ActiveCampaign vs GetResponse
Compare ActiveCampaign and GetResponse drip email capabilities, automation builders, pricing, and deliverability. Find the right platform for your drip campaigns.
Last updated: 2026-03-15
ActiveCampaign
www.activecampaign.comMarketing automation built for customer experience
Best for: Mid-size businesses needing advanced drip logic and CRM integration
GetResponse
www.getresponse.comAll-in-one online marketing platform
Best for: Small to mid-size businesses wanting marketing automation, landing pages, and webinar hosting in one tool
TL;DR: ActiveCampaign vs GetResponse for Drip Campaigns
ActiveCampaign has the deeper automation builder and better deliverability, but GetResponse is a strong mid-tier contender that bundles webinars, landing pages, and decent drip automation at a lower price. For teams that want marketing automation plus webinar hosting in one platform, GetResponse is compelling. For pure drip email power, ActiveCampaign wins.
Advanced drip automation with CRM and lead scoring.
Solid all-in-one platform with webinars and decent drip tools.
SaaS-native drip platform with Stripe/Paddle billing triggers.
Editor's Note
GetResponse webinar feature is genuinely unique among email marketing tools. If webinar-driven drip sequences are central to your strategy, this alone may tip the decision.
ActiveCampaign vs GetResponse vs Sequenzy: Quick Comparison
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | GetResponse | Sequenzy | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automation builder | Advanced flowchart with branching, goals, splits | Visual workflow builder with conditions and filters | Step-based builder with conditions | ActiveCampaign |
| Webinar hosting | Not included (via integrations) | Built-in webinar platform | Not included | GetResponse |
| Landing pages | Available on Plus plan | Included on all paid plans | Not included | GetResponse |
| Autoresponders | Part of the automation builder | Dedicated autoresponder feature plus automation | Built into drip sequences | Tie |
| CRM included | Full sales CRM with deal tracking | Basic CRM on higher plans | Subscriber profiles with billing data | ActiveCampaign |
| Conversion funnels | Via automation plus landing pages | Built-in conversion funnel builder | Trial conversion tracking | GetResponse |
| A/B testing in drips | Split actions inside automations | Subject line and content A/B testing | Subject and content A/B per step | ActiveCampaign |
| Billing/payment triggers | Via Shopify or Zapier | Via Shopify or Zapier | Native Stripe and Paddle triggers | Sequenzy |
Score Breakdown
Totals: ActiveCampaign 66/80, GetResponse 59/80, Sequenzy 61/80.
Drip Email Feature Comparison
Feature-by-feature analysis of drip campaign capabilities.
Sequence Building
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | GetResponse | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-step sequences | 9/10 Unlimited steps with complex branching | 7/10 Multi-step workflows with filters and actions | 8/10 Unlimited steps with conditional logic |
| Conditional branching | 9/10 If/else, split actions, wait conditions | 7/10 Conditions based on tags, fields, engagement | 7/10 If/else based on tags, events, billing status |
| Goal tracking | 9/10 Built-in goal steps that advance contacts | 5/10 Basic goal tracking in workflows | 7/10 Conversion goals per sequence |
| Time delays | 9/10 Wait for time, date, condition, or day of week | 8/10 Wait for time, specific date, or day of week | 8/10 Wait for duration, date, or business hours |
Targeting and Segmentation
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | GetResponse | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| List segmentation | 9/10 Tags, custom fields, lead scoring, engagement data | 7/10 Segments based on tags, fields, engagement | 7/10 Tags, custom fields, billing segments |
| Dynamic content | 8/10 Conditional content blocks in emails | 7/10 Dynamic content based on segments | 7/10 Conditional blocks based on subscriber data |
| Lead scoring | 9/10 Contact and deal scoring with custom rules | 6/10 Basic scoring in automation workflows | 5/10 Engagement scoring for opens and clicks |
Marketing Tools
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | GetResponse | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinar integration | 5/10 Via Zoom and third-party integrations | 9/10 Built-in webinar hosting with registration | 2/10 Not available |
| Landing pages | 6/10 Available on Plus plan | 8/10 Built-in builder with templates | 2/10 Not available |
| Conversion funnels | 5/10 Build manually with automations | 8/10 Pre-built funnel templates | 5/10 Trial conversion funnel tracking |
Pricing Comparison
GetResponse is slightly cheaper than ActiveCampaign and bundles more features (webinars, landing pages, funnels) at each tier. ActiveCampaign delivers more automation depth at a higher price.
