Constant Contact is usually easier to predict, while Mailchimp is often cheaper at the entry level but can become harder to price as lists, seats, and features grow. For a small business with 500 contacts, Mailchimp can start lower because it offers a free plan and paid plans from about $13 per month. Constant Contact starts at about $12 per month, but its stronger fit is for teams that want simpler billing, phone support, events, and fewer pricing surprises.
TLDR: Constant Contact fees are often better for businesses that want clear contact-based pricing and support included in the package. Mailchimp fees can look cheaper at first, especially for a startup sending a simple monthly newsletter to 500 contacts. For example, a retailer with 2,500 contacts may pay roughly $45–$60 per month on Mailchimp depending on the plan, while Constant Contact may sit in a similar range but include different support and automation limits. The best choice depends less on the headline price and more on list size, send volume, automation needs, and whether inactive contacts are still being billed.
Constant Contact vs Mailchimp Fees at a Glance
Both platforms price email marketing mainly by contact count. That sounds simple. The catch is that each platform defines value differently. Constant Contact puts more weight on support, templates, event tools, and practical small business features. Mailchimp puts more weight on flexible tiers, a free plan, advanced segmentation, and broader marketing tools.
It drives some marketers crazy that the cheapest plan is rarely the real monthly cost. A team may start with 500 contacts, then import old customers, test automations, add users, and suddenly the bill jumps. That is where the fee comparison matters.
Constant Contact Fees
Constant Contact usually offers three main email marketing tiers:
- Lite: Starts around $12 per month for up to 500 contacts.
- Standard: Starts around $35 per month for up to 500 contacts.
- Premium: Starts around $80 per month for up to 500 contacts.
Prices rise as the contact list grows. A list with 2,500 contacts costs more than a list with 500. A list with 10,000 contacts costs much more. Constant Contact’s pricing tends to feel straightforward because the buyer picks a plan, checks the contact tier, and sees the monthly fee.
The Lite plan fits basic newsletters, announcements, and simple promotional campaigns. The Standard plan is usually the better fit for businesses that need stronger automation, resend options, subject line testing, and better engagement tools. Premium is aimed at larger teams that need deeper automation, more advanced reporting, and higher-level features.
Constant Contact also has fees for extras. SMS marketing, event tools, and some advanced services can affect the total cost. For businesses that host classes, fundraisers, ticketed events, or local promotions, those extras may be worth it. For a simple newsletter sender, they may not matter.
Mailchimp Fees
Mailchimp usually offers four email marketing tiers:
- Free: $0 per month, with tight limits on contacts, sends, branding, and features.
- Essentials: Starts around $13 per month for 500 contacts.
- Standard: Starts around $20 per month for 500 contacts.
- Premium: Starts around $350 per month, built for larger senders.
Mailchimp’s free plan is useful for testing. It suits a new blogger, early startup, or side project that sends basic email campaigns. But the free plan has limited support and feature caps. Once a business needs automated journeys, better testing, more contacts, or fewer Mailchimp branding limits, a paid plan becomes more realistic.
Mailchimp can also charge based on audience size and contact status. Subscribed, unsubscribed, and non-subscribed contacts may still count toward billing in many cases. Honestly, it feels like one of those details that teams miss until the invoice arrives. A messy list can cost more than expected.
Which Platform Is Cheaper?
For very small lists, Mailchimp is often cheaper because it has a free plan. A business with fewer than 500 contacts and basic needs may spend nothing for a while. If that same business wants more polished support and fewer limits, Constant Contact becomes more appealing.
At the 500-contact level, the lowest paid plans are close. Constant Contact starts around $12, while Mailchimp Essentials starts around $13. On paper, there is not much difference. The real gap appears in features.
Mailchimp Standard starts around $20, which is cheaper than Constant Contact Standard at around $35. But Mailchimp’s billing can become less predictable if a list includes old or inactive contacts. Constant Contact may feel cleaner for teams that want fewer pricing puzzles.
At higher volumes, both platforms increase costs. The best comparison should be made at the exact contact count: 2,500, 5,000, 10,000, or 25,000 contacts. A business should also check monthly send limits. A list of 10,000 contacts sending one newsletter per month is very different from that same list sending three campaigns, two automations, and weekly sales emails.
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Feature Value Behind the Fees
Constant Contact is strong for small businesses that want quick setup and human support. Its editor is simple, and its templates are friendly for non-designers. Local service firms, nonprofits, retailers, and restaurants often like that it does not feel overly technical.
Mailchimp has a wider feature range for segmentation, customer journeys, behavior-based campaigns, and testing. It can suit ecommerce brands, content teams, and marketers who want more control. The tradeoff is complexity. Expect to waste time on settings if the account has multiple audiences, tags, groups, and imported contacts.
Support is another cost factor. Constant Contact is known for more accessible support on paid plans, including phone support in many cases. Mailchimp support depends more heavily on the tier. Free users usually get limited help. Premium users get much stronger service, but that plan is expensive.
Hidden Costs to Watch
- Inactive contacts: Old subscribers can raise monthly fees without adding revenue.
- Contact duplicates: Poor list cleanup can inflate costs.
- SMS fees: Text marketing is often priced separately.
- Advanced automation: Lower plans may not include the workflows a team expects.
- Seats and permissions: More users can require a higher plan.
- Send limits: High-frequency senders may outgrow cheaper tiers fast.
Best Choice by Business Type
Constant Contact is a strong choice for businesses that want simple pricing, easy newsletters, event promotion, and reliable help. It fits owners who do not want to spend hours tuning campaign logic.
Mailchimp is often better for teams that want a free starting point, stronger segmentation, and more campaign testing. It works well when a marketer can keep lists clean and watch billing closely.
For a 500-contact newsletter, Mailchimp may be the cheaper first step. For a growing local business that values support and predictable tools, Constant Contact may justify its monthly fee. For a larger ecommerce sender, Mailchimp’s advanced features may provide more value if the team uses them well.
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Final Verdict
Constant Contact fees are best for businesses that want clarity, support, and simple execution. Mailchimp fees are best for businesses that want a low starting cost and more advanced marketing options as they grow. The smart move is to price both platforms using the same contact count, expected monthly sends, number of users, and must-have features. The lowest advertised fee rarely tells the full story.
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FAQ
Is Constant Contact cheaper than Mailchimp?
Sometimes. Constant Contact starts around $12 per month, while Mailchimp paid plans start around $13 per month. Mailchimp also has a free plan, so it can be cheaper for very small senders.
Does Mailchimp charge for unsubscribed contacts?
Mailchimp may count unsubscribed and non-subscribed contacts toward billing, depending on the account setup and audience structure. This can raise costs if lists are not cleaned often.
Does Constant Contact have a free plan?
Constant Contact usually offers a trial rather than a permanent free plan. Businesses should check the current offer before signing up.
Which is better for small businesses?
Constant Contact is often better for small businesses that want support and simple tools. Mailchimp is better for small teams that want a free start and more control over segmentation.
What is the biggest pricing mistake?
The biggest mistake is comparing only the starting price. A business should compare contact tiers, send limits, automation features, support, SMS fees, and inactive contact billing.