AWeber vs GetResponse: which should you choose?
Quick answer: AWeber is built for small businesses, while GetResponse suits webinars + email in one tool. For most users GetResponse is the stronger default, but AWeber can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
AWeber versus GetResponse comes down to which trade-offs you can live with. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| AWeber | GetResponse | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Email Marketing | All-in-One Marketing |
| What it's known for | Long-standing email marketing platform with automation, landing pages and strong deliverability. | All-in-one email marketing with automation, webinars, landing pages and AI campaign tools. |
| Pricing | Free up to 500 subscribers; Lite, Plus and Unlimited paid tiers. | Free plan (limited); Email Marketing from ~$19/mo; Marketing Automation and Ecommerce tiers higher. |
| Best audience | Small businesses and long-time email senders who value deliverability and human support over cutting-edge automation. | SMBs and course/webinar sellers who want email plus webinars and landing pages in a single subscription. |
| Best for | Small businesses, Reliable deliverability, Long cookie affiliate promotion | Webinars + email in one tool, Affiliate-friendly recurring payouts, All-in-one SMB marketing |
| Entry price | Free | Free |
| Biggest strength | Long track record (since 1998) and strong ISP/deliverability reputation. | Rare built-in webinar hosting bundled with email. |
| Main caveat | Interface feels dated compared with newer tools. | Webinars and marketing automation require the Marketer tier or higher, not Starter. |
Features compared
Beyond the spec sheet, these are the capabilities that define each tool:
AWeber key features
- Email marketing with autoresponders and behavioral automations
- Landing page and signup form builder
- Drag-and-drop editor plus large template library
- Split testing and webpage/cart tracking (Plus)
GetResponse key features
- Email marketing with drag-and-drop editor, A/B testing and autoresponders
- Marketing automation workflows (Marketer plan and above)
- Built-in webinar hosting (up to 100 attendees on Marketer)
- Unlimited landing pages and website builder
Pricing tiers side by side
AWeber plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | up to 500 subscribers |
| Lite | from $15/mo ($12.50 annual) | 1 list, 3 landing pages, 3 automations |
| Plus | from $30/mo ($20 annual at 500 subs) | unlimited lists/automations, split testing, 24/7 phone support |
| Unlimited | $899/mo | flat rate for lists over 100,000, no per-subscriber scaling |
GetResponse plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | limited; up to 500 contacts, basic email + one landing page |
| Starter (Email Marketing) | from ~$19/mo (1,000 contacts) | no automation workflows or webinars, single user |
| Marketer | from ~$59/mo | marketing automation, webinars up to 100, segmentation, 3 users |
| Creator / Enterprise | from ~$69/mo / custom | courses, paid newsletters, ecommerce; Enterprise adds advanced tools |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where AWeber wins
A 25+ year veteran whose main edge is reliable deliverability and genuine 24/7 phone support.
- Long track record (since 1998) and strong ISP/deliverability reputation.
- 24/7 phone support on Plus, rare in the category.
That makes it the stronger pick for small businesses and long-time email senders who value deliverability and human support over cutting-edge automation.
Where GetResponse wins
One of the few platforms that bundles webinar hosting directly with email marketing and automation.
- Rare built-in webinar hosting bundled with email.
- All-in-one breadth (email, landing pages, webinars, automation, ecommerce).
That makes it the stronger pick for sMBs and course/webinar sellers who want email plus webinars and landing pages in a single subscription.
Verdict: choose by fit
Pick by fit rather than by an overall score.
- Choose AWeber if you fit its core audience — small businesses and long-time email senders who value deliverability and human support over cutting-edge automation.
- Choose GetResponse if you fit its core audience — sMBs and course/webinar sellers who want email plus webinars and landing pages in a single subscription.
FAQ
Is AWeber better than GetResponse?
GetResponse is the stronger default for most users, but AWeber can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between AWeber and GetResponse?
AWeber is a 25+ year veteran whose main edge is reliable deliverability and genuine 24/7 phone support. GetResponse is one of the few platforms that bundles webinar hosting directly with email marketing and automation.
Which is cheaper, AWeber or GetResponse?
Both AWeber and GetResponse offer a free tier, so the real comparison is the paid plans above — pick based on the storage, features and limits you actually need.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for AWeber and GetResponse: