GetResponse vs ActiveCampaign:
Which Platform Wins in 2025?
Note: This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend tools I personally use and trust.
In the world of ecommerce and marketing automation, two tools stand out: GetResponse vs ActiveCampaign. Both are mature platforms with strong email and automation capabilities, but they cater to different business needs and strategies. This direct comparison helps you determine which is the right fit for your brand. You can also check the full GetResponse review or the ActiveCampaign platform analysis.
📝 Quick Summary: Who Wins?
After examining features, usability, pricing, email tools, automation, integrations, and support—GetResponse edges out as the overall winner. It offers stronger built‑in tools for funnels and webinars while still maintaining ease and affordability.
Choose GetResponse if you want a robust yet user‑friendly all‑in‑one platform with marketing funnels, webinars, and SMS included.
Choose ActiveCampaign if your focus is deep email automation, CRM-level segmentation, and behavior-based flows—even if setup is more advanced.
👇 Read on for a granular, category‑by‑category breakdown of how they compare.
Jump to Section
When comparing GetResponse vs ActiveCampaign, features are the backbone. Which platform gives more tools to build, nurture, and scale your marketing?
GetResponse positions itself as a complete marketing suite — email campaigns, automation, landing pages, webinars, conversion funnels, SMS and live chat capabilities.
ActiveCampaign excels in deep email and CRM automation — advanced workflows, predictive sending, machine learning segmentation, embedded CRM, but lacks native webinars and funnels.
Here’s a feature breakdown:
| Feature |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Email Builder | ✅Templates, drag‑drop, & A/B testing | ✅Advanced builder + conditional blocks |
| Marketing Automation | ✅Visual builder + multi-channel | ✅Deep CRM workflows & predictive triggers |
| Landing Pages | ✅Native templates & funnels | 🔴Not included |
| Webinars | ✅Live + evergreen included | 🔴Requires 3rd‑party tool |
| SMS & Chat | ✅Both included | 🔴SMS via integrations |
| CRM Functionality | ✅Basic CRM & cart tag integrations | ✅Built‑in CRM with scoring |
| Predictive Tools | 🟡Basic send time optimization | ✅Predictive sending & win probability |
🏆 Winner: GetResponse — offers wider built‑in tools for funnel-based marketers, with added extras like webinars and SMS.
A tool is only valuable if you actually use it. How fast can you get up and running with GetResponse or ActiveCampaign?
GetResponse prioritizes ease — wizard-led setup for funnels, webinars, lists, and a modular UI that minimizes guesswork.
ActiveCampaign is geared toward advanced users — powerful but steeper learning curve, lengthy workflows and tagging to master.
Usability comparison:
| Usability Factor | | |
|---|---|---|
| Onboarding | ✅Wizard‑led, fast | 🟡Guided but complex |
| UI Cleanliness | ✅Modular, focused tabs | 🟡Dense with options |
| Speed to First Campaign | ✅Under 30 min | 🟡~1–2 hrs |
| Learning Resources | ✅Extensive guides & webinars | ✅In‑depth academy content |
🏆 Winner: GetResponse — faster onboarding, cleaner interface, less friction for beginners.
Cost matters. Here’s how GetResponse and ActiveCampaign stack up on pricing, value, and scalability.
GetResponse Pricing Snapshot
Starts at $19/month (up to 1,000 contacts) on the Basic plan. Upgrading to Plus ($49) or Professional ($99) unlocks funnels, webinars, automation templates, and CRM tools.
ActiveCampaign Pricing Snapshot
Starts at $29/month (up to 1,000 contacts) for Lite. Advanced automation and CRM require Plus ($49), Professional ($149), or Enterprise ($279+).
Comparative Costs
| Pricing Tier | | |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 Contacts | $19 (Basic) | $29 (Lite) |
| 5,000 Contacts | $49 (Plus) | $99 (Plus) |
| 10,000 Contacts | $99 (Professional) | $149 (Professional) |
| Unlimited Sending | ✅ | ❌ |
| Funnels & Webinars | ✅ | 🔴 |
| CRM + Scoring | ✅ | ✅ |
- Solopreneur (1k): GetResponse $19 includes all features; ActiveCampaign $29 excludes funnels.