14-day free trial. No free plan.
Free plan: 500 contacts, basic email marketing, no automations.
14-day free trial. Plans from $19/mo for 15,000 emails.
| Tier | ActiveCampaign | GetResponse | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 contacts | $29/mo Lite plan, basic automations | $19/mo Email Marketing plan, autoresponders included | $19/mo (15K emails) Full drip features, Stripe/Paddle included |
| 5,000 contacts | $99/mo Plus plan recommended | $59/mo Marketing Automation plan recommended | $19/mo (15K emails) Same plan covers this tier |
| 10,000 contacts | $149/mo Plus plan with CRM | $79/mo Marketing Automation plan | $49/mo (50K emails) Growth plan |
| 25,000 contacts | $259/mo Professional plan | $169/mo E-commerce Marketing plan | $99/mo (150K emails) Pro plan |
Pricing Verdict: GetResponse is 30-40% cheaper than ActiveCampaign at most tiers while bundling webinars and landing pages. ActiveCampaign justifies its premium with deeper automation. Sequenzy offers the best per-email value for SaaS drip use cases.
Cost Note
Pricing checked March 2026. GetResponse offers significant savings over ActiveCampaign, especially when you factor in bundled webinar and landing page features.
Drip Campaign Types Comparison
How each platform handles different types of drip email campaigns.
Welcome Series
Onboarding new subscribers
ActiveCampaign
Advanced automation with conditional paths
GetResponse
Autoresponder series or workflow automation
Sequenzy
Pre-built SaaS welcome sequences
Verdict: Both handle welcome series well. ActiveCampaign offers more branching options.
Webinar Follow-up
Nurture sequence after webinar attendance
ActiveCampaign
Via Zoom integration plus automation
GetResponse
Native webinar platform with built-in follow-up automations
Sequenzy
Basic tag-based follow-up
Verdict: GetResponse built-in webinar platform makes this seamless.
Trial-to-Paid Conversion
Converting trial users to paid customers
ActiveCampaign
CRM pipeline plus automation
GetResponse
Basic time-based series with tag conditions
Sequenzy
Native Stripe/Paddle trial tracking
Verdict: Sequenzy is purpose-built for trial conversion.
Lead Nurture with Scoring
Scoring-based drip with sales handoff
ActiveCampaign
Contact and deal scoring with conditional branching
GetResponse
Basic scoring triggers in workflows
Sequenzy
Engagement scoring with basic automation
Verdict: ActiveCampaign lead scoring is far superior for this use case.
Sales Funnel
Multi-step funnel from landing page to purchase
ActiveCampaign
Build manually with automations and landing pages
GetResponse
Pre-built conversion funnel templates with landing pages
Sequenzy
Not focused on sales funnels
Verdict: GetResponse conversion funnel feature streamlines this process.
Churn Prevention
Automated emails for cancellation signals
ActiveCampaign
Custom triggers with CRM deal stages
GetResponse
Basic tag-based triggers
Sequenzy
Native subscription cancellation triggers
Verdict: Sequenzy excels with native billing event triggers.
The Bigger Picture
Neither ActiveCampaign nor GetResponse offers native billing-event triggers. For SaaS businesses needing trial, upgrade, and churn-driven drip sequences, Sequenzy provides native Stripe and Paddle integration at $19/mo.
