Both Mailchimp and Constant Contact promise solutions — however, they approach email marketing with completely different philosophies that will shape your daily workflow and campaign success.
As an email deliverability consultant and marketer who has helped hundreds of businesses overcome platform limitations while maintaining strong sender reputation and inbox placement rates, I’ve prepared this detailed Mailchimp vs Constant Contact comparison guide covering their:
- Real pricing costs, including hidden fees
- Template quality and AI design assistance
- Automation depth and journey capabilities
- Integration connections for e-commerce tools
- SMS marketing and cross-channel automation
- Advanced testing features (A/B and multivariate)
- Segmentation power for personalized campaigns
Let’s help you understand which platform matches your marketing needs while protecting your sender reputation during any platform transition.
Constant Contact vs Mailchimp — a quick comparison breakdown
Don’t have the time to read the entire piece? Here’s a quick overview of both platforms:
| Feature | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | Who wins? |
| Free access | Forever free (500 contacts, 1,000 sends/month) | 30-day trial only | Mailchimp |
| Automation | Advanced multi-step flows (up to 200 steps) | Simpler workflows (up to 50 steps) | Mailchimp |
| A/B testing | Subject, content, timing + multivariate | Subject lines only | Mailchimp |
| Templates | 100+ modern designs | Hundreds of traditional styles | Depends on preference |
| Monthly send Limits | 10x-15x contact count | 10x-24x contact count | Constant Contact |
| Phone support | Premium plan only | All paid plans | Constant Contact |
| SMS marketing | Add-on (multiple countries) | US-only ($10/500 messages) | Depends on location |
| E-commerce | Advanced revenue tracking | Revenue tracking available | Similar capabilities |
| Event management | Third-party tools required | Built-in event features | Constant Contact |
Which platform offers better automation capabilities?
Automation separates successful email marketers from those who send random newsletters, hoping something sticks. Your frustration with shallow automations stems from platforms treating workflows as an afterthought rather than a strategic foundation.
Automation platform comparison
Both platforms handle automation differently — one builds complexity for sophisticated targeting, while the other keeps things simple for operational efficiency.
| Comparison factor | Mailchimp | Constant Contact |
| Learning curve | Steep but powerful | Gentle and accessible |
| Maximum complexity | 200 workflow steps | 50 workflow steps |
| Behavioral targeting | Advanced multi-variable | Basic single triggers |
| Time investment | Higher upfront, bigger payoff | Quick setup, limited growth |
If shallow automations are frustrating your current marketing efforts, Mailchimp offers the sophistication you’re seeking. The platform supports complex customer journeys across up to 200 workflow steps.
Additionally, Constant Contact works better when your team prefers operational simplicity — you’ll sacrifice advanced capabilities but gain ease of use within its 50-step workflow limit.
Let’s dive in and explore this in more detail.
Mailchimp’s sophisticated approach
Mailchimp builds automation like a chess master planning multiple moves ahead, and their Marketing Automation Flows create workflows that adapt in real-time based on subscriber behavior, purchase patterns, and engagement levels.
| Mailchimp’s strengths | Details |
| Workflow steps allowed | Up to 200 (Standard/Premium) |
| Behavioral triggers | Website visits, purchases, and email opens |
| Conditional branching | Multiple decision paths |
| Cross-channel coordination | Email + SMS + social media |
| Pre-built templates | 100+ industry-specific journeys |
| Send-time optimization | Machine learning for individual timing |
When someone joins your list, Mailchimp doesn’t just send three welcome emails. Instead, the platform creates branching paths based on signup sources, content engagement, and predicted purchase likelihood (which feels almost magical when working properly).
The platform responds to multiple behavioral signals that go well beyond basic data-based sequences:
- Date-based events
- Social media interactions
- Email engagement patterns
- Website activity and page visits
- Purchase behavior and cart contents
- Survey responses and form submissions
I recently worked with a sustainable skincare client using Mailchimp’s behavioral triggers for personalized product recommendations.
When customers purchase cleansers, automation waits two weeks, then sends targeted emails featuring complementary moisturizers and serums.
Revenue from automated sequences now accounts for 23% of their monthly sales (beating most manual campaign performance by a wide margin).
Moreover, send-time optimization uses machine learning to determine optimal delivery times for individual subscribers. Instead of guessing whether Tuesday morning works better than Thursday evening, the platform automatically calculates personal engagement patterns.
