Last updated: October 2026 | Prices checked against Mailchimp’s and Constant Contact’s official pricing pages
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Mailchimp and Constant Contact have been small business email staples for years. Mailchimp is the all-round marketing platform with a free plan and strong design tools. Constant Contact positions itself for local businesses, nonprofits and event organizers, with a focus on support and simple campaigns.
Mailchimp vs Constant Contact at a glance
| Mailchimp | Constant Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Free option | Free plan, up to 250 contacts | Free trial, no free plan |
| Entry plan | Essentials, from $13/mo | Lite, $12/mo ($10.20 billed annually) |
| Mid plan | Standard, from $20/mo | Standard, $35/mo ($29.75 annually) |
| Top plan | Premium, from $350/mo | Premium, $80/mo ($68 annually) |
| Monthly sends | 10×, 12×, 15× contacts | 10×, 12×, 24× contacts |
| Users | 3 (Essentials), 5 (Standard) | 1 (Lite), 3 (Standard), unlimited (Premium) |
| Guarantee | — | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Best for | Design-led campaigns and online stores | Local businesses, nonprofits and events |
Mailchimp pricing in 2026
| Plan | Starting price | Monthly sends | Seats | Automation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 500 (250 a day) | 1 | Not included |
| Essentials | From $13/mo | 10× contacts | 3 | Up to 4 flow steps |
| Standard | From $20/mo | 12× contacts | 5 | Up to 200 flows |
| Premium | From $350/mo | 15× contacts | Unlimited | Up to 200 flows |
Constant Contact pricing in 2026
| Plan | Monthly | Billed annually | Monthly sends | Users | Automation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lite | $12 | $10.20/mo | 10× contacts | 1 | 1 automation template |
| Standard | $35 | $29.75/mo | 12× contacts | 3 | 3 templates, AI campaign builder, resend to non-openers |
| Premium | $80 | $68/mo | 24× contacts | Unlimited | Unlimited templates, custom automations, e-commerce templates |
Both vendors’ starting prices apply to the smallest contact tier and rise as your list grows.
Which is cheaper?
At the entry level they are nearly the same: about $12–$13 a month for a small list. In the middle, Mailchimp Standard starts at $20 against $35 for Constant Contact Standard. At the top, Constant Contact Premium ($80) is far cheaper than Mailchimp Premium ($350), and it allows 24× your contacts in monthly sends.
Features compared
Ease of use
Both are beginner-friendly. Constant Contact keeps things simple and leans on guided setup and support. Mailchimp has more features and options, which can mean more to learn.
Design
Mailchimp has one of the best template libraries and drag-and-drop editors in the category. Constant Contact’s editor is easy and its templates suit newsletters, announcements and event invitations.
Automation
Mailchimp Standard supports up to 200 flows, including e-commerce journeys. Constant Contact Standard offers a few automation templates; custom automations require Premium.
Events and local business tools
Constant Contact has long focused on local businesses and organizations, with tools aimed at events, donations and community outreach. Mailchimp is more geared to online marketing and e-commerce.
Free option
Mailchimp’s free plan lets you start without paying. Constant Contact offers a free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee instead.
Pros and cons
Mailchimp
Pros
- Free plan for small lists
- Excellent design tools
- Strong automation on Standard
Cons
- Premium is very expensive
- Free plan capped at 250 contacts
- Price climbs with contacts
Constant Contact
Pros
- Simple and beginner-friendly
- Premium plan far cheaper than Mailchimp Premium
- Higher send limit on Premium (24× contacts)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- No free plan
- Lite plan has 1 user
- Custom automations only on Premium
Which should you choose?
Choose Mailchimp if you want to start free, care about design, or run an online store that needs e-commerce automation.
Choose Constant Contact if you’re a local business, nonprofit or event organizer who wants simple campaigns and support, or you need a top-tier plan without paying Mailchimp Premium prices.
Three real-world scenarios
A neighborhood restaurant with 1,200 customers on its list. It sends a monthly newsletter and holiday promotions. Both tools’ entry plans work; Constant Contact’s guided setup suits an owner with little time, while Mailchimp’s templates make promotions look polished.
A nonprofit with 8,000 supporters and regular events. It needs unlimited users and higher sending limits for event reminders. Constant Contact Premium allows unlimited users and 24× contacts in monthly sends, at a far lower price than Mailchimp Premium.
An online store wanting abandoned cart emails. Mailchimp Standard includes e-commerce flows at a lower price than Constant Contact Premium, where custom automations live.
Questions to ask before you sign up
- Do you need a free plan to start? Only Mailchimp has one.
- How many people need access? Constant Contact Lite has one user; Premium is unlimited.
- Which automations do you need? Mailchimp Standard covers more than Constant Contact Standard.
- Do you run events or fundraising? Constant Contact has long focused on these use cases.
- What’s your list size in a year? Both prices rise with contacts; model both at your expected size.
Frequently asked questions
Do both offer annual discounts?
Constant Contact offers about 15% off for prepaying annually. Mailchimp regularly runs promotions on its paid plans; check the current offer.
Does Constant Contact have a free plan?
No. It offers a free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Is Constant Contact cheaper than Mailchimp?
At the entry level they’re similar. Mailchimp is cheaper in the middle tier; Constant Contact is much cheaper at the top tier.
Which is better for automation?
Mailchimp, on its Standard plan. Constant Contact’s custom automations require Premium.
Can I switch from Constant Contact to Mailchimp?
Yes. Export your contacts as a CSV and import them, keeping records of how each contact opted in.
The bottom line
Mailchimp is the better pick for design and automation, and its free plan makes it easy to start. Constant Contact is a simpler choice for local businesses and events, with better value at the top tier.
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