

    $44.10/mo billed annually

    At 5,000 subscribers MailerLite Comfort is $49/month billed monthly, or $44.10/month billed annually. GetResponse Starter is $54/month billed monthly, or $44.28/month billed annually. MailerLite is cheaper on monthly billing, and the two are within cents of each other on annual billing.

    Why this pick, and when to skip it

    Skip it if you pay annually and the cents matter more than automation depth. GetResponse's annual rate is nearly level here, but GetResponse Starter is capped at a single automation workflow, and MailerLite Comfort includes 50 automations at this same list size.

    See MailerLite plans

  3. Small team managing one list together

    MailerLite logo

    MailerLite

    My pick

    $17.10/mo billed annually

    At 1,000 subscribers and 3 seats MailerLite Comfort is $19/month billed monthly, or $17.10/month billed annually. GetResponse Starter is $19/month billed monthly, or $15.58/month billed annually. Both include 3 seats, so neither needs an extra seat. Monthly billing is level, and GetResponse is cheaper on annual billing.

    Why this pick, and when to skip it

    Monthly billing costs the same, GetResponse is cheaper on annual billing, and MailerLite's Comfort includes 50 automations against GetResponse Starter's single workflow, so the pick goes to MailerLite.

    Skip it if you pay annually and your team uses one automation at most. GetResponse Starter is limited to one automation workflow, and unlimited automation only opens up on GetResponse's pricier Marketer plan at $59/month billed monthly.

    See MailerLite plans

Neither fits? See the alternatives, or take the 2-minute recommendation.

How are MailerLite and GetResponse really different?

  • Free plan or trial only

    MailerLite
    A real free plan, no time limit, up to 250 subscribers.
    GetResponse
    No free plan. A 14-day trial, no card required, then Starter begins at $19/month billed monthly.

    A list under 250 subscribers costs nothing on MailerLite indefinitely; on GetResponse every list pays from day one once the trial ends.

  • Entry paid price at a small list

    MailerLite
    Comfort: $12/month billed monthly, or $10.80/month billed annually, at the 500-subscriber entry band.
    GetResponse
    Starter: $19/month billed monthly, or $15.58/month billed annually, at the same entry band.

    MailerLite is cheaper at the smallest paid size on both billing bases, and it stays cheaper on monthly billing as the list grows to 5,000.

  • Automation depth on the entry paid tier

    MailerLite
    50 automations included on Comfort, with no flow-step cap stated for that tier's ceiling.
    GetResponse
    Capped at a single automation workflow on Starter; unlimited automation only opens up on Marketer ($59/month billed monthly) and Creator.

    GetResponse holds back real multi-step automation until its second tier; MailerLite includes substantially more automation on its cheapest paid plan, and it costs less per month too.

  • Annual billing

    MailerLite
    Comfort and Power both have an annual rate at every list size. Annual is $44.10/month billed annually at 5,000 subscribers.
    GetResponse
    Starter, Marketer and Creator all have an annual rate at every list size. Annual is $44.28/month billed annually at 5,000 subscribers.

    Both tools discount yearly billing, and GetResponse's discount is the bigger one. It closes the gap at 5,000 subscribers to cents, and puts GetResponse ahead for the 1,000-subscriber team.

  • Team seats on the entry paid tier

    MailerLite
    3 seats included on Comfort, rising to Unlimited on Power.
    GetResponse
    3 seats included on Starter, rising to 5 on Marketer.

    Both land on the same seat count for a small team's cheapest plan, but MailerLite removes the seat cap entirely on its next tier, while GetResponse's next tier still caps seats at a fixed number.

What will MailerLite or GetResponse cost for your setup?

The cheapest plan that covers each setup, add-ons included. Prices exclude VAT.

Solo marketer or small business, a list just past the free tier

500 subscribers · mailed 3 times a month (for tools priced by emails sent) · 1 user

ToolMonthlyYearly, per month

MailerLite

My pick
$12
$10.80

Comfort

Above 200,000 subscribers: nothing published fits.

GetResponse

$19
$15.58

Starter

Above 100,000 subscribers: nothing published fits.

See MailerLite plans
Usage, limits and billing

MailerLite

  • Uses 500 of 200,000 subscribers.
  • On monthly billing: $144 a year.
  • On annual billing: $129.60 a year.

