Quick Answer
GetResponse usually costs more than MailerLite at every subscriber count — but the gap narrows as the list grows. For a 1,000-subscriber list, MailerLite is roughly $9-15/month cheaper. At 10,000 subscribers, both land in the $50-80/month range. MailerLite wins on pure affordability. GetResponse wins when you need built-in webinars, landing pages, and sales funnel tools that MailerLite charges extra for or does not offer at all.
Pricing table by subscriber count
| Subscribers | MailerLite (approx) | GetResponse (approx) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $9-10/mo | $18-19/mo | GetResponse ~$9 more |
| 2,500 | $15-20/mo | $25-30/mo | GetResponse ~$10 more |
| 5,000 | $25-35/mo | $45-55/mo | GetResponse ~$20 more |
| 10,000 | $50-60/mo | $65-80/mo | GetResponse ~$15 more |
| 25,000 | $100-130/mo | $140-170/mo | GetResponse ~$40 more |
What you actually get for the price difference
MailerLite strengths on pricing
The cost advantage is real. MailerLite’s free plan covers up to 1,000 subscribers with basic automation, forms, and landing pages. Their paid plans unlock more automation, A/B testing, and advanced segmentation without jumping to a tier that costs double. The pricing is subscriber-based, straightforward, and predictable.
MailerLite’s paid plans also include:
- Drag-and-drop editor with clean templates
- Basic automation builder
- Landing pages and popup forms
- A/B testing on all paid plans
- Facebook custom audiences
GetResponse strengths you pay for
GetResponse charges more because it includes tools MailerLite either does not have or charges extra for. The main additions are:
- Webinars: Built-in webinar hosting (up to 1,000 attendees on the Plus plan). MailerLite has no webinar feature.
- Sales funnels: Pre-built funnel templates and checkout pages. MailerLite does funnel-like automation but without dedicated funnel builder templates.
- Advanced automation: Visual workflow builder with more triggers and conditions than MailerLite’s base builder.
- Ecommerce features: Product recommendations, abandoned cart emails, and order tracking built in — MailerLite has basic ecommerce integration but fewer revenue-focused tools.
- AI subject line generator and email writer: Available on higher GetResponse plans.
Where the cheaper option makes sense
Choose MailerLite if:
- Your budget is tight and every dollar counts
- You send newsletters and basic nurture sequences
- You do not need webinars, sales funnel templates, or deep ecommerce tracking
- You value a simpler interface over feature depth
Where paying more for GetResponse makes sense
Choose GetResponse if:
- You run webinars as part of your sales or content strategy
- You want a built-in sales funnel with checkout, not just email automation
- Ecommerce revenue tracking and abandoned cart recovery are central to your business
- You plan to grow into automation complexity and do not want to switch tools later
The hidden cost to watch on both
MailerLite: The move from free to paid ($9-10/mo) happens at 1,001 subscribers. That jump catches people off guard if they expected a longer free runway.
GetResponse: The “Max” plan (highest tier with webinars and advanced features) is significantly more expensive and requires a custom quote for most businesses. The jump from Plus to Max can triple the monthly cost.
Bottom line
For pure email marketing on a budget, MailerLite is cheaper at every subscriber count. The question is not “which is cheaper” — it is “are the extra features in GetResponse worth the premium for your specific business model.” If you need webinars, funnels, or ecommerce depth, GetResponse is worth the extra cost. If you just want affordable email software that works, MailerLite wins.
Choose this if
- The page matches the decision you are making now.
- The tool, pricing model, and workflow fit your business model.
- You have checked current official pricing before buying.
Skip this if
- You need a different business model, channel, or budget range.
- The platform adds complexity your team will not use.
- You are comparing only by starting price instead of total monthly cost.
Final verdict
Use the decision table, pricing notes, and related guides to narrow the shortlist. The best email marketing platform is the one that matches list size, automation depth, ecommerce needs, budget, and switching cost.