Introduction
In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, email marketing remains one of the most effective and cost-efficient tools for businesses to connect with their audience. Whether you’re a small startup or an established enterprise, choosing the right email marketing platform can make all the difference in driving engagement, nurturing leads, and converting subscribers into loyal customers.
Two platforms that have consistently stood out in this space are GetResponse and MailerLite . Both offer robust features designed to help marketers create, manage, and optimize email campaigns. However, they cater to slightly different audiences and come with unique strengths that may influence your decision depending on your business needs.
This blog post will provide a detailed, unbiased comparison between GetResponse and MailerLite. We’ll explore everything from pricing structures and user interfaces to advanced automation capabilities, landing page builders, integrations, deliverability rates, customer support, and more. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of which platform is best suited for your specific goals—whether it’s growing your email list, launching sophisticated automated workflows, or scaling your marketing efforts efficiently.
We understand that choosing the right email marketing tool isn’t just about checking off feature lists—it’s about finding a solution that aligns with your workflow, budget, and long-term strategy. That’s why we’ve structured this comparison to be both comprehensive and easy to digest, ensuring that even those new to email marketing can make informed decisions.
Before diving into the specifics, let’s take a moment to highlight what each platform brings to the table:
- GetResponse is known for its powerful marketing automation, advanced segmentation, and built-in webinar hosting capabilities. It’s ideal for businesses looking to scale with more complex marketing strategies.
- MailerLite , on the other hand, is praised for its simplicity, intuitive design tools, and affordability. It’s particularly popular among startups, freelancers, and small businesses who want a clean, no-frills approach to email marketing.
Whether you’re migrating from another platform or starting fresh, this in-depth comparison will serve as your ultimate guide to making the right choice between GetResponse and MailerLite.
Overview of GetResponse
GetResponse has been a staple in the email marketing industry since its launch in 1998. Over the years, it has evolved into a full-fledged online marketing platform, offering much more than just email campaign management. With a strong emphasis on automation, conversion optimization, and integrated sales funnel tools, GetResponse is particularly well-suited for medium to large businesses aiming to scale their digital marketing efforts.
Key Features of GetResponse
1. Email Marketing & Campaign Creation
At its core, GetResponse provides a robust email builder with drag-and-drop functionality, allowing users to create visually appealing newsletters and promotional emails without any coding skills. The platform offers a variety of customizable templates tailored to different industries and use cases.
2. Marketing Automation
One of GetResponse’s standout features is its advanced automation suite. Users can build complex, behavior-based workflows using triggers such as website visits, email opens, link clicks, and more. This allows for highly personalized customer journeys, improving engagement and conversion rates.
3. Landing Pages & Webinars
GetResponse includes a built-in landing page builder with pre-designed templates that are mobile-responsive and optimized for conversions. Additionally, the platform supports live and automated webinars—an invaluable feature for businesses focused on lead generation and product demos.
4. CRM Integration
GetResponse integrates seamlessly with its own CRM system, enabling users to track customer interactions, segment contacts based on behavior, and manage sales pipelines—all within the same platform.
5. E-commerce Tools
For businesses selling products online, GetResponse offers e-commerce automation tools that sync with popular platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. These tools allow for abandoned cart recovery, product recommendations, and targeted promotional campaigns.
6. Analytics & Reporting
The platform provides detailed analytics on email performance, including open rates, click-through rates, bounce rates, and subscriber activity. Custom reports can be generated to monitor campaign effectiveness over time.
7. Integrations & API
GetResponse supports hundreds of third-party integrations through Zapier and native connections with major tools like Google Analytics, Salesforce, HubSpot, and many more. Its RESTful API also allows developers to build custom integrations if needed.
