Constant Contact Pricing vs Mailchimp: Best Choice

Constant Contact pricing vs Mailchimp: The best choice depends on your business needs and budget. Both are popular, but understanding their differences in features and cost is key to making the right decision for your email marketing success.

Constant Contact Pricing vs Mailchimp: Which Email Marketing Tool is Right for You?

Choosing the right email marketing service can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting out. Two names that often pop up are Constant Contact and Mailchimp. They’re both powerful tools, but they have different strengths, features, and pricing structures. It’s easy to get lost in all the details and wonder which one will truly help your business grow without breaking the bank.

But don’t worry! I’m here to break it all down for you. We’ll look at what each platform offers, how their prices compare, and what real users are saying. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture to help you pick the perfect email marketing partner for your business goals.

What is Constant Contact?

Constant Contact is a well-established email marketing platform known for its user-friendly interface and robust features tailored for small businesses and non-profits. It’s designed to make email marketing accessible, even for those with no prior experience. Constant Contact focuses on helping users build their contact lists, create professional-looking emails, and track their campaign performance effectively.

What is Mailchimp?

Mailchimp started as a simple email builder and has grown into a comprehensive marketing platform. It’s famous for its generous free plan, making it a popular choice for startups and individuals on a tight budget. Mailchimp offers a wide range of tools, from email campaigns and landing pages to social media posting and basic CRM capabilities, aiming to be an all-in-one solution for small businesses.

Key Differences at a Glance

While both Constant Contact and Mailchimp help you send emails, they cater to slightly different needs. Here’s a quick look at their main distinctions:

• Ease of Use: Constant Contact is often praised for its straightforward drag-and-drop editor and intuitive design, making it very beginner-friendly. Mailchimp is also user-friendly, but its interface can sometimes feel a bit more complex as it offers more advanced features.
• Features: Constant Contact excels in core email marketing functionalities, event marketing tools, and strong customer support. Mailchimp offers a broader suite of marketing tools, including more advanced automation, landing pages, and integrations, especially for e-commerce.
• Pricing: Mailchimp’s free plan is a significant draw. Constant Contact does not have a free plan, starting with a paid tier. As you grow, both have tiered pricing based on the number of contacts and features.
• Target Audience: Constant Contact is ideal for small businesses, non-profits, and organizations that prioritize ease of use and excellent customer support. Mailchimp appeals to a wider audience, from solopreneurs and startups with its free plan to e-commerce businesses needing advanced integrations.

Features Comparison

Let’s dive deeper into the features that matter most for your email marketing efforts. We’ll compare their core functionalities, automation capabilities, and other helpful tools.

Feature	Constant Contact	Mailchimp
Email Editor	User-friendly drag-and-drop editor with pre-designed templates. Easy to customize.	Drag-and-drop editor with a good selection of templates. Can be slightly more complex with advanced options.
Contact Management	Simple contact organization, segmentation, and import tools.	Robust contact management, tagging, and advanced segmentation options.
Automation	Basic automation (welcome series, birthday emails, resend unopened). Growing capabilities.	Advanced automation workflows (customer journeys), triggered emails, and behavioral targeting.
Landing Pages	Offers landing page creation tools to capture leads.	Integrated landing page builder, good for simple lead generation.
E-commerce Integration	Integrates with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce.	Strong e-commerce integrations, especially with Shopify, with dedicated features for online stores.
Reporting & Analytics	Clear reports on open rates, click-through rates, bounces, etc.	Detailed analytics, including campaign performance, audience engagement, and revenue tracking for e-commerce.
Event Marketing	Specialized tools for promoting events, managing RSVPs, and sending event invitations.	No dedicated event marketing tools; relies on general campaign features.
Customer Support	Excellent live chat, phone, and email support. Extensive online resources.	Email support on all plans. Chat support available on higher tiers. Comprehensive knowledge base.

Explanation:

When it comes to the core email creation, both platforms offer intuitive drag-and-drop builders. Constant Contact often gets the nod for being slightly simpler for absolute beginners. Mailchimp’s builder is also great, but it might take a little longer to get comfortable with if you’re venturing into its more advanced features.

Automation is where Mailchimp generally shines brighter, especially for businesses looking to set up complex customer journeys based on user behavior. Constant Contact offers solid basic automation, perfect for welcome series or re-engaging inactive subscribers, and they are continuously improving these capabilities.

For e-commerce, Mailchimp has a slight edge due to its deeper integrations and features specifically designed for online stores, like product recommendations and abandoned cart emails. If event promotion is a big part of your strategy, Constant Contact’s built-in event marketing tools are a real advantage.

