AWeber Vs GetResponse: Which Email Tool Built More Affiliate Sales?

What’s the one thing you wish your email tool would do for your affiliate commissions that it stubbornly refuses to do?

AWeber Vs GetResponse: Which Email Tool Built More Affiliate Sales?

You’ve heard arguments for both sides, usually from someone with a vested interest, a screenshot from 2019, or a cousin who “knows a guy.” You want something simpler: which one actually helps you put more money in your pocket? You’re not looking for mysticism. You’re looking for clarity, and maybe a few less settings pages.

Here’s the short story: both AWeber and GetResponse can make you more affiliate sales. The longer story, which is the one that actually helps you choose, is that each tool favors a different kind of affiliate playbook. If your model is broadcast-driven, newsletter-centric, and built on a steady cadence of offers plus personality, AWeber gives you speed and dependable delivery without trying to turn your life into a maze. If your model uses funnels, behavior-based journeys, webinars, and multi-step conditioning to push higher-ticket or timed promos, GetResponse hands you more levers—and more conversions if you’ll use them.

You don’t need to marry either platform to find that out. You just need to match your real workflow and your real audience. You know, the one that replies to your emails at 3 a.m. with subject lines like “quick question about the bonus,” and then never asks a question.

The very short answer

• If you sell through automated funnels, evergreen webinars, lead magnets with upsells, and you’re comfortable building journeys: you’ll usually sell more with GetResponse.
• If you sell through broadcasts, simple sequences, regular curated promos, and you value quick sending, minimal fuss, and high list hygiene: you’ll usually sell more with AWeber.

Now let’s make that useful by breaking down why.

What actually drives affiliate sales from email (and where tools matter)

You’re not sending recipes here. Affiliate sales from email hinge on a specific combo of factors:

• Inbox placement: You can’t sell if you land in spam or promotions ghetto every time.
• Pre-sell and timing: Content that warms readers plus timing that meets intent.
• Automation that respects behavior: Segments, tags, and triggers that send the right follow-up.
• Pages that convert: Opt-in and pre-sell pages that don’t make your readers sigh and close the tab.
• Clear attribution: You need to see what produced money, not just opens.
• Policy tolerance: The platform should allow affiliate links without treating you like a raccoon in a bakery.

Both AWeber and GetResponse influence each of these in small but meaningful ways. You bring the message; the tool makes sure it shows up like it has a job interview.

Deliverability: getting to the inbox like a trustworthy adult

Deliverability is the quiet tyrant of affiliate marketing. If it tanks, your smartest sequence behaves like a tree falling in the woods while wearing an affiliate T-shirt.

Neither AWeber nor GetResponse publicly guarantees a specific deliverability rate; no reputable platform does. What you can judge is the health of their infrastructure, their approach to compliance, and the guardrails they give you for keeping your list clean.

Deliverability features that matter

• Authentication: DKIM, SPF, and ideally DMARC on your sending domain.
• List hygiene tools: Bounce handling, complaint monitoring, easy suppression.
• Engagement targeting: Send to active segments, sunset automations.
• Content support: Tools for plain text versions, link tracking controls, and spam testing.
• Dedicated IP (only when you’re big enough to manage it well).

Both tools handle the technical backbone; you influence the rest through your workflows.

Deliverability essentials at a glance

Deliverability Factor	Why it Matters for Affiliate Sales	AWeber	GetResponse
Custom domain authentication (SPF/DKIM/DMARC)	Domain trust improves inboxing	Supported, straightforward setup	Supported, straightforward setup
Engagement-based segmentation	Avoids blasting the disinterested	Tag and segment by opens/clicks	Advanced conditions include visits/purchases (when integrated)
Bounce/complaint handling	Keeps your sender reputation in shape	Automatic with clear reporting	Automatic with granular reports
Spam testing & preview	Reduces filter triggers	Basic pre-sends, content checks	More pre-send testing options
Send-time features	Timing matters for attention	Scheduling plus simple tools	Send-time optimization and time zone delivery
Dedicated IPs	Useful for very large senders	Available on higher tiers	Available on higher tiers

If your list is new or inconsistent, AWeber’s simpler process makes it harder to hurt yourself. If your list is seasoned and you’ll use deeper engagement rules, GetResponse gives you more knobs to turn.

