Mailchimp vs GetResponse – Which Is the Best Email Tool for 2024?

Reading Time: 15 minutes

Mailchimp vs GetResponseare two popular email marketing tools with very powerful features that can help you to grow your lifestyle business.

Both Mailchimp and GetResponse offer autoresponders, marketing automation features, drag-and-drop editors, templates, list management, and more. However, they are not equally powerful in all aspects.

This GetResponse vs Mailchimp comparison will help you understand the core differences between the two platforms so that you can make an informed decision for your business.

Let’s start!

Mailchimp vs GetResponse: TL;DR

Mailchimp Pros:

• Intuitive templates with a drag-and-drop editor.
• Supports dynamic content.
• Autoresponder feature available.
• Drip campaigns are allowed.
• Highly advanced statistics.
• Responsive landing pages.
• Supports A/B split testing of emails.

GetResponse Pros:

• Allows contact import from Outlook and integrates with Google Analytics.
• Offers outstanding A/B testing features.
• Provides incredibly flexible templates and a stable email editor.
• Provides suggestions for the best time to send emails based on niche.
• Offers advanced reporting.
• Allows unlimited landing pages.
• Supports contact scoring and sales funnels.

Mailchimp vs GetResponse: Detailed Comparison

Mailchimp vs GetResponse Comparison Breakdown by Features

• User Interface & Ease of Use
• Email & Landing Page Templates
• Automation
• Autoresponders
• Forms
• List Management
• Integrations
• Reporting & Analytics
• Customer Support
• Pricing

Mailchimp vs GetResponse: User Interface & Ease of Use

Email marketing software must have a simple user interface to reduce the learning curve.

Mailchimp:

Mailchimp has a clean UI with neat left navigation. There are many menu options that can be a little overwhelming for first-time users. However, with some patience, it is not at all difficult to master the UI.

There is one problem with the way they have arranged autoresponders and multi-step workflow builders under the Customer Journeys section in the Automation tab. That was unnecessary especially when Customer Journey is a more generic marketing term and not specific to email marketing.

A customer journey can be across multiple channels and not just email marketing, which is only one part of overall marketing.

Apart from this weird categorization, everything else is fine.

This email marketing tool has a drag-and-drop editor for both emails and landing pages. You can use Mailchimps email editor to set the overall style of your emails and play with options like colors and font size. However, the editor is not very smooth.

Also, anyone will naturally expect the automation editor to be of the same drag-and-drop style, but that’s a point-and-click editor. This is slightly confusing.

GetResponse:

GetResponse has a very clean UI with its navigation set in the header, leaving the workplace clutter-free. The overall UI is slightly better than the Mailchimp interface. Menu items are neatly organized and you find everything in a few clicks.

This email marketing service also offers a drag-and-drop editor for both emails and landing pages. However, the editor will not allow you to set the overall style of your emails. You can only edit the header and footer of your emails.

When you hover your mouse over any element, GetResponse will tell you which type of block it is. The editor also has a built-in GIF and image library and allows up to 2GB of image storage.

The editor feels way smoother than that of Mailchimp.

Winner: GetResponse because of a comparatively cleaner UI and a smoother editor.

GetResponse vs Mailchimp: Email & Landing Page Templates

Email templates & landing page templates are an integral part of email marketing platforms. Both GetResponse and Mailchimp offer such templates.

Mailchimp:

For emails, Mailchimp has 100 themed templates that cover everything from holiday emails & promotions to newsletters & e-commerce. There are 14 blank templates available if you want to design a custom layout.

You can use the editor to easily add elements like CTA buttons, social share and follow buttons, video, etc. intuitively. You can change everything from colors to text and even add custom codes.

For landing pages, Mailchimp offers 10 templates and a few blank templates that are highly customizable and work with a drag-and-drop landing page editor.

Unfortunately, Mailchimp templates have outdated designs. You can modernize them but that will be time-consuming.

GetResponse

GetResponse offers around 124 email templates. Unlike Mailchimp templates, these templates have sleek, modern, and responsive designs.

All templates can be easily edited with their editor. However, GetResponse says that there are over 500 newsletter or email templates. That’s incorrect information. Most likely they removed outdated templates but never updated the website information.

They also have landing page templates that are just as contemporary as the newsletter templates. You can edit them using their landing page editor. You can also create landing pages from scratch.

Winner: GetResponse because of more contemporary templates.

GetResponse vs Mailchimp: Automation

Both Mailchimp and GetResponse and marketing automation features. They offer multi-step automation but not for free plan users.

Mailchimp:

Mailchimp has named its multi-step automations Customer Journey. As mentioned earlier, that is an inappropriate name. Barring that, Mailchimp makes it quite easy to create automation workflows.