Overview of MailerLite
MailerLite, founded in 2012, has quickly become a favorite among small businesses, entrepreneurs, and content creators due to its clean interface, ease of use, and affordable pricing. Unlike some other platforms that overwhelm users with excessive features, MailerLite focuses on delivering a streamlined yet powerful email marketing experience that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Key Features of MailerLite
1. User-Friendly Email Builder
MailerLite’s drag-and-drop editor is one of the most intuitive in the market. It allows users to create responsive emails quickly using a wide range of templates and customization options. Even beginners can start building professional-looking emails within minutes.
2. Automation Workflows
While not as advanced as GetResponse, MailerLite still offers solid automation capabilities. Users can set up basic trigger-based workflows such as welcome series, drip campaigns, and follow-up sequences based on user behavior like sign-ups, purchases, or email engagement.
3. Landing Page Builder
MailerLite includes a dedicated landing page builder that helps users capture leads effectively. The builder comes with dozens of responsive templates that can be customized to match brand aesthetics. These pages are fully optimized for mobile devices, ensuring high conversion rates.
4. Subscriber Management & Segmentation
MailerLite makes it easy to organize your contact list with tags and groups. You can also segment your audience based on criteria such as location, device type, engagement level, and more. This enables more targeted and relevant email campaigns.
5. Forms & Popups
The platform offers customizable opt-in forms and popups that can be embedded on websites or blogs. These tools help grow your email list by capturing visitor information at strategic points in their browsing journey.
6. Built-In Surveys & Landing Pages
MailerLite allows users to create surveys directly within the platform, helping collect feedback and improve customer engagement. Additionally, its landing page builder is tightly integrated with email campaigns, making it easy to drive traffic to your offers.
7. Integration Capabilities
MailerLite supports a wide range of integrations, including WordPress, Shopify, WooCommerce, and Zapier. While the number of native integrations may not be as extensive as GetResponse, it covers most essential tools required by small to mid-sized businesses.
8. Analytics & Reports
MailerLite provides straightforward reporting on campaign performance, including open rates, click-through rates, unsubscribes, and spam complaints. Reports are easy to interpret and can be exported for further analysis.
Pricing Comparison: GetResponse vs MailerLite
When evaluating email marketing platforms, pricing is often a decisive factor—especially for small businesses and startups working within tight budgets. Let’s compare the pricing structures of GetResponse and MailerLite to see which one offers better value for different types of users.
GetResponse Pricing Plans
GetResponse offers four main plans:
- Free Plan : Up to 1,000 contacts and 3,000 emails per month.
- Essentials : Starting at $15/month (billed annually), suitable for small businesses.
- Professional : Starting at $59/month (billed annually), ideal for growing businesses with automation needs.
- Max : Starting at $119/month (billed annually), designed for enterprises requiring advanced features.
All paid plans include unlimited sending, access to automation workflows, landing pages, and basic CRM functionalities. The Max plan adds priority support, dedicated IP addresses, and custom integrations.
MailerLite Pricing Plans
MailerLite offers a simpler structure with three main plans:
- Free Plan : Up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month.
- Growing Business : Starting at $10/month (billed annually) for up to 1,000 subscribers.
- Advanced : Starting at $50/month (billed annually) for higher volumes and additional features like A/B testing and transactional emails.
MailerLite’s free plan is notably generous, offering more monthly emails than GetResponse. Its paid plans are generally more affordable, especially for smaller lists.
Value for Money
If you’re running a small business or just starting out, MailerLite’s pricing model might be more attractive due to its lower entry point and generous free tier. However, if your business requires advanced automation, webinars, or e-commerce integrations, GetResponse’s higher-tier plans could offer better long-term value despite the steeper price tag.
User Interface and Ease of Use
The user experience plays a crucial role in how quickly you can get up and running with an email marketing platform. Both GetResponse and MailerLite offer modern, responsive interfaces, but there are notable differences in layout, navigation, and overall intuitiveness.
GetResponse UI Experience
GetResponse’s interface is packed with features, which can feel overwhelming for first-time users. The dashboard is divided into sections like Emails, Automation, Landing Pages, and Webinars, making it easy to jump between tools once you’re familiar with them. However, the learning curve can be steep for those unfamiliar with advanced marketing automation.