GetResponse

  • Uses 500 of 100,000 subscribers.
  • On monthly billing: $228 a year.
  • On annual billing: $186.96 a year.

Growing list, sending regularly

5,000 subscribers · mailed 3 times a month (for tools priced by emails sent) · 1 user

ToolMonthlyYearly, per month

MailerLite

My pick
$49
$44.10

Comfort

Above 200,000 subscribers: nothing published fits.

GetResponse

$54
$44.28

Starter

Above 100,000 subscribers: nothing published fits.

See MailerLite plans
Usage, limits and billing

MailerLite

  • Uses 5,000 of 200,000 subscribers.
  • On monthly billing: $588 a year.
  • On annual billing: $529.20 a year.

GetResponse

  • Uses 5,000 of 100,000 subscribers.
  • On monthly billing: $648 a year.
  • On annual billing: $531.36 a year.

Small team managing one list together

1,000 subscribers · mailed 3 times a month (for tools priced by emails sent) · 3 users

ToolMonthlyYearly, per month

MailerLite

My pick
$19
$17.10

Comfort

Above 200,000 subscribers: nothing published fits.

GetResponse

$19
$15.58

Starter

Above 100,000 subscribers: nothing published fits.

See MailerLite plans
Usage, limits and billing

MailerLite

  • Uses 1,000 of 200,000 subscribers.
  • On monthly billing: $228 a year.
  • On annual billing: $205.20 a year.

GetResponse

  • Uses 1,000 of 100,000 subscribers.
  • On monthly billing: $228 a year.
  • On annual billing: $186.96 a year.
How I calculated this

For each tool I price every current plan plus the add-ons a setup needs, from the vendor's published prices only, and take the cheapest. Monthly and annual billing are priced separately. When a limit or price isn't published, the tool shows as not fitting instead of a guess.

  • Solo marketer or small business, a list just past the free tier: A list of about 500 contacts, just past the free tiers most vendors offer. One login. Tools priced by emails sent are costed at three mailings per subscriber a month.
  • Growing list, sending regularly: A list of 5,000 contacts, sending regularly. One login. Tools priced by emails sent are costed at three mailings per subscriber a month.
  • Small team managing one list together: Three people logging in to the same 1,000-contact list. Seats, not list size, are the deciding limit. Tools priced by emails sent are costed at three mailings per subscriber a month.

MailerLite vs GetResponse side by side

I compare email/CRM platforms on: Real cost per list size, both billing bases; Free-tier contact ceiling before you must pay anything; Team seats included, and the seat price past that; List segmentation depth; Automation workflow depth and any step/action limits; Deliverability and sending limits (emails per month, per day, or per rolling window); CRM and ecommerce integration depth; What happens past your plan's contact ceiling (overage pricing vs a forced upgrade).

MailerLite and GetResponse compared on the main buying criteria
Free plan or trialFree, no time limit, up to 250 subscribers.None; 14-day trial, no card required.
Entry paid price, both billing basesComfort: $12/month billed monthly, $10.80/month billed annually.Starter: $19/month billed monthly, $15.58/month billed annually.
Team seats included2 on Free, 3 on Comfort, Unlimited on Power.3 on Starter, 5 on Marketer, 5 on Creator.
Automation depth by tier3 on Free, 50 on Comfort, unlimited on Power.Capped at a single workflow on Starter; unlimited on Marketer and Creator.
Price steps with list sizeComfort rises in steps as the list grows, with a monthly and an annual price at each size.Starter rises in steps as the list grows, up to 100,000 contacts, with a monthly and an annual price at each size.
All details, including automation and AI workflows
All compared details for MailerLite and GetResponse
Annual billing at 5,000 subscribers$44.10/month billed annually.$44.28/month billed annually.
Trial terms14 days, no credit card required, reverts to the permanent free plan afterward.14 days, no credit card required.
Refund / money-back termsA discretionary 30-day window to request a refund, not a guaranteed money-back policy.Not published: GetResponse's pricing page doesn't publish a refund or money-back window.
Full price ladderFree (up to 250 subscribers). Comfort: $12/month billed monthly, or $10.80/month billed annually, rising in steps as the list grows. Power: $25/month billed monthly, or $22.50/month billed annually, with the same list-size steps. Enterprise: custom, gated to 200,000+ subscribers.Starter: $19/month billed monthly, or $15.58/month billed annually. Marketer: $59/month billed monthly, or $48.38/month billed annually. Creator: $69/month billed monthly, or $56.58/month billed annually. Enterprise: custom, no fixed subscriber ceiling.
How pricing scalesBy subscriber count, with a published monthly and annual price at each list size.By subscriber count, with a published monthly and annual price at each list size.
Automation depth by tier, in full3 automations on Free (5 steps each, per MailerLite's full comparison table), 50 on Comfort (100 steps each), unlimited on Power with multiple triggers per automation.One automation workflow on Starter. Unlimited automations on Marketer and Creator, with no separate step-count limit stated.
Enterprise / custom tierGated to accounts with 200,000+ subscribers; requires contacting sales, no public price.Custom list sizes and unlimited seats; requires contacting sales, no public price.
Extra-seat pricing past what's includedNot published. Seats are a fixed count per tier (2 Free, 3 Comfort, unlimited Power/Enterprise), not sold as an incremental add-on.Not published for GetResponse; seat counts are fixed per tier (3 Starter, 5 Marketer, 5 Creator, unlimited Enterprise).
Support channelsNot broken out by tier for MailerLite.Not broken out by tier for GetResponse.