Constant Contact’s streamlined approach
Constant Contact approaches automation with a “less complexity, more reliability” philosophy. Available workflows cover standard business needs without overwhelming options:
- Post-purchase follow-ups
- Welcome email sequences
- Re-engagement campaigns
- Cart abandonment reminders
- Birthday and anniversary messages
Their Automation Path Builder won’t overwhelm you with endless possibilities, but handles workflows most businesses actually need without technical complications.
| Constant Contact features | Capability level |
| Workflow steps allowed | Up to 50 per path |
| Workflow complexity | Linear sequences with basic branching |
| Email + SMS combo | Visual canvas interface |
| Pre-built templates | Common business scenarios |
| Conditional branching | Simple if-then logic |
| Setup difficulty | Minimal learning curve |
The platform excels at combining email and SMS in visual workflows that make immediate sense.
One of my nonprofit clients needed event promotion sequences, including email announcements followed by SMS reminders.
Constant Contact made coordination surprisingly straightforward from one interface (which saved hours of setup time).
However, limitations become apparent if you need sophisticated targeting.
You can add time delays and send messages, but you can’t automatically update contact tags or create complex conditional branching based on multiple behaviors simultaneously.
How do their templates and design tools compare?
Content bottlenecks destroy campaign momentum faster than almost anything else. When your team fights template editors instead of crafting compelling messages, you need tools that accelerate creation rather than slow it down.
The template battle comes down to quantity versus quality, with both platforms taking dramatically different approaches to solving your design challenges.
| Design comparison | Constant Contact | Mailchimp |
| Template count | Hundreds available | 100+ options |
| Design style | Conventional layouts | Modern aesthetics |
| Customization depth | Basic adjustments | Advanced modifications |
| Mobile responsiveness | Standard across all | Standard across all |
| Brand consistency | Template-dependent | Block-based flexibility |
Constant Contact wins the numbers game with hundreds of ready-made templates that span various industries, holidays, and business purposes.
When rushing to launch campaigns, having an extensive variety of designs feels reassuring (especially during busy seasons when everyone needs designs quickly).
But quantity doesn’t guarantee engagement quality. Many users describe Constant Contact’s templates as conventional or slightly dated designs that won’t make subscribers stop scrolling through busy inboxes.
Mailchimp offers fewer templates but focuses on modern, polished designs incorporating current visual trends. Their block-based template system provides more customization flexibility than Constant Contact’s rigid structures.
When building brand consistency across campaigns, Mailchimp’s templates typically require fewer modifications to match your brand aesthetic (which saves time during campaign creation).
AI-powered creative assistance
Both platforms added AI content generation features, but with different sophistication levels. The gap between basic and advanced AI tools becomes apparent when creating multiple campaigns on a weekly basis.
| AI feature analysis | Constant Contact | Mailchimp |
| Content generation | Basic format/tone suggestions | Strategic recommendations |
| Design assistance | Template recommendations | Brand-based creation |
| Performance analysis | Subject line ideas | Content quality scoring |
| Campaign insights | Limited feedback | Deep performance insights |
| Learning capability | Static suggestions | Improves with usage |
Constant Contact’s AI Content Generator provides basic format and tone suggestions (think helpful intern writing decent first drafts but needing creative direction). However, Mailchimp’s AI features go deeper into strategy and performance.
Their Creative Assistant generates designs based on actual brand assets, while Intuit Assist helps with email creation and campaign analysis.
Additionally, the Content Optimizer analyzes your emails against industry standards and identifies specific areas for improvement. It catches engagement-killing mistakes many marketers miss during busy campaign creation periods.
What are the pricing differences?
Pricing conversations reveal hidden complexities that surface only after you’re committed to a platform and trying to scale your marketing efforts.
Both use contact-based pricing with monthly send limits — however, their approaches create dramatically different financial realities.
Free access vs trial comparison
The access difference between platforms affects your ability to test and scale gradually without immediate financial commitment.
| Access type | Mailchimp | Constant Contact |
| Free option | Forever free (500 contacts, 1,000 sends/month) | No free plan |
| Trial period | Limited features available | 30-day full access |
| Feature restrictions | Basic tools only | All features during the trial |
| Long-term value | Genuine marketing capability | Temporary evaluation period |
Mailchimp’s forever-free plan supports 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly email sends without any ongoing costs. For startups and small businesses, this value provides genuine marketing capability without financial pressure.
