Best of
Best email marketing software: 3 options compared
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| Tool | Best for | Free option | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. GetResponse Our pick | creators and sellers who want email, funnels and webinars in one tool | 14-day free trial | From €16/mo |
| Mailchimp | very small lists and simple campaigns | Free plan | Free for 250 contacts |
| ActiveCampaign | teams that want deep email automation | 14-day free trial | See official pricing |
How we chose
We looked at automation limits, bundled tools (pages, funnels, webinars), free options and support. Facts come from each vendor’s own public pages; where a price or limit was not shown we say so instead of guessing.
The options in detail
GetResponse
Best for: creators and sellers who want email, funnels and webinars in one tool.
- Automation, landing pages, funnels and web push
- Webinars on the Creator plan and above
- 150+ integrations
Watch out: Unlimited automation and webinars sit on higher plans.
Read the GetResponse reviewMailchimp
Best for: very small lists and simple campaigns.
- Free plan: 500 sends a month
- Essentials: 3 seats, 4 flow steps
- Standard: 5 seats, 200 flows
Watch out: The free plan excludes automation flows.
Official siteActiveCampaign
Best for: teams that want deep email automation.
- Marketing automation included on all email plans
- Landing pages from the Plus plan
- SMS, WhatsApp and CRM pipelines sold as add-ons
Watch out: The Starter plan limits automations to 5 actions.
Official siteVerdict
If the points above match your needs, start with GetResponse and use its free option or trial to confirm. Choose another option only when a specific limit blocks you.
Go deeper: getresponse vs mailchimp activecampaign · GetResponse review · GetResponse alternatives
Prices and limits can change; always confirm on the official sites. Last verified: 2026-10-13