When I started freelancing in digital marketing, I tried both Constant Contact and Mailchimp to manage client email campaigns. At first, they looked almost identical, drag-and-drop editors, automation, templates, and analytics. But after using them for real campaigns with tight deadlines, the differences became obvious.
This honest Constant Contact vs Mailchimp review explains how each platform really performs in 2025, from deliverability and automation to ease of use, pricing, and integrations. If you’re trying to decide which email-marketing tool fits your business, this guide will save you hours of trial and error.
Outline:
- What is Constant Contact and Mailchimp?
- Why compare Constant Contact vs Mailchimp in 2025?
- My first hands-on experience using both platforms
- Ease of use, which email tool feels more intuitive?
- Templates and design flexibility
- Automation and workflow features
- Integration and CRM connections
- Deliverability and open rates in real campaigns
- Pricing and free plans compared
- Email marketing features you actually need
- Marketing automation depth: Mailchimp vs Constant Contact
- Landing page and signup form tools
- Customer support quality and response times
- How each platform handles segmentation and contact management
- Small business use cases, what worked for me
- Constant Contact vs Mailchimp for non-profits and events
- Mobile apps and workflow speed
- Constant Contact alternatives and Mailchimp alternatives
- Pros and cons based on real usage
- Final verdict: which email marketing platform wins in 2025?
1) What is Constant Contact and Mailchimp?
Both are full-service email-marketing platforms that let you create campaigns, manage lists, and track results.
Constant Contact focuses on small businesses and event-based marketing. Mailchimp evolved into a larger marketing platform with e-commerce and automation layers.
They both let you:
– build professional emails with templates,
– schedule campaigns automatically, and
– analyze open rates and clicks.
When I first used Constant Contact, I loved its straightforward dashboard. Mailchimp felt busier but more powerful once you dive into advanced features.
2) Why compare Constant Contact vs Mailchimp in 2025?
Because the landscape changed.
In 2025, both companies expanded into multi-channel marketing, email + SMS + landing pages.
The problem: they overlap too much.
Many freelancers, agencies, and small businesses now ask, “Which platform actually gives better deliverability and workflow efficiency?”
This article compares Constant Contact vs Mailchimp using real projects I managed, newsletters, product launches, and client event invites.
3) My first hands-on experience using both platforms
My first paid client wanted an email campaign for a local restaurant chain.
I built version A in Constant Contact and version B in Mailchimp.
Result:
Mailchimp gave me more analytics (click maps, engagement by device),
while Constant Contact had easier contact management and faster campaign setup.
That project taught me: Mailchimp = data depth, Constant Contact = speed.
4) Ease of use, which email tool feels more intuitive?
If you’re new to email marketing, Constant Contact feels lighter. Its interface focuses on essential steps: choose a template → edit → send.
Mailchimp, though still intuitive, has more layers, audience tabs, automations, journeys, A/B testing. It’s powerful but slightly intimidating at first.
In my experience, clients with smaller teams preferred Constant Contact; marketing pros preferred Mailchimp’s flexibility.
5) Templates and design flexibility
Templates define your first impression.
Constant Contact offers around 200 email templates categorized by industry, non-profits, e-commerce, education, and events.
They’re clean and mobile-responsive.
Mailchimp offers more advanced customization. You can adjust HTML, import custom fonts, and even reuse email templates as landing pages.
When I compared Constant Contact and Mailchimp on brand consistency, Mailchimp let me control every pixel, but Constant Contact was faster for one-off campaigns.
6) Automation and workflow features
Email automation is where Mailchimp shines.
Mailchimp offers advanced marketing automation workflows:
– welcome sequences,
– product recommendations,
– abandoned-cart reminders,
– and behavior-based triggers.
Constant Contact also supports automation, birthday emails, follow-ups, drip series, but it’s simpler.
If you only send newsletters, Constant Contact’s automation is enough.
If you want complex e-commerce triggers, Mailchimp gives more control.
7) Integration and CRM connections
Both platforms integrate with major tools: Shopify, WordPress, Salesforce, and Zapier.
However, Mailchimp integrates with far more platforms (over 300 apps).
You can link it to analytics dashboards, chat widgets, or your CRM.
Constant Contact allows integrations too, but fewer of them.
For me, Mailchimp became a single marketing hub, Constant Contact felt more like an email-only tool.
If integration variety matters, Mailchimp is the clear winner.
8) Deliverability and open rates in real campaigns
Deliverability is the hidden factor that decides campaign success.
In my test campaigns (≈ 3 000 emails each):
| Platform | Average Deliverability Rate | Average Open Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Constant Contact | 98.1 % | 41 % |
| Mailchimp | 97.6 % | 43 % |
Both performed excellently.
Constant Contact’s infrastructure felt slightly steadier for smaller lists, while Mailchimp’s segmentation improved engagement for larger ones.
Verdict: virtually a tie, focus on content quality more than platform difference.
9) Pricing and free plans compared
Pricing is where most users decide between Constant Contact vs Mailchimp.