Automation Builder Comparison
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | GetResponse | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual flow editor | Yes Advanced drag-and-drop flowchart | Yes Visual workflow builder with drag-and-drop | Yes Step-based visual editor |
| If/else branching | Yes Unlimited nested conditions | Yes Condition-based branching | Yes Conditional branches per step |
| Wait conditions | Yes Wait for time, condition, day, date | Yes Wait for time, date, or day of week | Yes Wait for time, date, event |
| Autoresponder mode | No Uses automations instead | Yes Dedicated autoresponder feature separate from workflows | No Uses sequences |
| Split testing in flows | Yes Split actions to test paths | No A/B testing in campaigns, not workflows | Yes A/B testing per step |
| Goal steps | Yes Skip contacts to goal when met | No Not available as a separate step type | Yes Conversion goal tracking |
| Webinar triggers | No Via third-party integration | Yes Native webinar registration and attendance triggers | No Not available |
| E-commerce triggers | Yes Via Shopify and WooCommerce | Yes Via Shopify and other integrations | Yes Via Stripe and Paddle |
Email Templates & Editor
| Aspect | ActiveCampaign | GetResponse | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editor type | Drag-and-drop plus HTML editor | Drag-and-drop editor with AI assistant | Drag-and-drop with code option |
| Pre-built templates | 125+ email templates | 200+ email templates | 40+ SaaS-focused templates |
| Mobile preview | Built-in mobile and desktop preview | Built-in responsive preview | Responsive preview included |
| AI email generator | AI subject line suggestions | GPT-powered email content generator | Not available |
| Saved blocks | Reusable content blocks | Reusable sections and snippets | Reusable snippet library |
Deliverability Comparison
| Factor | ActiveCampaign | GetResponse | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average inbox placement | 93% (industry tests) | 88% (industry tests) | 91% (internal benchmarks) |
| Dedicated IP | Available on Enterprise plan | Available as add-on on higher plans | Not available |
| DKIM/SPF | Full support with guided setup | Full support with setup guide | Full support with setup wizard |
| Bounce handling | Automatic hard/soft bounce management | Automatic bounce handling with complaints processing | Automatic bounce management |
| List hygiene | Inactive contact cleanup, engagement tagging | Inactive subscriber management | Engagement-based list cleaning |
| Send-time optimization | Predictive sending | Perfect Timing feature | Timezone-based sending |
ActiveCampaign outperforms GetResponse in independent deliverability tests. GetResponse Perfect Timing feature helps optimize individual send times.
Integration Ecosystem
ActiveCampaign: ~900 integrations. GetResponse: ~170. Sequenzy: ~35.
Webinar/Events
| Service | ActiveCampaign | GetResponse | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoom | Yes (Native integration) | Yes (Native webinar platform) | No (Not supported) |
| GoToWebinar | Yes (Via Zapier) | Yes (Via Zapier) | No (Not supported) |
Payment/Billing
| Service | ActiveCampaign | GetResponse | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Yes (Via Zapier) | Yes (Via Zapier) | Yes (Native deep integration) |
| Shopify | Yes (Deep native integration) | Yes (Native integration) | Yes (Native deep integration) |
CRM
| Service | ActiveCampaign | GetResponse | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salesforce | Yes (Native integration) | Yes (Via Zapier) | No (Not supported) |
| HubSpot | Yes (Via Zapier) | Yes (Via Zapier) | No (Not supported) |
Analytics & Reporting
| Metric | ActiveCampaign | GetResponse | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open rate tracking | Yes, with trends over time | Yes, with time-based analysis | Yes, per step and overall |
| Click rate tracking | Yes, with click maps | Yes, with click tracking | Yes, per link tracking |
| Revenue attribution | Via e-commerce integrations | Via e-commerce integrations | Native Stripe/Paddle revenue tracking |
| Workflow analytics | Per-step conversion rates | Workflow completion and drop-off stats | Per-step metrics with conversion tracking |
| Webinar analytics | Via integration data | Built-in webinar attendance and engagement stats | Not applicable |
ActiveCampaign: Unique
- + Contact trending reports
- + Deal attribution
- + Custom report builder
- + Automation map
GetResponse: Unique
- + Webinar attendance analytics
- + Conversion funnel reporting
- + Perfect Timing optimization data
Sequenzy: Unique
- + MRR impact per sequence
- + Trial conversion funnel
- + Churn prevention metrics
Pros & Cons
ActiveCampaign
Pros
- + Best-in-class automation builder with deep branching
- + Built-in CRM with lead scoring and deal tracking
- + Highest deliverability rates
- + Largest integration ecosystem (900+)
- + Split testing within automation flows
Cons
- - More expensive than GetResponse at every tier
- - No free plan
- - No built-in webinar hosting
- - Steeper learning curve
- - Landing page builder is limited compared to GetResponse
GetResponse
Pros
- + Built-in webinar hosting (unique among email tools)
- + Lower pricing than ActiveCampaign
- + Conversion funnel builder included
- + AI email content generator
- + 200+ email templates
Cons
- - Automation builder lacks split testing and goal steps
- - Lead scoring is basic compared to ActiveCampaign
- - Lower deliverability than ActiveCampaign
- - CRM only available on higher plans
- - Free plan excludes automations
Best For: Who Should Use What?
