ActiveCampaign vs GetResponse

Choosing between ActiveCampaign and GetResponse is a powerhouse decision. Both offer incredible email marketing and powerful automation capabilities. ActiveCampaign excels at deep, complex autonomous workflows and integrations. GetResponse provides unmatched support and limitless creation potential at a lower cost.

ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign

Powerful Automation, but Expect Price Hikes.

Ciroapp review
3.8
#8 in Email marketing

We recognize ActiveCampaign as a top-tier autonomous marketing platform offering complex, unlimited automation actions and deep integration capabilities across its 1,000+ partners. However, we must address the widespread user concerns regarding unpredictable price hikes, slow web interface performance, and challenging support accessibility. Overall, if reliable performance and consistent pricing are prioritized, users should proceed with caution despite the powerful feature set.

Pros

  • Powerful, user-friendly email automation and campaign scheduling tools.
  • Active Intelligence uses AI agents to guide campaign strategy and execution.
  • Extensive ecosystem with 1,000+ available app integrations.
  • Full paid plans include dedicated onboarding coaching and free list migration.

Cons

  • Recurring reports of slow, buggy web interface performance and unreliability.
  • Significant and frequent price increases concern long-term customers.
  • Customer support is difficult to reach, often lacking professional human assistance or phone options.
  • Users report unauthorized or 'quiet' billing issues and difficulty cancelling.
Pricing
$145/mo
Free trialYes
Money-back
Best for
Businesses requiring advanced, complex automation with deep segmentation., Organizations needing seamless integration with over 1,000 niche third-party apps., Teams demanding true cross-channel marketing using SMS and WhatsApp early in their growth.
GetResponse
GetResponse

Exceptional support meets scalable marketing automations.

Ciroapp review
4.6
#2 in Email marketing

We found GetResponse to be an exceptionally powerful and affordable platform offering limitless features like autoresponders, automation workflows, and newsletters, designed specifically for scaling businesses. Customer support is consistently praised as immediate and highly knowledgeable, mitigating the platform’s initial navigation complexity. Overall, GetResponse provides superior value, high deliverability, and proactive guidance through its industry-leading onboarding calls.

Pros

  • Industry-leading 24/7 customer support (fast, professional, and real people).
  • Personalized onboarding calls offer detailed, tailored guidance.
  • Reliable email deliverability rate (reported 99%).
  • Supports unlimited newsletters, landing pages, and automations.

Cons

  • Strict no-refund policy for annual subscriptions.
  • Navigation can be confusing for new users starting out.
  • Landing page editor interface is perceived as needing a modernization update.
  • Pricing scales significantly based on contact list size.
Pricing
$19/mo
Free trial30 days
Money-back
Best for
Small to mid-sized businesses focused on budget efficiency and clear, predictable pricing., E-commerce businesses needing reliable abandoned cart recovery and pre-built sales funnels., Content creators and educators monetizing expertise via webinars and online courses.
Quick verdict
Choose ActiveCampaign if you require sophisticated cross-channel automation using SMS, WhatsApp, and need seamless integration with a complex tech stack of 1,000+ apps.
Choose GetResponse if you need reliable 24/7 customer support and want truly unlimited newsletters, landing pages, and automation flows without worrying about sending limits or hidden caps.

AboutActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign is the #1 Autonomous Marketing Platform designed for growth. It moves beyond simple automation; it figures out your next best move and then executes it for you.

This platform uses Active Intelligence to put AI agents to work. These agents amplify your team's output on content creation, execution, and performance analysis ✨. It’s for everyone, from solo entrepreneurs to growing agencies and mid-market companies, helping businesses in over 170 countries scale smarter and faster.

AboutGetResponse

GetResponse is a scalable email marketing and automation platform designed for entrepreneurs, ecommerce stores, and Global Brands. It helps you manage and automate channels you own, like email, your website, landing pages, and SMS. You can use powerful, smart AI tools to personalize campaigns and launch products faster. It's trusted by over 350,000 customers worldwide. 💡

Highlights

Quick winners by category at a glance.
Ease of Use
GetResponse mitigates complexity with highly rated 24/7 human support. ActiveCampaign’s powerful engine can be confusing initially.
Feature Set
ActiveCampaign offers more sophisticated automation depth. GetResponse includes unique creator tools like course builders and webinars.
Tie
Value for Money
GetResponse provides unlimited crucial features and more affordable, transparent scaling. ActiveCampaign forces strict sending limits.
Customer Support
GetResponse offers proactive 24/7 live chat and excellent onboarding calls. ActiveCampaign support is inconsistent and tiered.
Integration Options
ActiveCampaign integrates with over 1,000 apps, offering superior connectivity compared to GetResponse's 150+ options.
Scalability
GetResponse features are limitless (sends, automations) and its pricing is clearly stated as you grow. ActiveCampaign is opaque.