Constant Contact skips free plans entirely, offering instead 30-day trials providing temporary access to all features. While extensive during trial periods, it creates decision pressure before you’ve thoroughly evaluated long-term platform fit (which can lead to hasty choices).
Contact scaling
Both platforms cap monthly sends based on your plan level, and the send multipliers make a significant difference as your list grows.
| List size | Mailchimp monthly cost | Constant Contact monthly cost | Send multipliers |
| 500 contacts | Free: $0 | Lite: ~$12 | MC: 10x-15x |
| 2,000 contacts | Standard: ~$20+ | Standard: ~$65 | CC: 10x-24x |
| 5,000 contacts | Standard: ~$75 | Standard: ~$95 | Both charge overages |
| 10,000 contacts | Premium: $350+ | Premium: ~$275 | Higher limits benefit volume senders |
For small lists under 2,000 contacts, Mailchimp typically costs less. The free plan covers many small businesses entirely, and paid plans start affordably. However, cost equations change for larger lists.
Constant Contact often becomes more economical for 2,000+ contacts because their send multipliers are generally higher (up to 24x your contact count versus Mailchimp’s 15x maximum).
I watched one marketing director learn this lesson the hard way when her company grew from 2,000 to 8,000 contacts within six months.
Mailchimp’s costs jumped from $69 to $230 monthly, while Constant Contact would have been $185 for the same list size (a difference that adds up quickly over annual budgets).
Hidden costs and discounts
Mailchimp’s add-on structure creates surprising cost accumulation that many businesses don’t anticipate during initial evaluation.
| Additional costs | Mailchimp | Constant Contact |
| SMS marketing | Separate purchase required | Included in Premium |
| Transactional emails | Extra monthly fee | Basic inclusion |
| Advanced features | Plan upgrade needed | More features in the base |
| Tax considerations | Pre-tax pricing displayed | Clearer total costs |
Common costs that sneak up on budgets include SMS marketing requirements, transactional email fees, advanced feature upgrades, and pre-tax pricing that adds unexpected amounts to monthly bills.
Additionally, Constant Contact includes more features in base plans and offers substantial nonprofit discounts that can significantly impact annual budgets:
- 20% discount for 6-month prepayment
- 30% discount for 12-month prepayment
- Compare against Mailchimp’s standard 15% nonprofit discount
Which platform delivers better segmentation?
Segmentation transforms generic email blasts into personalized conversations subscribers actually want to receive. Your ability to target specific audience groups directly impacts engagement rates and conversion performance. At a glance:
| Segmentation Factor | Mailchimp | Constant Contact |
| Maximum conditions | Unlimited (paid plans) | Simple combinations |
| Learning curve | Moderate to steep | Minimal |
| Automation integration | Deep behavioral triggers | Basic rule-based |
| Real-time updates | Advanced dynamic changes | Manual refresh needed |
| Predictive features | Machine learning insights | Static rule application |
The segmentation capabilities between platforms reveal fundamental differences in how they approach audience targeting and personalization strategies. Let’s explore this in more detail:
Mailchimp’s data-driven targeting
Mailchimp approaches segmentation like building detailed customer profiles that update automatically. Their Advanced Segmentation feature allows unlimited conditions and nested logic on Standard and Premium plans.
| Advanced segmentation features | Basic plans | Standard plans | Premium plans |
| Conditions allowed | Limited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Behavioral tracking | Basic metrics | Advanced patterns | Predictive insights |
| Dynamic updates | Manual refresh | Automatic updates | Real-time changes |
| E-commerce integration | Basic connection | Revenue tracking | Advanced attribution |
| Predictive analytics | Not available | Limited | Full capabilities |
When connected to your e-commerce store, segmentation becomes particularly powerful for revenue generation. You can create automatic segments, such as “customers who purchased winter items but haven’t bought accessories” or “browsers who viewed premium products but only purchased sale items.”
A subscription box client of mine uses predictions to send retention campaigns to at-risk subscribers, reducing churn by 18% compared to reactive approaches (saving more money than the platform costs annually).
Moreover, dynamic segmentation updates automatically as subscriber behavior evolves. When someone moves from prospect to customer to repeat purchaser, their segment membership adjusts without manual intervention.
