Mailchimp excels as a free email marketing starter tool with 12,500 free contacts, while GetResponse offers more advanced automation and e-commerce features at a lower paid tier starting at $15/month. GetResponse is purpose-built for marketing automation; Mailchimp is designed for email simplicity with optional paid upgrades.
GetResponse vs Mailchimp — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
All-in-one marketing automation platform with email, automation, webinars, and e-commerce tools.
All-in-one marketing platform offering email campaigns, automation, landing pages, and CRM features.
Free Plan Contact Limit. Starting Paid Price (Monthly). Native E-Commerce Features. Marketing Automation Workflows. Webinar/Live Event Tools. Free Template Library. User Learning Curve
Choose Mailchimp if you're starting out with a small email list (under 500 contacts), want a free plan with generous contact limits, and prefer simplicity over advanced automation. Choose GetResponse if you need marketing automation, e-commerce capabilities, webinar hosting, or plan to scale quickly—its lower paid entry price ($15/month vs $20/month) makes it better value for growth-focused businesses.
GetResponse: 500 contacts | Mailchimp: 500 contacts
GetResponse: $15/month | Mailchimp: $20/month
GetResponse: 800+ templates | Mailchimp: 1,000+ templates
GetResponse: 500 attendees per session | Mailchimp: Not included
GetResponse: 250+ integrations | Mailchimp: 300+
GetResponse: Yes - product recommendations, cart abandonment, purchase automation | Mailchimp: Limited - basic integration support only
GetResponse: Unlimited on all plans | Mailchimp: Advanced visual builder included
GetResponse: 45-60 minutes | Mailchimp: 15-20 minutes
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 5 channels
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes (500 contacts)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 7 (moderate to high)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Sophisticated data-driven rules
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes, varies by plan
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes, with international expansion
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Free on all plans
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Not available
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic (Customer Journey Builder)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: A/B testing and design testing (free)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: More extensive platform coverage
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic contact management
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Beginner-friendly
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Limited (abandoned cart via integrations)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes - charges per contact/send overages
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Comprehensive campaign performance and subscriber insights
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic personalization features
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Available but less intuitive setup
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Full SMS suite with 2026 international expansion
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Legacy interface, steep learning curve
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Full native CRM platform integrated
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: $50-70/month
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: $100/month
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Limited core features only
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Extensive design variety and customization
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Standard audience segmentation
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic contact data syncing
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 1,000-5,000
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: No (API integration only)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes (added 2026, supports international markets)
Contact List Size Limit (Standard Pricing)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Unlimited growth with pro-rated pricing
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 250 contacts
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 1,000 emails/month
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Capped by contact tier multipliers
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 13 million users
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 4.3/5 stars
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Full CRM suite with advanced segmentation
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Limited e-commerce via integrations
Price Scaling Factor at 5,000 Subscribers
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Steep 3-4x multiplier
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 500 contacts
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic add-on CRM
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Manual segmentation only
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Email, basic social
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Minimal (intuitive interface)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Standard quarterly updates
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes, full CRM suite
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Email, SMS, landing pages, ads
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Moderate, marketing-focused
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 10-20 minutes
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 300,000 (based on plan)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: $13/month (Essentials)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: $800/month (100,000 contacts)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Full-featured free plan
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes (up to 500 contacts)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Modern and professional
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Advanced automation included
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Third-party integrations
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Transactional email and small business
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes (drag-and-drop, AI-assisted)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Full CRM with customer profiles
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: All paid plans
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 500 (free) / 5,000 (paid)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 0.08 months (1 hour)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 3 (Salesforce, HubSpot, custom)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Behavioral segmentation only
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 2/10 (simple)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Email-based, no SLA
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic (list segmentation only)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: ~5 basic automations
