AWeber vs GetResponse: Which Email Marketing Platform Should You Actually Use?

Both AWeber and GetResponse have been around since 1998. They're both solid email marketing platforms. But they've evolved very differently over the years, and one is clearly better suited for certain use cases than the other.

Here's the short version: GetResponse is the better choice for most businesses looking for an all-in-one marketing platform with advanced automation. AWeber makes sense if you want something dead simple, prefer phone support, or need AMP email capabilities.

Let me break down exactly why.

Pricing Comparison: GetResponse Wins on Value

Let's cut to the numbers that matter:

AWeber Pricing

The Lite plan is honestly a weird product. You're paying $15/month but still have AWeber branding on your emails. That's embarrassing for a business. The Plus plan at $30/month is really the entry point if you want to look professional.

AWeber's Lite plan also restricts you to just 1 email list, 1 custom segment, 3 automations, and 3 landing pages. These limitations make it impractical for most growing businesses. The Plus plan removes these restrictions but comes at double the cost.

One significant limitation: AWeber caps your monthly sends to 10x your subscriber count on the Lite plan and 12x on the Plus plan. If you send frequent emails, you'll hit these limits quickly.

For more details, check out our AWeber pricing breakdown and AWeber cost guide.

GetResponse Pricing

GetResponse gives you unlimited email sending on all paid plans. AWeber limits you to 10x or 12x your subscriber count depending on your plan. That matters if you send frequently.

GetResponse's pricing structure is more straightforward and offers better value at most tiers. The Starter plan includes significantly more features than AWeber's Lite plan at roughly the same price point.

Price Scaling as Your List Grows

Here's where it gets interesting:

SubscribersAWeber PlusGetResponse Starter
1,000$30/month$19/month
2,500$50/month$29/month
10,000$100/month$79/month
25,000$145/month~$150/month
50,000~$250/month~$250/month

GetResponse is consistently cheaper at lower subscriber counts. They converge around 25K subscribers. Both charge based on subscriber tiers and will auto-upgrade you if you exceed your limit.

One annoying thing about AWeber: downgrades aren't automatic. If you delete subscribers, you need to contact support to reduce your billing tier. GetResponse handles this the same way - neither platform automatically downgrades you when your list shrinks.

Understanding List Count Differences

An important pricing consideration: GetResponse only charges for unique contacts across all your lists. If the same email address appears on multiple lists, you're only charged once. AWeber counts duplicates across lists, which can inflate your subscriber count and push you into a higher pricing tier unnecessarily.

This difference can save you significant money if you segment your audience across multiple lists - a common practice in sophisticated email marketing.

Hidden Costs and Transaction Fees

Both platforms charge transaction fees if you sell products directly through email:

If you're running an online store or selling courses, factor these fees into your total cost of ownership.

Discount Opportunities

Both platforms offer discounts:

AWeber: Offers a 25% discount plus 3 months free for nonprofits and students (requires proof of status). No significant discounts for annual billing on lower tiers.

GetResponse: Offers 18% off with annual billing, 30% off with 24-month billing, and 50% off for nonprofits on all monthly plans forever. This makes GetResponse significantly more affordable for eligible organizations.

Features: GetResponse Has More, AWeber Keeps It Simple

Where GetResponse Beats AWeber

Marketing Automation: GetResponse has a visual workflow builder with behavioral conditions, event-based triggers, and over 50 pre-made templates for common scenarios like welcome sequences, cart abandonment, and re-engagement campaigns. You can create workflows with unlimited elements, conditional branching, and complex customer journeys.

The automation builder includes 17 conditions covering basic fields, tags, and ecommerce-related fields, plus 9 actions like sending messages, moving contacts to specific lists, or removing contacts. AWeber's automation exists but is more basic and limited on lower plans - the Lite plan caps you at just 3 automations total.

Webinars: GetResponse has built-in webinar hosting (up to 100 attendees on Marketer, 300 on Creator). You can host live webinars, create on-demand webinars, and even integrate webinar attendance into your automation workflows. AWeber doesn't have this at all - you'd need a separate tool like StreamYard. Check our StreamYard pricing guide if you go that route.

