Are you paying for features you never use while your list grows and costs spike?
This roundup helps U.S. teams compare real-world costs, deliverability, and automation depth so you can decide if switching an ESP makes sense for sales-led or product-led growth.
GetResponse is a full platform with automation, analytics, landing pages, and webinars, but many users hit higher tiers for advanced features and report editor limits and mixed deliverability.
We test getresponse alternatives like Brevo, MailerLite, ActiveCampaign, and others for usable free plan value, send caps (think 300/day), and how pricing ramps as contacts scale. In addition to evaluating the free plan offerings, we also consider the range of tools provided within their plans, such as automation capabilities and integration options. Moreover, analyzing features like user interface and customer support is crucial to ensure a smooth user experience. While conducting our comparisons, we pay close attention to the getresponse email marketing features, as these can significantly impact campaign effectiveness.
Expect clear selection criteria: segmentation power, integrations with Shopify or CRMs, landing pages, and whether a tool favors ecommerce, creators, or simple automation workflows.
Key Takeaways
- Compare monthly pricing by contacts and feature needs, not just headline plans.
- Look for true free plan value and sensible send caps for early-stage businesses.
- Prioritize deliverability and usable editors over overloaded feature lists.
- Check integrations and segmentation before you migrate your program.
- Choose a platform that matches your sales or product motion and growth trajectory.
Why this 2025 roundup matters for budget-conscious marketers in the United States
For US teams, rising contact counts often turn a reasonable platform into a major monthly expense. You need clarity on pricing, deliverability, and which support channels come standard.
This guide highlights real-world plan trade-offs for small businesses. We compare per‑month pricing bands by contacts and show where core features hide behind higher tiers.
Deliverability varies by provider; we surface tools with strong inbox placement and flag where recent tests urge caution. Free plans matter too — they let you test automation, landing pages, and templates before upgrading.
- Transparent upgrade paths and live support reduce migration risk.
- Contact counting rules can inflate bills; watch for charges on unsubscribed or duplicate contacts.
- Local needs—SMS, Shopify/WooCommerce integrations, and event workflows—drive tool choice.
| Focus | What matters | Typical outcome | Example cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Per‑contacts billing, per‑month tiers | Costs jump as lists grow | 10k contacts / month |
| Support | Live chat vs. email-only | Faster onboarding with live help | 24/7 vs. business hours |
| Deliverability | Sender reputation, templates | Higher inbox placement | 300 emails/day caps |
Bottom line: this roundup compares platforms so you can forecast costs, keep inbox placement steady, and pick tools that match your team’s pace.
How we evaluated affordable GetResponse alternatives
We used a consistent, data‑first method so you can compare platforms on real costs and capability, not marketing copy.
Pricing transparency and true total cost at growth
We modeled monthly bills across contact bands and tracked where plans add fees for unsubscribed or duplicate contacts. This shows how headline pricing changes when lists scale and send caps bite.
Automation depth, segmentation, and omnichannel options
Automation got scored on visual flow builders, trigger types, and support for advanced segmentation at entry tiers. We also noted which platforms include native SMS, web push, and site messages versus those needing integrations.
Deliverability performance and list management fairness
Benchmarks came from recent independent inbox tests and sender infrastructure checks (shared vs dedicated IP). We audited whether list rules treat unsubscribes fairly and how segmentation impacts billing and deliverability.
Ease of use, learning curve, and support quality
Onboarding, template libraries, and the overall learning curve were measured for lean teams. Support was graded on live chat, SLA responsiveness, and the depth of help centers and onboarding services.
| Evaluation area | What we measured | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing mechanics | Contact billing, send caps, hidden fees | Predict monthly costs as lists grow |
| Automation & segmentation | Visual flows, triggers, advanced segmentation | Supports complex customer journeys |
| Omnichannel & integrations | Native SMS, web push, ecommerce connectors | Reduces third‑party reliance and latency |
| Deliverability | Inbox tests, IP type, reputation | Higher inbox placement and conversions |
| Support & UX | Live chat, SLAs, onboarding, templates | Speeds time to value for small teams |
GetResponse at a glance: strengths to love and gaps that drive switching
A tightly packed feature set makes GetResponse a tempting hub for growing teams, yet cost and gating create real switching triggers.
What it does well:
- All‑in‑one platform: automation workflows, webinars, landing pages, and ecommerce tracking in a single dashboard.