Constant Contact’s accessible approach
Constant Contact keeps segmentation straightforward and immediately usable for teams without data analysis expertise. You create segments based on contact tags, behavioral data, engagement levels, and basic e-commerce activity using simple logic chains.
| Segmentation simplicity | Features |
| Setup complexity | Minimal technical knowledge required |
| Pre-built options | Common business scenarios covered |
| Click segmentation | Automatic list additions |
| Logic flexibility | Simple AND/OR combinations |
| Maintenance needs | Low ongoing effort |
Pre-built segments address everyday business needs without complex setup requirements that might intimidate less technical teams:
- Recommended for removal (inactive contacts)
- Recent customers and high-value buyers
- Mobile versus desktop email openers
- Geographic location groupings
Click Segmentation automatically adds contacts to specific lists when they click particular email elements. While simpler than Mailchimp’s behavioral tracking, it works well for basic audience categorization without requiring ongoing maintenance.
How do they handle A/B testing?
Testing separates email marketers who systematically improve campaign performance from those sending similar messages and wondering why their results stagnate.
Your testing capabilities directly determine how quickly you can improve marketing ROI. At a glance, we can see how both platforms perform:
| Testing scope | Mailchimp | Constant Contact |
| Elements testable | 5+ campaign elements | Subject lines only |
| Variations per test | Up to 3 standard, 9 multivariate | 2 maximum |
| Automation integration | Campaign-level testing | No automation testing |
| Results analysis | Automatic winner selection | Manual interpretation |
| Optimization potential | High systematic improvement | Limited incremental gains |
The testing gap between platforms is significant, affecting your ability to make data-driven improvements to campaign performance over time. Let’s get into more detail.
Mailchimp’s testing framework
Mailchimp treats A/B testing as fundamental campaign optimization infrastructure for broadcast emails. You can test subject lines, sender names, email content, send times, and choose which metric determines winning variations.
| Testing capabilities | Mailchimp plans | Constant Contact plans |
| Subject line testing | Yes (up to 3 variations) | Yes (2 variations only) |
| Email content testing | Yes (multiple elements) | No |
| Send time testing | Yes (optimal timing) | No |
| Sender name testing | Yes | No |
| Multivariate testing | Premium plans (up to 9 combinations) | Not available |
| Statistical significance | Automatic calculation | Manual analysis required |
Testing up to three variations of each element provides statistical significance for most list sizes. Additionally, Premium plans include multivariate testing with up to nine combinations that reveal interaction effects between different campaign elements.
One of my software company clients discovered that changing both subject line style and call-to-action button color increased click rates by 34% compared to testing each element separately.
Multivariate testing revealed interaction effects that individual A/B tests missed entirely (the combination was more powerful than the sum of its parts).
Mailchimp’s A/B and multivariate testing applies to campaigns, not entire automation flows (though workarounds exist for testing individual emails within sequences).
Constant Contact’s limited scope
Constant Contact restricts A/B testing to subject lines exclusively, with a maximum of two variations.
When you want to test different email layouts or content strategies, you’ll need manual workarounds that defeat the purpose of automated testing.
To test elements beyond subject lines, you must handle several tasks manually that should be automated:
- Create separate campaigns manually
- Divide contact lists yourself
- Track results across multiple dashboards
- Calculate statistical significance independently
The platform provides subject line recommendations based on email content and industry data, testing suggestions on portions of your list before sending winners to remaining subscribers. While helpful for basic needs, a narrow testing focus limits opportunities for systematic campaign improvement.
What about deliverability performance?
Email deliverability determines whether carefully crafted campaigns actually reach subscribers’ inboxes rather than disappearing into spam folders. Platform choice affects your inbox placement — however, individual sender practices matter more than vendor comparisons.
The reality about deliverability is more nuanced than platform comparison charts suggest — your practices matter far more than which platform you choose.
Critical deliverability factors
Successful inbox placement depends on multiple factors that vary significantly between senders and change over time.
Independent testing results fluctuate based on methodology, test dates, and sample sizes, making fixed percentage comparisons unreliable.
| Deliverability control factors | Your control level | Impact on results |
| Domain authentication setup | Full control | High impact |
| List quality and consent practices | Full control | High impact |
| Content quality and engagement | Full control | High impact |
| Sending frequency and consistency | Full control | Medium impact |
| Platform reputation policies | Limited control | Medium impact |
| Shared IP reputation | No direct control | Variable impact |
Both platforms provide domain authentication support and maintain policies protecting their shared IP reputation.