Website Builder: GetResponse includes a drag-and-drop website builder with templates. You can create entire websites, not just landing pages. AWeber doesn't offer this. If you need a website builder, also consider Squarespace vs Wix.

Online Courses: GetResponse's Creator plan lets you build and sell online courses directly. You can create unlimited courses for up to 250 students on the free plan, but selling them requires a paid plan. This includes course creation tools, student management, and monetization features. AWeber has nothing comparable.

A/B Testing: GetResponse lets you test up to 5 variations at once across multiple elements including subject lines, content, send times, and sender names. AWeber caps you at 3 variations and focuses primarily on subject line testing.

Send Time Optimization: GetResponse has AI-powered features like "Perfect Timing" that analyzes when each subscriber is most likely to open emails and schedules sends accordingly. The "Time Travel" feature sends emails based on subscriber time zones. AWeber has basic scheduling but nothing this sophisticated.

Conversion Funnels: GetResponse offers a visual funnel builder that combines landing pages, email sequences, and sales pages into cohesive conversion paths. You can see the entire customer journey mapped out visually and optimize each step. This feature is particularly powerful for ecommerce businesses and course creators.

Paid Newsletters: The Creator plan includes the ability to monetize your email list by charging for premium newsletter subscriptions. This is perfect for content creators looking to build recurring revenue. AWeber has no comparable feature.

Web Push Notifications: GetResponse includes web push notifications starting with the Marketer plan (unlimited on higher tiers). This lets you reach subscribers even when they're not checking email. AWeber doesn't offer this.

Advanced Segmentation: GetResponse allows unlimited custom segments based on behavior, engagement, tags, scoring, and ecommerce activity. You can search criteria across all lists simultaneously. AWeber limits you to one segment at a time on the Lite plan and requires the Plus plan for unlimited segments.

List Management: GetResponse only charges for unique contacts across all lists, while AWeber counts duplicates. GetResponse also offers better tools for verifying subscriber consent and collecting data through custom fields.

Where AWeber Beats GetResponse

AMP for Email: AWeber supports interactive AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) emails with polls, surveys, carousels, accordions, and even live-updating countdowns embedded directly in the email. Subscribers can RSVP to events, leave product reviews, answer questionnaires, and see live package shipping statuses without leaving their inbox. GetResponse doesn't have this. AWeber was the first small business email service provider to support AMP for Email, and they've continued investing in it. It's a niche feature, but if you want interactive emails that function like mini-websites, AWeber is one of the few platforms offering it.

Phone Support: AWeber offers phone support on paid plans during business hours. GetResponse relies on chat and email support (24/7 in multiple languages, but no phone option except on the MAX enterprise plan). If you need to talk to a human on the phone, AWeber wins.

Template Quantity: AWeber claims 700+ templates. Many look dated, but there's variety across different industries and use cases. GetResponse has around 100+ modern templates that are more visually current but fewer in number.

Canva Integration: AWeber has a native Canva integration built into their editor, allowing you to design graphics directly within the email builder. GetResponse doesn't have this built-in integration. Learn more about Canva in our Canva review and how to use Canva guide.

Integrations: AWeber has been around forever and has more direct integrations with third-party tools - over 700+ integrations compared to GetResponse's 160+. Both integrate with major platforms like Shopify, WordPress, WooCommerce, and PayPal, but AWeber's ecosystem is deeper, especially for niche tools.

Message Templates: AWeber offers pre-written email campaign templates for various industries, giving you complete email sequences you can customize. This is helpful if you're starting from scratch and need inspiration.

Simplicity: AWeber's interface is more minimalistic and less cluttered. If you're overwhelmed by features and just want to send newsletters, AWeber's streamlined approach is less intimidating.

Email Deliverability: A Complex Comparison

Deliverability is one of the most important factors in choosing an email platform, yet it's also one of the hardest to measure objectively. Both platforms maintain solid deliverability, but the numbers vary depending on the source.

Independent tests show mixed results. Some studies show GetResponse with an 89.7% inbox placement rate and AWeber at 89.4% - essentially a tie. However, other recent tests show GetResponse at 80.08% and AWeber performing slightly better in certain industries.

Both platforms support DKIM and SPF authentication, provide easy domain verification, and automatically clean bounced emails. Both have anti-spam policies and monitor for abuse.