Pricing Comparison

Understanding the pricing is crucial. Both Constant Contact and Mailchimp have tiered pricing that increases with the number of contacts you have and the features you need. Let’s look at how they stack up, keeping in mind that prices can change.

It’s important to note that both platforms often offer discounts for annual payments. Always check their official pricing pages for the most up-to-date information!

Constant Contact Pricing Page

Mailchimp Pricing Page

Plan Tier	Constant Contact (Approx. for 500 contacts)	Mailchimp (Approx. for 500 contacts)
Free Plan	No free plan available.	Yes, offers a free plan with limited contacts (e.g., 500) and sends (e.g., 1,000/month), basic features, and Mailchimp branding.
Entry-Level Paid Plan (e.g., Constant Contact’s “Core”, Mailchimp’s “Essentials”)	Starts around $12-$20/month. Includes core email marketing features, basic automation, landing pages, and good support.	Starts around $13-$20/month. Includes more advanced segmentation, basic automation, more templates, and support.
Mid-Tier Paid Plan (e.g., Constant Contact’s “Plus”, Mailchimp’s “Standard”)	Around $35-$50/month. Unlocks more advanced automation, A/B testing, and better segmentation.	Around $20-$30/month. Offers more robust automation, A/B testing, and advanced audience management.
Higher-Tier/Advanced Plans	Pricing increases significantly with more contacts and advanced features like sophisticated segmentation and advanced analytics.	Mailchimp’s “Premium” plan offers advanced features, dedicated support, and higher sending limits, with pricing scaling with contacts and features.

Explanation:

Mailchimp’s free plan is a huge advantage for budget-conscious beginners. It lets you start building your list and sending emails without any upfront cost. However, it comes with limitations and branding, so you’ll likely outgrow it as your business expands.

When comparing paid plans, the pricing can be quite similar, especially for entry-level tiers. Constant Contact’s “Core” plan, for instance, is competitively priced and offers a strong foundation. Mailchimp’s “Essentials” plan is also in a similar ballpark.

As you move up to more advanced plans, the cost will depend heavily on your contact list size and the specific features you need. Mailchimp often provides more advanced marketing automation and e-commerce specific tools in its higher tiers, which can justify the cost for certain businesses. Constant Contact’s pricing is generally straightforward, with costs scaling predictably as your list grows.

Ease of Use & Customer Support

For beginners, ease of use and reliable support can make all the difference.

Constant Contact: This platform is widely praised for its user-friendliness. The interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate even if you’ve never used an email marketing tool before. Their drag-and-drop editor is simple to master, and their template library is easy to browse. What truly sets Constant Contact apart is its exceptional customer support. They offer phone, chat, and email support, and their team is known for being helpful and responsive, which is invaluable for new users who might have many questions.

Mailchimp: Mailchimp is also designed with ease of use in mind, and its visual builder is quite user-friendly. However, as Mailchimp has expanded its feature set to include more advanced marketing automation and e-commerce tools, its interface can sometimes feel a bit more complex than Constant Contact’s, especially for those new to the field. Mailchimp’s support is primarily through email and a comprehensive knowledge base. Chat and phone support are typically reserved for their higher-tier plans, which can be a drawback if you need immediate assistance on a lower budget.

Pros & Cons of Constant Contact

👍 What Users Like

• Ease of Use: “Super easy to get started with. The drag-and-drop editor is a lifesaver.” (G2)
• Customer Support: “Their support team is amazing! They always answer my questions quickly and clearly.” (Trustpilot)
• Event Marketing Tools: “The event invitation and RSVP features are perfect for our workshops.” (Capterra)
• Deliverability: “My emails consistently land in inboxes, not spam folders.” (Reddit)
• Simple Interface: “I love how uncluttered and straightforward the dashboard is.” (User Review)

👎 Common Complaints

• No Free Plan: “It’s a shame they don’t offer a free tier to try out before committing.” (G2)
• Limited Advanced Automation: “While good for basics, the automation options aren’t as deep as some competitors.” (Capterra)
• A/B Testing: “A/B testing is available, but it feels a bit basic compared to other platforms.” (User Review)

Pros & Cons of Mailchimp

👍 What Users Like

• Generous Free Plan: “The free plan is fantastic for startups. It allowed me to start my email list without any cost.” (G2)
• Powerful Automation: “Mailchimp’s customer journeys are incredibly powerful for segmenting and nurturing leads.” (Capterra)
• E-commerce Features: “As a Shopify store owner, Mailchimp’s integrations and abandoned cart features are essential.” (Trustpilot)
• Template Variety: “Lots of good-looking templates to choose from, making it easy to create professional emails.” (Reddit)
• Integrations: “Connects with almost everything, which is a huge plus for my workflow.” (User Review)