Feature Comparison

Compare key features side by side
Marketing Automation Workflows
ActiveCampaign:Unlimited (Plus plan +)
GetResponse:Unlimited (Marketer plan +)
Tie
Unlimited Newsletters/Sends
ActiveCampaign:Limited (10x-15x contact limit)
GetResponse:True
GetResponse
Total Integrations Available
ActiveCampaign:1,000+
GetResponse:150+
GetResponse
AI Generative Content
ActiveCampaign:True (Pro plan +)
GetResponse:True (Starter plan +)
Tie
Built-in Course Creator
ActiveCampaign:No
GetResponse:True (Creator plan +)
GetResponse
Built-in Webinar Hosting
ActiveCampaign:No
GetResponse:True (Creator plan +)
GetResponse
Users Included (Lowest Paid Plan)
ActiveCampaign:1 user
GetResponse:3 users
GetResponse
Free Plan Available
ActiveCampaign:False
GetResponse:True
GetResponse
Free Trial Duration
ActiveCampaign:Yes (duration not stated)
GetResponse:30 Days
GetResponse
Lowest Annual Price (1K list)
ActiveCampaign:Not explicitly stated
GetResponse:$15.58/month
GetResponse
Comprehensive Free Migration
ActiveCampaign:True (Lists, templates, automations)
GetResponse:Partial (Assisted IP warmup on Enterprise)
Tie
Customer Support Level
ActiveCampaign:Tiered Email & Chat (Basic - Priority)
GetResponse:24/7 Live Chat (All paid plans)
Tie
Cross-Channel SMS/Whatsapp
ActiveCampaign:True (Add-ons available)
GetResponse:True (Enterprise plan only)
Tie
Automation Actions (Starter limit)
ActiveCampaign:5 actions limit
GetResponse:1 custom workflow limit
ActiveCampaign
Landing Pages Available
ActiveCampaign:Included
GetResponse:Unlimited (Paid plans)
GetResponse
Abandoned Cart Recovery
ActiveCampaign:No (Not explicitly listed)
GetResponse:True (Marketer plan +)
GetResponse
Single Sign-On (SSO)
ActiveCampaign:True (Enterprise)
GetResponse:True (Enterprise)
Tie
Personalized Onboarding Coach
ActiveCampaign:Individual Coaching/Strategy
GetResponse:Onboarding Calls Available
Tie
Feature Comparison Summary
1
ActiveCampaign
7
Ties
10
GetResponse

Features Overview

We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.

Core Automation Engine

ActiveCampaign offers deeper complexity for advanced journeys. GetResponse grants unlimited workflows much earlier.

ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign features an incredibly powerful and nuanced automation engine. The Plus plan unlocks full, unlimited automation actions for complex sequences. However, the Starter plan is severely limited to only five actions per sequence. GetResponse provides unlimited marketing automation starting with their Marketer plan tier. Users can build high-volume flows without worrying about hitting usage caps. Even the Starter plan includes one dedicated custom workflow. The main difference is raw depth versus accessibility and volume. ActiveCampaign is better if you require intricate, branching conditional logic. GetResponse excels at reliable, limitless execution for repeatable campaigns. For teams designing sophisticated, multi-stage customer paths, ActiveCampaign offers the most granular control. GetResponse gives unlimited freedom for high-frequency senders.

24/7 Expert Support

GetResponse offers wildly superior 24/7 live chat support. ActiveCampaign relies on tiered email/chat access.

GetResponse

ActiveCampaign's support system is tiered by your plan level, ranging from Basic to Priority. Users frequently complain about support inconsistency and no dedicated phone access. Immediate help is often a pain point for ActiveCampaign customers. GetResponse provides 24/7 unlimited assistance via live chat on all paid plans. Their Customer Success Team is highly rated (5-stars) by many reviewer services. GetResponse also offers beneficial personalized onboarding calls for smooth setup. For immediate, human-led technical help, GetResponse is the undisputed favorite in this comparison. ActiveCampaign needs to significantly improve its immediate support accessibility. GetResponse's reliable hands-on help mitigates any learning curve issues for new users effectively.

Pricing Transparency

GetResponse clearly lists predictable contact-based pricing. ActiveCampaign is opaque and hides most tier costs upfront.

GetResponse

ActiveCampaign provides very little public pricing information for its Starter, Plus, and Pro tiers. They only explicitly list the Enterprise annual price. This makes budget planning nearly impossible for growing businesses. GetResponse clearly states its contact-based pricing for all tiers, starting at $15.58 monthly for a 1k list. Pricing scales predictably as your contact list size increases. ActiveCampaign users frequently report steep and often aggressive price hikes over time. GetResponse commits to affordable scaling without surprise add-on costs for core features. For clear financial planning and stable expectations, choosing GetResponse eliminates a major source of customer friction.

Integration Ecosystem

ActiveCampaign offers significantly more integration connections. GetResponse has fewer options but strong e-commerce focus.

ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign boasts integration capabilities with an impressive ecosystem of over 1,000 applications. This massive library ensures flexibility with almost any existing tech stack. Premium CRM integrations like Salesforce are available on higher tiers. GetResponse connects with over 150 third-party tools for necessary data sync and flow. They highlight 30+ dedicated connections specifically for various e-commerce platforms like Shopify. ActiveCampaign’s vast library makes it suitable for businesses with highly niche or specialized software needs. GetResponse offers sufficient connectivity for most standard setups. If your automation relies on integrating many disparate services, ActiveCampaign provides superior native support and reliable API connections.

Creative & Creator Tools

GetResponse is built for educators and content monetization. ActiveCampaign focuses purely on commerce execution.

GetResponse

ActiveCampaign focuses intensely on pure marketing execution, segmentation, and CRM capabilities. Its primary tools are email, forms, and deep sequence creation. It requires external tools for education-based features. GetResponse's Creator plan includes powerful features for monetizing expertise easily. This covers an integrated AI course creator for up to 500 students. It also has features for hosting and promoting webinars. GetResponse bundles these necessary monetization tools directly within its platform. ActiveCampaign needs users to integrate complicated third-party membership services. If you plan to sell digital products or host regular online seminars, GetResponse offers a streamlined, all-in-one approach.

Scaling & Sending Limits

GetResponse offers essential unlimited sending limits. ActiveCampaign actively restricts monthly email volume.

GetResponse

ActiveCampaign actively enforces email sending limits based on your list cohort size. This limits range from 10x to 15x your active contacts monthly. High-volume users can quickly hit this cap. GetResponse offers truly limitless creation across all paid tiers. You can send unlimited newsletters and email correspondence. This prevents unexpected charges when scaling up volume. Hitting the email send cap is a real operational risk when using ActiveCampaign for transactional emails. GetResponse offers total freedom for frequent campaigns. If you need to send daily product updates or high-frequency newsletters, GetResponse’s limitless model provides better peace of mind.

Onboarding Assistance

ActiveCampaign offers free migration services for old assets. GetResponse focuses on immediate onboarding calls for setup speed.

ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign offers a personal onboarding coach and free 1:1 coaching on paid plans. They also include free migration of lists, templates, and automations. This minimizes setup friction when switching platforms. GetResponse offers detailed, personalized live onboarding calls upon request to accelerate setup. Enterprise users get specialized assisted IP warmup services. The 24/7 chat also serves as constant onboarding help. Both tools offer excellent human support to tackle the steep learning curve required for robust automation. This ensures new teams get value quickly. ActiveCampaign's promise to fully migrate your existing complex automations sets it ahead for enterprise-level or high-complexity moves.

Our Verdict

Objective guidance based on features, pricing, and user fit.

ActiveCampaign and GetResponse are potent automation platforms. It’s truly difficult to choose between these two powerhouses for email marketing. ActiveCampaign is engineered for complex, fully autonomous workflows. GetResponse focuses on being an affordable, reliable all-in-one solution built for support. ActiveCampaign is the undisputed king of deep automation and integration flexibility. Its powerful engine supports the most intricate, complex customer journeys you can design. ActiveCampaign offers necessary cross-channel capabilities using WhatsApp and SMS messaging easily. You also gain a massive library of 1,000+ app integrations. GetResponse is the clear champion of budget, volume, and customer care. You get truly unlimited landing pages, unlimited newsletters, and unlimited automation workflows. Users consistently rave about GetResponse's 24/7 human-led customer support team. It also includes proprietary creator tools like the AI course builder. The deciding factor should be your reliance on support versus workflow complexity. If your strategies demand intricate logic and specific, niche app integration, choose ActiveCampaign. If you prioritize budget stability and never want to worry about poor support or sending limits, GetResponse is your answer. GetResponse offers better overall scaling value for most growing teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for small teams: ActiveCampaign or GetResponse?

GetResponse is better for small teams focused on budget and collaboration. GetResponse includes more users (3 on Starter) and offers a free plan. ActiveCampaign’s Starter and Plus plans only include one user license.

Does ActiveCampaign offer unlimited email sends like GetResponse?

No, ActiveCampaign actively enforces email sending limits based on your contact list size. GetResponse offers proven, truly limitless creation for automation workflows and newsletters across all paid tiers.

Is GetResponse worth the cost hike over ActiveCampaign Starter?

Yes, GetResponse provides far superior value in its lower tiers. ActiveCampaign's Starter plan is heavily limited to only five actions per automation sequence. GetResponse offers advanced features and freedom much earlier.

How does ActiveCampaign's automation engine compare to GetResponse's?

ActiveCampaign offers more sophisticated triggers and deeper complexity for true autonomous workflows. GetResponse provides easy, unlimited visual automation but focuses on consistency and high volume capabilities.

Which tool has better customer support: ActiveCampaign or GetResponse?

GetResponse wins with fast, 24/7 human-led live chat support for all paid plans. ActiveCampaign support is tiered and lacks immediate access at essential lower levels.

Can I sell online courses directly through ActiveCampaign?

No, ActiveCampaign does not have native course creation or webinar tools. GetResponse offers a dedicated Creator plan with an AI course builder and integrated webinar hosting functions.

Ready to Choose?

Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.