AWeber owns its entire delivery infrastructure, which gives them more control over IP reputation and delivery optimization. This has historically been one of their strongest selling points. Many experienced email marketers specifically choose AWeber for its consistent delivery to inbox.

GetResponse uses well-managed shared IP pools with strong sender reputations. They've built relationships with major ISPs over 25+ years and maintain strict anti-spam policies. GetResponse also offers additional deliverability tools including built-in spam checking before you send and AI-powered send-time optimization.

Real-world results vary significantly based on your content, list quality, and subscriber engagement. Some users report better open rates after switching from GetResponse to AWeber. Others report the opposite - one user documented their open rates doubling from 15% to 30% after switching from AWeber to GetResponse.

The truth: both platforms deliver well if you follow email marketing best practices. Don't pick a platform based on marginal deliverability differences alone - focus on features, price, and which tools you'll actually use.

Email Design and Templates

GetResponse Email Editor

GetResponse offers a modern drag-and-drop email editor with over 100 professionally designed templates. The templates are visually current and mobile-responsive by default. You can customize fonts, colors, layouts, and add custom HTML blocks if needed.

The editor includes:

The interface is clean and organized, though some users find it has a slight learning curve compared to simpler editors.

AWeber Email Editor

AWeber's drag-and-drop editor is straightforward and easy to use. With 700+ templates, you have more variety, though many templates feel dated compared to GetResponse's modern designs.

The editor includes:

AWeber's editor prioritizes simplicity over advanced features. If you're not tech-savvy, you'll appreciate the straightforward approach.

Automation: GetResponse Dominates

This is where the platforms diverge most significantly.

GetResponse Automation

GetResponse's automation workflow builder is one of the best in the industry, comparable to platforms like ActiveCampaign at a lower price point.

You can create sophisticated, multi-step customer journeys triggered by:

The visual workflow builder uses a canvas where you drag and drop elements, connect them with lines, and create complex branching logic. You can have unlimited elements in a workflow and create as many workflows as you need (except on the free plan).

GetResponse offers 50+ pre-built workflow templates across categories like:

Each template is fully customizable. You can also export and import workflows, making it easy to reuse successful campaigns.

Advanced features include:

AWeber Automation

AWeber's automation is functional but significantly more limited, especially on lower-tier plans.

The Lite plan restricts you to just 3 automations total - barely enough for a welcome sequence, cart abandonment, and one additional workflow. The Plus plan removes this restriction and gives you unlimited automations.

AWeber's automation capabilities include:

AWeber's automation is best suited for straightforward use cases like welcome emails, birthday messages, and basic drip campaigns. If you need complex, behavior-based workflows with multiple branches and conditions, GetResponse is far superior.

Landing Pages and Forms

GetResponse

GetResponse includes unlimited landing pages on all paid plans (the free plan limits you to 1,000 unique visitors per month). The landing page builder offers:

You can create multi-page funnels that guide visitors through a complete conversion process. The form builder includes inline forms, pop-ups, fixed bars, and customizable opt-in forms with various display triggers.

AWeber

AWeber offers unlimited landing pages on the Plus plan (the Lite plan caps you at 3 landing pages). The builder is simpler than GetResponse but adequate for basic needs.

Features include:

AWeber's form builder is particularly praised for its ease of use. You can create and publish forms quickly without getting bogged down in settings.

Ecommerce Features

If you run an online store, these features matter:

GetResponse

Starting with the Marketer plan ($59/month), GetResponse includes comprehensive ecommerce tools:

The Creator plan adds even more features for monetizing your audience through courses, paid newsletters, and digital products.

AWeber

AWeber includes basic ecommerce features:

AWeber's ecommerce features are adequate for basic needs but not as comprehensive as GetResponse's dedicated ecommerce tools.

Analytics and Reporting

GetResponse

GetResponse provides detailed analytics including:

The reporting interface is modern and visual, making it easy to understand performance at a glance.

AWeber

AWeber offers clear, straightforward analytics:

AWeber's Plus and Unlimited plans include "Advanced Message Analytics" with deeper insights. The reporting is less visually sophisticated than GetResponse but covers all essential metrics.

