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GetResponse vs ActiveCampaign for Agencies (2026): Which Is Better?
By Red Kite Search Agency Created Updated 7 min read
Summary
Choose ActiveCampaign for automation and the larger evidence base. Choose GetResponse for webinars and landing pages. Prices and ratings were checked in October 2026.
GetResponse vs ActiveCampaign: which is better for agencies in 2026?
GetResponse and ActiveCampaign both offer email and automation. GetResponse adds webinars and landing pages. ActiveCampaign is known for deeper automation and a very large G2 base.
We compared price, scope and evidence.
| Tool | Editorial score | Review-site ratings | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GetResponse | 4 / 5 | G2 4.3 | At 1,000 contacts. Free $0 with a 14-day premium trial. Email Marketing $19 monthly or $15.58 billed yearly (3 users). Marketing Automation $59 monthly or $48.38 yearly (5 users). Ecommerce Marketing $69 monthly or $56.58 yearly (5 users). MAX is custom. | Small agencies to mid-size teams |
| ActiveCampaign | 4.3 / 5 | G2 4.4 | 14-day free trial. Starter $15, Plus $49, Pro $79 and Enterprise $145 a month on annual billing at 1,000 contacts. | Small to enterprise teams |
How do GetResponse and ActiveCampaign compare on price?
GetResponse costs $15.58, $48.38 or $56.58 a month billed yearly at 1,000 contacts. ActiveCampaign costs $15, $49 or $79 a month billed yearly.
| Tool | Plan | Price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| GetResponse | Free | $0 per month at 1,000 contacts (monthly billing) | 14-day premium trial, then limited free features |
| GetResponse | Email Marketing | $15.58 per month at 1,000 contacts (annual billing); $19 monthly | At 1,000 contacts, 3 users |
| GetResponse | Marketing Automation | $48.38 per month at 1,000 contacts (annual billing); $59 monthly | At 1,000 contacts, 5 users |
| GetResponse | Ecommerce Marketing | $56.58 per month at 1,000 contacts (annual billing); $69 monthly | At 1,000 contacts, 5 users, 100 webinar attendees |
| GetResponse | MAX | Custom | Unlimited users, rebranding options, large lists |
| ActiveCampaign | Starter | $15 per month (annual billing) | 1,000 contacts; 1 user; limited segmentation; 5 actions per automation |
| ActiveCampaign | Plus | $49 per month (annual billing) | 1,000 contacts; 1 user; unlimited automation actions; landing pages |
| ActiveCampaign | Pro | $79 per month (annual billing) | 1,000 contacts; 3 users; advanced segmentation; predictive and conditional content; attribution |
| ActiveCampaign | Enterprise | $145 per month (annual billing) | 1,000 contacts; 5 users; premium segmentation; custom objects; SSO; dedicated account team |
Which costs less?
ActiveCampaign Starter lists lower than GetResponse Email Marketing, though contact tiers differ. GetResponse includes webinars and landing pages.
Compare at the same contact count.
Run a short side-by-side test before you decide. Give both tools the same real list and campaign, time how long each takes, and ask a colleague who did not set them up to review the result. The result is usually clearer than any feature table.
Also check how each vendor handles renewal. Yearly plans are often billed in advance, price rises are common at renewal, and cancelling late can lock you into another term. Put the renewal date in the team calendar the day you buy.
Which is better for agencies?
ActiveCampaign suits automation-heavy clients. GetResponse suits clients that want webinars and landing pages. Neither has a dedicated agency plan on the pages we read.
GetResponse MAX offers rebranding options.
Ask for a written statement of plan limits when you buy, because caps on contacts, sends, and seats change from time to time, and a record of what you were promised is useful if a limit moves.
Remember that you can start small. Most vendors offer a free plan or trial, so begin with the cheapest plan that covers your real work, and upgrade only when a specific limit blocks you.
A useful habit is to record each trial in one short note: the list used, the setup time, and the main frustration. Comparing two notes is far easier than comparing two memories.
Which has stronger evidence?
ActiveCampaign has 4.4 on G2 from 14,813 reviews. GetResponse has 4.3 from 1,147.
Neither stated SOC 2 on the pages we read.
Finally, think about exit costs. Check how easily you can export your lists, templates and reports, and keep notes on how your automations are built, so a later switch does not mean starting from scratch.
Keep the client in the loop on billing. Whether the client pays the vendor directly or you resell the tool, agree who owns the account and the data in writing.
How do GetResponse and ActiveCampaign compare on integrations, security, and support?