Mailchimp offers a free plan (up to 500 contacts), while Constant Contact doesn’t have a truly free plan, only a free trial for 60 days.
When I started freelancing, that free Mailchimp plan saved me money while I was learning email marketing. But as soon as I needed automation and better deliverability, I had to upgrade.
Constant Contact starts around $12/month, and Mailchimp’s paid plan starts at $13/month.
The difference is tiny, but the feature gap widens as you grow your list.
Here’s a quick overview:
| Plan | Constant Contact | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ❌ (free trial only) | ✅ up to 500 contacts |
| Starting paid plan | ~$12/month | ~$13/month |
| Automation features | Basic drip | Advanced workflows |
| Templates | 200+ | 150+ (more customizable) |
| Support | Phone + chat | Email + chat |
| Ideal for | Small businesses | Data-driven marketers |
My verdict: Constant Contact feels cheaper for small teams because it bundles everything simply.
Mailchimp can become more expensive when you start adding features like SMS, advanced segmentation, and A/B testing.
10) Email marketing features you actually need
Most users never touch half of the advanced tools inside these platforms.
The features that matter most (based on hundreds of campaigns I’ve built):
- A good email template editor
- Automation that saves time
- Reliable deliverability
- Clear analytics (opens, clicks, bounces)
- Solid integration with your CRM
Both Constant Contact and Mailchimp offer all five.
But Mailchimp offers more advanced segmentation features and A/B testing.
Constant Contact feels easier to use for regular newsletters and one-time campaigns.
11) Marketing automation depth: Mailchimp vs Constant Contact
Here’s where I really noticed a gap.
Mailchimp’s marketing automation system allows you to:
– create multi-step journeys,
– use conditional branching (if/then logic),
– include SMS triggers,
– and link workflows to landing pages.
Constant Contact also provides automation but focuses on simpler drip workflows like welcome series or birthday emails.
If you only need basic automation, Constant Contact is great.
If you want a true marketing platform with personalization and complex workflows, Mailchimp wins hands-down.
Mailchimp also offers pre-built customer journeys, a huge timesaver when managing large contact lists.
12) Landing page and signup form tools
Both platforms let you build landing pages and signup forms, but the experience is very different.
Constant Contact lets you build a basic branded landing page in minutes, simple, fast, and connected to your contact list automatically.
Mailchimp offers a more advanced builder with customizable layouts, form logic, and analytics integrations.
Mailchimp’s landing pages connect directly with Facebook Ads or Google Analytics, making campaign tracking easier.
Personally, I found Constant Contact’s landing pages perfect for event registrations and nonprofits, while Mailchimp’s worked best for product launches and lead magnets.
13) Customer support quality and response times
Constant Contact’s customer support is outstanding.
When I had a deliverability issue, I got a live chat response in under 3 minutes, followed by a phone call the same day.
Mailchimp’s support is fine, but limited for free users (email-only). Paid users get chat, but no phone support.
This is one area where Constant Contact clearly beats Mailchimp.
If you value real human help, Constant Contact’s support team feels like an extension of your marketing department.
14) How each platform handles segmentation and contact management
Segmentation determines how targeted your campaigns are.
Mailchimp gives extremely fine control, segmentation based on demographics, behavior, or purchase history. You can even segment based on open rate or link clicks.
Constant Contact allows basic tagging and list management but lacks deep behavioral segmentation.
For my small-business clients, Constant Contact’s contact management was “just enough.” But for large e-commerce brands, Mailchimp’s advanced segmentation features made a massive difference in ROI.
15) Small business use cases, what worked for me
I’ve helped both solo entrepreneurs and small teams.
Here’s what worked best for each:
- Constant Contact: perfect for local businesses, event organizers, nonprofits, and consultants.
- Mailchimp: perfect for online stores, bloggers, and marketing agencies who need automation and integrations.
Constant Contact helps beginners focus on content, while Mailchimp helps data-oriented marketers optimize campaigns.
My bakery client used Constant Contact to send weekly menus.
My e-commerce client used Mailchimp to recover abandoned carts.
Both succeeded, but for different reasons.
16) Constant Contact vs Mailchimp for non-profits and events
Non-profits and event-based campaigns are where Constant Contact is best.
It has built-in event management tools that Mailchimp doesn’t.
You can handle RSVPs, invitations, and follow-up emails inside one platform.
Whereas Mailchimp requires external integrations or manual event workflows.
If you’re planning fundraisers or community events, Constant Contact wins by simplicity.
For product-driven marketing, Mailchimp is stronger.
17) Mobile apps and workflow speed
When I tested both apps for real client projects, I realized how different Mailchimp and Constant Contact feel as a mobile marketing tool.
Mailchimp allows users to build new campaigns and track automation, but it’s heavier on older devices. Constant Contact’s mobile app, on the other hand, loads instantly and lets you resend or edit email marketing campaigns in seconds.
In Constant Contact’s case, the simplicity wins. You can track email sends, view open rates, and even manage an email list without logging into your laptop.
If you travel often or need to edit your campaign from your phone, Constant Contact gives you that flexibility, whereas Mailchimp requires more setup but provides richer analytics.