Ease of Use: AWeber for Beginners, GetResponse for Growth

AWeber has a simpler, more minimalistic interface. If you just want to send newsletters and set up basic autoresponders without learning a complex system, AWeber is friendlier. User reviews show 55% find AWeber easy to use, and the platform is consistently praised for its straightforward approach.

The onboarding process is quick, and you can send your first campaign within minutes of signing up. AWeber's support team provides excellent guidance for beginners.

GetResponse has more features, which means more to learn. But 80% of users report finding it easy to use despite the learning curve. The interface is modern and well-organized - you just need to invest time understanding all the tools.

GetResponse offers more tutorials, workflow templates, and guided setups to help you get started. Once you're familiar with the platform, the extra features become assets rather than obstacles.

If you're brand new to email marketing and want the simplest possible setup, AWeber gets you running faster. If you plan to use automation, landing pages, webinars, or any advanced features, GetResponse's learning curve pays off.

Customer Support Comparison

AWeber Support

AWeber is renowned for excellent customer support:

Users consistently praise AWeber's support team for being responsive, knowledgeable, and helpful. The ability to call someone on the phone is a significant advantage for users who prefer verbal communication or need urgent help.

GetResponse Support

GetResponse offers solid support but no phone option on standard plans:

GetResponse's chat support is fast and helpful, with most users getting responses within minutes. The multilingual support is valuable for international businesses.

Integration Ecosystem

AWeber Integrations

AWeber integrates with 700+ third-party applications, including:

The extensive integration library is one of AWeber's strongest advantages, especially for users with established tool stacks.

GetResponse Integrations

GetResponse offers 160+ direct integrations, including:

While fewer than AWeber, GetResponse covers all major platforms. The API allows for custom integrations if needed.

Mobile Apps

Both platforms offer mobile apps for iOS and Android, allowing you to:

GetResponse's mobile app is generally considered more polished and feature-rich, with better reviews on app stores.

List Growth Tools

GetResponse

AWeber

GetResponse provides more comprehensive lead generation tools, particularly with webinars and the website builder. AWeber's tools are solid but more basic.

Compliance and Security

Both platforms take compliance seriously:

GetResponse

AWeber

Both platforms meet industry standards for email marketing compliance and data protection.

Pros and Cons Summary

GetResponse Pros

GetResponse Cons

AWeber Pros

AWeber Cons

Who Should Choose AWeber?

AWeber is the "set it and forget it" email platform. It does the basics well without overwhelming you. If you're running a straightforward newsletter or email list and don't need advanced marketing tools, AWeber's simplicity is a strength, not a limitation.

Try AWeber Free →

Who Should Choose GetResponse?

GetResponse is the "grow into it" platform. Start with email, then expand into automation, webinars, and courses as you need them. The additional features justify the slightly steeper learning curve.

Migration Between Platforms

Both platforms offer free migration assistance:

Switching to GetResponse: GetResponse provides free migration help to move your email templates, automations, lists, and more. The process typically takes a few days, and their team handles the technical details.

Switching to AWeber: AWeber offers similar free migration services through their expert team. They'll move your templates, automations, and subscriber lists while ensuring minimal disruption to your campaigns.

When migrating, consider:

The Verdict

For most businesses reading this comparison, GetResponse is the better choice. You get more features, better pricing at most subscriber counts, unlimited email sending, and room to grow into advanced marketing automation.

The automation alone is worth the switch if you're running any kind of sophisticated email marketing. GetResponse's workflow builder rivals platforms costing significantly more, and you get webinars, course creation tools, and a website builder included.

Choose AWeber if you specifically value simplicity, phone support, or AMP email capabilities - and you're confident you won't need webinars, advanced automation, or a website builder. AWeber excels at the basics and won't overwhelm you with features you don't need.

Both platforms offer free plans with 500 subscribers, so you can test them without commitment. Start there before you decide.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If neither AWeber nor GetResponse feels right, check out these options:

Brevo (formerly Sendinblue): Charges by emails sent, not subscribers. Great if you have a large list but send infrequently. Includes SMS marketing and CRM tools. See our Brevo pricing guide and Brevo review.