You can access automation from the dashboard of your Mailchimp account or you can use the handy ‘Create’ button on the top menu.

Surprisingly, the automation builder is not a drag-and-drop type. But that’s not a problem. It is very simple and gets the job done with five actions and three rules.

GetResponse:

Contrary to Mailchimp, GetResponse lists its automations as ‘Automations’ in the menu. The automation builder is simple and intuitive, but at the same time, it allows for more complex automations for your email campaigns.

In fact, you can create automation workflows of any complexity that you can conceive. You get to choose from 43 templates for automated workflows. If you want, you can build a marketing automation workflow from scratch using 17 conditions, 11 actions, and 7 filters.

You can even color-code the paths for easy identification and freely move all elements, making it easy to read the workflow.

Winner: GetResponse because of more advanced automation features.

GetResponse vs Mailchimp: Autoresponders

GetResponse, Mailchimp, and all other email marketing services offer autoresponders because they are an important part of any basic email marketing strategy.

Mailchimp:

Autoresponders are automations, but they are single-step automations. Unlike the multi-step automations, you will get access to autoresponders in Mailchimp’s free plan.

This email marketing service offers a decent number of triggers. For instance, you can select birthday emails, thank you emails, blog post updates, and welcome emails.

However, it is a bit confusing to understand which automations are one-step automations. The only way to find that out is to click on the ‘Create’ button on the top and then select ‘Classic Automations.’

GetResponse:

GetResponse also has autoresponders. However, they are quite limited because there are only two triggers. One is for new contact signups and the other one is for a specified duration of time. You can use time triggers when you create new segments.

Winner: Mailchimp because they offer more autoresponder triggers.

GetResponse vs Mailchimp: Forms

Signup forms are an integral part of email marketing services because they help to capture email addresses for your email marketing efforts.

Mailchimp:

Mailchimp will allow embedded or pop-up forms and you can have different lists for each type. Depending on the type of form you want to build a different editor will show up.

That’s a bit confusing, but the form builder is very simple with a drag-and-drop feature that you can use to add fields and even edit field values. You can also customize the forms.

However, the twist comes when you create an embedded form because you will notice a completely different editor with no similarity with other editors you find on the platform.

Also, the pop-up form editor is entirely different and the most modern among all the editors you will find with Mailchimp.

GetResponse:

With your GetResponse account you will find a powerful wizard for opt-in forms. They also offer many templates that you can easily edit. If you need new form styles like exit popups, you need to use list builder apps. Like Mailchimp, GetResponse will allow HTML codes.

The best part is that you don’t get different form builders for different types of sign-up forms.

Winner: GetResponse because of a uniform form builder experience.

GetResponse vs Mailchimp: List Management

The ability to manage and segment a list of email subscribers is important for successful & targeted email marketing.

Mailchimp:

This email service provider will let you create separate lists, making it a valuable feature if you have contacts from different business streams or if you manage emails for different clients.

Mailchimp will charge you for the duplicated email subscribers across multiple lists. So, be careful. While the ability to maintain multiple lists sounds great, it is pretty complicated and useless for small businesses and individual lifestyle bloggers.

GetResponse:

GetResponse allows complex list management. You can easily move contacts entirely or add them to another campaign. You can also create segments within the same lists and send broadcast email campaigns to different segments as if they were different lists.

For example, if you have a list called ‘destination wedding,’ you can segment the list into something like ‘January weddings,’ ‘April weddings,’ and so on. You can then send emails to different segments.

This is particularly helpful for small businesses that sell physical or digital products. With Mailchimp, you don’t get anything this advanced.

Winner: GetResponse because it allows for complex list management.

GetResponse vs Mailchimp: Integrations

Integrations offered by email marketing platforms allow seamless data flow across different platforms. This helps to develop robust digital marketing strategies.

Mailchimp:

Mailchimp supports over 250 apps and each tool integrates natively. Some popular integrations include Squarespace, Drupal, Stripe, LiveChat, Zendesk, SimpleTexting, etc. It can even integrate with platforms like LinkedIn, Vimeo, Facebook, etc.

SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Formstack, and other similar integrations are also available for advanced analytical data.

If you need further integrations that are not natively supported, you can use Zapier integration.

GetResponse:

GetResponse has over 60 native integrations and offers direct integration with Shopify. However, though GetResponse’s native integrations are fewer than Mailchimp’s, they seem to be hand-picked.

If you can’t find a native integration, you can use Zapier integration to connect with thousands of third-party apps.

Winner: Mailchimp because it offers more native integrations.