- Analytics: conversion and product‑level reporting that ties campaigns to revenue.
- Commerce features: abandoned‑cart flows and AI product recommendations that shorten the path from click to purchase.
Where it bites:
- Pricing climbs as contacts and advanced automation are needed, which can surprise growing teams.
- Key features sit behind higher tiers, forcing upgrades before robust segmentation or funnels are possible.
- Editor inflexibility slows production for complex designs, and occasional deliverability issues mean you must manage list hygiene and sender reputation.
| Strength | Practical effect | When you should care |
|---|---|---|
| Unified tools | Faster setup, fewer integrations | Early stage teams wanting webinars + landing pages |
| Advanced analytics | Clearer ROI signals | Ecommerce and conversion‑driven campaigns |
| Tiered gating | Higher monthly bills for automation | Scaling lists or complex funnels |
Bottom line: Treat GetResponse as a solid baseline platform for businesses that prize an all‑in‑one stack. If you need deeper automation, tighter per‑contact pricing, or greater editor control, compare getresponse alternatives and run a simple cost projection before you commit.
Best affordable alternatives to GetResponse email marketing
These picks give you a fast snapshot of top getresponse alternatives and who they serve. You’ll see which platforms include a forever-free plan, which limit daily sends, and where entry-tier automation is available.
- Brevo and Omnisend add SMS and push for multichannel reach.
- MailerLite is simple and reliable for deliverability; Kit fits creators selling digital goods.
- ActiveCampaign layers CRM and sales automation; Encharge excels at behavior-driven flows and dynamic segments.
- Mailchimp offers broad integrations; Constant Contact focuses on events and steady deliverability.
- Moosend and AWeber are value plays for automation and templates; HubSpot pairs a free CRM with generous email tools.
| Platform | Free Plan | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Brevo | Yes | Multichannel sends, simple pricing |
| MailerLite | Yes | Deliverability and ease of use |
| ActiveCampaign | No (trial) | Advanced automation + CRM |
| Encharge | No (trial) | Behavioral flows, dynamic segments |
What you should watch: check how each vendor counts contacts (unsubscribed or duplicate) and note pricing cliffs at key contact bands. That prevents surprise spend as your list grows.
Brevo (ex‑Sendinblue): multichannel on a budget with a generous free plan
Brevo gives you a practical entry point for multichannel outreach. Its free plan lets you send up to 300 emails per day to unlimited contacts and includes access to basic automation. That makes it easy for you to test flows without spending up front.
Free and paid tiers: daily send cap, automation access, and starting prices
The free plan supports automation and unlimited contacts, but the daily cap limits volume testing. The Starter plan (about $9/month) removes the cap and adds analytics. The Business tier (roughly $18–$29/month) unlocks A/B testing, landing pages, AI tools, and stronger support.
- Multichannel: email, SMS marketing (US available), chat, and transactional sends in one platform.
- Built‑in CRM: basic pipeline tracking without a separate subscription.
- List fairness: unlimited contacts on the free plan; send volume is the gating factor.
- Deliverability note: scores vary in tests—authenticate domains and monitor inbox placement.
| Plan | Key limits | Notable features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 300 emails/day, unlimited contacts | Automation access, basic templates |
| Starter (~$9/month) | No daily cap (email volume limit by plan), 5,000 emails starter band | Baseline analytics, higher sends |
| Business (~$18–$29/month) | Higher volume bands, advanced features enabled | A/B testing, landing pages, AI features, better support |
Who should pick Brevo: US teams that need email plus SMS and a lightweight CRM without high starting costs. If you plan heavy sends, budget for a paid plan and watch deliverability metrics as you scale.
MailerLite: the beginner‑friendly pick with excellent deliverability
MailerLite speeds you from signup to results with a clean drag‑and‑drop builder and a low learning curve. Its free plan lets you run visual automation with unlimited steps for up to ~1,000 contacts. That makes testing funnels cheap and fast.
Deliverability is a standout: inbox placement tests show consistent results when you authenticate domains and maintain list hygiene. That reliability helps you build sender reputation quickly.
The platform includes landing pages and simple websites, so you can capture leads without extra tools. Paid plans usually start around $10–$15/month and unlock more templates, richer features, and higher send volumes.
- Quick wins: fast onboarding and an intuitive builder.
- Cost control: generous free plan and predictable pricing bands.
- Integrations: common CMS and ecommerce stacks connect easily.
