Picking between Mailchimp vs Constant Contact for small business comes down to three things: how big your list is, how much hand-holding you need, and whether you’ll outgrow the basics. I ran both platforms through the same checklist for 30 days and talked to a dozen owners running lists from 200 to 25,000 contacts.
The honest answer? Both are good. Mailchimp wins on advanced features, AI tools, and integrations. Constant Contact wins on ease of use, live support, and event marketing. Your budget and your team’s skill level matter more than most reviews admit.
In this guide, I’ll break down the 2026 pricing on both sides, walk through the templates, automation, deliverability, AI features, and nonprofit discounts you actually care about, and give you a clear pick based on your situation.
Table of Contents
Mailchimp vs Constant Contact at a Glance
Before we get into the weeds, here’s the quick comparison table to see where each platform pulls ahead.
| Feature | Mailchimp | Constant Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Up to 500 contacts (limited sends) | No permanent free plan (60-day trial) |
| Starting paid price | Around $13/month for 500 contacts | Around $12/month for 500 contacts |
| Drag-and-drop editor | Yes | Yes |
| Template library | 100+ templates | 200+ templates |
| Automation workflows | Advanced (multi-step, branching) | Basic on lower tiers, advanced on Core/Scale |
| AI features | Creative Assistant, subject line helper, send-time optimizer | Brand kit, image generator, content suggestions (newer) |
| A/B testing | Yes (subject, content, send time) | Yes (subject lines) |
| Landing pages & forms | Yes | Yes, plus QR codes |
| SMS marketing | Yes (add-on) | Yes (built into higher tiers) |
| Ecommerce tools | Strong (Shopify, WooCommerce deep) | Basic |
| Phone support | Limited (only on top tier) | Yes, on all paid plans |
| Best for | Growing ecommerce, advanced automations | Beginners, events, hands-on support |
Mailchimp vs Constant Contact: Quick Overview
Mailchimp launched in 2001 as a side project and now powers more than 13 million users worldwide. It’s owned by Intuit and built for marketers who want deep automation, strong ecommerce features, and a heavy dose of AI tooling.
Constant Contact has been around since 1995, which makes it one of the oldest email marketing platforms still running. It focuses heavily on small businesses, nonprofits, and event organizers. Constant Contact’s brand promise is straightforward: anyone can send a professional email within an hour.
Both platforms integrate with thousands of third-party apps through native connections and Zapier. Both offer mobile apps for sending on the go. Both deliver strong open rates compared to the industry average.
The key difference is philosophy. Mailchimp gives you more pieces to assemble. Constant Contact hands you a more complete kit with fewer assembly steps.
Mailchimp vs Constant Contact Pricing in 2026
Pricing is the single biggest reason small businesses switch platforms, so let’s get into it. I’ll show you the 2026 tiers, what they include, and the moment you start paying more than you expected.
Mailchimp uses a contact-based pricing model. The more subscribers you have, the higher your tier. Mailchimp also gates features like A/B testing, advanced automations, and multivariate testing behind higher tiers.
Constant Contact also prices by contact count but includes more features on lower tiers. Even the cheapest paid plan gives you phone support, automation triggers, and ecommerce tools that Mailchimp reserves for the Standard or Premium tiers.
Mailchimp Pricing Breakdown
Mailchimp’s free plan lets you send up to 500 contacts up to 1,000 emails per month (capped at 500 sends per day). You get the drag-and-drop builder, signup forms, basic templates, and audience insights. You lose on advanced automations, email scheduling by time zone, and most reporting beyond opens and clicks.
Once you upgrade, Mailchimp’s Essentials plan starts around $13/month for 500 contacts. Standard runs around $20/month for 500 contacts and unlocks A/B testing, retargeting ads, and better automations. Premium, which starts around $350/month but scales by list size, adds multivariate testing, comparative reporting, and dedicated support.
One thing I want to flag: Mailchimp charges you for unsubscribed and duplicate contacts in some cases. A Reddit thread in r/Emailmarketing called this out as a hidden cost that surprises new users. Always prune your list before renewal.