GetResponse vs Mailchimp: Reporting & Analytics

Reporting & analytics is one of the most important email marketing features. You need to understand the effectiveness of your email marketing campaigns and adjust them accordingly.

Mailchimp:

Mailchimp offers an endless range of reports. Apart from basic performance reports like click rates, open rates, unsubscribes, etc. you will also find hourly reports, opens by location, click maps, e-commerce store sales, performance by domain, etc.

GetResponse:

GetResponse will also provide both click and open rates, e-commerce tracking data, geo-tracking, etc.

However, unlike GetResponse, Mailchimp will provide social media tracking, which may be beneficial to a small business depending on needs. But GetResponse will allow you to combine analytics of multiple campaigns that Mailchimp fails to do.

Winner: Mailchimp wins by a small margin.

GetResponse vs Mailchimp: Customer Support

Customer support is important to deal with technical issues you face with your selected email marketing platform. Both Mailchimp and GetResponse offer multiple support channels.

Mailchimp:

Paid Mailchimp users are entitled to 24×7 support through email and live chat. Mailchimp offers telephone support only to their Premium plan users.

However, free users get very limited support through email only, and that too, ends in 30 days, leaving them with no other option but self-service support using video tutorials and support articles.

GetResponse:

GetResponse has 24×7 live chat and email support available. Their live chat is impressive and you can get responses to your message immediately.

They also have a quick response time for email support requests. Moreover, this email marketing platform webinars.

The best part is that the same level of support is available across all plans. But like Mailchimp, they also don’t provide support to free users.

Winner: GetResponse wins because of very responsive customer support.

Mailchimp vs GetResponse: Pricing Plans

Both GetResponse and Mailchimp offer a limited free plan. The good news is that you can use their respective website builders and signup forms. However, the free service of both platforms will restrict the subscriber counts to 500 contacts only.

Mailchimp Pricing:

Mailchimp has one forever free plan and three paid plans. Mailchimp’s free plan will not give access to all the features.

Free: $0 a month

• Email contacts storage: 500 max
• Number of emails you can send and the number of emails you can have: 500 max
• Email support for 30 days only from the subscription date.
• Access to pre-built templates.

Essentials: $11 a month

• Email contacts storage: 50,000 max
• Number of emails you can send and the number of emails you can have: 500 max
• 24/7 chat and email support.
• Access to pre-built basic templates.
• A/B testing.
• Basic automated customer journeys.

Standard: $17 a month

• Contacts storage: 100,000 max
• Number of emails you can send and the number of emails you can have: 500 max
• 24/7 chat and email support.
• Custom-coded and pre-built email templates.
• A/B testing.
• Enhanced automated customer journeys.
• Predictive segmentation.

Premium: $299 a month

• Contacts storage: Unlimited
• Number of emails you can send and the number of emails you can have: 10,000 max
• Priority support and phone support.
• Custom-coded and pre-built templates.
• Multivariate & A/B testing.
• Enhanced automated customer journeys.
• Predictive segmentation.
• Dedicated onboarding specialist.

Note that though the contact storage may be much higher for paid plans, there is a limit to the number of contacts you can store or emails you can send. If you exceed that limit, overages will apply.

GetResponse Pricing:

GetResponse offers a limited free plan that allows up to 500 contacts. The pricing for the premium plans depends on the subscriber count.

They have five pricing tiers:

Free: $0 a month

• Access to newsletters.
• Unlimited emails per month.
• Visual email editor.
• Website builder.
• Connect custom domain.
• Pre-designed templates & HTML editor.
• Contact import and export.
• Contact segmentation (only four parameters).
• Contact forms & signup forms.
• One landing page.

Email Marketing: $19 monthly for 1,000 contacts

• Access to newsletters.
• Unlimited emails.
• Visual editor.
• A/B testing.
• Pre-designed templates & HTML editor.
• Contact import and export.
• Contact segmentation (based on seven parameters).
• Autoresponders.
• Limited automation.
• Email and chat support.
• Contact forms & signup forms.
• Website builder.
• Connect custom domain.
• Lead funnels.
• Lead magnet funnels.
• Social ad creator for ad campaigns.
• Unlimited landing pages.
• Stores and product center, e-product delivery (e-commerce tools).

Marketing Automation: $59 a month for 1,000 contacts

• All the features in the Email Marketing plan.
• Contact list segmentation based on 9 parameters.
• Support for drip campaigns, contact scoring, contact tagging, and limited push notifications.
• Payment gateway integration, product box (additional e-commerce tools).
• Live webinars and webinar funnels.
• Sales funnels.

Ecommerce Marketing: $119 a month for 1,000 contacts

• Everything in the Marketing Automation plan.
• Quick transactional emails.
• Access to all e-commerce tools.
• Contact list segmentation based on 10 parameters.
• Abandoned cart trigger & unlimited push notifications.

