Constant Contact and Mailchimp are two of the oldest names in email marketing, and they pull in different directions. Constant Contact leans on hands-on support and event tools. Mailchimp leans on automation, design, and a bigger feature set. Here is how to choose between them in 2026.
The verdict
Constant Contact is the friendlier, better-supported option for local businesses and organizations that run events. Mailchimp is the more flexible, feature-rich platform for businesses that want deeper automation and design control. If you want live phone support and event registration built in, Constant Contact wins. If you want more room to grow your marketing and a broader automation toolkit, Mailchimp is the stronger pick.
| Constant Contact | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No (60-day trial only) | Yes (500 contacts, 1,000 emails/mo) |
| Starting paid price | $12/mo (Core, up to 500 contacts) | $13/mo (Essentials, 500 contacts) |
| Best for | Local businesses, nonprofits, event organizers | Small to mid-size businesses needing automation |
| Deliverability | Strong | Strong |
| Ease of use | Very easy, beginner-friendly | Moderate, more options |
| Automation | Basic on Core, better on Plus | Better depth and branching options |
| Templates | Good selection, easy to edit | Large library with more variety |
| Support | Phone + chat + email (all paid plans) | Email + chat (paid); limited on free |
Pricing
Constant Contact starts at $12 per month for up to 500 contacts on its Core plan, which is almost identical to Mailchimp's $13 Essentials starting point. The difference is that Mailchimp offers a free tier and Constant Contact does not, only a 60-day trial.
At larger list sizes, pricing is comparable between the two. Constant Contact's Plus plan, which adds advanced automation and features, runs significantly more. Neither is the cheapest option on the market, so if budget is the primary concern, platforms like MailerLite or Brevo undercut both.
Ease of use
Constant Contact is built for people who do not want to spend a lot of time learning software. The interface is simple, the email editor is drag-and-drop, and the setup flow holds your hand through the first campaign. It is the platform most likely to suit someone who describes themselves as "not a tech person."
Mailchimp has more options on the screen, which means more power but a longer first hour. Once you get past onboarding, Mailchimp is efficient. But Constant Contact gets new users sending faster.
Templates & design
Both platforms have usable template libraries. Mailchimp's is larger with more design variety. Constant Contact's templates are clean and cover common use cases like promotions, announcements, and event invites. If you want more starting-point options, Mailchimp wins. If you want templates that are easy to edit without design experience, both work fine.
Automation & segmentation
Mailchimp pulls ahead on automation depth. Its triggers are more varied, the branching logic is more flexible, and the reporting on sequence performance is better. Constant Contact's Core plan has limited automation; you need the Plus tier to unlock more advanced flows.
For basic use cases, like a welcome email when someone subscribes or a birthday offer, Constant Contact covers it. For complex multi-branch journeys with behavioral triggers, Mailchimp is the stronger tool.
Deliverability
Both platforms have strong deliverability reputations built over decades. Neither is a meaningful differentiator. Your list quality, sending cadence, and engagement rates will determine your inbox placement more than the platform itself.
Free plan
Mailchimp has one; Constant Contact does not. If you are testing the waters before committing to a paid plan, Mailchimp's free 500-contact tier lets you run real campaigns. Constant Contact gives you a 60-day trial with full access, after which you pay. If you need more than 60 days to decide, that is a real difference.
Support
This is Constant Contact's clearest advantage. Phone support is included on all paid plans, along with chat and email. Mailchimp does not offer phone support at any tier. For users who want a number to call when something goes wrong, Constant Contact is the better choice.
Who should pick which
- Pick Constant Contact if you value live phone support, run events or registrations, and want a simpler interface aimed at small local businesses and nonprofits.
- Pick Mailchimp if you want deeper automation, a free tier to start, better templates variety, and more room to grow your marketing stack.
FAQ
Is Constant Contact more expensive than Mailchimp?
At small list sizes the prices are nearly identical. At larger lists, costs are comparable on similar feature tiers. The bigger difference is that Mailchimp has a free plan and Constant Contact does not, making Mailchimp the better starting point if you are not ready to pay yet.
Which platform has better customer support?
Constant Contact. It is one of the only major email platforms that still offers phone support on standard paid plans. Mailchimp is email and chat only. If phone support matters to you, Constant Contact is the clear winner.
Can I migrate from Mailchimp to Constant Contact?
Yes. Constant Contact accepts CSV imports and will carry over your subscriber list, tags, and custom fields. The process is straightforward, and Constant Contact's support team will walk you through it if needed.
Does Constant Contact have event tools?
Yes. Constant Contact includes event registration and management tools that Mailchimp does not have natively. For businesses that run workshops, classes, or community events and want email and registration in one place, Constant Contact is the better fit.
Which is better for nonprofits?
Both offer nonprofit discounts. Constant Contact is popular with nonprofits because of its simpler interface, phone support, and event tools. Mailchimp's free plan works well for small nonprofits with under 500 contacts who need basic email without paying.
A third option if you sell B2B: Bobb
Both tools above are built to send email. If the job of your newsletter is to sell (book meetings, surface buyers, move pipeline), that is a different job, and it is the one Bobb was built for. Bobb finds the people in your list most likely to buy, writes and sends for you, and books the meeting when someone raises a hand. You send from a pre-warmed platform domain, so you land in the inbox from day one with no domain to warm.
If your newsletter is purely content or consumer e-commerce, pick the winner above. If it is supposed to generate pipeline, start free and see the difference on your own list.