Short verdict
Shortlist MailerLite when budget and a straightforward campaign workflow are the first constraints.
Shortlist GetResponse when a named nurture, funnel, or landing-page workflow justifies the higher entry.
Use the free/trial path if you cannot yet draw the automation you intend to build.
The tempting comparison is $12 versus $19. That is not enough. A service business pays for a workflow, not a price-card row. The useful question is whether the lower-cost plan completes the same opt-in, segmentation, follow-up, and handoff path without a workaround or another paid connector.
Entry-plan snapshot
| Decision point | GetResponse | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Free exploration | 14-day premium trial; limited free account afterward. | Free up to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails per month. |
| Paid entry | Starter: $19 monthly at 1,000 contacts; $15.58/month equivalent annual prepay. | Comfort starts at $12/month; pricing scales with subscriber and send tier. |
| Published sends | Unlimited monthly sends on Starter. | Comfort uses a monthly allowance tied to subscriber tier; Power publishes unlimited sends under fair use. |
| Automation | One custom workflow on Starter; unlimited on Marketer. | Visual automations available, with plan-specific limits and triggers. |
| Users | Starter publishes 3 users. | Free publishes 2; Comfort 3; Power unlimited. |
| Likely escalator | List size and automation/feature tier. | Active subscribers, send allowance, and plan boundary. |
Choose MailerLite when simplicity is a measurable advantage
A lower entry price has real value when the workflow is genuinely small: a form, a welcome path, a regular campaign, and a few segments. The free tier can expose the editor and basic data model before cash leaves the account. The important caveat is that free allowance and Comfort send limits are much smaller than an “unlimited sends” headline elsewhere.
- You are validating a list below the free or lowest paid boundary.
- You prefer a small number of clearly owned automations.
- Forms, campaigns, and landing pages matter more than a broader funnel suite.
- You will monitor subscriber-tier and send-limit growth each quarter.
Choose GetResponse when the workflow earns the price gap
GetResponse Starter groups unlimited monthly sends, landing pages, forms, a welcome series, and one custom workflow around an email-first acquisition model. That can justify the higher price when the exact path is already part of the business. If you immediately need several custom workflows or advanced segmentation, model the Marketer tier rather than pretending Starter will stretch indefinitely.
- You can draw the one Starter workflow and show how it saves recurring work.
- Send frequency makes a lower plan’s allowance the likely first boundary.
- Landing pages and email nurture should share one environment.
- Two or three editors need access at the entry tier.
A decision test that takes less than a week
- Use internal or explicitly consented test contacts—never a purchased list.
- Build the same form, fields, confirmation, segment, and two-message sequence.
- Record an unsubscribe, corrected email, bounced address, and changed consent state.
- Time the build and list every workaround or connector.
- Export contacts and the fields needed for a future migration.
- Calculate cash and labor cost at today’s list and the next likely tier.
Reject any option that cannot complete a required workflow. Among the options that pass, choose the lowest 12-month economic cost—not merely the smallest advertised monthly number.
Bottom line
MailerLite is a strong budget-first shortlist; GetResponse is a strong workflow-first shortlist. The right answer changes when send frequency, automation depth, or team access crosses a boundary. Recalculate at the next tier before committing annually.
Frequently asked questions
Is MailerLite cheaper than GetResponse?
At the published entry points checked, MailerLite Comfort started at $12 per month and GetResponse Starter at $19 per month for 1,000 contacts. The plans do not have identical limits. Price your subscriber tier, monthly sends, automation workflow, seats, and landing-page needs before declaring a cheaper fit.
Which is better for automation?
GetResponse Starter documented one custom workflow and its Marketer tier documented unlimited workflows. MailerLite included visual automation across plans with limits varying by tier. Build the exact trigger, branches, and actions in a trial; the word automation alone is not comparable.
Which is better for a very small list?
MailerLite’s lower paid entry can suit a budget-first small list, while GetResponse may justify its price when a specific landing-page, funnel, or automation workflow is central. A free or trial account is enough to test the real path before paying.
Does unlimited sending mean I can email anyone?
No. Unlimited plan language does not override consent, acceptable-use rules, anti-spam law, list hygiene, or provider enforcement. Use legitimate contacts and honor unsubscribe and suppression states.
Primary sources checked
Pricing changes. Recheck the vendor’s checkout before buying.