GetResponse vs Sender
Both are on our shortlist for course creators. They part company on several things that matter more than the monthly price.
GetResponse
SenderWhich one, for whom
- Starting out with no budgetSenderSender 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 Sender
- A list already in the thousandsSenderSender stays free to 2,500 subscribers against GetResponse's nothing.
- Worried about being locked inGetResponseGetResponse keeps your subscribers and automations when you cancel, rather than deleting them.See GetResponse pricing
Side by side
| GetResponse | Sender | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | None | 2,500 subscribers |
| Free sends | 14-day trial only | 15,000 emails/mo |
| Welcome sequence on free | No | Yes |
| Connects to Teachable | Direct | Not listed |
| Connects to Kajabi | Through Zapier | Not listed |
| Connects to Podia | Direct | Not listed |
| Connects to Thinkific | Through Zapier | Not listed |
| Paid from | €16/mo EUR | $9/mo USD |
| The catch | We could not confirm a permanent free plan on their pricing page, only a 14-day trial. | A smaller name with a smaller integration list. Check it connects to your course platform before you commit. |
| G2 score | 4.3 out of 5, from 1,141 reviews | 4.7 out of 5, from 278 reviews |
| Trustpilot score | 4.3 out of 5, from 1,029 reviews | 4.9 out of 5, from 1,421 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, Sender on G2, Sender 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
SenderEasy to leave
The friendliest exit terms we found. Cancelling drops you to the free plan instead of deleting anything: their help page says subscribers, campaigns, automations, forms and reports are all retained. Source
GetResponse vs Sender, answered
- Is GetResponse or Sender better for an online course?
- Neither is better outright, and anyone who says so is guessing on your behalf. Sender if you are starting out with no budget. Sender if you are a list already in the thousands. GetResponse if you are worried about being locked in.
- Which of GetResponse and Sender has the better free plan?
- Sender allows more free subscribers (2,500 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 Sender 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 breakdownSenderThe most generous free plan we found
$9/mo USDpaid plans start here. Free up to 2,500. Read off their pricing page on 9 September 2026.
Start free on SenderRead the full Sender breakdownMoving between them? Read the switching guide first, or answer 5 questions to check neither of these is the wrong shortlist.
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.