GetResponse vs MailerLite
Both are on our shortlist for course creators. They part company on several things that matter more than the monthly price.
GetResponse
MailerLiteWhich one, for whom
- Starting out with no budgetMailerLiteMailerLite can run an automated welcome sequence on its free plan. GetResponse cannot, so a new subscriber hears nothing from you until you pay.Start free on MailerLite
- Worried about being locked inGetResponseGetResponse keeps your subscribers and automations when you cancel, rather than deleting them.See GetResponse pricing
- Selling the course from the same toolMailerLiteMailerLite can take the payment itself, so you do not need a separate checkout.
Side by side
| GetResponse | MailerLite | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | None | 250 subscribers |
| Free sends | 14-day trial only | 2,500 emails/mo |
| Welcome sequence on free | No | Yes |
| Connects to Teachable | Direct | Not listed |
| Connects to Kajabi | Through Zapier | Direct |
| Connects to Podia | Direct | Not listed |
| Connects to Thinkific | Through Zapier | Direct |
| Paid from | €16/mo EUR | $12/mo USD |
| At 5,000 subscribers | Not published | $44.10, billed yearly |
| At 25,000 subscribers | Not published | $161.10, billed yearly |
| The catch | We could not confirm a permanent free plan on their pricing page, only a 14-day trial. | Their logo stays on your emails until you pay. |
| G2 score | 4.3 out of 5, from 1,141 reviews | 4.6 out of 5, from 1,113 reviews |
| Trustpilot score | 4.3 out of 5, from 1,029 reviews | 4.1 out of 5, from 3,281 reviews |
Figures read off each vendor's own pricing page on 9 September 2026. Where a row says not published, that vendor does not state a price at that list size and we will not invent one.
The last two rows are other people's scores, not ours, read on 6 September 2026. Check them yourself:GetResponse on G2, GetResponse on Trustpilot, MailerLite on G2, MailerLite on Trustpilot.
Getting your list back out
GetResponseEasy to leave
More lenient than most on this list. Their terms say a deactivated account, with its data and contacts, can be restored within 30 days for a free account or 120 days for a paid one. Their privacy policy adds that a paid account's data is then held for a further 120 days in backups only before final deletion, so a paying customer has roughly eight months before anything is unrecoverable. That protection is weaker for termination for cause, such as a breach of terms. Source
MailerLite
Cancel any time without penalty. Their terms describe still being able to log in, export and migrate your data after a plan lapses. Source
GetResponse vs MailerLite, answered
- Is GetResponse or MailerLite better for an online course?
- Neither is better outright, and anyone who says so is guessing on your behalf. MailerLite if you are starting out with no budget. GetResponse if you are worried about being locked in. MailerLite if you are selling the course from the same tool.
- Which of GetResponse and MailerLite has the better free plan?
- MailerLite allows more free subscribers (250 against none). A bigger allowance is not automatically the better plan: check the welcome sequence row above, because that is where the two usually part company.
- Can I move from GetResponse to MailerLite later?
- Yes, and you should assume you will. Export your list before you cancel anything, and keep whatever marks who bought from you. We wrote the whole running order up separately.
Try either one
GetResponseCapable all-rounder, but nothing is free
€16/mo EURpaid plans start here. No free plan. Read off their pricing page on 9 September 2026.
See GetResponse pricingRead the full GetResponse breakdownMailerLiteBest free plan for a real welcome sequence
$12/mo USDpaid plans start here. Free up to 250. Read off their pricing page on 9 September 2026.
Start free on MailerLiteRead the full MailerLite breakdownMoving between them? Read the switching guide first, or answer 5 questions to check neither of these is the wrong shortlist.
There is a page for this exact move:GetResponse to MailerLite.
Neither of these? See all 14, including which ones connect straight to Teachable, Kajabi, Podia or Thinkific, or compare what they cost as your list grows.