ActiveCampaign vs Constant Contact
A detailed comparison of ActiveCampaign and Constant Contact — features, pricing, pros & cons, and which one is right for you.
Last updated: April 3, 2026
TL;DR
ActiveCampaign edges ahead in 3 of 5 categories, especially in feature depth and value for money. But Constant Contact fights back, especially in ease of use and learning curve — your choice depends on what matters most to your workflow.
🎯 Quick Pick Quiz
Answer 4quick questions and we'll recommend the best fit for you
How big is your team?
Question 1 of 4
ActiveCampaign
Advanced email marketing and marketing automation platform with built-in CRM. Known for its powerful automation workflows and segmentation.
Constant Contact
Established email marketing platform known for reliability and ease of use. Popular with small businesses, nonprofits, and event organizers.
🥊 Head to Head
Tale of the tape — how they stack up across 5 key dimensions
🏆ActiveCampaign wins 3 of 5 categories
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | Constant Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Drag Drop Editor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Email Automations | Advanced | Basic |
| A/B Testing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Landing Pages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Signup Forms | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segmentation | Advanced | Basic |
| Analytics Reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
| API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sms Marketing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Template Library | 250+ | 200+ |
| Deliverability Tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free Tier | ✗ | ✗ |
✨ Vibe Check
What's it actually like to use these tools day-to-day?
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is the automation nerd's paradise. The workflow builder is genuinely best-in-class — you can create sequences so sophisticated they feel like a choose-your-own-adventure book. It's not the prettiest tool, and the learning curve is real, but once you master it, your email game goes to another level.
Constant Contact
Constant Contact is the email marketing equivalent of your dad's reliable station wagon. It's been around forever, it works, and the support team will literally walk you through everything. But the templates feel like they haven't been updated since 2015, and you're paying a premium for not much innovation.
Pros & Cons
ActiveCampaign
✓ Pros
- •Industry-leading automation builder
- •Built-in CRM functionality
- •Excellent segmentation and personalization
- •Great deliverability rates
- •500+ integrations
✗ Cons
- •No free plan
- •Steeper learning curve
- •Email designer could be more modern
- •Pricing increases with contact count
Constant Contact
✓ Pros
- •Very easy to learn and use
- •Excellent customer support
- •Good event marketing features
- •High deliverability rates
- •Social media posting included
✗ Cons
- •No free plan
- •Automation features are limited
- •Templates feel dated
- •Higher price for what you get compared to competitors
🔄 Switching Difficulty
Already using one? Here's what to expect if you switch.
Expect some manual work — certain configurations and integrations will need to be rebuilt.
Straightforward migration — most data can be exported/imported with minimal fuss.
The Verdict: ActiveCampaign or Constant Contact?
Choose ActiveCampaign if…
you prioritize marketers who need advanced automation workflows and crm integration in one platform.
Choose Constant Contact if…
you prioritize small businesses and nonprofits wanting a reliable, easy-to-use email marketing solution.
Neither tool offers a free plan — take advantage of free trials when available. The best choice depends on your team size, workflow complexity, and specific needs.
Ready to try?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ActiveCampaign better than Constant Contact?▼
It depends on your needs. ActiveCampaign is best for marketers who need advanced automation workflows and crm integration in one platform, while Constant Contact excels at small businesses and nonprofits wanting a reliable, easy-to-use email marketing solution. Neither offers a free plan, but both may offer free trials.
Can I switch from ActiveCampaign to Constant Contact?▼
Yes, most email marketing tools offer data migration or import features. Constant Contact can typically import data from ActiveCampaign via export or direct integration. Plan for a transition period as your team adapts to the new workflow.
Which is cheaper, ActiveCampaign or Constant Contact?▼
ActiveCampaign pricing starts at $15/mo (Starter). Constant Contact pricing starts at $12/mo (Lite). Compare features at each price point to find the best value for your needs.
Do ActiveCampaign and Constant Contact have free plans?▼
ActiveCampaign does not have a free plan. Constant Contact does not have a free plan.