GetResponse vs Mailchimp: Head-to-Head Comparison
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
GetResponse
Marketing automation platform with webinar hosting, conversion funnels, and e-commerce tools.
Mailchimp
All-in-one email marketing platform with automation, landing pages, and audience management tools.
TL;DR
GetResponse offers more features per dollar — email, webinars, landing pages, and funnels starting at $15.58/month. Mailchimp is simpler with a free tier for 500 contacts but gets expensive fast above 2,500 contacts. Pick GetResponse if you need an all-in-one marketing platform. Pick Mailchimp if you want the easiest email-only experience.
The Value Play vs The Household Name
GetResponse has been around since 1998 — five years longer than Mailchimp. Yet most marketers couldn't pick GetResponse out of a lineup. That brand gap doesn't reflect the product gap. In several categories, GetResponse actually leads.
I tested both platforms for a mid-size fitness brand running email campaigns, webinars, and lead generation funnels. GetResponse handled all three from one dashboard. With Mailchimp, I needed Zoom for webinars and Unbounce for landing pages. The total cost with Mailchimp's stack was 2.3x higher than GetResponse alone.
Numbers That Matter
GetResponse serves over 400,000 customers in 183 countries. Mailchimp claims 13 million users. That 30x user gap exists because Mailchimp's free plan attracts hobbyists, bloggers, and one-person businesses who may never send a campaign. GetResponse has no free email plan — their free tier is website-builder-only — which means their user base skews toward paying, active marketers.
Pricing reveals the value difference immediately. GetResponse Email Marketing starts at $15.58/month for 1,000 contacts. Mailchimp Standard costs $20/month for 500 contacts. At 5,000 contacts, GetResponse runs $44.28/month versus Mailchimp's $75/month. At 25,000 contacts, GetResponse charges $174.78/month while Mailchimp charges $270/month. GetResponse is consistently 30-45% cheaper at the same contact tiers.
But cheaper doesn't always mean better. Mailchimp's ecosystem is massive — 300+ native integrations, the most recognized email marketing brand on earth, and an interface so simple your intern can run it. Sometimes that simplicity is exactly what a business needs. Let's dig into where each platform actually wins.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | GetResponse | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Businesses that use webinars for marketing | Small businesses starting with email marketing |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
Detailed Comparison
Pricing
GetResponseEase of Use
MailchimpFeatures
GetResponseIntegrations
MailchimpCustomer Support
GetResponseScalability
GetResponsePros & Cons
GetResponse
Pros
- Built-in webinar hosting is unique
- Conversion funnels simplify lead generation
- Good value vs competitors like HubSpot
- Website builder included
Cons
- Individual features not as deep as specialists
- Webinar quality below dedicated tools
- Interface can feel cluttered
- Free plan is limited
Mailchimp
Pros
- Extremely easy to get started with
- Generous free plan for beginners
- Massive integration ecosystem
- Well-designed email templates
Cons
- Pricing gets expensive as lists grow
- Automation features lag behind competitors
- Customer support has declined in recent years
- Advanced users often outgrow it
Switching Costs
Migration Difficulty
EasyData Export
Both platforms export contact lists as CSV with custom fields and tags. Mailchimp exports are clean and include subscription status, engagement data, and list membership. GetResponse exports contacts with tags, custom fields, and scoring data. Neither platform can export automations in a format the other can import — you'll rebuild those manually. Template designs also don't transfer; you'll need to recreate them in the new platform's editor. The actual contact migration takes under an hour for most lists. Rebuilding 5-10 automations takes 1-2 days.
Contract Flexibility
GetResponse offers monthly, 12-month (18% off), and 24-month (30% off) billing options. Mailchimp bills monthly and annually with annual plans saving roughly 15%. Neither charges cancellation fees on monthly plans, but GetResponse's 24-month discount creates meaningful lock-in if you commit. Both allow plan upgrades mid-cycle. Downgrades take effect at the next billing date. GetResponse offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans. Mailchimp offers refunds on a case-by-case basis.
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| GetResponse | freemium | Free0 |
| Mailchimp | freemium | Free0 |
When to Choose GetResponse
- ✓You need webinar hosting, landing pages, and conversion funnels integrated with email — not as separate subscriptions
- ✓Your list exceeds 1,000 contacts and you want 30-45% lower pricing than Mailchimp at every tier
- ✓You need 24/7 multilingual support and your team operates across different time zones
- ✓You want advanced automations with visual workflow builders, scoring, and tagging from the mid-tier plan
- ✓You run an international business and need a platform with support in 8 languages
When to Choose Mailchimp
- ✓You have fewer than 500 contacts and want a completely free starting point with no credit card required
- ✓Your team needs the simplest possible email editor with zero learning curve
- ✓You rely on niche or industry-specific tools that are more likely to have native Mailchimp integrations
- ✓Brand recognition matters — your clients or stakeholders expect to see Mailchimp in your stack
Our Verdict
The Verdict
GetResponse is the better value for businesses that need more than email. If your marketing includes webinars, landing pages, conversion funnels, or paid newsletters, GetResponse handles all of that for less than Mailchimp charges for email alone. The 30-45% pricing advantage at every contact tier adds up fast.
Mailchimp is the better choice for businesses that want the simplest possible email experience. The free tier removes all financial risk for beginners. The interface requires zero training. The 300+ integrations connect to virtually any tool you already use. If email newsletters and basic campaigns are your entire marketing operation, Mailchimp does that job beautifully.
One thing to watch: Mailchimp's pricing has increased three times since Intuit's acquisition. GetResponse has been more stable. If you're making a multi-year platform choice, factor in pricing trajectory — not just today's price.
My honest take? Most businesses outgrow Mailchimp's free tier within six months. At that point, GetResponse almost always offers better value. Start with Mailchimp if you're unsure. Switch to GetResponse when you need more.
Frequently Asked Questions
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