Max²: Custom Pricing

• Access to all features of GetResponse.
• Dedicated IP address.
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 integration.

Winner: GetResponse because it is cheaper and gives more features than Mailchimp.

Mailchimp vs GetResponse: Summary

Both GetResponse and Mailchimp are powerful email marketing tools. However, GetResponse is much more user-friendly and some features are way more advanced than similar features of Mailchimp.

The email marketing platform you select must depend on your business needs. For instance, if you need highly advanced automation features, GetResponse is a better choice. Similarly, Mailchimp performs better in the autoresponders segment.

Carefully evaluate your needs and select the best email list platform based on your individual requirements.

Mailchimp vs GetResponse: FAQ

Is GetResponse better than Mailchimp?

Yes, GetResponse is better than Mailchimp because, not only is it cheaper but also far more user-friendly and offers more features. For instance, you can use web push notifications for sending messages to your customers.

Mailchimp has slightly better reporting, and it has more triggers for autoresponders, but overall, GetResponse is more advanced among the two email services.

Is GetResponse good for email marketing?

Yes, GetResponse is good for email marketing. It offers tons of user-friendly templates and an intuitive automation builder that can help you to improve your digital marketing efforts.

They also have an A/B testing feature where you can test the email subject line, email content, and much more to understand which emails grab more attention.

Can I use GetResponse and Mailchimp for free?

Both GetResponse and Mailchimp have free plans. If you don’t have enough marketing budget, you can use their free options. However, the features offered by both Mailchimp and Getresponse in their free plans are limited.

If you want, you can try all the paid plans (except Max²) of GetResponse for 30 days before upgrading. You don’t need to provide credit card details for free trials.

What is the difference between GetResponse and Mailchimp?

The key difference between GetResponse and Mailchimp lies in their user interfaces, automation capabilities, and template designs. GetResponse offers a more user-friendly interface and advanced features like the ability to build automated workflows, host webinars, and create conversion funnels. Mailchimp lets users integrate a variety of email clients and provides a diverse range of email templates. While both platforms offer robust email marketing solutions, GetResponse tends to have a slight edge in terms of overall functionality and flexibility.

What is better than GetResponse?

While GetResponse is often considered the best email marketing platform for many users, other tools that may be better in certain aspects include ActiveCampaign, which excels in managing active contacts and subscribers through SMS marketing and advanced email campaign strategies. Additionally, platforms like ConvertKit offer unique features like the ability to use your own HTML code in emails, which might be preferable for some users.

What are the disadvantages of using Mailchimp?

The disadvantages of using Mailchimp include limitations in its automation builder, less advanced landing page creators compared to competitors, and restrictions in Mailchimp’s free plan, such as limited access to advanced features like SMS messages and promo codes. Additionally, while Mailchimp email templates are diverse, some users may find customization options limited, particularly when compared to GetResponse’s more flexible email editor.

How does GetResponse’s free plan compare to other email marketing solutions?

GetResponse’s free plan stands out for its generous offering of essential features, including a basic landing page creator, access to email templates, and the ability to host webinars. This makes it a comprehensive choice for startups or small businesses looking for a no-cost email marketing solution. However, for advanced features like conversion funnels and SMS marketing, upgrading to a paid plan is necessary.

Can I customize Mailchimp email templates to fit my brand?

Yes, Mailchimp lets users customize email templates to align with their brand. Using Mailchimp’s email editor, you can modify template designs, incorporate your own HTML code for bespoke designs, and use the mobile preview feature to ensure your emails look great on all devices. This customization extends to integrating promo codes and other elements relevant to your online store or marketing strategy.

What types of customer support can I expect from GetResponse and Mailchimp?

Both GetResponse and Mailchimp offer robust customer support teams. GetResponse provides live chat support and email assistance, which is available even in its free plan. Mailchimp also offers email support and live chat support, but phone support is restricted to business hours and is typically available only in premium plans.

Are there any unique features in GetResponse not found in other email marketing platforms?

Yes, GetResponse offers several unique features not commonly found in other email marketing platforms. These include the ability to host webinars directly through the platform, advanced conversion funnels for optimizing sales cycles, and comprehensive landing page builders which are more sophisticated than those offered by many competitors.

How effective is SMS marketing with GetResponse compared to Mailchimp?

SMS marketing in GetResponse is highly effective for reaching active subscribers instantly. GetResponse allows for seamless integration of SMS messages into your email campaigns, providing a holistic approach to digital marketing. In contrast, Mailchimp integrates SMS marketing, but it might not be as advanced in terms of integration with email campaigns and other marketing tools.