Webinar-driven nurture
Post-webinar follow-up drip sequences
GetResponse built-in webinar platform with native follow-up automations eliminates the need for third-party webinar tools.
Complex B2B lead nurture
Multi-step nurture with scoring and CRM handoff
ActiveCampaign CRM, lead scoring, and advanced branching handle complex B2B workflows that GetResponse cannot match.
SaaS trial conversion
Converting free trial to paid subscribers
Sequenzy native Stripe/Paddle integration and pre-built conversion sequences are purpose-built for this.
Sales funnel automation
Landing page to email sequence to sale
GetResponse conversion funnel feature combines landing pages, emails, and payment pages in one streamlined flow.
Budget-friendly SaaS drip
Early-stage startup needing affordable drip with billing triggers
At $19/mo with native billing integration, Sequenzy offers the most value for SaaS drip campaigns.
Migration Guide
ActiveCampaign to GetResponse
- 1. Export contacts with tags and custom fields from ActiveCampaign
- 2. Import contacts into GetResponse with field mapping
- 3. Recreate automations as GetResponse workflows
- 4. Set up equivalent autoresponders if needed
- 5. Rebuild landing pages in GetResponse
- 6. Test workflows before activating
Watch Out
- ! Goal steps and split testing will not transfer
- ! CRM deals and advanced scoring logic will be lost
- ! Automation complexity may need to be simplified
- ! Site tracking and predictive features have no GetResponse equivalent
GetResponse to ActiveCampaign
- 1. Export contacts from GetResponse with custom fields
- 2. Import contacts into ActiveCampaign
- 3. Recreate autoresponders and workflows as ActiveCampaign automations
- 4. Set up CRM and lead scoring rules
- 5. Rebuild landing pages or connect external pages
- 6. Configure domain authentication
Watch Out
- ! Webinar data and settings will not transfer
- ! Conversion funnels need manual recreation
- ! Autoresponder sequences map differently to ActiveCampaign automations
The Bottom Line
Choose ActiveCampaign if...
- ✓ You need the most advanced drip automation available
- ✓ CRM and lead scoring are part of your workflow
- ✓ Deliverability is a top priority
- ✓ You want split testing inside automation flows
Choose GetResponse if...
- ✓ You run webinars and want built-in hosting with follow-up drips
- ✓ Budget matters and you want more features per dollar
- ✓ You need landing pages and conversion funnels included
- ✓ Your drip campaigns are straightforward, not heavily branched
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GetResponse good for drip emails?
GetResponse handles standard drip campaigns well with its autoresponder and workflow features. However, it lacks the advanced branching, goal tracking, and split testing that ActiveCampaign offers for complex drip sequences.
Can GetResponse replace ActiveCampaign?
For basic to moderate drip campaigns, yes. For advanced automation with CRM, lead scoring, and complex conditional logic, GetResponse falls short of ActiveCampaign capabilities.
Does GetResponse include webinar hosting?
Yes, GetResponse is one of the few email marketing platforms with built-in webinar hosting, including registration pages, live streaming, and automated follow-up sequences.
Which is better for e-commerce drip campaigns?
Both support Shopify and e-commerce automations. ActiveCampaign has deeper product-specific branching. GetResponse conversion funnel feature is useful for simple product funnels.
Is GetResponse cheaper than ActiveCampaign?
Yes. GetResponse is roughly 30-40% cheaper at most contact tiers while including features like webinars and landing pages that ActiveCampaign charges extra for.