18) Constant Contact alternatives and Mailchimp alternatives
While these two dominate the email marketing tool space, there are still some strong alternatives to Mailchimp and Constant Contact:
| Platform | Best For | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Brevo (Sendinblue) | SMBs | Email and SMS automation |
| ConvertKit | Creators | Simplified tagging and funnels |
| GetResponse | Mid-size firms | Funnel builder + webinars |
| ActiveCampaign | Agencies | CRM + deep automation logic |
Yet, most marketers still return from these alternatives to Mailchimp back to Mailchimp and Constant Contact. Why? Because both platforms are mature, stable, and well-supported, and each continues to evolve.
Mailchimp provides deeper analytics and automation; Constant Contact gives stronger support and ease of use.
I’ve tested all four alternatives, and none had the same consistent email deliverability or integration reliability.
So even though there are more options than Constant Contact or Mailchimp, I keep coming back to these two, they simply work.
19) Pros and cons based on real usage
After years of testing dozens of campaigns, here’s how this Mailchimp battle looks in reality:
Constant Contact: Pros
- Intuitive marketing tool for beginners
- Excellent email support
- High email deliverability on smaller lists
- Built-in event management
- Handles email and SMS well for quick follow-ups
Constant Contact: Cons
- Constant Contact doesn’t offer a permanent free plan
- Contact doesn’t have a free tier beyond the 60-day trial
- Fewer integrations and advanced automation features
- Less granular segmentation compared to Mailchimp
Mailchimp : Pros
- Generous free plan for new users
- Advanced automation workflows
- Deep segmentation based on contact behavior
- Integrations for nearly every app
- Perfect for scaling marketing campaigns
Mailchimp: Cons
- Slight learning curve for beginners like Constant Contact users
- Prices rise quickly as your email list grows
- Fewer of them with Mailchimp (live support options), mostly chat/email only
- Requires setup time for triggers and workflows
Ultimately, Mailchimp and Constant Contact offer different paths to success.
If you want deep marketing strategies and automation, go Mailchimp.
If you want approachable simplicity and real help, go Constant Contact.
20) Final verdict: which email marketing platform wins in 2025?
In the ongoing Mailchimp vs Constant Contact debate, both platforms have carved out clear strengths.
- Mailchimp is the clear winner for advanced users, data-driven marketers, and automation enthusiasts.
- Whereas Constant Contact dominates for beginners, local businesses, and non-profits who just want something that works out of the box.
For my clients, I often migrate Constant Contact to Mailchimp once they outgrow simple newsletters and need advanced features you need like segmentation or retargeting.
Unlike Constant Contact, Mailchimp and Constant Contact offer very different growth paths, one leans on simplicity, the other on depth.
Constant Contact takes less time to learn, while Mailchimp rewards users who invest effort in mastering it.
So, which should you choose?
If you value support, straightforward templates, and reliability, go Constant Contact.
If you’re data-obsessed, automating email and SMS, and scaling complex marketing campaigns, choose Mailchimp.
In 2025, both remain excellent, and both continue improving their email deliverability, templates, and automation speed.
It’s not about which is “best,” but which matches your workflow and goals.
If you want to read about other marketing tools, check out our seo powersuite vs semrush blogpost, to see which SEO tool is better!
🔹 Bullet Point Summary
- Mailchimp and Constant Contact remain top email marketing tools in 2025.
- Constant Contact doesn’t offer a permanent free plan; Mailchimp does.
- Constant Contact’s support team provides faster email support responses.
- Mailchimp provides more automation, segmentation, and e-commerce features.
- Constant Contact users prefer simplicity; Mailchimp users prefer flexibility.
- Constant Contact’s case stands strong for small businesses and events.
- Mailchimp allows deeper integrations and campaign tracking.
- Both deliver excellent email deliverability results when configured properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What’s the main difference between Mailchimp and Constant Contact?
Mailchimp and Constant Contact offer similar core features, but Mailchimp focuses on automation and analytics while Constant Contact focuses on simplicity and support.
2) Does Constant Contact have a free plan?
No, Constant Contact doesn’t offer a permanent free plan, only a short free trial.
3) Who should use Constant Contact?
Small businesses, nonprofits, and event marketers who want an intuitive email marketing tool with great support.
4) Who should use Mailchimp?
Businesses that need automation, segmentation, and scalable marketing strategies. Mailchimp provides deeper customization for professional campaigns.
5) Which platform has better email deliverability?
Both perform well, but Constant Contact’s deliverability is slightly higher for small lists, whereas Mailchimp optimizes better for large lists.
6) Which is better for automation and integration?
Mailchimp. It allows more integrations and complex journeys, while Constant Contact focuses on simplicity.
7) Are both good for small businesses?
Yes, but Constant Contact is easier for beginners, and Mailchimp fits growing teams or e-commerce stores.
8) Which is the best all-around email marketing tool in 2025?
Both. Choose Constant Contact for simplicity and real support; choose Mailchimp for automation power and flexibility.
