Constant Contact vs Mailchimp: Which Email Marketing Platform Fits Your Team?
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Compare Constant Contact and Mailchimp Side by Side
Constant Contact and Mailchimp both cover core email marketing, automation, A/B testing, and AI-assisted content, but they differ in where those features sit in the pricing tiers. Constant Contact includes its AI copy generator starting on the entry-level Lite plan ($20/month) and bundles 500 SMS messages into Premium ($68/month), making it a fit for teams that want AI writing help and SMS without jumping to a top-tier plan. Mailchimp offers a free plan for under 250 contacts, which suits very small businesses or those testing email marketing before committing to a budget, but its A/B testing only starts at Essentials ($13/month) and its generative AI tools are withheld until Standard ($20/month) or above. Teams prioritizing AI content tools and SMS at a lower entry price should look at Constant Contact; teams wanting a genuinely free starting tier, or willing to pay for Standard to unlock AI and deeper automation flows, should consider Mailchimp.
Review the pricing tiers and feature availability for both platforms before deciding which one matches your contact list size, budget, and automation needs.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | Constant Contact | Mailchimp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing automation workflows | 4/5 | 4/5 | Constant Contact scales from 1 automation template on Lite to unlimited custom automations on Premium, with an AI campaign builder from Standard up. Mailchimp's Essentials plan caps automation at 4 flow steps, while Standard and Premium allow up to 200 flows. |
| SMS marketing | 4/5 | 3/5 | Constant Contact's Premium plan includes 500 SMS messages, and Lite/Standard users can add SMS starting at $10/month. Mailchimp offers SMS (and MMS for US/Canada) only as a paid add-on across its Essentials, Standard, and Premium tiers, with no mention of an included allotment. |
| A/B testing | 3/5 | 4/5 | Constant Contact limits subject line A/B testing to Standard plan and above, excluding the entry Lite tier. Mailchimp includes testing and scheduling features starting on its lowest paid tier, Essentials. |
| AI content assistant | 5/5 | 3/5 | Constant Contact includes an AI copy generator from the entry Lite plan and adds an AI campaign builder from Standard up. Mailchimp reserves its generative AI features for Standard and Premium plans, leaving them out of the entry-level Essentials tier. |
Frequently asked questions
How does Constant Contact pricing compare to Mailchimp pricing?
Constant Contact's plans are priced by contact count, starting at Lite ($20/month), Premium ($68/month), and Standard ($75/month), plus a custom-quoted Multi-Account plan for teams needing 5+ accounts. Mailchimp starts with a Free plan for under 250 contacts, then Essentials ($13/month), Standard ($20/month), and Premium ($350/month, sometimes offered at a promotional $297.50/month for 12 months). Mailchimp's paid tiers are billed after a 14-day free trial.
Does either platform offer a free plan?
Mailchimp offers a Free plan for accounts with under 250 contacts, covering core features only. Constant Contact's listed plans (Lite, Standard, Premium, Multi-Account) are all paid; no free tier is included in the provided data.
Can I switch from Mailchimp to Constant Contact, or vice versa?
The available data doesn't detail a specific migration tool or import process for moving between the two platforms. If you're switching, check each vendor's current documentation or contact their support teams directly for migration guidance.
Which SMS marketing options do Constant Contact and Mailchimp offer?
Constant Contact's Premium plan includes 500 SMS messages, and Lite or Standard users can add SMS starting at $10/month for up to 500 messages. Mailchimp offers SMS as an add-on on Essentials, and SMS plus MMS (US/Canada only) as an add-on on Standard and Premium, with no included message allotment mentioned.
Who should choose Constant Contact vs Mailchimp?
Constant Contact fits teams that want AI copywriting assistance and SMS access starting at a lower-priced entry plan. Mailchimp fits very small lists that qualify for its free plan, or teams willing to pay for Standard or Premium to unlock generative AI tools and higher automation flow limits.
Do both platforms support A/B testing and marketing automation?
Yes. Constant Contact supports subject line A/B testing from its Standard plan up and automation from 1 template on Lite to unlimited custom automations on Premium. Mailchimp supports A/B testing from its Essentials plan up and automation with a 4-flow-step cap on Essentials, expanding to 200 flows on Standard and Premium.