- Mid-tier (5k): GetResponse $49 includes funnels; ActiveCampaign $99 includes CRM but no webinars.
- Enterprise (10k+): Both ~$100–150, but only GetResponse includes funnels & webinars.
🏆 Winner: GetResponse — better bundled value, lower entry price, and no hidden add-ons required.
Email is the heart of both platforms. Who offers deeper segmentation, smarter workflows, and better conversion tracking?
GetResponse supports split testing, dynamic content, and visual journey funnels.
ActiveCampaign offers advanced personalization, branching logic, machine learning triggers, and predictive send.
| Email Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Split / A/B Testing | ✅Subject, content, time | ✅Multiple campaign variables |
| Segmentation | ✅Tags, behavior, ecommerce | ✅Deep segmentation & predictive tags |
| Predictive Sending | 🟡Time optimization | ✅AI‑based send time & next product |
| Workflow Complexity | ✅Multichannel sequence | ✅Rich branching & conditional logic |
| Conversion Reporting | ✅Funnel & email stats | ✅CRM goal tracking & attribution |
🏆 Winner: ActiveCampaign — deeper email personalization and AI-driven automation edge out given proper setup.
This section assesses built‑in funnels, pages, webinars, SMS, and chat tools—areas where GetResponse shines or ActiveCampaign may fall short.
| Extra Tool | | |
|---|---|---|
| Landing Pages | ✅Included | 🔴Use 3rd‑party |
| Webinar Hosting | ✅Live & evergreen native | 🔴Requires integration |
| Conversion Funnels | ✅Visual funnel builder | 🔴No built‑in funnel map |
| SMS Marketing | ✅Phone + SMS included | 🔴Requires Twilio add‑on |
| Chat Widget | ✅Native chat tool | 🔴No live chat |
🏆 Winner: GetResponse — superior built‑in extras reduce dependency on external tools and simplify workflows.
Connecting to ecommerce platforms, CRMs, ads, and analytics is key. Who plays nicer in a tech stack?
GetResponse delivers native integrations for Shopify, WooCommerce, Salesforce, and a marketplace of apps and webhooks—plus Zapier support.
ActiveCampaign also integrates well with Shopify, WordPress, Zapier, and Salesforce—but lacks native funnel or webinar triggers.
| Integration Type | | |
|---|---|---|
| Ecommerce Platforms | ✅Shopify, Woo, BigCommerce | ✅Shopify, Woo |
| CRM & Sales | ✅Salesforce, Pipedrive | ✅Salesforce, Zoho, Copper |
| Zapier Support | ✅Yes | ✅Yes |
| Webinar/Funnel Hooks | ✅Native triggers | 🔴Needs API work |
🏆 Winner: GetResponse — better native hooks for funnels and webinars connect seamlessly to ecommerce tools.
Support matters when you’re stuck or scaling. Which company responds faster and fosters community?
| Support Channel | | |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | ✅24/7 on paid tiers | 🟡Tier‑dependent hours |
| Email Support | ✅Same‑day reply | ✅Reliable response |
| Training & Tutorials | ✅Extensive webinars | ✅In‑depth academy & coaching |
| Community Presence | ✅Facebook + forums | ✅Active user community |
🏆 Winner: ActiveCampaign — higher‑tier plans come with dedicated support, coaching, and a proactive community.
We’ve compared GetResponse vs ActiveCampaign across 7 categories—features, ease, pricing, email & automation, extras, integrations, and support. The results show diverse strengths.
Category‑by‑Category Summary
| Category | | |
|---|---|---|
| Features & Functionality | 🏆 | |
| Ease of Use | 🏆 | |
| Pricing & Value | 🏆 | |
| Email Marketing & Automation | 🏆 | |
| Funnels, Pages & Extras | 🏆 | |
| Integrations & Ecosystem | 🏆 | |
| Support & Community | 🏆 | |
| 🏁 Final Tally | 5 Wins | 2 Wins |
🥇 Overall Winner: GetResponse — It provides broader built‑in tools, better value, and easier usability for most marketers, while still delivering powerful email automation. ActiveCampaign is best for advanced email‑heavy workflows and premium support.