Automation: getting the right offer to the right reader without losing your weekend

Automation is where GetResponse tends to shine for affiliates who build behavior-based arcs—think interest tagging, link-click triggers, timing nudges, and event-based re-entry into promos.

AWeber’s “Campaigns” and tag-based logic are solid for most affiliate workflows: welcome series, evergreen promos, and click-triggered branches. But GetResponse’s visual builder pulls ahead if you’re doing multi-branch funnels that zig when someone breathes in your direction.

Automation comparison

Automation Need	What You’re Trying to Do	AWeber	GetResponse
Trigger on link clicks	Tag by product interest	Yes, via link automations	Yes, with visual builder and conditions
Evergreen lead magnet funnel	Nurture then pitch	Yes, easy to set up	Yes, with more branching options
Time-limited launch	Sequence + resends	Yes, via tags and time delays	Yes, plus advanced conditions and pages
Abandoned cart / browse	Rescue near-sales	Via integrations and tags	Built-in for GetResponse store; via integrations for others
Webinars	Warm-up and pitch	External tools only	Built-in webinars with registration, reminders, and replays
Multi-offer rotation	Cycle through promos	Doable, simpler version	Doable with precise control and exclusions

If your strategy relies on evergreen webinars or multi-day product storylines, GetResponse will likely lift your conversion rate purely through precise timing and targeting. If you mostly send a strong weekly broadcast and a few tidy follow-ups, AWeber keeps you fast and focused.

Funnels and landing pages: where curiosity becomes clicks

Your pre-sell pages and opt-ins do half the selling long before anyone opens your affiliate link. Both AWeber and GetResponse include page builders, but the intent is different.

• AWeber: Clean, quick landing pages, basic A/B testing, and straightforward forms. Great for lead magnets and simple pre-sell pages you can ship in an afternoon.
• GetResponse: More advanced page builder, better A/B testing, built-in “Conversion Funnel” templates (lead magnet, sales, webinar, paid ad traffic), and ecommerce blocks. Great for full-stack funnels with upsells and tightly coordinated email follow-up.

Landing and funnel strengths

Component	AWeber	GetResponse
Page builder ease	Quick and simple	More powerful, slightly more setup
A/B testing	Available, basic	Stronger variant testing, easier analytics
Conversion Funnel templates	No complete “funnel” kit	Yes: lead magnet, sales, webinar funnels
Webinar registration + email	Not native	Native with automation
Facebook/Google ads connection	Via integrations	Integrated ads for funnel traffic
Checkout/ecommerce	Integrations	Native ecommerce on higher tiers

If you’re pushing higher-ticket affiliate offers, a webinar funnel often outperforms a simple broadcast campaign. That’s where GetResponse tends to build more affiliate sales without requiring a patchwork of third-party tools.

List building and opt-in mechanics: feeding the machine

You can’t nurture what you don’t collect. Both tools support embedded forms, pop-ups, and landing pages with double opt-in options. The difference lies in how quickly you can get an opt-in live and how well everything links back to segmentation.

• AWeber: Fast form creation, solid double opt-in flows, WordPress plugins, and a focus on tag-based list management. If you live in WordPress, it’s painless.
• GetResponse: Strong pop-up controls, excellent templates, and forms that slot directly into funnels, ads, and webinars. If you run paid traffic, you’ll appreciate fewer moving parts.

Policy toward affiliates: can you actually send the links?

You want a platform that lets you promote affiliate partners without treating you like you’re about to sell fake sunglasses. Both AWeber and GetResponse allow affiliate marketing, but both also enforce standards. High complaint rates, bad list practices, and shady links will get anyone in trouble.

• AWeber: Historically friendly to affiliates, with straightforward rules. You’ll be fine if your list is opt-in, you’re transparent, and you’re not mailing, say, a miracle berry diet to a cold list of accountants.
• GetResponse: Also supportive of legitimate affiliates but strict when signals look risky (spam traps, complaint spikes, suspicious link domains). If your niche is sketchy or your list quality is poor, you’ll feel the guardrails.

Your best move either way: use your own domain, set up authentication, avoid spammy shorteners, and pre-sell on your site before linking out. It’s nicer for deliverability and it builds trust with your readers, who are, after all, human and frequently distracted by YouTube.

