MailerLite is a simpler, often cheaper alternative to GetResponse for businesses that do not use webinars or the website builder. If you are only using GetResponse for email and basic automation, MailerLite covers those needs at a lower price.
This guide covers everything you need to migrate from GetResponse to MailerLite without losing subscribers or breaking your automations. Estimated time: 2-4 hours.
What transfers and what does not
| Item | Transfers? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts and email addresses | Yes | Via CSV export/import |
| Tags and segments | Partial | Export as custom fields, remap on import |
| Custom field data | Partial | Transfers if mapped correctly during import |
| Unsubscribe history | Yes | Import as suppressed contacts |
| Email templates | No | Need to be rebuilt in MailerLite |
| Automation workflows | No | Need to be rebuilt from scratch |
| Campaign history | No | Historical stats stay in GetResponse |
Step-by-step migration guide
Sign up at www.mailerlite.com before doing anything else. Keep your GetResponse account running throughout the migration: do not cancel it until everything is confirmed working in MailerLite.
Add your domain to MailerLite and follow the DKIM authentication instructions. This improves deliverability and ensures your emails arrive in inboxes, not spam folders. Complete this before importing any contacts.
In GetResponse, go to your audience and export your full contact list as a CSV. Make sure to include all custom fields, tags, and segments. Export your unsubscribed contacts separately: you will need to suppress these in MailerLite to stay compliant.
Upload your CSV into MailerLite and map each column to the correct field. Import your unsubscribed contacts as suppressed. Review the import report carefully before proceeding: fix any mapping errors before building automations.
Screenshot or document all your active automations in GetResponse before rebuilding them in MailerLite. Start with your highest-priority flows: typically your welcome series and any active nurture sequences. Do not activate them until you have tested them with your own email address.
Build your signup forms in MailerLite and replace the GetResponse embed codes on your website. Test each form to confirm subscribers land in the right list and trigger the correct automation.
Send a test campaign to yourself. Trigger your automations manually. Check every link. Confirm your unsubscribe flow works correctly. Only cancel GetResponse once you are fully satisfied that MailerLite is working as expected.
Once MailerLite is fully operational, cancel your GetResponse account. Check your billing date to avoid being charged for another month. Download any historical reports or data you want to keep before cancelling.
The bottom line
MailerLite makes sense if you are only using GetResponse for email and basic automations and find yourself paying for webinar or website features you do not use. The simplicity and pricing are the main advantages.
Not sure MailerLite is the right destination? Take the Marketing Automation Buyer's Guide quiz for a personalized recommendation.