ActiveCampaign: Best-in-class automation, better than both AWeber and GetResponse. More expensive but worth it if automation is your priority. Includes CRM functionality and advanced segmentation.

MailerLite: Budget-friendly with good features. Generous free plan up to 1,000 subscribers. Modern interface and solid automation. Worth considering if price is your main concern.

ConvertKit: Built specifically for creators, bloggers, and course sellers. Visual automation builder and excellent for selling digital products. Pricier than GetResponse but purpose-built for content creators.

Mailchimp: The most well-known name in email marketing. Free plan up to 500 contacts but with send limits. More expensive than both AWeber and GetResponse at higher tiers. Strong ecommerce integrations.

Constant Contact: Known for excellent customer support and event marketing features. More expensive than GetResponse. Good for nonprofits and local businesses.

For more email marketing options, read our guide on best email marketing software and email marketing for small business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from AWeber to GetResponse (or vice versa) easily?

Yes, both platforms offer free migration assistance. They'll help you move your subscriber lists, templates, and automations. The process typically takes 2-5 business days. Just contact their support team to start the migration process.

Do AWeber and GetResponse integrate with WordPress?

Yes, both have official WordPress plugins. AWeber has extensive WordPress support with multiple plugins for different functions. GetResponse also integrates seamlessly with WordPress for forms, landing pages, and webinar registrations.

Which platform has better deliverability?

Independent tests show both platforms with similar deliverability rates around 89-90%. AWeber owns its delivery infrastructure, while GetResponse uses managed IP pools. Real-world results depend more on your email practices (list quality, content, engagement) than the platform choice.

Can I use my own domain for sending emails?

Yes, both platforms let you authenticate your domain using DKIM and SPF records. This improves deliverability and makes emails appear from your domain rather than the platform's sending domain. Setup is straightforward on both platforms.

Which is better for ecommerce?

GetResponse is significantly better for ecommerce with dedicated features including abandoned cart automation, product recommendations, promo code management, and deep Shopify/WooCommerce integrations. AWeber has basic ecommerce features but lacks the sophisticated tools GetResponse offers.

Do they offer refunds?

AWeber doesn't mention refunds explicitly but has no long-term contracts, so you can cancel anytime. GetResponse explicitly does not offer refunds, even if you cancel shortly after subscribing. Both platforms offer free trials or free plans to test before committing.

Can I have multiple users on one account?

AWeber Lite limits you to 3 users, Plus allows unlimited users. GetResponse Starter includes 1 user, Marketer includes 3 users, Creator includes 5 users, and MAX allows unlimited users. Consider this if you have a team managing email marketing.

Which has better automation?

GetResponse has significantly better automation with a visual workflow builder, 50+ templates, unlimited elements, and sophisticated branching logic. AWeber's automation is functional but basic, especially on the Lite plan which caps you at only 3 automations total.

Can I sell courses or host webinars?

GetResponse includes both course creation tools and webinar hosting starting at the Marketer level ($59/month). AWeber has neither feature - you'd need separate platforms for webinars and course hosting.

Which is cheaper for a list of 5,000 subscribers?

GetResponse Starter costs around $49/month for 5,000 subscribers. AWeber Plus costs around $70/month for 5,000 subscribers. GetResponse is cheaper at this tier and includes more features.

Final Thoughts: Making Your Decision

Choosing between AWeber and GetResponse comes down to your business needs and growth plans:

Choose AWeber if: You want the simplest possible email marketing platform, need phone support, value their proven deliverability reputation, or specifically want AMP interactive email capabilities. AWeber is reliable, straightforward, and won't overwhelm you.

Choose GetResponse if: You want better value for money, need advanced automation, want webinars and course creation built in, run an ecommerce store, or plan to grow your email marketing sophistication over time. GetResponse gives you room to expand without switching platforms later.

The good news: both are solid choices that have served businesses well for over 25 years. You can't go wrong with either platform if it matches your specific needs.

Start with the free plans (both offer 500 subscribers) and test the interfaces, features, and support quality firsthand. Send some test campaigns, build a simple automation, and see which platform feels right for your workflow.

Your email marketing platform will become central to your business communication, so take the time to choose wisely. The best platform is the one you'll actually use consistently and that grows with your business.