Who should pick MailerLite, and who should pick GetResponse?

MailerLite logo

MailerLite

Desk research
  • Best for solo marketers and small businesses
  • Best for growing lists sending regularly
  • Best for small teams sharing one account

MailerLite prices by subscriber count, not by locking features behind tiers, so a $12/month billed monthly plan gets the same automation builder and landing pages as the top tier, just fewer of each. The free plan is a real permanent plan, not a trial, capped at 250 subscribers.

Best for: A small business or solo marketer who wants full features at a low subscriber count and doesn't want to pay for a bigger list than they have yet.

Strengths

  • A genuine free plan at 250 subscribers, not a time-limited trial.
  • A 14-day trial of paid features with no card required.
  • Automation and landing pages scale by count, not by locking the builder away from cheaper tiers.

Limits

  • Removing the MailerLite logo needs Comfort or above.
  • API and MCP access on Free is limited and can't send.
  • Refunds are discretionary, not a guaranteed money-back window; MailerLite's terms only commit to a refund if it cancels your service on you first.

Skip it if you need white label or logo removal on the free plan, or unrestricted API sending without upgrading past Free.

MailerLite reviewMailerLite pricingMailerLite alternatives

GetResponse logo

GetResponse

Desk research

GetResponse is a list-size-priced email platform. Plans start at $19/month billed monthly on the entry Starter tier at its smallest list size, and cost rises as the list grows. Starter, Marketer and Creator add more automation and team seats, and a 14-day trial needs no credit card. It suits anyone willing to pay for scale, but skip it if you need a free plan first.

Best for: Email marketers who outgrow free tiers and want automations and team seats on a pay-as-you-grow model. Starter includes 3 seats, and Marketer and Creator include 5.

Strengths

  • 14-day trial with no credit card required, so you can try it before committing.
  • Marketer and Creator include unlimited automations, where Starter allows a single automation workflow.
  • 3 team seats on Starter, 5 on Marketer and 5 on Creator, unlimited on Enterprise.

Limits

  • No free plan; every tier is paid. The 14-day trial is the only free access.
  • Pricing scales with list size, from $19/month billed monthly at the smallest list size. Subscriber-count tiered. Prices are published at 1,000, 2,500, 5,000, 10,000, 25,000, 50,000 and 100,000 contacts; the slider's last step, "100,000+", shows the 100,000 price.
  • Starter allows a single automation workflow, so businesses running several automations move up to Marketer.

Skip it if you want a true free plan to test before paying, or you prefer flat-rate pricing over subscriber-count scaling.

GetResponse reviewGetResponse pricingGetResponse alternatives

My pick: MailerLite in 3 of 3 scenarios.

See MailerLite plansSee GetResponse plans

Neither MailerLite nor GetResponse? Try these

  • Mailchimp logo

    Mailchimp

    From $27/mo billed monthly

    Pick it if brand recognition and a wide integration library matter more than price. Both MailerLite and GetResponse are cheaper at the list sizes I compare.

