Some Constant Contact users move to Mailchimp for its free plan or broader integration ecosystem. The platforms are similar in scope. Note that Mailchimp has been raising prices. It is worth comparing costs at your list size before committing.
This guide covers everything you need to migrate from Constant Contact to Mailchimp without losing subscribers or breaking your automations. Estimated time: 2-4 hours.
What transfers and what does not
| Item | Transfers? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts and email addresses | Yes | Via CSV export/import |
| Tags and segments | Partial | Export as custom fields, remap on import |
| Custom field data | Partial | Transfers if mapped correctly during import |
| Unsubscribe history | Yes | Import as suppressed contacts |
| Email templates | No | Need to be rebuilt in Mailchimp |
| Automation workflows | No | Need to be rebuilt from scratch |
| Campaign history | No | Historical stats stay in Constant Contact |
Step-by-step migration guide
Sign up at www.mailchimp.com before doing anything else. Keep your Constant Contact account running throughout the migration: do not cancel it until everything is confirmed working in Mailchimp.
Add your domain to Mailchimp and follow the DKIM authentication instructions. This improves deliverability and ensures your emails arrive in inboxes, not spam folders. Complete this before importing any contacts.
In Constant Contact, go to your audience and export your full contact list as a CSV. Make sure to include all custom fields, tags, and segments. Export your unsubscribed contacts separately: you will need to suppress these in Mailchimp to stay compliant.
Upload your CSV into Mailchimp and map each column to the correct field. Import your unsubscribed contacts as suppressed. Review the import report carefully before proceeding: fix any mapping errors before building automations.
Screenshot or document all your active automations in Constant Contact before rebuilding them in Mailchimp. Start with your highest-priority flows: typically your welcome series and any active nurture sequences. Do not activate them until you have tested them with your own email address.
Build your signup forms in Mailchimp and replace the Constant Contact embed codes on your website. Test each form to confirm subscribers land in the right list and trigger the correct automation.
Send a test campaign to yourself. Trigger your automations manually. Check every link. Confirm your unsubscribe flow works correctly. Only cancel Constant Contact once you are fully satisfied that Mailchimp is working as expected.
Once Mailchimp is fully operational, cancel your Constant Contact account. Check your billing date to avoid being charged for another month. Download any historical reports or data you want to keep before cancelling.
The bottom line
Mailchimp makes sense if you want a larger integration ecosystem or want to start on a free plan. The two platforms are broadly comparable: you will not gain or lose dramatic capability, but the integration breadth and brand recognition are Mailchimp's advantages.
Not sure Mailchimp is the right destination? Take the Marketing Automation Buyer's Guide quiz for a personalized recommendation.