However, your individual practices (such as list hygiene, consent verification, and engagement rates) have a far greater impact than platform choice alone.
Marketing-claimed deliverability rates (like Constant Contact’s advertised “97%”) are promotional figures, not independent guarantees.
Focus on proper authentication, list management, and engagement, rather than comparing platform percentages that fluctuate based on testing methodology. Or you could talk to a free email deliverability consultant who can help you figure this out.
Platform reputation approaches
Constant Contact maintains stricter account verification processes and smaller user bases on shared IPs, creating more predictable reputation conditions. Their account review processes ensure that customers follow consent and hygiene standards, which major email providers reward with better inbox placement.
However, Mailchimp’s larger user base and free plan accessibility create more variability in reputation. While their anti-abuse technology continues to improve, sharing IP space with diverse sending practices can impact individual campaign performance in ways beyond your direct control.
I helped one consulting client switch from Mailchimp to Constant Contact specifically because their newsletters consistently ended up in Gmail’s Promotions tab despite following all deliverability recommendations.
After migration, open rates increased by 28% within three months, using identical content and sending frequency. (The same message, combined with better inbox placement, made all the difference.)
Which offers superior customer support?
Customer support quality can save or destroy email marketing campaigns, especially when dealing with urgent technical issues affecting your ability to reach subscribers’ inboxes effectively.
The support structure differs dramatically between platforms, particularly in terms of phone access and response quality expectations, which are crucial when facing campaign deadlines.
Support accessibility breakdown
The support divide becomes apparent quickly when you need immediate help with technical issues or platform configuration problems that can’t wait for email responses.
| Support channel | Mailchimp access | Constant Contact access |
| Phone support | Premium plan only ($300+/month) | All paid plans |
| Live chat support | Paid plans are available during limited hours | All paid plans are available during business hours |
| Email support | 30 days free, then paid plans only | All paid plans |
| Response time expectations | Varies by plan level | Consistent across plans |
| Weekend availability | Limited | Community monitoring |
Constant Contact provides phone and live chat support for all paid plan users during business hours. When problems arise, you can speak directly with platform experts who understand technical details and can provide immediate solutions.
However, Mailchimp reserves phone support exclusively for Premium plan users (often $300+ monthly). Standard and Essentials subscribers rely on email and chat support, while free users receive only 30 days of email assistance before depending entirely on self-service resources.
Response quality differences
Constant Contact consistently receives praise for responsive, knowledgeable customer service that goes beyond generic troubleshooting scripts.
Users report quick issue resolution and representatives providing specific solutions rather than directing them to help articles they’ve already read.
Several clients mentioned receiving proactive outreach from Constant Contact’s team with optimization suggestions and recommendations (refreshing when most platforms only contact you about billing issues).
Mailchimp’s support quality varies significantly based on your plan level and issue complexity:
| Plan Level | Support Quality | Typical Experience |
| Free users | Self-service only | Help articles and community |
| Essentials/Standard | Email and chat | Longer wait times for complex issues |
| Premium | Full phone access | Priority handling |
Their knowledge base covers virtually every platform feature with detailed documentation, and email responses are generally helpful for standard questions. Additionally, users often experience longer wait times for resolving complex issues, which can affect campaign launch deadlines.
When you’re ready to cancel, Constant Contact requires phone calls for subscription cancellation. At the same time, Mailchimp allows online cancellation through account settings (a minor but annoying difference when you want to move on quickly).
How do their integrations stack up?
Your email platform needs seamless connections with existing business tools and marketing channels. Integration quality often determines workflow efficiency and data accuracy across your entire marketing technology stack.
Both platforms have evolved their integration ecosystems significantly, with some outdated information still circulating online that no longer reflects current capabilities.
E-commerce platform connectivity
Both platforms now have native integrations with major e-commerce platforms, contrary to outdated information you might find in older comparison articles that still reference integration problems.
| E-commerce Integration | Mailchimp | Constant Contact |
| Shopify | Native app available | Native app available |
| WooCommerce | Direct integration | Direct integration |
| BigCommerce | Direct integration | Limited support |
| Squarespace | Basic connection | Revenue tracking supported |
| Revenue tracking depth | Advanced analytics | Basic sales reporting |
| Product recommendations | Advanced behavioral targeting | Basic product suggestions |
Both Mailchimp and Constant Contact now have official Shopify apps available through the Shopify App Store. If Shopify integration is critical to your business, verify the latest app versions and features directly, rather than relying on outdated comparison information that may lead to incorrect decisions.
