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The Verdict
MailerLite wins for most small businesses due to its superior ease of use, better pricing, and excellent support.
GetResponse is better for businesses needing advanced features like webinars and SMS marketing. Before making your final decision, check my MailerLite Pricing and GetResponse Pricing pages for the latest plan details and features included per tier.
If neither feels like the perfect fit, explore MailerLite alternatives or GetResponse alternatives.
Choose MailerLite if
- +Small businesses prioritizing simplicity
- +Budget-conscious entrepreneurs
- +Users wanting excellent customer support
- +Teams needing easy drag-and-drop tools
Choose GetResponse if
- +Businesses needing webinar hosting
- +Companies wanting SMS marketing
- +Users requiring advanced automation
- +Teams needing comprehensive analytics
Pricing
Which one costs more?
Pricing structures differ significantly, with MailerLite offering simpler tiers and GetResponse providing more feature-packed plans. For the full plan-by-plan breakdown with annual discounts, see my MailerLite Pricing and GetResponse Pricing guides.
| Plan / Tier | MailerLite | GetResponse | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Not available | MailerLite offers 12,000 monthly emails for 500 subscribers |
| Entry Level | $10/mo | $19/mo | Basic email marketing with automation |
| Mid-Tier | $20/mo | $59/mo | Advanced features and unlimited automations |
| Advanced | Custom | $69/mo | GetResponse includes webinars and course creator |
Buddy's Take on Pricing
MailerLite offers significantly better value with lower prices across all tiers and a generous free plan. GetResponse costs nearly double for comparable features, though it includes more advanced tools like webinars that may justify the price for some businesses. Keep in mind that the cheapest plan is not always the best value.
Consider which features you actually need and how pricing changes as your subscriber list grows. My MailerLite Pricing and GetResponse Pricing pages have the complete tier-by-tier breakdowns.
Features
Capability comparison
Two mid-range email platforms that look similar on the surface but diverge on depth. GetResponse bundles webinars, conversion funnels, and a website builder into its plans. MailerLite strips back to core email features and does them cleanly. The question is whether those extras in GetResponse are tools you'll actually use or just line items inflating your bill.
| Capability | MailerLite | GetResponse |
|---|---|---|
| Email Editor | ★ | ● |
| Marketing Automation | ● | ★ |
| Landing Pages | ★ | ● |
| A/B Testing | ● | ★ |
| Webinar Hosting | ✗ | ✓ |
| SMS Marketing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Website Builder | ✓ | ✓ |
| E-commerce Integration | ● | ★ |
| Customer Support | ★ | ● |
| Ease of Use | ★ | ● |
MailerLite excels in user experience with its clean, intuitive interface that makes email marketing accessible to beginners. The platform includes essential features like drag-and-drop email design, automation workflows, and unlimited landing pages on paid plans. MailerLite also offers unique features like selling digital products and paid newsletter subscriptions with zero commission fees.
GetResponse provides a more comprehensive feature set including webinar hosting, SMS marketing, and advanced automation capabilities. The platform's AI-powered tools help optimize send times and generate content. However, this feature richness comes with increased complexity that may overwhelm smaller businesses. GetResponse's strength lies in its all-in-one approach for businesses needing diverse marketing channels beyond email.
Want to master email marketing fundamentals? My comprehensive email marketing guide covers deliverability, automation, and list-building strategies.
Who It's For
Who should choose which?
Choose MailerLite if you...
- +You're a small business or solopreneur
- +Budget is a primary concern
- +You want excellent customer support
- +Simplicity and ease of use matter most
- +You need to sell digital products
Choose GetResponse if you...
- +You need webinar hosting capabilities
- +SMS marketing is important to you
- +You require advanced automation workflows
- +You're running complex e-commerce campaigns
- +AI-powered optimization appeals to you
Final recommendation
The bottom line
For most small businesses and entrepreneurs, MailerLite is the clear winner. Its combination of affordability, ease of use, and excellent support makes it ideal for getting started with email marketing without overwhelming complexity. The platform covers all essential features while maintaining simplicity that lets you focus on creating great content rather than wrestling with complicated tools.
GetResponse makes sense for larger businesses or those specifically needing webinars, SMS marketing, or highly complex automation workflows. If you're running multi-product e-commerce campaigns or need an all-in-one marketing suite, the extra cost may be justified. However, most users will find MailerLite provides everything they need at a fraction of the price.
If neither MailerLite nor GetResponse feels like exactly what you need, browse my best email marketing software roundup for a wider look at the market.
I also have dedicated pages for MailerLite alternatives and GetResponse alternatives if you want to explore platforms that compete directly with either option.
For similar head-to-head matchups, check out beehiiv vs GetResponse, Campaign Monitor vs GetResponse, Kit vs GetResponse.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for most users. MailerLite offers better value, easier interface, and superior customer support at lower prices.
MailerLite is significantly cheaper, starting at $10/mo vs GetResponse's $19/mo, plus MailerLite offers a generous free plan.
Yes, you can export your contacts from GetResponse and import them into MailerLite, though some advanced automation may need rebuilding.
No, MailerLite doesn't offer webinar hosting. If webinars are essential, GetResponse is the better choice.
MailerLite is much easier for beginners with its intuitive interface and excellent support, while GetResponse can be overwhelming.
Yes, both have strong deliverability rates, though MailerLite users report fewer issues and better inbox placement.
More on these tools
Joonas Rotko
Author & founder of That Marketing Buddy
I score marketing software for AI-stack fit (MCP, API, agent-readiness), backed by 10+ years in digital marketing. This comparison is based on structured data from 60+ tools in the marketing software category.
This page may contain affiliate links. I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences the comparison.
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