Segmentation, tags, and personalization: earning relevance

Relevance sells. A reader who clicked “Email deliverability tips” is not the same as the one who clicked “Webinar reheating guidelines.” Both tools let you tag subscribers by behavior and send tailored messages.

• AWeber: Tagging is core. You can move subscribers in and out of campaigns based on tags and clicks. This is perfect for “if clicked, pitch sequence; if ignored, send soft value” logic.
• GetResponse: The visual builder lets you segment by a wider range of conditions: visited page, purchase event (with integrations), webinar attendance, and more. It’s overkill for simple lists and glorious for complex funnels.

Email editors, templates, and speed to publish: because you have a promo window to meet

You care about how fast you can write, assemble, and send your message. AWeber’s editor is quick, with clean templates and a strong plain-text support if you prefer the “human note” style. GetResponse’s editor is also robust, with more blocks and dynamic content options.

• AWeber extras: AMP for Email in certain cases, plus a smart designer that can build a template from your website’s styles. Handy if design is not your hobby.
• GetResponse extras: Advanced dynamic content, product recommendation blocks for ecommerce integrations, and stronger email testing options.

If you prefer light HTML and conversational broadcasts, AWeber feels crisp. If you want modular, data-driven content blocks, GetResponse is your kitchen.

A/B testing and optimization: the polite way to argue with yourself

Simple tests save you from endless hypotheticals. Subject line A/B tests, content variations, and send-time experiments all help squeeze extra clicks and sales out of the same list.

• AWeber: Subject line testing, basic content splits, and resends to non-openers. Enough to move the needle without turning your morning into a lab.
• GetResponse: More test types, more control, and send-time optimization to deliver when your readers behave like their best selves.

If you obsess over optimization and you’ll actually run tests each week, GetResponse’s toolset has more headroom. If you just need a quick A/B to avoid a bad subject line, AWeber does the job nicely.

Analytics and revenue attribution: knowing what actually made you money

Affiliate emails can feel like fog if you can’t see what produced revenue. While neither platform can always see revenue from third-party affiliate networks out of the box, both give you the scaffolding for it.

• UTM parameters: Use consistent UTMs on affiliate links (when allowed) and monitor in your analytics tool. Both platforms make link editing easy.
• Conversion tracking: GetResponse offers native tracking for its landing pages, funnels, and ecommerce features. With integrations, you can record purchases and map them to emails. AWeber leans on integrations and tagging response behavior.
• Micro-conversions: Track clicks to pre-sell pages, time on page, webinar attendance, and replay clicks. These correlate strongly with conversion even when the final sale attribution is messy.

A simple attribution model you can actually maintain

• Give credit to the last email link clicked within your promo window (e.g., 7 days).
• Use UTM content to identify email and section (e.g., utm_content=ps1_header_cta).
• Map revenue back to email via your analytics or spreadsheet. Yes, a spreadsheet. You’re human.

Example tracking taxonomy

UTM Parameter	Example Value	Meaning
utm_source	newsletter	Email channel
utm_medium	email	Medium is email
utm_campaign	productX_launch_sep	The promo campaign
utm_content	ps1_header_cta	Which CTA/link drove it

When you keep this steady, you’ll see which emails and sections drive real money, not just vanity clicks.

Pricing and value: what you pay to make money

You don’t buy features; you buy outcomes. Both AWeber and GetResponse offer free plans for small lists with limited features and paid tiers that scale with your subscriber count and toolset.

• AWeber: Known for a generous free entry (limited to smaller lists) and a paid plan that unlocks automations, advanced analytics, and split testing. Pricing is typically simple and predictable.
• GetResponse: Free entry for small lists with basic tools, then distinct tiers (Email Marketing, Marketing Automation, Ecommerce, and enterprise). As you move up for webinars, funnels, and automation depth, you’ll pay more—but you’re getting revenue tools, not just sending volume.

Pricing changes over time, so treat it like airline fares and check the current rates. The bigger question is value: if webinars and funnels add even a slight conversion lift, GetResponse’s higher plan may pay for itself quickly. If you primarily send evergreen and broadcast promos, AWeber’s lower cost structure often nets you more profit.