I worked with an e-commerce client last year who delayed their platform choice for months based on outdated information about Shopify integration issues.
Once we confirmed both platforms had native apps, we could focus on actual functionality differences rather than integration availability (which saved weeks of unnecessary research and decision paralysis).
Constant Contact does track e-commerce revenue across common integrations, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, BigCommerce, and Stripe.
While Mailchimp generally offers deeper analytics and product retargeting capabilities, Constant Contact provides basic revenue attribution that many businesses find sufficient for their reporting needs.
Marketing tool ecosystem
Both platforms connect with business tools; however, the sophistication of integration varies significantly, ranging from basic connectivity to advanced data synchronization capabilities. Here’s an overview:
| Integration category | Mailchimp (700+ total) | Constant Contact (450+ total) |
| Website builders | WordPress, Wix, Squarespace | WordPress, basic connections |
| CRM systems | Salesforce, HubSpot, advanced sync | Basic CRM connections |
| Social media | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter | Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn |
| Analytics tools | Google Analytics, advanced tracking | Google Analytics, basic metrics |
| Payment processors | Stripe, PayPal, extensive options | Stripe, PayPal, and limited options |
| Design tools | Canva, Adobe, Creative Suite | Canva, basic design tools |
Mailchimp generally provides more sophisticated built-in integrations, particularly for analytics and revenue tracking, which help measure actual marketing ROI.
Additionally, Constant Contact offers broader basic connectivity but with less detailed data synchronization capabilities for advanced marketing attribution and cross-platform insights.
What’s different about their SMS marketing features?
Cross-channel communication has become necessary for reaching subscribers through their preferred communication methods at optimal times.
The SMS capabilities between platforms differ significantly in coverage and pricing structure.
Geographic coverage makes a significant difference if your audience extends beyond the United States, while pricing structures affect budget planning for consistent SMS usage throughout your campaigns.
SMS capability comparison
The SMS features differ significantly in geographic coverage, pricing structure, and automation integration depth, which affects your ability to create cohesive cross-channel campaigns.
| SMS features | Mailchimp | Constant Contact |
| Geographic coverage | US, UK, Canada, Australia, EU countries | US only |
| Monthly pricing | Add-on credits (no rollover) | $10 for 0-500 messages |
| Premium plan inclusion | No inclusion | 500 messages included |
| Automation integration | Advanced behavioral journeys | Basic workflow triggers |
| Message types supported | Transactional + marketing | Marketing focused |
| Credit management | Monthly expiration | Standard billing cycles |
Mailchimp creates integrated email and SMS customer journeys through their automation builder that automatically switches between communication channels based on engagement patterns and sends personalized transactional messages when needed.
Mailchimp’s SMS coverage extends beyond the US to include the UK, Canada, Australia, and multiple European countries, making it suitable for international businesses.
However, credits expire monthly without rollover, so careful usage planning is required for effective budget management.
SMS pricing structure analysis
Constant Contact takes a more straightforward approach but limits SMS to US phone numbers only, which could be a significant limitation for international businesses or those planning expansion.
| Plan level | Mailchimp SMS cost | Constant Contact SMS cost |
| Basic plans | $20+ for 1,000 credits | $10 for 0-500 messages |
| Premium plans | Still requires an add-on | 500 messages included |
| International coverage | Multiple countries | US only |
| Credit rollover | No rollover policy | Standard monthly billing |
Constant Contact’s SMS structure works well for consistent users with predictable sending patterns:
- Lite/Standard plans charge $10 monthly for 0-500 messages
- Premium plans allow 500 messages in the base subscription
- Text-to-join functionality included
- No credit expiration concerns
For businesses with international audiences or complex automation needs, Mailchimp’s SMS capabilities offer more flexibility, albeit at a higher cost.
However, for US-only businesses with straightforward SMS needs, Constant Contact’s pricing and Premium inclusion often provide better value overall.
Which platform suits different business types?
Your business model, team capabilities, and marketing sophistication level significantly influence which platform will serve long-term success better.
