Head-to-head
GetResponse vs Mailchimp vs ActiveCampaign
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Our pick: GetResponse. GetResponse bundles email, automation, landing pages, funnels, webinars and SMS in one platform, which suits creators and sellers who want to grow a list and sell from it.
| Factor | GetResponse Our pick | Mailchimp | ActiveCampaign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free option | 14-day free trial, no credit card | Free plan: 250 contacts, 500 sends/mo, no automation flows | 14-day free trial, no credit card |
| Automation | Journeys for welcome, cart recovery and win-back | Free plan excludes flows; Essentials limited to 4 flow steps | Included in all email plans; Starter limited to 5 actions per automation |
| Landing pages and funnels | Landing pages and an automated funnel creator | Landing pages available; see official site | Landing pages on Plus and above |
| Webinars | Built in (Creator plan and above): host, record and promote | Not listed on the pricing page | Not listed on the pricing page |
| SMS and web push | Web push on Marketer and above; SMS on Enterprise | See official site | SMS and WhatsApp sold as add-ons |
| Integrations | 150+ integrations | See official site | CRM and ecommerce integrations by plan |
| Support | 24/7 support, per the official site | 24/7 email and chat on paid plans | Support by plan; see official site |
Why we pick GetResponse
- Webinars and funnels in the box: neither Mailchimp nor ActiveCampaign lists webinar hosting on its pricing page.
- Automation without tier traps: Mailchimp’s free plan excludes flows and Essentials caps them at 4 steps; ActiveCampaign Starter caps actions at 5.
- SMS and web push on the platform: ActiveCampaign sells SMS and WhatsApp separately.
- Trial without a card: 14 days to test the full workflow.
When a competitor may fit better
- Mailchimp has a free plan for up to 250 contacts, which suits very small lists that send simple campaigns (GetResponse also keeps a limited free account after the trial).
- ActiveCampaign suits teams that want deep CRM-style automation and WhatsApp messaging with plan tiers.
Verdict
If your goal is turning subscribers into customers with automation, pages and webinars in one place, GetResponse is the better fit. Stay with Mailchimp only if you truly need a permanent free plan.
Read the full GetResponse review · All comparisons
Figures come from each vendor’s own public pages at the time of writing and can vary by region, currency and promotion. Always confirm on the official sites before you buy. Last verified: 2026-10-12