Integrations that matter to affiliates

• Ecommerce: Both connect with Shopify and WooCommerce, syncing purchases for segmentation and follow-ups (decent for hybrid affiliate + your own products).
• Payment providers: Stripe and PayPal integrations exist, with deeper native checkout inside GetResponse on certain tiers.
• Webinars: Native in GetResponse, external for AWeber.
• Affiliate tracking: You’ll typically integrate via links and UTMs rather than formal “postback” setups, though you can stitch things together with tools like Zapier or custom webhooks.

Use your own domain for pre-sell pages, and cloak affiliate links responsibly if your program permits. Above all, avoid link shorteners that make mailbox providers nervous.

Support, onboarding, and migration

Moving lists feels like moving apartments: you discover you own seven extension cords and a plant you don’t recall adopting. Both platforms offer guided onboarding, solid documentation, and live support.

• AWeber: Friendly, personal support with a reputation for patience—great if you value quick human answers while you figure out tags.
• GetResponse: Strong documentation, training webinars, and quick live chat. If you’re using advanced features, their tutorials help you implement without guesswork.

If you’re migrating from another platform, both will assist with importing lists and keeping opt-in records intact.

Where each platform tends to generate more affiliate sales

You care less about philosophy and more about what works for your model. These scenarios mirror common affiliate approaches; pick the one that looks suspiciously like your day.

Scenario 1: The newsletter-driven affiliate business

You send one or two emails a week. You pre-sell in your own voice, link to your post or landing page, and then send to an affiliate offer. You value speed to publish and a clean, consistent inbox placement.

• Likely winner: AWeber
• Why: Simple campaigns, fast sending, and tidy tagging for interest-based follow-ups. No heavy funnel build required.

Scenario 2: Evergreen webinar affiliate funnel for higher-ticket offers

You collect leads with a free resource, push to a webinar registration, remind, and then follow up with urgency windows. You want timed sequences, attendance-based branches, and a page builder that doesn’t make you cry.

• Likely winner: GetResponse
• Why: Native webinars, funnel templates, time-based rules, and post-webinar logic that does most of the heavy lifting.

Scenario 3: Launch sequences with segmentation by behavior

You run 5–10 day launches a few times a year, with early opt-in pages, curiosity emails, and branching logic based on clicks and page visits. You like to send different emails to buyers, warm readers, and people who ghost you until the last hour.

• Likely winner: Slight edge to GetResponse
• Why: Visual automation and page visit conditions give you finer control, which converts well during launch windows.

Scenario 4: Broad list monetization with multiple offers

You maintain a general audience and monetize with a mix of evergreen and occasional promos. You’re not building a funnel empire; you want a dependable sending machine with enough segmentation to avoid being annoying.

• Likely winner: AWeber
• Why: Tag-based organization keeps complexity in check and shipping easy.

Quick pick table

Your Situation	Choose	Core Reason
Broadcast-first, simple sequences, fast shipping	AWeber	Speed, simplicity, and consistency
Funnel-heavy, webinars, multi-branch automation	GetResponse	Powerful funnels and behavior logic
Hybrid, but you lean toward advanced targeting	GetResponse	Headroom to grow complex campaigns
You want a friendly, minimal learning curve	AWeber	Straightforward setup and sending

How to run a fair head-to-head test (without torching your list)

You can test both platforms over 30–60 days and see which generates more affiliate revenue for you. Here’s how to make it fair.

1. Warm both domains properly

• Authenticate (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
• Send value-first emails for a week to engaged segments only.
• Avoid sudden volume spikes.

2. Split your list randomly

• Use a randomizer tag or export/import alternates so both tools get similar audiences.
• Exclude unengaged subscribers from both to avoid deliverability drag.

3. Use the same creative

• Identical subject lines, body, and link structure.
• Same send times or send-time optimization window.

4. Track with consistent UTMs

• utm_source=newsletter, utm_medium=email.
• utm_campaign identical names on both platforms.
• utm_content identifies platform only if you must (and keep this blinded when reviewing until the end to avoid bias).

5. Run the same promo window

• Live 10–14 days with one lead magnet, one main promo, and one late-urgency email.
• Follow with a non-promo value email to manage list fatigue.

6. Measure what matters

• VPIs: clicks per thousand, revenue per thousand, complaint rate, unsubscribe rate, spam placement (via seed tests if available).
• Choose the platform that drives higher revenue per thousand while maintaining or improving list health.