👎 Common Complaints

• Interface Complexity: “Can be a bit overwhelming at first, especially with all the features.” (G2)
• Customer Support on Lower Tiers: “Getting direct support can be difficult unless you’re on a higher-priced plan.” (Capterra)
• Pricing for Larger Lists: “As my list grew, the price started to climb quite steeply.” (Trustpilot)
• Deliverability Concerns: “Occasionally, I’ve had issues with emails not landing in the primary inbox.” (User Review)

User Reviews & Case Studies

Hearing from real users provides valuable insights into how these tools perform in practice.

Case Study:

Which One Should You Choose?

The “best” choice between Constant Contact and Mailchimp really comes down to your specific business needs, your budget, and your technical comfort level.

Choose Constant Contact if:

• You are a beginner and prioritize ease of use above all else.
• You value excellent, easily accessible customer support (phone, chat, email).
• You need straightforward email marketing tools without overwhelming complexity.
• You run events and need integrated tools for invitations and RSVPs.
• You are a small business or non-profit that wants a reliable, user-friendly platform.

Choose Mailchimp if:

• You are on a very tight budget and want to start with a free plan.
• Your business is e-commerce focused and you need advanced integrations and automation for sales.
• You require sophisticated marketing automation and customer journey building.
• You are comfortable with a slightly more complex interface as your needs grow.
• You want a platform that can potentially handle more of your marketing needs beyond just email (e.g., social media, landing pages).

Consider your current stage and future goals. If you’re just starting and want to keep things simple with great support, Constant Contact is a strong contender. If you’re an e-commerce business looking for powerful automation from the get-go, or a solopreneur needing a free way to start, Mailchimp is likely your best bet.

FAQ Section

Is Mailchimp free?

Yes, Mailchimp offers a free plan that allows you to send emails to up to 500 contacts per month with a sending limit of 1,000 emails. It’s a great way to start your email marketing journey without upfront costs, though it has limitations and Mailchimp branding.

Does Constant Contact offer a free trial?

Constant Contact does not have a perpetual free plan, but they typically offer a free trial (often 60 days) for their paid plans, allowing you to test out their features before committing to a subscription.

Which is better for small businesses, Constant Contact or Mailchimp?

For small businesses that prioritize ease of use and excellent customer support, Constant Contact is often considered better. For small e-commerce businesses or those on a very tight budget needing advanced automation from the start, Mailchimp’s free plan and robust features can be more advantageous.

Can I switch from Mailchimp to Constant Contact?

Yes, you can switch between email marketing platforms. Most platforms, including Mailchimp and Constant Contact, allow you to export your contact list in a CSV file, which you can then import into the new service. You will need to recreate your email templates and automation sequences in the new platform.

Is Mailchimp or Constant Contact better for e-commerce?

Mailchimp generally has more advanced e-commerce specific features and integrations, such as abandoned cart recovery, product recommendations, and deeper analytics for online stores. Constant Contact also integrates with e-commerce platforms, but Mailchimp is often seen as having a slight edge for businesses heavily reliant on online sales.

What are the key differences in their pricing models?

Mailchimp’s primary differentiator is its free plan, making it accessible for beginners. Constant Contact does not offer a free plan, starting with paid tiers that are generally competitive. Both platforms increase pricing based on the number of contacts and the features included in their higher-tier plans.

Which platform has better deliverability rates?

Both Constant Contact and Mailchimp have good reputations for deliverability. However, deliverability can be influenced by many factors, including how well you manage your list (e.g., removing inactive subscribers) and the quality of your content. Generally, neither platform has a significant, consistent disadvantage over the other in this regard.

Conclusion

Both Constant Contact and Mailchimp are excellent email marketing tools, each with its own strengths. Your “best choice” depends entirely on where your business is right now and where you want it to go.

Choose Constant Contact if:

• You’re new to email marketing and want the simplest, most supportive experience.
• You appreciate robust customer support via phone, chat, and email.
• Event management is a key part of your strategy.

Choose Mailchimp if:

• You need a free way to start building your email list.
• Your business is e-commerce focused and requires advanced automation and integrations.
• You’re comfortable with a platform that offers more advanced features and a slightly steeper learning curve.

My best advice? Take advantage of the free trials or free plans offered. Play around with each platform, build a test email, and see which one feels more intuitive and aligned with your business goals. Ultimately, the platform that helps you connect with your audience effectively and confidently is the right one for you!