The right choice aligns with your actual needs rather than aspirational features you might never use effectively.
Different business models align better with each platform’s strengths and limitations, making the choice clearer when you consider your specific operational requirements and growth trajectory.
Business-specific recommendations
The platform choice becomes clearer when you match business needs with each platform’s core strengths and operational philosophy.
| Business Type | Recommended platform | Primary benefits | Secondary considerations |
| E-commerce stores | Mailchimp | Advanced revenue tracking, product retargeting | Higher costs as you scale |
| Nonprofits | Constant Contact | 30% discounts, event tools, phone support | Limited international SMS |
| Small businesses | Constant Contact | Simplicity, immediate phone access | Less advanced automation |
| Advanced marketing teams | Mailchimp | Testing depth, automation sophistication | Steeper learning curve |
| Event organizers | Constant Contact | Native event management, registration processing | Limited testing capabilities |
| International businesses | Mailchimp | SMS coverage beyond US, advanced segmentation | Higher complexity and costs |
E-commerce businesses, in particular, benefit from Mailchimp’s sophisticated automation and advanced testing capabilities.
Revenue tracking, product retargeting, behavioral segmentation, and dynamic product recommendations automatically adjust based on browsing patterns and purchase history.
Nonprofit and event advantages
Constant Contact often better serves nonprofit organizations due to practical advantages addressing common nonprofit marketing challenges that can strain limited resources and volunteer time.
Key nonprofit benefits that make a real difference in tight budgets include substantial cost savings and operational simplicity:
- Phone support accessibility across all paid plans
- 30% discount for 12-month prepay vs Mailchimp’s 15%
- Consistent deliverability performance for donor communications
- Native event management with registration and payment processing
- Simple volunteer training requirements for varying technical skill levels
Event-driven organizations find Constant Contact’s built-in event features particularly valuable for operational efficiency.
Creating registration pages, managing attendee communications, and processing payments happen within one platform instead of requiring coordination across multiple tools and services.
I helped one animal rescue organization migrate from three different tools to Constant Contact, specifically for their integrated event management capabilities.
They were running monthly adoption events and fundraising galas, and managing registrations, payments, and follow-up communications across separate platforms was eating up volunteer time they couldn’t afford to waste (which made the switch a no-brainer for their limited resources and technical expertise).
Which offers better reporting and analytics?
Both platforms now have revenue tracking capabilities, although with varying levels of sophistication that impact your ability to make strategic decisions and justify marketing expenditures to stakeholders.
Analytics depth comparison
The analytics capabilities have evolved significantly, with both platforms now offering e-commerce revenue tracking despite older comparison information suggesting otherwise.
| Analytics feature | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | Impact on strategy |
| Revenue tracking | Advanced detailed attribution | Basic sales/order tracking | High |
| Click mapping | Advanced heat mapping | Basic click tracking | Medium |
| Industry comparisons | Detailed benchmark data | Basic comparison metrics | Medium |
| Custom reporting | Standard+ plans available | Limited customization options | High |
| Social performance | Detailed cross-platform insights | Basic social metrics | Medium |
| Geographic analysis | Detailed location insights | Limited geographic data | Low |
| Export capabilities | Multiple formats, deep data | Basic CSV exports | Medium |
Mailchimp provides detailed reporting, including advanced click maps, social performance tracking, forwarded email counts, geographic engagement data, and detailed industry comparison data.
When connected to e-commerce stores, revenue tracking provides precise insights into which campaigns drive sales, along with detailed attribution analysis.
Custom Reports available on Standard and Premium plans combine multiple metrics for deeper analysis and data export capabilities.
Moreover, the Content Optimizer analyzes campaigns against industry standards and suggests specific performance improvements based on engagement patterns.
Reporting accessibility
Constant Contact offers more straightforward yet more accessible reporting that clearly presents key metrics without overwhelming new users with excessive data points or complex analytics interfaces that might confuse rather than clarify performance.
Campaign comparison tools analyze up to five campaigns simultaneously, while click-tracking heat maps show link performance visually (helping identify optimal placement strategies for future campaigns).
Additionally, revenue tracking is available through integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, and other e-commerce platforms, although it is less detailed than Mailchimp’s attribution capabilities.
A marketing manager I worked with switched to Mailchimp primarily for revenue attribution capabilities when she needed to prove email marketing ROI for budget increase requests.