- Reporting: basic analytics; pair with external tools for deep cohorts.
| What you get | Free | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Visual automation | Yes | Yes |
| Landing pages | Included | Included |
| Templates & reporting | Limited | Expanded |
ActiveCampaign: advanced automation and CRM when you can skip the free plan
For teams ready to trade a free tier for richer automation and sales workflows, ActiveCampaign offers a platform that scales with behavior-driven campaigns.
Why choose it: ActiveCampaign is built around advanced automation and a native CRM that moves contacts through lifecycle funnels. Its visual flow builder supports behavior tagging, splits, and event triggers that power complex, personalized sequences.
Deliverability is strong, which helps you convert every send into measurable returns. There’s no forever-free plan, but a trial and entry pricing (around $15–$19 per month) let you test core features before scaling costs by contacts.
Integrations and value: Deep connectors—ecommerce platforms, analytics, and CRMs—reduce data silos and enable lifecycle orchestration across channels. Expect a steeper learning curve than simple tools, but robust docs and training smooth onboarding.
- Best for teams needing visual workflows, granular segmentation, and sales handoffs.
- CRM and deal management streamline marketing-to-sales transitions.
- Budget for add-ons if you want premium testing or advanced previews.
| Aspect | What it gives you | When it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Automation | Visual flows, event triggers | Complex journeys & lifecycle campaigns |
| CRM | Deals, lead scoring | Sales-driven revenue motions |
| Pricing | Entry plan + contact-based increases | Scaling contact lists |
Bottom line: If automation drives growth for your product or sales motion, ActiveCampaign delivers deep automation and integrations worth the trade-off of no free plan. It’s a pragmatic step up from basic tools and a solid alternative when you need orchestration over simplicity.
AWeber: solid templates and ecommerce features, but watch list costs
AWeber pairs a large template library with pragmatic ecommerce features that help you launch campaigns fast. The builder is straightforward, A/B testing and conversion tracking are built in, and a free plan is available so you can trial core features without immediate spend.
Where it shines: PayPal integrations let you sell directly from emails and landing pages, and reporting gives clear conversion metrics for easy optimization.
- Quick setup: many templates and a simple editor for fast campaign publishing.
- Ecommerce-ready: PayPal links and tracking make small sales and reporting simple.
- Basic automation: adequate for simple sequences; not as deep as enterprise flow builders.
- Integrations & support: connects popular site builders and carts; long-standing support resources help you onboard.
Pay special attention to contact billing rules: unsubscribed contacts may still count against quotas and raise your pricing as lists grow. For creators and small businesses that need dependable templates, light ecommerce, and clear support, AWeber is a practical platform. If you require heavy behavior-driven targeting or enterprise-grade automation, evaluate a more automation-focused tool first.
| Aspect | What you get | When it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Plans & pricing | Free tier + paid (~$15–$25/month) | Small lists; watch contact counting |
| Features | Templates, A/B testing, conversion tracking | Fast campaign launches |
| Commerce | PayPal in emails/landing pages | Direct sales from campaigns |
Mailchimp: broad integrations and easy builder, though pricing climbs fast
Mailchimp’s intuitive email builder and wide integration catalog speed onboarding, letting you spin up campaigns and landing pages in minutes. The free plan covers roughly 500 contacts and about 1,000 sends, so you can test templates and basic automation without immediate spend.
Where it helps: polished templates, guided setup, and hundreds of app connectors make this platform simple to slot into an existing stack. Reporting and entry automation are straightforward for small programs.
Where to watch costs: Mailchimp counts unsubscribed and duplicate contacts across audiences, which can inflate monthly bills as lists fragment. Paid plans—typically starting in the low teens per month—unlock deeper automation and faster support, but pricing scales quickly with contacts.
For US teams that prize integrations and a low-friction builder, Mailchimp is a strong fit. If you need advanced email journeys, strict list fairness, or predictable contact billing, compare behavior-driven platforms before you commit.
- Quick wins: onboarding speed, templates, landing pages.
- Limitations: contact counting rules and support tiers can drive unexpected costs.
- Tip: forecast seasonal peaks and audit audiences to avoid duplicate charges.
| Aspect | Notes | When it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ~500 contacts / ~1,000 sends | Testing & onboarding |
| Integrations | Hundreds of connectors | Existing tech stacks |
| Pricing | Starts ~$13–$20/month; scales by contacts | Growing lists & seasonal spikes |
Constant Contact: dependable deliverability and event tools at a premium
Constant Contact centers its product on reliable sends and event workflows rather than deep behavioral automation. If your calendar relies on registrations and reminders, its Eventbrite integration and built‑in event pages cut setup time.