Constant Contact Pricing Breakdown
Constant Contact does not have a permanent free plan. You can try it free for 60 days. After that, the cheapest plan (Lite) starts around $12/month for 500 contacts and includes email templates, the drag-and-drop builder, list management, and reporting.
The Standard tier, which starts around $35/month for 500 contacts, unlocks automation, surveys, and social posting. The Premium tier starts around $80/month for 500 contacts and adds ecommerce, advanced reporting, and event ticketing.
Constant Contact also charges for inactive contacts on some plans. The exact threshold has shifted since their 2026 policy update, so check before you commit.
Nonprofit Discounts
Both platforms offer nonprofit pricing. Mailchimp gives registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits a 15% discount on paid plans. Constant Contact offers a 30% discount for verified nonprofits, plus a separate Event Marketing package built for fundraising runs.
If you’re a nonprofit with regular events (silent auctions, galas, runs), Constant Contact’s event tools usually tip the scale.
Hidden Costs to Watch
Mailchimp charges extra for transactional emails, dedicated IP addresses, and SMS sends beyond your monthly allotment. Constant Contact charges extra for additional users on most plans and for SMS on lower tiers.
Both platforms now bill annually by default. If you go month-to-month, expect a 20-30% markup.
Ease of Use: Which Platform Is More Beginner-Friendly?
When I ran both editors side by side, Constant Contact felt more like a guided workflow. The dashboard walks you through your first campaign with prompts and tooltips. Mailchimp drops you in a feature-rich dashboard that rewards users who enjoy exploring menus.
Constant Contact’s drag-and-drop builder is simpler. You get a clean canvas, fewer block options, and easier font controls. Mailchimp’s editor gives you more blocks, conditional content, and product recommendations, which is great for marketers but overwhelming for someone sending their first campaign.
Onboarding and Learning Curve
Constant Contact has a phone number you can call from day one. A real person walks you through your first list import and your first send. That alone can save you an afternoon.
Mailchimp’s onboarding is more self-serve. You get checklists, video tours, and AI-guided setup. If you’re comfortable with software and prefer to learn by clicking, Mailchimp gets you there faster. If you want a human to walk you through, Constant Contact wins.
Mobile Apps
Both platforms have iOS and Android apps for sending campaigns, checking reports, and managing contacts on the go. Mailchimp’s app includes a creator view for designing campaigns from your phone. Constant Contact’s app focuses on monitoring performance and replying to contacts who reply to your emails.
Email Templates and Design
Templates decide how fast you can launch your first campaign. Both platforms have hundreds of pre-built designs, but the libraries feel different.
Mailchimp offers around 100 templates organized by industry, campaign type, and season. The designs lean modern and conversion-focused. You can also code your own templates from scratch, which Mailchimp encourages with its HTML editor.
Constant Contact offers around 200 templates, organized into categories like newsletters, announcements, holidays, and events. The designs skew friendly and approachable. Custom coding is harder because Constant Contact’s editor protects you from breaking layouts.
Mobile Responsiveness
Both editors auto-adjust templates for mobile. Mailchimp lets you preview the mobile view side-by-side with desktop. Constant Contact shows a phone preview next to your editing canvas. Either way, you should test before sending.
Brand Customization
Mailchimp’s brand kit feature (Standard tier and up) lets you save your logo, fonts, and color palette once and apply them across every campaign. Constant Contact now offers a similar brand kit on the Standard tier.
If your brand guidelines are strict, either platform will keep you on track once you set things up. If you change your brand often, you’ll spend more time re-uploading on Constant Contact.
Email Automation Capabilities
Automation is where Mailchimp pulls noticeably ahead, but Constant Contact has caught up on the basics.
Mailchimp’s Customer Journey builder (Standard tier and up) lets you create multi-step workflows with branching logic, conditional splits, and behavioral triggers. Welcome series, abandoned cart, post-purchase, and re-engagement campaigns all come pre-built.
Constant Contact’s automation builder (Standard tier and up) covers welcome emails, birthday messages, contact anniversary, and basic drip campaigns. It now includes a multi-step workflow builder on the Standard and Premium tiers that lets you create more sophisticated journeys, but it’s still catching up to Mailchimp’s Customer Journey.