Constant Contact’s basic metrics were insufficient for C-level presentations, which required detailed financial impact data (executives wanted to see exactly which campaigns generated specific sales and changes in customer lifetime value).
How do you make your platform decision?
Choosing between Mailchimp and Constant Contact requires an honest assessment of your team’s capabilities, business needs, and a realistic growth trajectory, rather than feature wish lists that sound impressive but won’t be utilized effectively.
Your choice should align with your actual marketing sophistication and operational preferences rather than aspirational goals that may never materialize into actual campaign improvements.
| Decision factor | Choose Mailchimp If | Choose Constant Contact If |
| Automation needs | You need 200+ workflow steps | 50 steps are sufficient for your processes |
| Testing requirements | Multiple-element testing matters | Subject line testing suffices |
| Business focus | E-commerce integration critical | Event management priority |
| Team skills | Technical marketing expertise available | Beginners need phone support access |
| Budget considerations | Can support scaling costs | Need predictable pricing |
| Geographic scope | International SMS coverage needed | US-only operations acceptable |
When to choose Mailchimp
Select Mailchimp when you need advanced automation capabilities, sophisticated A/B testing across multiple elements, detailed revenue analytics, or plan to scale rapidly with complex marketing strategies requiring behavioral targeting.
The platform serves e-commerce businesses, experienced marketing teams, and organizations prioritizing feature depth and customization flexibility over operational simplicity.
When to choose Constant Contact
Select Constant Contact when you value operational simplicity, require reliable phone support accessibility, prioritize consistent deliverability, or frequently manage events that require integrated registration and payment processing.
The platform serves marketing beginners well, offers better value for larger lists with higher send volume needs, and provides more accessible customer service across all pricing tiers.
Deliverability is everything (regardless of the platform you choose)
Maintaining a strong sender reputation during migration and ongoing campaigns requires careful attention to deliverability fundamentals that email platforms can’t fully manage alone.
Maxify Inbox by EmailWarmup works with both Mailchimp and Constant Contact, providing specialized deliverability protection and ensuring your messages consistently reach primary inboxes.
Our services protect your email performance while you focus on creating compelling campaigns and building subscriber relationships:
Personalized email warmup
Enjoy automated and hyper-personalized email warm-up sequences that build sender reputation safely during platform transitions.
Email validation and replacement
Real-time email validation removes risky contacts before they damage your reputation scores, while replacing them with correct ones.
Access to deliverability consultants
Get acces to unlimited deliverability consultation for platform optimization and technical issue resolution.
AI-powered segmentation
AI-powered segmentation insights are improving engagement rates and reducing spam complaint risk
When transitioning between platforms or launching ambitious campaigns with either service, Maxify Inbox by EmailWarmup protects your sender reputation while maximizing your chosen platform’s marketing potential (which matters more than most businesses realize until deliverability problems surface and affect revenue).
Learn more by scheduling a free consultation with one of our email marketing and deliverability consultants.
Frequently asked questions about Mailchimp vs Constant Contact
Here are some commonly asked questions on this topic:
Contact lists export and import easily through CSV files, but automation workflows and custom templates require manual recreation. Both provide migration guides, expect 2-4 weeks for complete setup. EmailWarmup maintains deliverability during migration when the sender’s reputation might be vulnerable.
Both handle international email sending with proper domain authentication. SMS marketing coverage differs: Mailchimp supports the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and multiple European countries, while Constant Contact remains US-only. Mailchimp provides more granular GDPR consent management.
Mailchimp’s mobile app offers more functionality, including campaign creation and detailed analytics review. Constant Contact’s app focuses on monitoring performance and basic editing. Neither replaces desktop functionality for complex campaign creation.
Both platforms allow complete data export before cancellation. Constant Contact requires phone contact for cancellation, while Mailchimp allows online cancellation. Always export contact lists, custom templates, and campaign data before cancelling.
While possible, managing multiple email platforms creates list synchronization challenges and can confuse subscriber preferences. Most businesses achieve better results by choosing one primary platform and using specialized tools for specific needs.
Both focus on broad email marketing with additional features, while newer platforms often specialize. Klaviyo excels in e-commerce with sophisticated behavioral targeting, and ConvertKit targets content creators. Your choice depends on specialized features versus established platform reliability.
