Mailchimp vs Constant Contact
A detailed comparison of Mailchimp and Constant Contact — features, pricing, pros & cons, and which one is right for you.
Last updated: April 3, 2026
TL;DR
Mailchimp edges ahead in 3 of 5 categories, especially in feature depth. But Constant Contact fights back — 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
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Question 1 of 4
Mailchimp
The most popular email marketing platform for small businesses. Offers email campaigns, automations, landing pages, and audience management.
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
🏆Mailchimp wins 3 of 5 categories
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | Constant Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Drag Drop Editor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Email Automations | Standard | Basic |
| A/B Testing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Landing Pages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Signup Forms | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segmentation | Standard | Basic |
| Analytics Reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
| API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sms Marketing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Template Library | 100+ | 200+ |
| Deliverability Tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free Tier | ✓ | ✗ |
✨ Vibe Check
What's it actually like to use these tools day-to-day?
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is email marketing's comfort food. Everyone knows it, everyone's tried it, and it works fine for getting started. The free plan is decent, the editor is drag-and-drop easy, and the monkey mascot is weirdly charming. But once your list grows past a few thousand, the pricing starts to sting.
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
Mailchimp
✓ Pros
- •Industry-leading brand recognition
- •Easy drag-and-drop editor
- •Generous free plan for starters
- •Good template library
- •Built-in landing pages and forms
✗ Cons
- •Gets expensive as contacts grow
- •Automations are basic on lower plans
- •Limited advanced segmentation on free plan
- •Support can be slow on free tier
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.
Straightforward migration — most data can be exported/imported with minimal fuss.
Straightforward migration — most data can be exported/imported with minimal fuss.
The Verdict: Mailchimp or Constant Contact?
Choose Mailchimp if…
you prioritize small businesses and beginners wanting an easy-to-use email marketing platform with a free plan.
Choose Constant Contact if…
you prioritize small businesses and nonprofits wanting a reliable, easy-to-use email marketing solution.
Mailchimp offers a free plan, making it easy to try before committing. The best choice depends on your team size, workflow complexity, and specific needs.
Ready to try?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mailchimp better than Constant Contact?▼
It depends on your needs. Mailchimp is best for small businesses and beginners wanting an easy-to-use email marketing platform with a free plan, while Constant Contact excels at small businesses and nonprofits wanting a reliable, easy-to-use email marketing solution. Mailchimp offers a free plan you can try.
Can I switch from Mailchimp to Constant Contact?▼
Yes, most email marketing tools offer data migration or import features. Constant Contact can typically import data from Mailchimp via export or direct integration. Plan for a transition period as your team adapts to the new workflow.
Which is cheaper, Mailchimp or Constant Contact?▼
Mailchimp pricing starts at Free (up to 500 contacts). Constant Contact pricing starts at $12/mo (Lite). Mailchimp offers a free tier — compare features at each price point to find the best value.
Do Mailchimp and Constant Contact have free plans?▼
Mailchimp offers a free plan. Constant Contact does not have a free plan.