Fair warning: Don’t declare a winner after one email. People have moods.

AWeber: step-by-step setup for a simple affiliate campaign

You want a clean setup without turning your office into a wiring closet. Here’s a straightforward build.

1. Account and domain setup

• Add your sending domain, set SPF/DKIM/DMARC.
• Connect your website for landing pages if you plan to host on AWeber.

2. List and tagging

• Import your list with consent records intact.
• Create tags for interests (product categories) and promo windows (launch_xx, evergreen_y).

3. Forms and landing pages

• Build a lead magnet landing page and embedded form.
• Enable double opt-in if your list source or niche is sensitive.

4. Welcome and warm-up series

• Create a 4–6 email sequence that gives value, pre-sells gently, and asks for small clicks that represent interest.

5. Interest tagging

• Use link automations to add tags when readers click specific topics or offers.

6. Promo campaigns

• Build a simple 5-day promo campaign:
  • Day 1: story + soft CTA
  • Day 2: benefits + FAQ
  • Day 3: proof or demo
  • Day 4: overcome objections + bonus
  • Day 5: urgency (last chance)
• Segment: exclude buyers (if you can identify them) and readers who didn’t click at all (send a lighter touch).

7. Testing and resends

• A/B test subject lines on day 1 and day 5.
• Resend to non-openers with adjusted subject lines after 24–36 hours.

8. Reporting and cleanup

• Tag non-clickers after the promo and reduce frequency for them.
• Prune persistent non-engagers monthly to keep deliverability happy.

GetResponse: step-by-step setup for a funnel-driven affiliate campaign

If you want the full stack—webinar, funnel, and behavior-based nurturing—here’s a tidy path.

1. Account and domain setup

• Add domain, authenticate fully, verify sending address.
• Turn on time zone sending and send-time optimization if available on your plan.

2. Build the funnel

• Choose a Conversion Funnel template (lead magnet or webinar).
• Create opt-in page, thank-you page, and a simple pre-sell page that warms readers to the affiliate offer.

3. Webinar (if relevant)

• Set up an evergreen webinar or schedule a live session.
• Build a 3-email reminder series: 24 hours, 3 hours, and 15 minutes before the event.
• Configure post-webinar automations: attended + stayed long vs. registered but no-show.

4. Automation workflow

• Start with “Subscribed via Form X” or “Registered for Webinar Y.”
• Branch by link clicks in emails and page visits on pre-sell pages (using the tracking code).
• Apply interest tags; drop in a time-limited sequence with day-based and behavior-based conditions.

5. A/B testing

• Test opt-in page headlines and hero images.
• Test day 1 subject lines and the first promo CTA block.

6. Ads (optional)

• Connect Facebook/Google ads to feed the funnel directly.
• Watch lead costs and test shorter vs. longer opt-in pages.

7. Revenue mapping

• For your own products: connect ecommerce for clean attribution.
• For affiliate offers: use UTM tracking and, if possible, add your own pre-sell or bonus claim page that confirms conversions on your side (e.g., “submit receipt to claim bonus”).

8. Cleanup and scaling

• Build a re-engagement sequence for non-clickers after 30 days.
• Spin out interest tracks based on webinar segments.
• Duplicate the funnel for Offer B with 70% shared assets, 30% targeted content.

Pitfalls that quietly kneecap affiliate conversions (and how to avoid them)

• Sending raw affiliate links from notorious domains: Use your own domain for pre-sell pages and only redirect if permitted. Spam filters remember.
• Over-automating for a small list: If you have 500 people, a ten-branch decision tree won’t outperform a simple, heartfelt sequence. Save your energy.
• Neglecting plain text: Highly templated designs can look like sales flyers. Mix in hybrid or plain-text emails for a personal feel.
• Bonus bloat: Your bonus stack shouldn’t read like a storage unit inventory. Present one or two meaningful bonuses that remove the buyer’s top objection.
• No runway: Cold readers don’t buy from a subject line that says “it’s back.” Warm up with value emails first, then move into your promo.
• Random timing: Your readers form habits. Send consistently and let them learn when to expect your best stuff.