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: No (Zapier third-party only)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 1 (beginner-friendly)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 500 free contacts
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: None (requires third-party solutions)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Unlimited (with 10k contacts max)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Not applicable (subscriber-based)
Starter Tier Monthly Cost (50k contacts)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: $350/month
Automation Workflow Steps (Free/Starter Tier)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Unlimited (standard feature)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Unlimited (with pricing increase)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Limited basic sequences
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Phone support on paid plans only
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 10 calls/second
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 0% (you handle payments)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Advanced (conditional, behavioral triggers)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: No (third-party required)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes (subject lines, send time)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Included in paid plans
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 30+ (payment processor + Mailchimp config)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: $0 (free tier) or $20 (Pro)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Not offered (email-focused)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Not offered
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 3 (email, SMS via paid add-on, social)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 0.5-2 hours (no code required)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Limited (up to 5-10 per plan tier)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: $0.01-0.05 per SMS
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 100+ templates
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: $2–$7 (plan-dependent)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 0.5–1 hour (UI-based)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Advanced (subject, send time, content)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Manual review required
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Full CRM with segmentation, tagging, custom fields
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: $200–$350 (based on tier)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: $0.01 (SMS add-on)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 45+ countries
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 100+ professional templates
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 1 day (no-code signup)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 12M+ users (2025)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Unlimited steps
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 1,000+ templates
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: No (paid add-on)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: No (add-on only)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 0% (SaaS model)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 30-60 minutes
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 20 (1K-contact plan)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 20M+ users
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: 500+ templates including AI-generated
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: $20 additional per month
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Advanced abandoned cart, product recommendations, dynamic pricing
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Basic automation on free plan
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Advanced AI copywriter with subject line optimization
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: List management only
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes - iOS and Android
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Yes (drag-and-drop)
GetResponse: N/A | Mailchimp: Available at higher tiers
How to choose between GetResponse and Mailchimp
GetResponse vs Mailchimp — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for GetResponse vs Mailchimp. Contains 171 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
GetResponse vs Mailchimp — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for GetResponse vs Mailchimp.
Which platform is truly free for the longest?
Mailchimp offers a genuinely free plan indefinitely for up to 12,500 contacts with unlimited sends, email campaigns, and basic automation. GetResponse's free plan supports only 500 contacts but includes unlimited automation workflows. For pure free email marketing longevity, Mailchimp is superior; for free automation, GetResponse wins.
Can I sell products directly through these platforms?
GetResponse includes native e-commerce features like product catalogs, abandoned cart recovery, and purchase-triggered automations. Mailchimp requires connecting external e-commerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce) via integrations. GetResponse is built for direct product sales; Mailchimp is email-first with e-commerce bolt-ons.
Mailchimp offers 24/7 email and chat support, with community resources and comprehensive knowledge base. GetResponse provides 24/5 support (weekdays extended hours) with dedicated account managers on premium plans. Mailchimp has broader availability; GetResponse offers more personalized support for paying customers.
GetResponse: $15 (1K contacts), $25 (2.5K), $49 (5K), $99 (10K). Mailchimp: $20 (500), $50 (1K), $100 (2.5K), $150 (5K). GetResponse generally offers 20-30% better value at mid-tier subscriber counts; Mailchimp's free tier dominates below 500 contacts.
Which platform integrates better with my existing tools?
Mailchimp connects with 750+ apps (WordPress, Shopify, Zapier, Google Ads, etc.), making it ideal if you use diverse tools. GetResponse integrates with 250+ apps but offers deeper native features (webinars, e-commerce) reducing integration dependency. Choose Mailchimp for ecosystem breadth; GetResponse for self-contained functionality.
How to Choose Between GetResponse and Mailchimp
Free Plan Contact Limit: GetResponse has 500 contacts, while Mailchimp has 12,500 contacts.
Starting Paid Price (Monthly): GetResponse has $15/month, while Mailchimp has $20/month.
Native E-Commerce Features: GetResponse has Yes (product recommendations, cart abandonment), while Mailchimp has Limited (basic integrations only).
Consider: Marketing Automation Workflows
Marketing Automation Workflows: GetResponse has Unlimited automation workflows, while Mailchimp has Limited to paid plans only.
Webinar/Live Event Tools: GetResponse has Built-in webinar hosting (500 attendees), while Mailchimp has None (requires integration).
Free Template Library: GetResponse has 800+ templates, while Mailchimp has 1,000+ templates.
User Learning Curve: GetResponse has Steeper (more features to master), while Mailchimp has Gentler (intuitive interface).