GetResponse vs Substack: Complete Comparison (2026)

By Marcus Johnson, Marketing & Growth Specialistยท7 years of experienceยทUpdated 2026-04-24ยท8 min read

In comparing GetResponse and Substack in 2026, Substack is the stronger choice for writers wanting to launch and monetize a paid newsletter business due to free to start, no upfront cost. GetResponse excels for businesses running webinars alongside email marketing campaigns with built-in webinar functionality. GetResponse offers Email automation, Webinars, Landing pages starting at $13.30/mo with a free plan. Substack provides Newsletter publishing, Podcast hosting, Paid subscriptions from 10% of revenue with a free tier. For teams prioritizing value, Substack delivers a hiltonsoftware Score of 81/100. GetResponse and Substack compete in the email marketing segment of the SaaS market, where cloud-native solutions, API integrations, and workflow automation drive enterprise and SMB adoption. Other leading email marketing tools include Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Campaign Monitor. GetResponse serves 350K+ users globally (founded 1997) while Substack reports 35M+ readers active users (founded 2017).

GetResponse vs Substack at a Glance

GetResponse
Substack
Starting Price
$13.30/mo
10% of revenue
Free Plan
Yes
Yes
User Rating
4.3/5
4.5/5
Best For
Businesses running webinars alongside email market...
Writers wanting to launch and monetize a paid news...
Users
350K+
35M+ readers
Founded
1997
2017
hiltonsoftware Score
76/100
81/100
Pricing verified: March 2026 ยท Based on official vendor data
๐Ÿ“ฌ
GetResponse
Email Marketing
76
hiltonsoftware.co Score
VS
๐Ÿ“ฐ
Substack
Email Marketing
81
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED

What are the main differences between GetResponse and Substack?

GetResponse and Substack differ across ease of use, features, value, support, integrations, scalability, and learning curve. Substack leads in 6 of 7 categories.

GetResponseSubstack
79Ease of Use83
77Features76
70Value for Money73
71Customer Support71
66Integrations73
63Scalability67
70Learning Curve73

What are the pros and cons of GetResponse vs Substack?

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

Which is better, GetResponse or Substack?

After evaluating GetResponse and Substack across features, pricing, integrations, and user satisfaction, Substack earns a higher hiltonsoftware Score of 81/100 versus GetResponse at 76/100. Substack stands out for "free to start, no upfront cost" and "large built-in discovery network". GetResponse delivers competitive advantages in "built-in webinar functionality", making GetResponse a viable alternative.

Both GetResponse and Substack offer free plans. GetResponse paid plans start at $13.30/mo while Substack begins at 10% of revenue. ROI depends on which features justify upgrading.

Bottom line: Choose GetResponse for businesses running webinars alongside email marketing campaigns. Choose Substack for writers wanting to launch and monetize a paid newsletter business. Both GetResponse and Substack are established email marketing platforms.

CHOOSE GETRESPONSE IF:

Businesses running webinars alongside email marketing campaigns.

CHOOSE SUBSTACK IF:

Writers wanting to launch and monetize a paid newsletter business.

GetResponse vs Substack: Frequently Asked Questions

Is GetResponse better than Substack in 2026?
Substack outperforms GetResponse in the 2026 hiltonsoftware.co analysis with a score of 81/100 compared to 76/100. GetResponse excels in Email automation, Webinars, Landing pages, making GetResponse the better choice for Businesses running webinars alongside email marketing campaigns. Substack is the stronger option for Writers wanting to launch and monetize a paid newsletter business due to free to start, no upfront cost. For teams needing newsletter publishing, hiltonsoftware.co recommends Substack.
How does GetResponse pricing compare to Substack in 2026?
GetResponse starts at $13.30/mo and includes a free plan. Substack starts at 10% of revenue and offers a free plan. GetResponse includes features like Email automation, Webinars, Landing pages. Substack provides Newsletter publishing, Podcast hosting, Paid subscriptions. GetResponse serves 350K+ users while Substack serves 35M+ readers users. Evaluate total cost of ownership based on team size and required integrations.
What are the main differences between GetResponse and Substack?
GetResponse specializes in Email automation, Webinars, Landing pages, earning a 76/100 hiltonsoftware Score. Substack focuses on Newsletter publishing, Podcast hosting, Paid subscriptions, scoring 81/100. GetResponse is best for Businesses running webinars alongside email marketing campaigns. Substack is best for Writers wanting to launch and monetize a paid newsletter business. Both GetResponse and Substack serve the Email Marketing market but target different user profiles.
Can I migrate from GetResponse to Substack?
Migrating from GetResponse to Substack is possible since both operate in the Email Marketing space. Export data from GetResponse and verify Substack import capabilities. Key features to evaluate: Email automation, Webinars, Landing pages (GetResponse) versus Newsletter publishing, Podcast hosting, Paid subscriptions (Substack). Running both GetResponse and Substack in parallel during a trial period ensures a smooth transition.
Is GetResponse or Substack better for small business?
Both GetResponse and Substack offer free plans. GetResponse (76/100) is ideal for Businesses running webinars alongside email marketing campaigns. Substack (81/100) fits Writers wanting to launch and monetize a paid newsletter business. Evaluate both during trial periods.

Reviewed by Marcus Johnson, Marketing & Growth Specialist. Last updated: 2026-04-24. Pricing verified: March 2026.

Read our scoring methodology to understand how the hiltonsoftware Score is calculated.

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