GetResponse vs Substack: Complete Comparison (2026)

Updated: March 12, 20268 min read

Choosing between GetResponse and Substack is a common decision for email marketing buyers in 2026. GetResponse has been in the market since 1997, giving it a 20-year head start over Substack (founded 2017). GetResponse serves 350K+ users while Substack has 35M+ readers users globally. GetResponse differentiates with email automation and webinars, while Substack leads with newsletter publishing and podcast hosting. In this head-to-head comparison, Substack earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 90/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.

📬
GetResponse
Email Marketing
86
hiltonsoftware.co Score
VS
📰
Substack
Email Marketing
90
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED

Quick Comparison

GetResponse
Substack
Starting Price
$13.30/mo
10% of revenue
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
Users
350K+
35M+ readers
Founded
1997
2017
Rating
4.3/5
4.5/5
Best For
Businesses running webinars alongside email market...
Writers wanting to launch and monetize a paid news...

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

GetResponseSubstack
84Ease of Use93
90Features90
95Value for Money91
84Customer Support87
80Integrations90
86Scalability86
84Learning Curve95

Pros & Cons at a Glance

GetResponse
+Built-in webinar functionality
+Great conversion funnel builder
-Interface feels dated
-Deliverability can vary
Substack
+Free to start, no upfront cost
+Large built-in discovery network
-10% cut of revenue
-Limited design customization
AI Verdict

After comparing GetResponse and Substack across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, Substack takes the lead with a score of 90/100 versus GetResponse's 86/100. Substack's key advantages include "free to start, no upfront cost" and "large built-in discovery network". That said, GetResponse has its own strengths — particularly "built-in webinar functionality" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.

Both GetResponse and Substack offer free plans, lowering the barrier to entry. GetResponse's paid plans start at $13.30/mo while Substack begins at 10% of revenue. Evaluate which paid features — Landing pages, Conversion funnels (GetResponse) vs Paid subscriptions, Comments (Substack) — justify upgrading for your team.

Bottom line: Choose GetResponse if you need businesses running webinars alongside email marketing campaigns. Go with Substack if your priority is writers wanting to launch and monetize a paid newsletter business. Both are strong email marketing tools — we recommend trying the free plan of each before committing.

CHOOSE GETRESPONSE IF:

Businesses running webinars alongside email marketing campaigns.

CHOOSE SUBSTACK IF:

Writers wanting to launch and monetize a paid newsletter business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GetResponse better than Substack in 2026?
Substack scores 90/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to GetResponse's 86/100. GetResponse stands out for "built-in webinar functionality" and is best for Businesses running webinars alongside email marketing campaigns. Substack is known for "free to start, no upfront cost" and suits Writers wanting to launch and monetize a paid newsletter business. Your specific workflow and team size should guide the decision.
What is the pricing difference between GetResponse and Substack?
Both offer free plans. GetResponse starts at $13.30/mo and Substack at 10% of revenue. When comparing value, consider that GetResponse (founded 1997, 350K+ users) includes features like Email automation, Webinars, Landing pages. Substack (founded 2017, 35M+ readers users) offers Newsletter publishing, Podcast hosting, Paid subscriptions. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team.
What are the main differences between GetResponse and Substack?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. GetResponse excels at Email automation, Webinars, Landing pages, while Substack focuses on Newsletter publishing, Podcast hosting, Paid subscriptions. GetResponse's main advantage is "built-in webinar functionality", though some users note "interface feels dated". Substack's strength is "free to start, no upfront cost", but "10% cut of revenue" can be a drawback. Both serve the Email Marketing market but target different user profiles.
Can I switch from GetResponse to Substack?
Switching between GetResponse and Substack is possible since both operate in the Email Marketing space. Before migrating, export your data from GetResponse and check Substack's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Email automation, Webinars, Landing pages (GetResponse) vs Newsletter publishing, Podcast hosting, Paid subscriptions (Substack). Consider running both tools in parallel during a trial period to ensure a smooth transition.
Which is better for small teams: GetResponse or Substack?
Both tools offer free plans, so evaluate based on features. GetResponse is ideal for Businesses running webinars alongside email marketing campaigns, while Substack fits Writers wanting to launch and monetize a paid newsletter business. Try both during their trial periods to see which fits your team's workflow.

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