    Mailchimp reviewMailchimp alternatives

  • Brevo logo

    Brevo

    From $8.08/mo billed annually

    Pick it if you want SMS and transactional email bundled with marketing email under one account, rather than as a bolt-on to either MailerLite or GetResponse.

    Brevo reviewBrevo alternatives

  • ActiveCampaign logo

    ActiveCampaign

    From $15/mo billed annually

    Pick it if you want deeper CRM and sales-pipeline automation than either MailerLite or GetResponse offers on their entry tiers.

    ActiveCampaign reviewActiveCampaign alternatives

Switching between MailerLite and GetResponse

Neither vendor documents a specific migration tool, import fee, or list-transfer guarantee for this switch, so this stays qualitative: expect to re-import your subscriber list and rebuild automations by hand in either direction, since no free concierge migration is documented for MailerLite or GetResponse. MailerLite's 14-day trial needs no card and drops you back to the permanent free plan afterward, so testing a rebuild there carries no billing risk. GetResponse's 14-day trial also needs no card, but GetResponse has no free plan to fall back to once it ends.

What would change my pick?

  • GetResponse publishing a refund or money-back window would close the one row where MailerLite has the more documented policy, weak as that policy is.
  • A GetResponse Starter plan with more than one automation workflow would remove MailerLite's main non-price advantage.
  • GetResponse widening its annual discount further, or MailerLite narrowing its own, would move the annual-billing scenarios toward GetResponse. The scenario picks recalculate when a vendor changes a price.

MailerLite vs GetResponse: questions people ask

Is MailerLite free?

Yes, up to 250 subscribers, permanently. Past that, Comfort starts at $12/month billed monthly.

Is GetResponse free?

No. GetResponse has no free-forever plan, only a 14-day trial that needs no credit card. After the trial, Starter begins at $19/month billed monthly.

Which is cheaper, MailerLite or GetResponse, for a small list?

MailerLite at 500 subscribers: Comfort is $12/month billed monthly, or $10.80/month billed annually, against $19/month billed monthly, or $15.58/month billed annually, for GetResponse Starter. MailerLite is also cheaper at 5,000 subscribers on monthly billing.

Does either plan include real automation on its cheapest paid tier?

MailerLite does: Comfort includes 50 automations. GetResponse's Starter plan is capped at a single automation workflow; unlimited automation only opens up on Marketer ($59/month billed monthly).

Which has more team seats on its cheapest paid plan?

They match. MailerLite's Comfort and GetResponse's Starter both include exactly 3 seats. MailerLite pulls ahead on its next tier though, where Power drops the seat cap entirely; GetResponse's Marketer tier still caps seats at 5.

What will this cost a 3-person team on a 1,000-subscriber list?

Monthly billing is level: MailerLite Comfort is $19/month billed monthly and GetResponse Starter is $19/month billed monthly. On annual billing GetResponse Starter is cheaper at $15.58/month billed annually, against $17.10/month billed annually for MailerLite Comfort, for the same list size and 3 seats.

What does annual billing cost at 5,000 subscribers?

MailerLite Comfort is $44.10/month billed annually and GetResponse Starter is $44.28/month billed annually, so the two are within cents of each other, with MailerLite slightly ahead. On monthly billing MailerLite is cheaper by a clearer margin.

How I verified this

Every price and limit here comes from the vendors' own pages, last checked . MailerLite: desk research. GetResponse: desk research.

Sources and changelog

28 facts from 6 source pages, oldest checked 30 Sep 2026.

  • : GetResponse prices re-read in US dollars (an earlier pass had used the euro figures). GetResponse Starter now costs more than MailerLite Comfort at 500 and 5,000 subscribers, so MailerLite takes the first two scenarios and the overall pick; the 1,000-subscriber team scenario is level on monthly billing and goes to MailerLite on automation depth.
  • : New page. MailerLite is the cheaper pick at 500 subscribers on both billing bases. GetResponse is the cheaper pick at 5,000 subscribers and for a 3-person team at 1,000 subscribers, and it is the overall pick on price. MailerLite stays the better fit if you want a permanent free plan or real automation on the entry paid tier.
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