Deliverability is consistently strong. That stability makes newsletters and donor or attendee outreach more predictable for customer lists that matter.
Templates exceed 200 and a brand generator helps you match visuals fast. Social scheduling and basic SMS marketing (US only) reduce the number of separate tools you must manage.
- When it fits: local orgs, nonprofits, and SMBs focused on events and steady inbox placement.
- Where it limits: automation and advanced segmentation lag behind behavior‑driven platforms.
- Pricing note: month costs trend higher than many peers, so confirm ROI against event-driven sales and attendance.
| Strength | Practical effect | When to care |
|---|---|---|
| Deliverability | Reliable inbox placement | Regular newsletters & announcements |
| Event tools | Easy registration & promotion | Ticketed events, webinars, meetups |
| Automation | Basic rules & autoresponders | Simple journeys only |
Bottom line: choose Constant Contact if dependable delivery and event workflows drive value. If you need deep segmentation, complex automation, or lower pricing by contacts, evaluate platforms with stronger automation backbones and different pricing plans.
Omnisend: ecommerce‑first email, SMS, and web push in one place
If your store depends on fast recoveries and repeat purchases, Omnisend speeds setup with proven commerce flows.
Why DTC teams pick Omnisend: prebuilt cart, browse, post‑purchase, and win‑back flows cut setup time and drive measurable sales.
What it includes: email automation, SMS marketing, and web push in one platform. Product feeds and dynamic content let you insert recommendations directly into campaigns.
- Free plan: automation, landing pages, site tracking, and 24/7 support for testing lifecycle campaigns.
- Paid plans start around $16–$20/month; pricing scales with contacts and SMS spend.
- Deep integrations with Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, Wix, and others keep customer data synced for precise segmentation.
- Reporting focuses on commerce impact: order attribution and revenue per send.
| Focus | Practical effect | When it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Prebuilt flows | Faster launch, proven templates | Cart abandonment & reactivation |
| Omnichannel | Coordinated email + SMS + push | Boost AOV and repeat sales |
| Pricing | Contact‑based + SMS costs | Model monthly spend as list grows |
Note: deliverability has mixed results in tests—authenticate domains and keep list hygiene tight for steady inbox performance. For DTC brands that need quick commerce wins, Omnisend is a practical platform; if your product is content or SaaS‑led, consider a behavior‑first option instead.
Moosend: pro automation at a low entry price (but no forever‑free plan)
Moosend gives you multi‑step automation and practical reporting at a modest monthly cost. Plans start around $9–$16 per month and include prebuilt automation templates for welcome sequences, cart recovery, and win‑backs.
There is no forever‑free tier, so you pay from day one, but the low plan pricing offsets that for budget‑conscious teams.
The platform includes landing pages and signup forms, and its automation builder supports branching and condition checks. Editors feel serviceable rather than modern, so expect some friction during setup.
- Automation strength: robust flows and templates speed deployment.
- Reporting: real‑time metrics cover opens, clicks, and conversions; deep analytics may need external tools.
- Integrations: narrower coverage than larger vendors — verify your core stack or plan middleware.
- Support: SMB‑focused help and onboarding, though UI quirks can lengthen setup time.
| Aspect | What you get | When it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $9–$16 / month entry bands | Low monthly spend for growing lists |
| Automation | Multi‑step flows, prebuilt templates | Behavioral journeys and cart recovery |
| Integrations | Core connectors; fewer third‑party apps | Complex stacks or enterprise syncs |
Who should consider Moosend: teams that value advanced automation on a tight budget and can accept a dated editor and limited integrations. It’s a pragmatic getresponse alternative when automation and lower pricing matter more than polish or the widest app ecosystem.
HubSpot: generous free CRM + email suite with steep jumps for advanced features
For teams that want CRM and marketing in one place, HubSpot’s free tier is unusually deep—until you hit tiered pricing jumps.
HubSpot gives you a free CRM with unlimited users and broad contact handling. You get a drag‑and‑drop editor, templates, and basic automation that speed setup.
That free plan scales well for early growth, but advanced features—omnichannel sends, deeper automation, and revenue attribution—require paid plans that climb quickly.
- Free value: centralizes contacts, pipelines, and core campaign tools for minimal setup.
