Constant Contact is one of the oldest names in email marketing and has historically been popular with small businesses and nonprofits. It is easy to use, well-supported, and has a large ecosystem of integrations. It is also one of the more expensive tools for what it offers.
Constant Contact's core problem in 2026 is value. MailerLite is easier to use, has a better free plan, and costs less. Moosend has stronger automation at the same price. The main things Constant Contact offers that competitors do not, event management, donation collection, and a social media posting tool, are only relevant to a specific subset of users.
Constant Contact at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Starting price | $12/mo (up to 500 contacts) |
| Free plan | No (60-day free trial) |
| Email automation | Yes (basic) |
| Event management | Yes (built in) |
| SMS marketing | Yes (add-on) |
| Landing pages | Yes |
| Best for | Small businesses, nonprofits, and event-driven organizations |
Scores
What Constant Contact does well
Event management is the standout feature. Constant Contact includes built-in event registration, ticketing, and promotion tools. For an organization that runs regular events, workshops, fundraisers, community meetings, this eliminates a separate tool. It is the most compelling reason to choose Constant Contact over a competitor.
Support is also strong. Phone support is available on all plans, which is rare. Onboarding is guided and the help center is extensive. For a small business owner who wants to be able to call someone when something goes wrong, Constant Contact delivers that.
Where it falls short
Pricing is the main issue. Core starts at $12/mo with no free plan, just a 60-day trial. At 1,000 contacts you are paying $30/mo. MailerLite covers that for $9/mo with a better interface and automation builder. The automation features are basic and fall behind what Moosend or ActiveCampaign offer at equivalent price points.
Constant Contact is right for you if...
- You run regular events and want registration and promotion in one platform
- You want phone support and prioritize being able to call someone
- You are a nonprofit using Constant Contact's donation and event tools
- You are already using it and the event management features are genuinely valuable
Constant Contact is not right for you if...
- You are starting fresh and comparing options, the value is not competitive
- You need automation beyond basic sequences
- You want a free plan to start
- You are cost-sensitive. MailerLite costs significantly less for equivalent features
The bottom line
Constant Contact earns its place for organizations that genuinely use its event management features. For everyone else, the pricing is hard to justify when MailerLite and Moosend offer more for less. Take the Marketing Automation Buyer's Guide quiz for a personalized recommendation.