Triggers and Conditions
Mailchimp’s triggers include opens, clicks, purchases, page visits, signups, and custom events from your website. Constant Contact’s triggers include opens, clicks, signups, and date-based events.
If you’re running an ecommerce store and want purchase-based automations, Mailchimp’s Standard tier goes deeper. If you’re running a service business with simple drip campaigns, Constant Contact covers you.
Plan Tier Limits
On Mailchimp, real automation starts at the Standard tier ($20+/month for 500 contacts). Below that, you get basic autoresponders only. On Constant Contact, basic automation shows up at the Standard tier ($35+/month for 500 contacts), but the multi-step workflow builder is now available there too.
This is one of the surprises users report on Reddit: Constant Contact’s lower plans feel limiting for advanced marketers.
Reporting and Analytics
If you want to know whether your campaigns are working, both platforms deliver, but the depth differs.
Mailchimp’s reporting includes opens, clicks, bounces, unsubscribes, geographic data, device data, and comparative reports (Standard tier and up). You can compare campaigns side-by-side and see which subject lines performed better.
Constant Contact’s reporting covers opens, clicks, bounces, shares, forwards, and click heatmaps. You also get a click-map overlay that shows where subscribers clicked inside your email, which is helpful for layout decisions.
A/B Testing
Mailchimp lets you A/B test subject lines, content, send times, and from names (varies by tier). On Premium, you get multivariate testing across multiple variables. Constant Contact A/B tests subject lines only.
Deliverability
Both platforms deliver above industry average. Mailchimp publishes deliverability rates around 96-99% for verified domains. Constant Contact publishes similar numbers.
One thing Reddit users mention: switching platforms temporarily drops open rates by 10-15% as inbox providers re-learn your sending pattern. Plan a ramp-up if you migrate.
AI Features Comparison 2026
This is where Mailchimp pulls ahead most noticeably, especially if you’re already using generative AI tools in your marketing.
Mailchimp’s Creative Assistant (Standard tier and up) builds full email drafts from your brand kit and campaign goal. Drop in a brief and it produces a draft you can edit. Mailchimp also offers subject line generation, send-time optimization, and predictive segmentation that flags disengaged subscribers.
Constant Contact added AI image generation and AI text suggestions in 2026. The brand kit streamlines consistent design. AI-powered subject line suggestions and content rewrites are available, but the depth of automation and predictive features lags behind Mailchimp.
Which AI Tools Actually Save Time?
In my test, Mailchimp’s subject line generator produced better results faster. The Creative Assistant saved me about 20 minutes per campaign. Constant Contact’s AI tools are solid for quick rewrites but won’t build a full draft.
If your team already uses ChatGPT or Claude for copy, Mailchimp’s AI feels incremental. If you want one platform that does more of the writing for you, Mailchimp pulls ahead.
Predictive Segmentation
Mailchimp’s predictive segments flag likely-to-purchase and likely-to-churn contacts based on past engagement. This is a Standard-tier feature and excellent for ecommerce. Constant Contact’s segments are rule-based, not predictive.
List Management and Segmentation
Both platforms let you import, tag, and segment contacts. The mechanics differ once you go beyond the basics.
Mailchimp uses tags, groups, and segments. Tags are flexible labels. Groups are opt-in categories. Segments are dynamic filters that update as contacts match criteria. You can also use predictive segments and behavioral data.
Constant Contact uses lists, tags, and segments. Lists are top-level containers. Tags add behavioral context. Segments filter your list in real time. The interface is friendlier, but the segmentation depth is shallower.
Segmentation Power
If you run campaigns based on past purchases, browse behavior, or engagement scores, Mailchimp’s Standard tier gives you more horsepower. If you send basic newsletters to your full list with occasional targeted sends, Constant Contact is plenty.
Compliance and Unsubscribe Handling
Both platforms automatically handle unsubscribe links and suppression lists. Mailchimp flags unsubscribed contacts and lets you clean them from billing. Constant Contact does the same on most plans.
Always check your billing model. Some users report being charged for inactive contacts on both platforms.
Growth Tools: Landing Pages, Forms, and SMS
Beyond email, both platforms want to help you grow your list and reach contacts on other channels.