- Integrations: strong connectors across sales, service, and CMS help align marketing sales workflows.
- Cost warning: add‑ons and tier jumps can create unexpected pricing as you add channels or contacts.
| What you get | Free | Paid start |
|---|---|---|
| CRM & basic sends | Included | — |
| Advanced automation & attribution | Limited | ~$20 / month and up |
| Integrations & support | Good | Premium tiers improve SLAs |
Reporting and dashboards are useful out of the box and grow with paid tiers. Support resources are extensive; consider a HubSpot partner if you need faster implementation.
Bottom line: HubSpot is an excellent single platform for CRM plus basic campaign work today. If deep automation is your priority and budget is tight, compare specialized automation platforms first and read pricing notes carefully. For more user reports on surprises and upgrade pain points, see this detailed review and complaints roundup.
Kit (formerly ConvertKit): creator‑centric tagging and digital product selling
Kit centers on subscriber interests and simple commerce, making it easier to convert audience engagement into sales.
What you get: a tagging‑first platform that personalizes by interest and behavior rather than juggling multiple lists. Visual automation flows handle welcome sequences, launches, and segmentation by action.
Built‑in tools simplify selling eBooks, courses, and downloads directly from your account. Landing pages and forms deploy fast for lead magnets and pre‑launch lists.
- Free plan: useful audience building up to ~1,000 subscribers; paid plans start around $25–$29 per month and unlock advanced journeys and priority support.
- Design & reporting: templates are clean and minimal; reporting focuses on subscriber growth and engagement rather than enterprise dashboards.
- Who it fits: solo founders, creators, and small teams that drive sales from content and product drops.
| Plan | Core features | When it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Free (~1,000 subs) | Tagging, basic automation, landing pages | Audience building, early launches |
| Paid (~$25–$29/month) | Advanced automation, priority support, commerce tools | Product sales and larger lists |
| Reporting | Subscriber growth, engagement metrics | Content‑first performance tracking |
Note: If you need deep B2B lifecycle orchestration, CRM objects, or broad integrations, evaluate an automation‑first platform. For creators who monetize via newsletters and product drops, Kit keeps workflows lean and focused on customer conversion.
Encharge vs. GetResponse: when behavior‑driven flows beat “all‑in‑one”
A clear choice emerges when your growth relies on behavior and fast, context-aware sequences. Encharge is built as an automation platform that prioritizes real‑time triggers and dynamic segmentation. That makes it easier for you to deliver relevant messages right after a customer acts.
Visual Flow Builder and dynamic segments for real‑time targeting
Encharge’s Flow Builder is drag‑and‑drop, fast, and designed for advanced automation. Triggers, splits, and real‑time branching let you map journeys that go beyond simple autoresponders.
Dynamic segments update on page views, plan changes, and events. This keeps lifecycle sends aligned with current customer state rather than stale lists.
Data flexibility (custom objects) and transactional email
Custom objects let you model subscriptions, orders, and product plans natively. That unlocks richer personalization and advanced segmentation without complex workarounds.
Transactional sends—receipts, resets—coexist with campaign flows so you can drop email types into the same automation logic.
Value calculus: full automation access without upsell traps
Pricing often starts higher than basic suites, but Encharge includes broad automation access and fast live chat support. Fewer gated features reduce surprise upgrades as contacts and use cases scale.
| Capability | Encharge | GetResponse |
|---|---|---|
| Flow builder | Behavior-first, real-time branching | Visual but tier-gated |
| Data model | Custom objects & events | Contact-centric, limited objects |
| Pricing & support | Transparent automation access, live chat | Broader features per plan, mixed support tiers |
Conclusion
Make a decision that saves setup time, keeps messages in the inbox, and prevents surprise charges as contacts scale.
For a simple start with strong inboxing pick MailerLite; for multichannel on a budget choose Brevo. Omnisend speeds ecommerce revenue flows, while ActiveCampaign ties deep automation to CRM. Creators will like Kit; Constant Contact suits event-heavy programs. Moosend and HubSpot offer low‑entry and CRM‑first paths. If behavior‑driven journeys matter, consider Encharge as a top getresponse upgrade.
Next steps: shortlist 2–3 platforms that match your core use case, open free plans or trials, test deliverability and automation, and model pricing by contacts and month for Q4–Q1 peaks.
Choose the platform that fits your growth, then validate deliverability and forecast 12 months of costs before you migrate.