The drag-and-drop email editor is powerful but slightly less intuitive than MailerLite’s. There’s a bit more clicking involved to customize elements, and some settings are buried under multiple menus. Still, experienced marketers appreciate the depth of customization available.
MailerLite UI Experience
MailerLite wins hands down when it comes to simplicity and elegance. The dashboard is minimalistic, with clearly labeled icons and a clutter-free layout. Everything feels intuitive—from creating an email to setting up automations or landing pages.
The email builder is arguably the most user-friendly in the industry. Dragging blocks, adjusting styles, and previewing on mobile devices is seamless. Beginners can create polished campaigns in minutes without needing technical expertise.
Which Is Easier to Use?
For newcomers or those who prefer a clean, straightforward experience, MailerLite is the clear winner . However, if you need advanced features and don’t mind spending time to learn the ropes, GetResponse offers a more feature-rich environment that pays off in the long run.
Automation Capabilities
Automation is a game-changer in email marketing, allowing businesses to send the right message to the right person at the right time. Both GetResponse and MailerLite offer automation tools, but their depth and complexity vary significantly.
GetResponse Automation
GetResponse excels in automation with its visual workflow builder that allows for highly complex scenarios. You can create multi-step campaigns triggered by various actions such as:
- Website visits
- Email engagement
- Purchase history
- Form submissions
It supports conditional logic, meaning you can branch your automation based on user behavior—for example, sending different follow-up messages depending on whether someone clicked a link or made a purchase.
Additionally, GetResponse offers e-commerce automation , making it ideal for online stores. You can set up abandoned cart reminders, post-purchase follow-ups, and product recommendation campaigns automatically.
MailerLite Automation
MailerLite’s automation is more basic but still effective for most small businesses. It supports triggered emails based on:
- Subscriber sign-ups
- Purchases
- Email opens
- Link clicks
You can create simple workflows like welcome series, birthday emails, and re-engagement campaigns. However, the lack of advanced branching logic means you can’t personalize beyond basic conditions.
Winner: GetResponse
If automation is a core part of your marketing strategy, GetResponse is the superior choice . It gives you more control and flexibility to tailor customer journeys precisely. MailerLite, while user-friendly, is better suited for simpler automation needs.
Landing Page Builders
Both GetResponse and MailerLite offer built-in landing page builders, which are essential for lead generation and campaign conversions. Let’s break down their offerings.
GetResponse Landing Pages
GetResponse’s landing page builder is robust, featuring:
- Over 100 professionally designed templates
- Mobile-responsive layouts
- Drag-and-drop customization
- Built-in SEO tools
- A/B testing capabilities
What sets GetResponse apart is its integration with automation and CRM. You can easily connect landing pages to your email campaigns and track conversions directly within the platform.
MailerLite Landing Pages
MailerLite’s landing page builder is lightweight yet powerful. It includes:
- Dozens of customizable templates
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor
- Responsive design
- Embedded forms and popups
- Integration with email campaigns
MailerLite’s strength lies in its simplicity. Creating a landing page is quick and doesn’t require any technical knowledge. While it lacks some advanced features like A/B testing in lower-tier plans, it’s more than sufficient for most small businesses.
Comparison Summary
| Feature | GetResponse | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Templates | 100+ | 50+ |
| A/B Testing | Available | Available (in Advanced plan only) |
| SEO Tools | Yes | Limited |
| Integrations | Strong CRM and automation links | Basic integration with email campaigns |
Verdict: If you need advanced landing page features and deep integration with your email marketing strategy, GetResponse is the better option . For straightforward, fast landing page creation, MailerLite is more than adequate .
Deliverability Rates and Performance
Deliverability is one of the most critical factors in email marketing success. No matter how compelling your content is, it won’t matter if your emails land in the spam folder. Both GetResponse and MailerLite maintain excellent deliverability rates, but there are some nuances worth noting.
