Mailchimp vs Constant Contact
Compare Mailchimp and Constant Contact for drip email automation. See how their automation, pricing, templates, and deliverability compare for drip campaigns.
Last updated: 2026-03-15
Mailchimp
mailchimp.comAll-in-one marketing platform with email at its core
Best for: Small businesses wanting an all-in-one marketing hub
Constant Contact
constantcontact.comEmail marketing and online marketing made easy
Best for: Small businesses and nonprofits wanting reliable, simple email marketing
TL;DR: Mailchimp vs Constant Contact for Drip Campaigns
Mailchimp offers more advanced drip automation features and a broader marketing toolkit. Constant Contact is easier to learn and provides excellent customer support, but its automation capabilities are more basic. For drip campaigns specifically, Mailchimp is the stronger choice between these two legacy platforms.
More advanced automation and broader marketing features, but steeper learning curve.
Simpler, easier to learn with great support, but limited drip automation options.
SaaS-focused drip platform with pre-built sequences and native billing integration at $19/mo.
Editor's Note
Constant Contact is a solid, reliable platform that has served small businesses well for decades. However, its automation capabilities have not kept pace with competitors. If drip campaigns are central to your strategy, Mailchimp or a specialized tool like Sequenzy will serve you better.
Mailchimp vs Constant Contact vs Sequenzy: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | Sequenzy | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Automation Builder | Customer Journey Builder (paid) | Basic automation paths | Pre-built drip sequences with visual editor | Mailchimp |
| Drip Complexity | Multi-step with branching logic | Simple linear sequences | Pre-built multi-step with branching | Mailchimp |
| Customer Support | Email and chat (paid plans) | Phone, chat, and email on all plans | Email and chat support | Constant Contact |
| Event Marketing | Via integrations only | Built-in event management tools | Not included | Constant Contact |
| Social Media Tools | Built-in social posting and ads | Social posting included | Not included | Mailchimp |
| A/B Testing | Subject, content, send time | Subject line testing only | Subject line and send-time testing | Mailchimp |
| Free Plan | Yes (500 contacts, limited) | No (60-day trial only) | No ($19/mo starting) | Mailchimp |
| SMS Marketing | Add-on available | Built-in SMS on Standard+ plan | Not included | Constant Contact |
Score Breakdown
Totals: Mailchimp 59/80, Constant Contact 54/80, Sequenzy 66/80.
Drip Email Feature Comparison
Feature-by-feature analysis of drip campaign capabilities.
Sequence Building
| Feature | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-step sequences | 8/10 Robust journeys on Standard+ | 6/10 Basic multi-step automated series | 9/10 Pre-built SaaS sequences |
| Conditional branching | 7/10 If/else in journey builder | 4/10 Very limited conditional logic | 8/10 Event-driven branching |
| Time-based delays | 8/10 Flexible delay options | 7/10 Day-based delays between emails | 9/10 Smart delays with timezone awareness |
| Trigger variety | 8/10 Form, purchase, engagement triggers | 6/10 Form submit, date-based, open/click triggers | 9/10 Billing events, usage, forms |
Personalization
| Feature | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamic content blocks | 8/10 Segment-based content blocks | 5/10 Basic personalization options | 7/10 Conditional content blocks |
| Merge tags | 8/10 Comprehensive merge tag library | 7/10 Standard merge tags for contact fields | 8/10 Standard and custom merge tags |
| Behavioral targeting | 7/10 Purchase and engagement-based | 5/10 Limited to open/click behavior | 9/10 SaaS usage and billing targeting |
List Management
| Feature | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Segmentation depth | 8/10 Multi-condition with AND/OR | 6/10 Basic tags and list-based segments | 8/10 Behavioral segments for SaaS |
| Contact management | 7/10 Audiences with tags and segments | 7/10 Lists with tags, easy to manage | 9/10 Unified profiles with SaaS data |
| List hygiene | 7/10 Cleanup suggestions | 7/10 Automatic bounce and unsubscribe management | 8/10 Proactive list hygiene |
Pricing Comparison
Both platforms are similarly priced, but Mailchimp offers a free plan while Constant Contact does not. Constant Contact includes phone support on all plans, which adds value for businesses that need hands-on help.
Up to 500 contacts, 1,000 sends/mo. Single-step automations only.
No free plan. 60-day free trial, then Lite plan from $12/mo.
No free plan. $19/mo for all features and 15,000 emails.
| Tier | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 contacts | $13/mo (Essentials) Basic automations | $12/mo (Lite) Basic email with limited automation | $19/mo All features, 15K emails |
| 2,500 contacts | $39/mo (Essentials) Email and chat support | $35/mo (Standard) Phone support included | $19/mo Up to 15K emails |
| 10,000 contacts | $100/mo (Standard) Advanced automations unlocked | $80/mo (Standard) All automation features | $39/mo Up to 50K emails |
| 25,000 contacts | $270/mo (Standard) Advanced features | $210/mo (Standard) Full feature access | $69/mo Up to 150K emails |
Pricing Verdict: Constant Contact is slightly cheaper at higher tiers, but Mailchimp offers a free plan and more automation features per dollar. Sequenzy provides the best value for SaaS drip campaigns with all features included from $19/mo.
