Constant Contact is usually the better pick if you want predictable small business email pricing and live support, while Mailchimp is often cheaper at the very beginning because it has a free plan. The choice gets less obvious once your list grows, because both platforms raise prices as contacts increase.
TLDR: Mailchimp wins for a tiny list that sends occasional emails, especially if 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly sends are enough. Constant Contact is stronger for small businesses that want easier support, event tools, and fewer “where is that setting?” moments. For example, a shop with 2,500 contacts sending four newsletters per month may care less about a $10 price gap and more about saving 30 minutes every campaign. If your list grows by 20% each quarter, compare the next pricing tiers before you commit.
Constant Contact vs Mailchimp pricing at a glance
Both tools use contact based pricing. That sounds simple, but it can get annoying fast. You may start at a low monthly price, then jump tiers as your audience grows. Mailchimp also limits monthly email sends by plan, while Constant Contact tends to feel more direct for users who send regular campaigns.
As of recent public pricing, Constant Contact plans often start around:
- Lite: from about $12/month for smaller lists.
- Standard: from about $35/month.
- Premium: from about $80/month.
Mailchimp plans often start around:
- Free: $0/month, usually capped at low contact and send limits.
- Essentials: from about $13/month.
- Standard: from about $20/month.
- Premium: from about $350/month.
Prices change, and discounts are common. Always check the live pricing page before buying, especially if you have more than 500 contacts.
What you actually get with Constant Contact pricing plans
Constant Contact is built for small businesses, nonprofits, local services, and teams that want email marketing without a steep learning curve. The pricing is not always the cheapest, but it includes tools many small teams use daily.
The Lite plan is best for basic newsletters, announcements, and simple promotions. You get email templates, list tools, reporting, and core campaign features. It is fine for a solo business or a new online store that sends a monthly update.
The Standard plan is the better fit for most growing businesses. It usually adds stronger automation, segmentation, subject line testing, and more useful reporting. If you want welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, or birthday offers, this tier makes more sense.
The Premium plan is aimed at businesses that need advanced features, larger send needs, deeper automation, and more support. It can be overkill for a small list, but valuable for a team that runs frequent campaigns and needs better targeting.
The best part: Constant Contact feels friendly. The editor is clear. Support is easier to reach. Non technical users tend to get campaigns out the door faster.
The annoying part: It can feel pricey once your list grows. You may start with a low bill, then hit a higher contact tier sooner than expected.
What you actually get with Mailchimp pricing
Mailchimp is famous because it made email marketing feel approachable. Its free plan pulled in millions of small businesses. That free plan is still useful, but it is more limited than it used to be.
The Free plan works for very small lists. It is useful for testing email marketing or running a simple signup form. But the send limit can become a wall quickly. If you have 500 contacts and email them twice in a month, you may already hit the edge.
The Essentials plan removes some limits and adds useful basics, such as more templates and support. It is a common first paid step.
The Standard plan is where Mailchimp becomes more powerful. You get better automation, customer journeys, send time tools, and stronger audience features. This is the plan many ecommerce and content businesses compare directly with Constant Contact Standard.
The Premium plan is expensive. It is made for larger teams that need advanced segmentation, multivariate testing, and higher limits. For many small businesses, the price jump feels harsh.
Honestly, it feels like Mailchimp makes you inspect every limit twice. Contacts, audiences, sends, seats, automations, branding, and support all affect the real value. That can be fine for a marketing manager. It is less fun for a busy bakery owner trying to send a Friday coupon.
Which platform is cheaper?
Mailchimp is cheaper at the smallest size because it offers a free plan. If you have a tiny list and send rarely, it is hard to beat $0.
Once you move into paid plans, the answer depends on list size and sending volume. Mailchimp may look cheaper at 500 contacts, especially on Essentials or Standard. But if you need more automation, support, or send capacity, the gap can shrink.
Constant Contact can be better value when support matters. If a staff member spends an extra 25 minutes hunting for a Mailchimp setting every week, that lost time costs money. For a $25/hour employee, that is around $42 a month in wasted time. Suddenly, a cheaper plan does not feel so cheap.
Best plan by business type
- New creator or hobby newsletter: Mailchimp Free is the easiest starting point.
- Local service business: Constant Contact Lite or Standard is often the safer choice.
- Online store: Compare Constant Contact Standard with Mailchimp Standard. Focus on automation and ecommerce integrations.
- Nonprofit: Constant Contact is popular because of support and event related features.
- Marketing team with advanced segmentation: Mailchimp Standard or Premium may fit better.
Hidden pricing factors to watch
The monthly plan price is only part of the bill. Before you choose, check these items:
- Contact tiers: A small list increase can push you into a higher price bracket.
- Email send limits: Mailchimp plans often cap monthly sends based on your contact count.
- Automation access: The cheapest plans may not include the workflows you actually want.
- Support level: Live support can save real time during a campaign emergency.
- Branding: Lower priced plans may include platform branding in emails or forms.
- Team seats: More users may require a higher plan.
Expect to waste time on plan comparison if you only look at the starting price. A $13 plan and a $35 plan are not always competing directly. One may include features the other hides in a higher tier.
Constant Contact strengths
- Easier for beginners: Campaign creation feels more guided.
- Strong support: Helpful for small teams without a marketing specialist.
- Good event tools: Useful for classes, fundraisers, and local promotions.
- Clean templates: Simple choices for newsletters and offers.
Mailchimp strengths
- Free plan: Great for testing the basics.
- Strong automation on higher plans: Good for ecommerce and content funnels.
- Large integration list: Works with many shopping carts, CRMs, and web tools.
- Advanced testing: Helpful for experienced marketers.
Final verdict: which one should you choose?
Choose Constant Contact if you want a straightforward email tool, better hand holding, and pricing that makes sense for a busy small business. It is especially good for local brands, nonprofits, consultants, and teams that value support over complex controls.
Choose Mailchimp if you want the lowest starting cost, a free plan, or stronger advanced marketing features on higher tiers. It is a smart pick for creators, ecommerce brands, and marketers who are comfortable checking limits before every upgrade.
The smartest move is simple: price out your current list, then price out your list at double the size. If Constant Contact costs more but saves hours each month, it may be the better deal. If Mailchimp’s free or Standard plan covers your needs cleanly, take the savings and keep your setup lean.