GetResponse Deliverability
GetResponse has a strong reputation for high inbox placement rates. They utilize dedicated IPs for higher-tier plans, which can improve sender reputation for large-scale senders. Their infrastructure is built to handle high-volume sends, and they provide spam score analyzers to check your emails before sending.
Additionally, GetResponse offers list hygiene tools that help identify inactive or problematic contacts, reducing bounce rates and improving overall deliverability.
MailerLite Deliverability
MailerLite also maintains high deliverability standards. They use shared IP addresses across all plans, which is standard for most email platforms. However, their system ensures that bad actors don’t negatively impact others on the same IP pool.
MailerLite provides real-time monitoring of bounces and spam complaints , along with email authentication tools like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup guides to ensure proper configuration.
Performance Metrics
Both platforms perform exceptionally well in terms of speed and reliability. Load times for campaigns and landing pages are fast, and uptime is consistently above 99.9%. Neither platform experiences frequent outages or service disruptions.
Conclusion
In terms of deliverability, both GetResponse and MailerLite perform equally well . GetResponse may offer slight advantages for enterprise-level senders due to dedicated IPs and advanced tools, but for most businesses, MailerLite’s deliverability performance is more than sufficient .
Customer Support and Learning Resources
No matter how good a platform is, having reliable customer support and educational resources can make a big difference—especially when you’re troubleshooting issues or learning how to use advanced features.
GetResponse Support
GetResponse offers 24/7 support via live chat and email , with response times typically under 2 hours. Phone support is available only for Max plan users.
They also provide a comprehensive knowledge base , video tutorials, and regular webinars to help users get the most out of the platform. Enterprise customers receive onboarding assistance and dedicated account managers.
MailerLite Support
MailerLite offers support via email and live chat during business hours (Monday to Friday). Response times are usually quick, often within an hour during peak hours.
Their help center is well-organized with step-by-step guides, FAQs, and video walkthroughs. They also host occasional webinars and publish informative blog posts regularly.
Community and Learning Resources
Both platforms have active communities where users can share tips and ask questions. GetResponse hosts a larger community forum with thousands of members, while MailerLite’s community is smaller but very engaged.
Final Word on Support
If you need around-the-clock support and dedicated account management, GetResponse is the better choice . However, for most small businesses, MailerLite’s support team is responsive and helpful enough .
Conclusion: Which Platform Should You Choose?
Choosing between GetResponse and MailerLite ultimately depends on your business size, marketing goals, and technical comfort level.
Choose GetResponse if:
- You run a medium to large business.
- You need advanced automation and marketing workflows.
- You want to host webinars or integrate with an internal CRM.
- You sell products online and need e-commerce automation.
- You prefer a more comprehensive marketing ecosystem.
Choose MailerLite if:
- You’re a small business, freelancer, or blogger.
- You prioritize simplicity and ease of use.
- You want an affordable solution with a generous free plan.
- You need to create beautiful emails and landing pages quickly.
- You don’t require advanced automation or webinar hosting.
Both platforms are excellent in their own right, and the best way to decide is by taking advantage of their free trials. Test-drive both tools with your actual marketing needs in mind—create a few campaigns, try out the automation, and see which interface feels more natural to you.
Final Thoughts
Email marketing continues to be one of the most effective ways to engage with your audience and drive real results. Whether you choose GetResponse or MailerLite, both platforms will give you the tools you need to succeed.
As your business grows, your needs may evolve—and that’s okay. Many companies start with MailerLite and eventually upgrade to GetResponse as they scale. Others find that MailerLite’s simplicity is exactly what they need without ever feeling limited.
Ultimately, the best email marketing platform is the one that fits your workflow, supports your goals, and empowers your team to do more with less effort.
Ready to Make a Decision?
Try out both platforms today:
See which one feels right for your business.
Good explanation. Loved it