AWeber vs GetResponse: The Feature Gap Is Real
The Quick Verdict
GetResponse wins this comparison convincingly. What was once a close matchup between two established email platforms has become a clear gap. GetResponse has expanded into a marketing automation platform with webinars, funnels, landing pages, and sophisticated workflow automation. AWeber has remained focused on simple email marketing. For businesses that plan to grow beyond basic newsletters, GetResponse is the better investment.
AWeber is still a decent choice for straightforward email needs, but GetResponse offers substantially more value at comparable price points.
Pricing Comparison
As of March 2026:
| Feature | AWeber | GetResponse |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | 500 subscribers | 500 contacts |
| 1K Contacts | ~$25/mo (Lite) | ~$19/mo (Email Marketing) |
| 5K Contacts | ~$50/mo (Plus) | ~$54/mo (Email Marketing) |
| 25K Contacts | ~$199/mo (Plus) | ~$174/mo (Email Marketing) |
| 100K Contacts | Custom pricing | ~$539/mo (Email Marketing) |
| Webinars | Not included | Included (Marketing Automation+) |
| Funnels | Not included | Included (all paid plans) |
Pricing is similar at smaller list sizes, but GetResponse includes features at its base tier — conversion funnels, landing pages, autoresponders — that AWeber either lacks entirely or limits. GetResponse’s Marketing Automation plan ($59/mo for 1,000 contacts) adds webinars and advanced workflows, a combination no AWeber plan can match.
Features Head-to-Head
Automation
This is the decisive category. GetResponse’s visual automation builder lets you create complex workflows with conditional logic, scoring, tagging, wait steps, and branching paths triggered by email opens, clicks, purchases, website visits, and custom events. You can build abandoned cart recovery, lead nurturing sequences, and re-engagement campaigns with genuine sophistication.
AWeber’s automation is limited to basic autoresponder sequences and tag-based triggers. You can create a linear welcome series or trigger emails when tags are applied, but there is no visual workflow builder, no branching logic, and no event-based triggers beyond simple tag and list actions.
Edge: GetResponse, by a wide margin.
Webinars
GetResponse is the only major email platform with built-in webinar hosting. Starting on the Marketing Automation plan, you can host live webinars, set up registration pages, run polls during sessions, and automatically follow up with attendees via email sequences. This eliminates the need for Zoom Webinars ($79/mo) or GoToWebinar ($59/mo).
AWeber does not offer webinar functionality.
Edge: GetResponse, exclusively.
Email Builder
Both platforms offer drag-and-drop email builders. GetResponse’s editor is more modern, with a larger template library and better responsive design previews. AWeber’s editor works well for simple layouts, and its AMP email support is a niche advantage. Both support HTML editing.
Edge: GetResponse.
Landing Pages
GetResponse includes a landing page builder on all paid plans, with over 200 templates, A/B testing, countdown timers, and webinar registration pages. AWeber offers basic landing pages, but with fewer templates and less customization.
Edge: GetResponse.
Conversion Funnels
GetResponse’s Conversion Funnel feature provides pre-built funnel templates for lead magnets, product sales, and webinar registrations. It connects landing pages, emails, and payment processing in a single flow. AWeber has no equivalent feature.
Edge: GetResponse.
Deliverability
Both platforms have solid deliverability. AWeber has historically been slightly stronger in third-party inbox placement tests, partly due to its smaller, more engaged user base and strict list hygiene enforcement. GetResponse’s deliverability is also reliable, especially with proper authentication setup.
Edge: AWeber, marginally.
Customer Support
AWeber offers phone, email, and live chat support on all plans, including free. GetResponse provides email and live chat support on all plans, with dedicated account managers on higher-tier plans. AWeber’s phone support availability is a genuine differentiator for users who prefer speaking to someone directly.
Edge: AWeber.
Who Should Choose AWeber
- Businesses that only need simple email newsletters and autoresponders
- Users who want phone support included on all plans
- Small lists under 1,000 subscribers looking for a straightforward free option
- Anyone who finds GetResponse’s feature set overwhelming and just wants to send emails
Who Should Choose GetResponse
- Businesses that need marketing automation with branching workflows
- Anyone who hosts webinars and wants to eliminate a separate webinar tool
- Marketers building sales funnels and landing pages
- Growing businesses that want a platform they will not outgrow quickly
- Ecommerce businesses that need abandoned cart and purchase-triggered sequences
The Bottom Line
GetResponse is the better platform for the vast majority of users in 2026. The automation capabilities alone justify the choice — the difference between AWeber’s basic autoresponders and GetResponse’s visual workflow builder is a generation gap, not a feature gap. Add in webinars, funnels, and superior landing pages, and GetResponse delivers substantially more value.
AWeber is not a bad platform. It does simple email marketing reliably, and its support is excellent. But it has not evolved meaningfully in years, and the market has passed it by. If you are building a business that will grow beyond basic newsletters, GetResponse is the investment that will pay off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GetResponse better than AWeber for automation?
Yes, significantly. GetResponse offers a visual automation builder with branching logic, scoring, conditional paths, and event-based triggers. AWeber's automation is limited to basic autoresponder sequences and simple tag-based rules. If automation is important to your strategy, GetResponse is the clearly superior option.
Does AWeber or GetResponse have a better free plan?
Both offer free plans for up to 500 subscribers. AWeber's free plan includes most core features, while GetResponse's free plan is more limited in automation. However, GetResponse's paid plans offer dramatically more functionality, making the upgrade far more worthwhile.
Can GetResponse replace AWeber and a webinar tool?
Yes. GetResponse includes built-in webinar hosting on its Marketing Automation plan ($59/mo for 1,000 contacts) and above. This can replace standalone webinar tools like Zoom Webinars or GoToWebinar, potentially saving $50-150/mo depending on what you currently pay.