Beyond price, agencies ask about connections to their other tools, what to tell clients about security, and how quickly they can get help. This is what each vendor states publicly, as checked in October 2026.
| Area | GetResponse | ActiveCampaign |
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | G2 lists integrations including BigCommerce, Bing Ads, Albato and 123FormBuilder | More than 1,000 integrations and 950+ automation recipes |
| Security | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR certification and SSO were not stated on the pages we read | SOC 2 report through the Trust Center; GDPR and HIPAA support stated; MFA on every account (SMS and authenticator apps) and SSO; ISO 27001 and data hosting regions were not stated |
| Support | Support channels were not stated on the pricing page | Starter and Plus: basic email and chat; Pro and Enterprise: priority email and chat; Enterprise adds a dedicated account team; Free contact migration, training and a knowledge base; support hours were not stated |
| Apps | A mobile app was not stated | An ActiveCampaign mobile app is listed; platforms were not stated |
What are the pros and cons of GetResponse and ActiveCampaign?
Here is where each tool helps agencies and where it can get in the way, based on plan details and public feedback.
GetResponse pros
- Email Marketing costs $19 a month, or $15.58 billed yearly, at 1,000 contacts with 3 users.
- Marketing Automation costs $59 monthly, or $48.38 billed yearly, with 5 users.
- MAX offers unlimited users and rebranding options.
- G2 shows 4.3 from 1,147 reviews.
GetResponse cons
- No agency or client-account plan; rebranding is on custom MAX.
- Free is limited: webinars of 10 people, a GetResponse badge and 1,000 landing page visitors.
- Prices at 1,000 contacts rise with list size.
- Security certifications and a mobile app were not stated.
ActiveCampaign pros
- Plans from $15 a month on annual billing at 1,000 contacts, with a 14-day trial.
- More than 1,000 integrations and 950+ automation recipes.
- Unlimited automation actions from Plus, plus landing pages and a CRM.
- MFA on every account, SSO, and a SOC 2 report through its Trust Center.
ActiveCampaign cons
- Prices shown are annual at 1,000 contacts; monthly prices were not shown.
- Starter limits automations to 5 actions and includes only 1 user.
- SMS and pipelines are paid add-ons.
- Client accounts for agencies and data hosting regions were not stated.
What do reviewers say about GetResponse and ActiveCampaign?
G2 shows GetResponse at 4.3 from 1,147 reviews and ActiveCampaign at 4.4 from 14,813 reviews.
| Tool | Source | Rating | Number of reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| GetResponse | G2 | 4.3 / 5 | 1,147 |
| ActiveCampaign | G2 | 4.4 / 5 | 14,813 |
Reviewer themes for GetResponse
- G2 shows GetResponse at 4.3 from 1,147 reviews.
- Reviewers praise the easy-to-use designer panel and the automation features.
Reviewer themes for ActiveCampaign
- G2 shows ActiveCampaign at 4.4 from 14,813 reviews.
- G2 data shows 68% of reviewers give five stars and 25% give four.
- Reviewers value automation depth and integrations.
How does setup differ between GetResponse and ActiveCampaign?
Getting value from either tool depends on how you set it up, and the first steps differ. Here is the practical starting point for each.
GetResponse: Use the 14-day trial with one client list.
ActiveCampaign: Use the 14-day trial to build one welcome automation from a recipe for a real client.
What should agencies check before choosing between GetResponse and ActiveCampaign?
Small details in plans and limits decide whether a tool works in practice. Check these points for each tool during a trial on a real client account.
Before you buy GetResponse
- Count contacts.
- Count users.
- Decide if you need webinars.
- Use the 14-day trial.
Before you buy ActiveCampaign
- Price the plan at your contact tier.
- Price SMS and CRM add-ons.
- Count users needed.
- Use the 14-day trial.
How should you test GetResponse and ActiveCampaign before deciding?
The fairest test is to run both tools on the same real client account for two weeks, with the same people, and compare the results rather than first impressions.
What to measure
- How long it takes a new team member to be productive in GetResponse versus ActiveCampaign.
- How often people open each tool without being reminded.
- Whether the plan you need includes the features you tested, not just the entry price.
- How a client reacts if you invite them to either tool.
- How much time the team spends on notifications, setup, and cleanup each week.
Which should you choose: GetResponse or ActiveCampaign?
Choose ActiveCampaign for automation and the larger evidence base. Choose GetResponse for webinars and landing pages.
Trial both on one client list.
Choose GetResponse if
- Your client wants webinars and email together.
- You want landing pages included.
- You want a free plan to start.
Skip GetResponse if
- You want client sub-accounts.
- You need unlimited users on a low plan.
- You need stated security certifications.
Choose ActiveCampaign if
- You build detailed automation journeys.
- You want a CRM alongside email.
- You need 1,000 or more integrations.
Skip ActiveCampaign if
- You want monthly prices shown up front.
- You need many users on a low plan.
- You need agency client accounts.
Frequently asked questions
- Is GetResponse or ActiveCampaign better?
- ActiveCampaign for automation, GetResponse for webinars.
- Which is cheaper?
- ActiveCampaign Starter at entry.
- Which has webinars?
- GetResponse.
- Which has more G2 reviews?
- ActiveCampaign.
- Do both have trials?
- Check current terms.
Sources
Prices, plan limits, and ratings were gathered in October 2026 from:
- GetResponse pricing page
- ActiveCampaign pricing page
- G2