Mailchimp vs Constant Contact: Neither Is the Best Choice
The Quick Verdict
Mailchimp wins this head-to-head, but honestly, this comparison feels like picking between two overpriced options when better alternatives exist. Mailchimp has a free tier, better automation, and a more modern interface. Constant Contact has solid event marketing tools and phone support. Neither represents the best value in 2026.
If you’re choosing between only these two, pick Mailchimp. If you’re open to a third option, MailerLite does what both do at half the cost. We’d be doing you a disservice not to mention it.
Pricing Comparison
For a 5,000-contact list as of March 2026:
| Feature | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | 500 contacts | None (60-day trial) | 1,000 subscribers |
| Entry Paid | $75/mo (Standard) | $80/mo (Lite) | $39/mo (Growing) |
| Mid-tier | $115/mo (Premium) | $110/mo (Standard) | $59/mo (Advanced) |
| Sends | 10-15x list size | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Phone Support | No | Yes (all plans) | No |
MailerLite’s pricing is included because we think you should see what you’re leaving on the table.
Feature Comparison
Email Builder
Mailchimp’s drag-and-drop editor is polished and intuitive, with a wide template library. Constant Contact also has a drag-and-drop builder, but the template designs feel stuck in 2018. MailerLite’s editor is clean and modern, closer to Mailchimp’s quality.
Edge: Mailchimp.
Automation
Mailchimp’s Customer Journeys handles basic automated workflows — welcome series, abandoned cart, birthday emails. Constant Contact’s automation is more limited, covering simple autoresponders and basic triggered emails. Neither platform matches what you’d get from ActiveCampaign or GetResponse.
Edge: Mailchimp, though neither is impressive.
Event Marketing
This is Constant Contact’s one genuine differentiator. The platform includes event management tools — invitations, registration pages, ticket management, and attendee tracking. If your business runs frequent events, this built-in functionality saves you from integrating a separate tool like Eventbrite.
Edge: Constant Contact.
Social Media Management
Constant Contact includes social media posting and scheduling. Mailchimp has social posting too, but it’s more limited. Neither platform does social media as well as a dedicated tool, but if you want everything in one dashboard, Constant Contact offers more here.
Edge: Constant Contact, marginally.
Landing Pages and Forms
Both platforms include basic landing pages and signup forms. Mailchimp’s are slightly better designed. MailerLite includes landing pages, pop-ups, and a full website builder on all plans — making both Mailchimp and Constant Contact look stingy by comparison.
Edge: Mailchimp in this head-to-head, but MailerLite outclasses both.
Ease of Use
Both platforms target non-technical small business owners, and both succeed at being approachable. Mailchimp’s interface is more modern and the onboarding flow is smoother. Constant Contact’s dashboard is functional but feels dated.
Constant Contact does offer phone support on all plans, which matters if you’re not comfortable troubleshooting on your own. Mailchimp’s support is email-only on lower plans, which can be frustrating when you need quick answers.
Deliverability
Both platforms have acceptable deliverability. Constant Contact has historically performed well in inbox placement tests, partly because its user base skews toward businesses that send to engaged, opted-in lists. Mailchimp’s deliverability is also solid, though the free plan’s shared IP pool can occasionally cause issues for senders in spammy niches.
Who Should Pick Mailchimp?
- Businesses that want a free starting point
- Users who value a modern, intuitive interface
- Teams that need basic automation without phone support
- Anyone choosing strictly between these two options
Who Should Pick Constant Contact?
- Businesses that run regular events and need built-in event management
- Users who require phone support for troubleshooting
- Organizations with social media scheduling needs
- Nonprofits (Constant Contact offers nonprofit discounts)
Who Should Pick Neither?
- Budget-conscious businesses (MailerLite does more for less)
- Anyone who needs real automation (look at ActiveCampaign or GetResponse)
- Creators building an audience (Kit is purpose-built for you)
Our Recommendation
Mailchimp beats Constant Contact, but neither platform represents the best value in 2026’s market. Constant Contact’s pricing doesn’t justify its feature set, and Mailchimp’s send limits and paywalled features add up fast.
Our honest recommendation: look at MailerLite. It’s not a household name, but it outperforms both Mailchimp and Constant Contact on pricing, features, and ease of use. We’ve written a full MailerLite review that breaks down why it’s become our go-to recommendation for small businesses.
If you must choose between the two in this comparison, Mailchimp is the better pick — but know that you’re paying a brand-name premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Constant Contact still worth using in 2026?
Constant Contact works, but it hasn't kept pace with the market. The pricing is high for the features offered, the automation is basic, and the interface feels dated compared to modern alternatives. It's hard to recommend when MailerLite offers better features at half the price.
Is Mailchimp or Constant Contact better for small businesses?
Between the two, Mailchimp is the better choice. It has a more modern interface, better automation, and a free plan. However, we'd recommend looking at MailerLite as a third option — it outperforms both on pricing and includes advanced features like a website builder and AI-free content tools at no extra cost.
What's the cheapest alternative to both?
MailerLite starts at $9/mo for 500 subscribers with automation, landing pages, and a website builder included. It's less than half the cost of either Mailchimp or Constant Contact at most list sizes and includes features both gate behind premium plans.