Are you looking for more alternative tools for marketing automation? We have featured a few comparisons of similar tools in our previous blog. But this time, we'll look into GetResponse vs ActiveCampaign, two of the best email and marketing services. Both of them offer all the tools for successful email marketing campaigns. The main difference between GetResponse and ActiveCampaign is the list of features they offer and what they charge for every feature.
Let's see how these email marketing platforms compare.
GetResponse vs ActiveCampaign at a Glance ActiveCampaign specializes in email marketing, helping businesses build complex workflows. These workflows are often based on email engagements, web experiences, and events from third-party tools like purchases or support tickets. The platform offers marketing automation, customer relationship management (CRM) , and sales engagement tools. It is designed with a focus on advanced automation and analytics.
GetResponse is a robust email marketing platform. You can create email newsletters and build sophisticated automation and sales funnels. Depending on your email marketing strategy, GetResponse could be an excellent platform for you.
It's also worth noting that GetResponse and ActiveCampaign offer free trials, giving an option for marketers who prefer a more hands-on approach.
Features In terms of general features, GetResponse and ActiveCampaign are comparable. With both services offering various tools, users can build several email campaigns in hours.
Email Templates. GetResponse has 100+ high-quality, mobile-responsive templates. However, it must catch up to its promise that its database contains 500 templates. Meanwhile, ActiveCampaign offers slightly more options comprising modern, minimalistic designs. Automation. The ability to efficiently send specialized and automated emails can make your marketing efforts stand out. This is where both GetResponse and ActiveCampaign genuinely shine. Integrations. While both platforms integrate with Zapier, ActiveCampaign is one of the few email marketing services with a built-in SMS marketing automation system.Landing Pages. Both software provide easy-to-use and responsive drag-and-drop landing page builders. However, GetResponse stands out as its builder is open to a more expensive plan. In contrast, you must sign up for ActiveCampaign's Plus plan to use its builder.A/B Testing and RTL Languages. Both platforms offer A/B testing, but ActiveCampaign takes it a step further. It allows you to test entire automated workflows, a powerful feature for optimizing complex campaigns. However, this advanced functionality is reserved for their higher-tier plans (Professional and Enterprise). In addition, ActiveCampaign has limited support for right-to-left (RTL) languages like Hebrew and Arabic. These languages will only work within raw HTML blocks or custom HTML templates. GetResponse, in contrast, offers full RTL language support throughout the platform.ActiveCampaign outshines GetResponse regarding features. It’s because the software has more templates, offers more integrations, and comes with a slightly more advanced automation system.
Ease of Use Both ActiveCampaign and GetResponse were designed with ease of use in mind. Whether you're a seasoned email marketing pro or someone with zero experience, you can navigate both platforms easily.
ActiveCampaign and GetResponse provide intuitive drag-and-drop email builders, letting you design unique emails without much hassle. It's as simple as picking a good template and adding additional elements and text.
The same is true for the landing page builders. But remember that ActiveCampaign locks its landing page builder behind the Plus plan.
Segmentation was also relatively straightforward, even within both platforms' highly advanced automation systems. Generally, segments were simple and limited to gender and location. Surprisingly, both ActiveCampaign and GetResponse offer precise segmentation options, too.
There needs to be a clear winner regarding opt-in forms, too. It all depends on your individual needs. For example, ActiveCampaign has inline forms, floating forms, and boxes. At the same time, GetResponse offers a more aggressive approach with fixed bar forms, modal exit pop-ups, and pop-ups that shake to get the user's attention.
Reporting and Analytics Data is the lifeblood of marketing. By analyzing statistics, marketers clearly understand what's performing well and where adjustments are needed. This data-driven approach allows for more effective and targeted marketing strategies.
This is the kind of information that every EMS should make available. While both services offer statistical analyses, ActiveCampaign's advanced analytics suite can't be compared to GetResponse's basic statistical reports.
ActiveCampaign can generate reports based on email campaigns, automation workflows, contacts, and even self-defined goals. Aside from email opens and link clicks, the email campaign report comes with more helpful information.
For example, it can tell you who opened your emails and from where and who unsubscribed. You can also check hourly engagement trends to learn more about the exact times people open your emails and engage with your links – pretty neat.
So, how does GetResponse respond to ActiveCampaign's detailed analytics tools? Let's say they're still trying to figure that out themselves.
GetResponse is a great email marketing platform. Based on existing GetResponse reviews, the platform doesn't value stats, which is a shame. Its analytics tab shows how many contacts opened, clicked, bounced, or unsubscribed – and that's pretty much it.
Pricing ActiveCampaign's basic plan is cheaper, but GetResponse offers more affordable mid- and top-tier plans.
ActiveCampaign Pricing:
GetResponse Pricing:
Here's what you can get for free:
ActiveCampaign doesn't offer a free plan, but you can benefit from its 14-day free trial. The trial allows you to experiment with most of the features provided with the Professional plan (although you're limited to 100 contacts and 100 emails sent).
With GetResponse, you can avail of a free account and try all features available in standard plans free of charge for 30 days.
Both platforms do not require a credit card to get started.
Support ActiveCampaign and GetResponse offer top-notch customer support but with a twist. They answer questions through email and live chat, making it convenient to get help. The phone option, however, is reserved for their premium plans. For ActiveCampaign, that's the Enterprise plan; for GetResponse, it's the Max plan.
Conclusion ActiveCampaign emerges as the winner in this close comparison. GetResponse remains a strong contender, but ActiveCampaign has powerful features, a user-friendly interface, and superior email deliverability. These factors solidify ActiveCampaign's position as our top recommended email marketing service provider.
