ActiveCampaign vs GetResponse: which fits your business in 2026?
Automation depth against all-in-one breadth - two different bets on what your business needs next.
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At a glance
| ActiveCampaign | GetResponse | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.2/5 | 4.17/5 |
| Starting price | $15/mo | $19/mo |
| Pricing basis | per month, 1,000 contacts, billed annually | per month, 1,000 contacts, billed annually |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Trial | 14 days | 30 days |
| Integrations | 900+ | 170+ |
| Best for | Small businesses that need deep automation workflows and sales follow-up in one tool | Creators and small businesses that want email plus webinars and funnels in one subscription |
| Try ActiveCampaign → | Try GetResponse → |
Winner by use case
- Tightest budget: ActiveCampaign — entry plan is $4/mo cheaper ($48/year at entry tier).
- Fastest to learn: GetResponse (4.1/5 ease of use).
- Most capability: ActiveCampaign (4.7/5 feature depth).
- Best value overall: GetResponse (4.2/5 value score).
Feature matrix
| ActiveCampaign | GetResponse | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✕ | ✓ |
| Trial days | 14 | 30 |
| AI features | 4 | 4 |
| Integrations | 900+ | 170+ |
| Ease of use | 3.8/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Feature depth | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Value for money | 4.1/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Support | 4.2/5 | 4.0/5 |
What would YOU pay?
Entry-tier estimate; full version in the cost calculator.
Pricing, side by side
ActiveCampaign
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Starter | $15/mo |
| Plus | $49/mo |
| Pro | $79/mo |
Verified 2026-06-12
GetResponse
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Starter | $19/mo |
| Marketer | $59/mo |
| Creator | $69/mo |
Verified 2026-06-12
Strengths and weaknesses
ActiveCampaign
- Best-in-class automation depth for the price
- CRM included - no separate sales tool needed
- Excellent deliverability track record
- 900+ integrations
- Learning curve steeper than simple newsletter tools
- No free plan
- Price climbs fast as contact list grows
- Reporting UI feels dated
GetResponse
- Webinars included - rare at this price
- True free plan available
- All-in-one reduces tool sprawl
- Strong multilingual support
- Automation only on mid tier and up
- Interface can feel busy
- Deliverability reports mixed in some niches
- Funnel builder less polished than dedicated tools
Our verdict
These two solve different problems that happen to share an inbox.
ActiveCampaign is the deeper automation engine. Its workflow builder handles branching logic, lead scoring and CRM handoff that GetResponse's automation (only available from the Marketer plan up) doesn't match. If your revenue depends on sophisticated follow-up sequences, this is the stronger machine.
GetResponse's pitch is breadth: webinars, conversion funnels and a course builder included. For a coach or creator, that genuinely replaces two or three other subscriptions — running a monthly webinar alone justifies the Creator plan against paying for a separate webinar tool.
Choose ActiveCampaign if automation and sales follow-up drive your revenue. Choose GetResponse if you sell knowledge — courses, webinars, communities — and want the whole funnel under one roof.
FAQ
Is ActiveCampaign cheaper than GetResponse?
Yes. ActiveCampaign starts at $15/mo versus $19/mo for GetResponse (per month, 1,000 contacts, billed annually). Over a year that is a $48 difference at entry tier.
Does ActiveCampaign have a free plan?
No. ActiveCampaign offers a 14-day trial instead. GetResponse does have a free plan, which makes it easier to test long-term before paying.
Which is easier to use, ActiveCampaign or GetResponse?
Based on our scoring, GetResponse is easier to get started with (ease-of-use 4.1/5 vs 3.8/5).
Which has more features, ActiveCampaign or GetResponse?
ActiveCampaign scores higher on feature depth (4.7/5). Key differentiators: Visual automation builder with 900+ recipes; Built-in sales CRM with deal pipelines; Site and event tracking.
Full reviews: ActiveCampaign review · GetResponse review