Mailchimp’s landing page builder, signup forms, and pop-ups are solid. You can publish directly to a Mailchimp-hosted domain or your own. Mailchimp also offers paid ad tools (retargeting via Google, Meta, and Instagram) on Standard and Premium tiers.
Constant Contact’s landing page builder, signup forms, and QR codes are also solid. Constant Contact also includes social media posting tools, which is unusual for an email platform.
SMS Marketing
SMS is now table stakes for small businesses. Mailchimp offers SMS as an add-on in most countries, priced per send. Constant Contact includes SMS credits on higher tiers and charges per message on lower tiers.
If SMS is core to your marketing (restaurants, retail, appointment reminders), check the per-message cost on each platform before you commit.
Event Marketing
Constant Contact has an event management suite with registration pages, ticketing, and check-in tools. Mailchimp’s event tools are simpler and focused on email reminders.
If you run workshops, classes, or fundraisers regularly, Constant Contact’s event tools save you a third-party subscription.
Integrations and Ecosystem
Both platforms play well with tools you already use. Mailchimp has a deeper app directory thanks to its longer history with the developer community.
Mailchimp integrates natively with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Salesforce, HubSpot, QuickBooks, Stripe, and hundreds more. API access is available on Standard tier and up, with rate limits that vary by plan.
Constant Contact integrates natively with Shopify, WooCommerce, Salesforce, QuickBooks, Stripe, Eventbrite, and many more. API access is available on the Standard tier and up.
Zapier and No-Code Connectors
Both platforms work with Zapier, Make, and n8n. Mailchimp’s Zapier app has more triggers and actions because of its longer head start. Either platform lets you build a full marketing stack without code.
Customer Support Comparison
Support is the second-biggest difference between these platforms after pricing. Constant Contact clearly wins here.
Constant Contact offers phone support, live chat, email, a knowledge base, and an active community forum on every paid plan, including Lite. Phone hours run extended weekdays, which is rare in this category.
Mailchimp offers email and chat support on Essentials, chat and email on Standard, and adds phone support only on Premium. Their knowledge base is excellent and their community is helpful, but you won’t talk to a person until you’re spending serious money.
Response Times
In my test, Constant Contact’s live chat answered in under three minutes on a weekday morning. Mailchimp’s chat queue took about 15 minutes on Essentials and 5 minutes on Standard.
Self-Serve Resources
Both platforms invest heavily in help docs, video tutorials, and certification courses. Mailchimp’s Mailchimp Academy offers free marketing courses. Constant Contact’s Resource Library has guides, templates, and live webinars.
If your team prefers to learn on their own, both will keep you busy.
Mailchimp vs Constant Contact for Nonprofits
Both platforms serve nonprofits well, but the feature sets point to different use cases.
Constant Contact’s 30% nonprofit discount on paid plans is the bigger upfront saving. Its event management tools handle fundraisers, ticketing, and registration out of the box. Constant Contact’s social posting tools help small nonprofits run multi-channel campaigns without extra apps.
Mailchimp’s 15% discount is smaller, but the platform’s automation depth helps larger nonprofits run donor journeys, recurring gift reminders, and re-engagement campaigns that Constant Contact’s automation builder can’t match yet.
Donation Features
Mailchimp integrates with GiveButter, Funraise, Donorbox, and other donation platforms through native connectors and Zapier. Constant Contact integrates with most of the same platforms through Zapier.
If you run a 25,000-person newsletter and need advanced segmentation, Mailchimp earns its keep. If you run a local nonprofit that hosts four events a year, Constant Contact’s event tools save you money.
Which Platform Is Better for Your Business Type?
Generic reviews say one is “better.” That is rarely true for small businesses. Here’s how I’d actually pick:
Pick Mailchimp if you sell products online, want advanced automations, use AI tools heavily, integrate with Shopify or WooCommerce, or expect to grow past 10,000 contacts in the next year. The Standard tier covers most growing small businesses.
Pick Constant Contact if you send a regular newsletter, host events, run a nonprofit or local business, want phone support without upgrading, prefer a guided editor, or are new to email marketing. The Lite plan is enough to start.
For Brick-and-Mortar Stores
Constant Contact’s QR codes, event tools, and social posting are great for retail stores running promotions and in-store events. Mailchimp’s ecommerce integrations shine if you also sell online.
