COMPARISON CRITERIA

The main criteria you should look for while shopping for an autoresponder service are usability and effectiveness.

Is the interface is hard to manage or navigate? Is it easy to quickly compose a message and blast it to your list? Is it easy to check the stats and reports? These are the types of questions you’ll need to ask to ensure that the service scores high on the useability criteria.

Effectiveness is determined by how many messages are delivered to your recipients and how many get opened. Is the delivery consistent? Are open rates consistent? Other factors like your subject line and relationship with the prospect also impact your open rates. But, you still need to know that your autoresponder service is doing everything it can to make sure your messages are delivered and read.

There are several other criteria to consider as you can see in the comparison chart below.

COMPARISON CHART

Mailchimp vs. GetResponse vs. Aweber vs. ConstantContact vs. iContact vs. Infusionsoft 

 

NOTE: Comparison chart was created based on available information. Features are subject to change.

GetResponse
getresponse.com
Aweber
aweber.com
Constant Contact
constantcontact.com
iContact
icontact.com
Infusionsoft
Infusionsoft.com
MailChimp
mailchimp.com
Free Trial30 days$1 for 30 days60 days30 daysNoNo trial but free option
CostBasic - $15/mo.
Essential - $49/mo.
Professional - $99/mo.
Enterprise - $1199/mo. Other pricing options available.
$19/pm for upto 500 subs. $29/pm for 501 - 2500 subs. $49 for 2501 - 5000 subs. $69 for 5001 - 10000. $149 per month for 10001- 25,000 subs. Other pricing options available. Email - $1289/mo.
Email Plus - $2900/mo. Other pricing options available.
Essential - $32.00/mo.
$99.00/mo. for up to 10,000 emails. Other pricing options available.
From $99 to $299 per month, depending on features needed. Higher volume plans also available.Essentials - $9.99/mo.
Standard - $14.99/mo.
Premium - $299.00/mo.
Web-Based Service or ScriptWeb-based service. Web-based service.Web-based service.Web-based service.Web-based service.Web-based service.
Import & Export Subscribers
Add Leads from Offline Sources
No
No
No
No
HTML & Text
Message Personalization
Click Tracking & Campaign Statistics
Social Media Integration
HTML Email & Opt-in Templates
Criteria sending (subscription date, location, etc.)
Best for (business size)
Small to Medium
Small to Medium
Medium to Large
Small to Medium
Large
Small to Medium

In summary…

If you’re looking for a great autoresponder there are two clear choices. If you’re pretty new to the whole concept of automated email, we recommend MailChimp for its friendly interface, ease of use and great service and support.

If you’re more confident with your email marketing, AWeber has proven itself time and again as a user-friendly, comprehensive platform for all your requirements, with more options for customisation than MailChimp provides.

There is, however, another option if you’re looking to gain complete control over your email marketing strategy and develop a bespoke solution that enables you to truly define, own and manage all aspects of your strategy