Tactics that reliably lift affiliate sales regardless of platform

• Pre-sell on your own page: Tell a short story, demonstrate, and answer objections. A warmed reader clicks with intent.
• Bridge pages with micro-commitments: Add a quick yes/no or “choose your use case” block that leads to the most relevant affiliate angle.
• Bonuses that matter: Pick bonuses that complement the main offer (checklists, templates, or “done-for-you” starters). Keep it simple to redeem.
• Urgency with integrity: Use real deadlines and clearly communicate when the bonus or price increase ends.
• Resends to non-openers: Change the subject line and send 24–48 hours later. It’s low drama and lifts clicks.
• Soft CTA “Proof” emails: Use screenshots, short wins, or reader stories. People buy when they see themselves in your examples.
• Post-purchase sequence: If allowed, send an onboarding tip or “quick start” guide. Reduces refunds, builds your reputation, and creates upsell opportunities.
• Segment late clickers: The ones who click near the end need a little extra reassurance next time. Make a tag for that.

A compact feature table for affiliate priorities

Priority	AWeber	GetResponse	Practical Take
Affiliate policy tolerance	Friendly if compliant	Friendly but vigilant	Good on both if you keep list clean
Automation depth	Solid tag-based	Advanced workflows	Choose based on complexity
Funnels & webinars	Basic pages only	Full funnels + webinars	GetResponse wins if funnel-heavy
Email editor speed	Fast, straightforward	Powerful, a bit more setup	AWeber feels quicker
A/B testing	Core basics	More variants and timing	GetResponse for test addicts
Analytics for funnels	Integrations + UTMs	Native funnel analytics	GetResponse easier for multi-step attribution
Deliverability guardrails	Strong and simple	Strong with more controls	Both reliable with good practices
Pricing value	Great for simple stacks	Worth it for advanced stacks	Match to your model

The verdict you can actually use

• Choose AWeber if you want to write, send, and sell without transforming your life into a full-time funnel studio. You’ll likely make more sales through consistent broadcasts, simple sequences, and interest tags than you will from a half-built automation labyrinth.
• Choose GetResponse if your revenue will come from webinars, behavior-based funnels, paid traffic into structured pages, and more granular targeting. You’ll likely make more sales because the tool supports every step of that journey without duct tape.

If you’re unsure, run the two-week head-to-head test described earlier. Put the winner to work and let your readers do the voting with their clicks and credit cards.

Frequently asked questions (that secretly determine your choice)

Can you do affiliate marketing on both platforms?

Yes, provided you follow their terms: opt-in lists, honest content, and links that don’t look like they were made in a hurry. If your niche is high-risk, pre-sell on your own domain first.

Which one “delivers better”?

Both deliver well when you do the basics: authenticate your domain, mail engaged readers, prune non-engagers, and send coherent messages. The real difference is how effectively you segment and time your emails, which is more about your setup than their servers.

Which one is cheaper?

It depends on your list size and the feature tier you need. AWeber’s structure suits simpler needs on a budget; GetResponse’s higher tiers are priced for webinars, funnels, and automation. Check current pricing and weigh it against the revenue you expect from those features.

Do you need webinars to sell affiliate products?

No. Plenty of affiliates sell through email and pre-sell pages alone. Webinars help primarily for higher-ticket items and complex solutions where teaching earns trust—and trust earns commissions.

Can you start on AWeber and switch to GetResponse later (or the other way around)?

Absolutely. Start where you’ll actually send consistently. If you outgrow it, migrate your list, preserve your key tags, and rebuild your top two sequences first. Rome was not built by a marketer trying to perfect six funnels on a Monday.

A final word, minus the pep talk

You win affiliate sales by being helpful, consistent, and timely. Your tool should make those three things easier, not add twelve new tasks that exist mostly to make charts look impressive. If your strength is writing, pick the platform that lets you send excellent emails without friction. If your strength is systems, pick the platform that lets you orchestrate every breath a subscriber takes from opt-in to order.

AWeber keeps you light on your feet. GetResponse gives you a control room. Both can put money in your pocket. Your job is to choose the one that matches the way you already work—or the way you can realistically see yourself working next Tuesday when you’ve had one cup of coffee and an affiliate deadline breathing on your neck.

Whichever you choose, set your domain correctly, tag your clicks, pre-sell with sincerity, and give your readers a bonus they didn’t know they needed. That’s how you build more affiliate sales, with either tool, and sleep like a person who didn’t send a broken link to 14,000 people.