Cost Note
While pricing is similar between the two, Mailchimp free plan gives it an edge for businesses just starting out. Constant Contact compensates with included phone support, which can save money on outside help.
Drip Campaign Types Comparison
How each platform handles different types of drip email campaigns.
Welcome Series
Onboarding sequence for new contacts
Mailchimp
Visual journey with multiple paths and conditions
Constant Contact
Simple automated welcome series
Sequenzy
SaaS-optimized onboarding flows
Verdict: Mailchimp offers more flexibility in welcome sequence design.
Birthday/Anniversary
Date-triggered celebration emails
Mailchimp
Date-based triggers in automations
Constant Contact
Built-in birthday and anniversary emails
Sequenzy
Date-based triggers available
Verdict: Constant Contact makes date-based drips exceptionally easy.
Event Promotion
Pre and post-event email sequences
Mailchimp
Via integrations like Eventbrite
Constant Contact
Native event management with email integration
Sequenzy
Not a focus area
Verdict: Constant Contact built-in event tools are a clear advantage.
Re-engagement
Win-back for inactive contacts
Mailchimp
Engagement segments with re-engagement templates
Constant Contact
Basic resend to non-openers
Sequenzy
Churn-risk detection from usage
Verdict: Mailchimp provides better tools for re-engagement campaigns.
Post-Purchase
Follow-up after purchase or signup
Mailchimp
E-commerce purchase triggers
Constant Contact
Basic purchase follow-up sequences
Sequenzy
Subscription lifecycle emails
Verdict: Mailchimp has stronger e-commerce drip triggers.
The Bigger Picture
The most notable gap between these tools is automation sophistication. Constant Contact handles simple sequences well, but any drip campaign requiring conditional logic, A/B testing in flows, or complex triggers will be better served by Mailchimp or a dedicated drip tool.
Automation Builder Comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual workflow builder | Yes Customer Journey Builder on Standard+ | Yes Basic visual automation paths | Yes Visual editor with templates |
| If/else conditional logic | Yes In journey builder | No Very limited branching options | Yes Behavior and billing conditions |
| Wait/delay steps | Yes Time and date-based waits | Yes Day-based delays | Yes Smart delays with timezone support |
| Multiple triggers | Yes Various trigger types | Yes Form, date, and contact activity triggers | Yes Behavioral and billing triggers |
| A/B split in automations | Yes On Standard+ plans | No Not available in automations | Yes Built into sequences |
| SMS steps | No SMS is a separate add-on | Yes SMS in automation on Standard+ plan | No Email only |
| Goal-based exits | No Not available | No Not available | Yes Conversion-based exits |
Email Templates & Editor
| Aspect | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editor Type | Drag-and-drop with 100+ templates | Drag-and-drop with branded templates | Block editor for SaaS emails |
| Design Flexibility | High: full layout and HTML control | Good: brand-guided templates | Moderate: brand-focused designs |
| Brand Import | Brand colors and logo settings | Auto-import branding from website URL | Manual brand settings |
| Mobile Responsiveness | Automatic responsive | Automatic responsive | Responsive with preview |
| Stock Images | Built-in image library (paid) | Free stock image library included | Not included |
Deliverability Comparison
| Factor | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Inbox Placement | 85-90% | 88-92% | 92-96% |
| SPF/DKIM Authentication | Supported | Supported | Required with guided wizard |
| DMARC Support | Supported | Supported | Supported with monitoring |
| Dedicated IP | Premium plan ($350+/mo) | Not available on standard plans | Shared with strict policies |
| Bounce Handling | Automatic management | Automatic with proactive monitoring | Automatic with proactive hygiene |
| Abuse Prevention | Standard monitoring | Strong anti-spam enforcement | SaaS-focused verification |
Constant Contact has a long track record of strong deliverability, partly due to being one of the oldest email platforms with established IP reputation. Both platforms maintain good inbox placement for drip campaigns.
Integration Ecosystem
Mailchimp: ~300 integrations. Constant Contact: ~200. Sequenzy: ~35.