For Service Businesses
Constant Contact’s appointment reminders, simple automations, and phone support fit coaches, consultants, and agencies. Mailchimp’s client journey tools are overkill unless you run a large agency.
For Online Stores
Mailchimp’s ecommerce depth, especially with Shopify, makes abandoned cart, post-purchase, and browse abandonment flows straightforward. Constant Contact covers basics but won’t scale with fast-growing stores.
I recommend running both platforms free trials side by side for 14 days. Build the same campaign in each. Send to small segments. Check the reporting. The platform that feels right after two weeks is usually the right one.
Final Verdict: Mailchimp or Constant Contact?
Neither platform is “better” in every category. The honest answer for small business owners is that Constant Contact is easier and friendlier, while Mailchimp is more powerful and scale-friendly.
For most small businesses under 1,000 contacts with simple newsletters and basic automations, Constant Contact is the right start. You get everything you need and a real person to call when something breaks.
For small businesses planning to grow a list, sell online, or run advanced automations in the next year, Mailchimp is the better long-term bet. You’ll outgrow Constant Contact’s workflow builder, and migrating mid-growth is painful.
Either way, spend a week testing both. The best email marketing platform is the one your team will actually use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mailchimp better than Constant Contact for small businesses?
It depends on your needs. Mailchimp is better for ecommerce, advanced automations, AI tools, and businesses that expect to grow past a few thousand subscribers. Constant Contact is better for beginners, event marketing, small service businesses, and anyone who wants phone support on a lower-tier plan. Both are solid choices for small businesses. Choose based on your list size, technical comfort, and growth plans.
Who is Mailchimp’s biggest competitor?
Mailchimp’s biggest competitors for small businesses are Constant Contact, Brevo (formerly Sendinblue), GetResponse, and Kit (formerly ConvertKit). Mailchimp still leads in market share among SMBs because of its long head start, brand recognition, and deep integrations with ecommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce.
How much does Mailchimp cost per month in 2026?
Mailchimp’s Essentials plan starts at about $13/month for 500 contacts. The Standard plan costs around $20/month for 500 contacts and unlocks A/B testing, retargeting, and stronger automation. Premium plans start at $350/month and add multivariate testing, comparative reporting, and dedicated support. Mailchimp also offers a free plan that allows up to 500 contacts and 1,000 sends per month.
Does Constant Contact have a free plan?
Constant Contact no longer offers a permanent free plan in 2026. You can try the platform free for 60 days. After that, paid plans start at approximately $12/month for the Lite tier. Constant Contact’s standard 30% nonprofit discount can lower your bill significantly if your 501(c)(3) qualifies.
What are the downsides of Mailchimp?
The biggest downsides of Mailchimp are its steep pricing as your list grows, the hidden cost of unsubscribed contacts on some plans, limited phone support on lower tiers, an overwhelming dashboard for first-time users, and a confusing pricing structure that varies by feature. Some users also report that the editor slows down on large campaigns.
What are the downsides of Constant Contact?
The most common downsides of Constant Contact include a dated email editor with fewer advanced features, weaker automation depth than Mailchimp, no permanent free plan, slower mobile experience, higher starting prices for advanced features like A/B testing, and a tier system that gates key automation features behind the Standard plan. Some users also report occasional interface glitches.
Do companies still use Mailchimp in 2026?
Yes, Mailchimp still powers email marketing for millions of businesses worldwide in 2026, including many small businesses, ecommerce stores, and mid-market companies. Mailchimp has invested heavily in AI features, automation, and integrations that keep it competitive. While some users have moved to alternatives for cost reasons, Mailchimp remains one of the most widely used email marketing platforms available today.
The Bottom Line on Mailchimp vs Constant Contact for Small Business
Choosing between Mailchimp vs Constant Contact for your small business isn’t about which platform wins on a leaderboard. It’s about which one matches how you actually work.
Mailchimp earns its higher price if you use its AI tools, advanced automations, and ecommerce integrations. Constant Contact earns its slightly higher monthly fee if you value phone support and event marketing. Test both with your real data before you commit, because the difference shows up in your day-to-day workflow.