E-commerce
| Service | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Yes (Native, deep integration) | Yes (Native integration) | No (Not supported) |
| WooCommerce | Yes (Native integration) | Yes (Native integration) | No (Not supported) |
Payment/Billing
| Service | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Yes (Via Zapier) | Yes (Via Zapier) | Yes (Native, real-time billing events) |
| Paddle | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) | Yes (Native, real-time billing events) |
Event Management
| Service | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eventbrite | Yes (Native integration) | Yes (Native event management) | No (Not supported) |
Analytics & Reporting
| Metric | Mailchimp | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Rate Tracking | Yes, with trends | Yes, basic reporting | Yes, with sequence trends |
| Click Rate Tracking | Yes, with click maps | Yes, with heatmap | Yes, with conversion attribution |
| Revenue Attribution | For connected stores | Basic e-commerce tracking | Native billing revenue tracking |
| Comparative Reports | Side-by-side campaign comparison | Basic campaign comparison | Sequence performance comparison |
| Real-time Tracking | Yes, campaign dashboard | Yes, with activity feed | Yes, sequence dashboard |
Mailchimp: Unique
- + Click heatmaps
- + Predicted demographics
- + Social media analytics
Constant Contact: Unique
- + Event registration tracking
- + Industry benchmarking
- + Contact growth reporting
Sequenzy: Unique
- + SaaS conversion funnels
- + MRR impact tracking
- + Billing event correlation
Pros & Cons
Mailchimp
Pros
- + More advanced drip automation with branching logic
- + Free plan available for getting started
- + Larger integration ecosystem
- + Better A/B testing options
- + More comprehensive analytics
Cons
- - No phone support on lower plans
- - Interface can be overwhelming
- - Drip features locked behind higher plans
- - Contact-based pricing can get expensive
- - Less intuitive for beginners
Constant Contact
Pros
- + Phone support on all paid plans
- + Extremely easy to learn and use
- + Built-in event management tools
- + Strong deliverability track record
- + Auto-import branding from website
Cons
- - Very limited automation branching logic
- - No free plan (only 60-day trial)
- - Basic A/B testing (subject lines only)
- - Fewer advanced drip campaign options
- - Less sophisticated segmentation
Best For: Who Should Use What?
SaaS Trial Conversion
Drip emails for trial-to-paid conversion
Sequenzy is purpose-built for SaaS with native billing triggers and conversion-optimized sequences.
Nonprofit Email Marketing
Donor nurturing and event promotion drips
Constant Contact offers nonprofit discounts, event tools, and exceptional support for non-technical teams.
Complex Automation Workflows
Multi-branch drip sequences with conditions
Mailchimp Customer Journey Builder handles complex branching that Constant Contact cannot match.
Small Business Getting Started
First drip campaign for a new business
Constant Contact ease of use and phone support make it ideal for email marketing beginners.
Marketing Team with Technical Skills
Team that can leverage advanced features
Mailchimp offers more advanced tools that a skilled marketing team can fully utilize.
Migration Guide
Mailchimp to Constant Contact
- 1. Export contacts from Mailchimp as CSV
- 2. Import contacts into Constant Contact
- 3. Recreate simple automation sequences
- 4. Rebuild email templates using Constant Contact editor
- 5. Update signup forms and integrations
- 6. Configure domain authentication
Watch Out
- ! Complex Mailchimp automations will need to be simplified for Constant Contact
- ! Multi-branch workflows cannot be fully replicated
- ! Mailchimp merge tags need conversion
Constant Contact to Mailchimp
- 1. Export contacts from Constant Contact
- 2. Create audience in Mailchimp
- 3. Import contacts with field mapping
- 4. Rebuild automations with added complexity options
- 5. Recreate templates in Mailchimp editor
- 6. Set up Mailchimp authentication
Watch Out
- ! Event management features will not transfer to Mailchimp
- ! You will lose phone support unless on Mailchimp Premium
- ! Budget for potentially higher costs at Mailchimp
The Bottom Line
Choose Mailchimp if...
- ✓ You need advanced drip automation with branching logic
- ✓ You want a free plan to start with
- ✓ You need comprehensive A/B testing in campaigns
- ✓ You want the largest integration ecosystem
Choose Constant Contact if...
- ✓ You want phone support and hands-on customer service
- ✓ You are new to email marketing and need simplicity
- ✓ You run events and need built-in event management
- ✓ You are a nonprofit looking for discounted plans
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Constant Contact good for drip campaigns?
Constant Contact handles basic drip campaigns well (welcome series, date-based sequences, simple follow-ups), but lacks the advanced branching and conditional logic that Mailchimp offers. For simple drip needs, it works fine.
Why choose Constant Contact over Mailchimp?
Choose Constant Contact if you value ease of use, phone support, event management tools, or nonprofit discounts. Its simpler interface is often preferred by small businesses without dedicated marketing staff.
Does Constant Contact have a free plan?
No. Constant Contact offers a 60-day free trial but no permanent free plan. Mailchimp free plan (500 contacts) may be better for businesses testing email marketing before committing.
Which has better customer support?
Constant Contact wins on support. It offers phone, chat, and email support on all paid plans. Mailchimp only offers email and chat (no phone except on Premium), and support quality has declined according to user feedback.