Mailchimp vs Constant Contact: Who’s Still Leading in 2025
Two names have dominated email marketing for years—Mailchimp and Constant Contact—and in 2025, the rivalry still matters.
Introduction
Mailchimp and Constant Contact are legacy names in email marketing, each with millions of customers and long-standing reputations. Both serve small and mid-sized businesses, though their approaches diverge. Mailchimp leans on its vast ecosystem and integrations, while Constant Contact invests in small business–friendly tools, events, and service.
In 2025, the competition is sharper. Mailchimp still boasts brand recognition and a massive customer base, but Constant Contact’s acquisitions and product expansions show it’s fighting hard. This article compares the two platforms across usability, automation, integrations, pricing, and long-term viability.
Section 1: TL;DR / Quick Fix Summary
- Mailchimp: Best for integrations, broad familiarity, and design flexibility.
- Constant Contact: Strong SMB focus, with event management, surveys, and new capabilities from acquisitions like Moosend.
- Pricing: Both scale by subscriber counts; Mailchimp can get expensive fast at higher tiers, Constant Contact is steadier but narrower in options.
- Automation: Mailchimp has robust automation but a steeper learning curve; Constant Contact offers fewer but simpler workflows.
- Deliverability & Support: Both handle authentication well; CC is praised for personal support.
Section 2: Deep Dive — Key Differences
Ease of Use
- Mailchimp offers sleek, modern dashboards but can overwhelm with options.
- Constant Contact is simpler, sometimes plain, but easier for non-technical SMBs to navigate.
Automation
- Mailchimp supports branching automations, abandoned cart flows, and AI-assisted content.
- Constant Contact is more limited: autoresponders, simple drip sequences, and welcome emails.
Integrations
- Mailchimp integrates with virtually every SaaS tool—from Shopify to WordPress to Zapier.
- Constant Contact integrates with fewer platforms, but focuses on SMB-centric partners.
Design & Templates
- Mailchimp’s email builder and templates are considered best-in-class for customization.
- Constant Contact’s templates are serviceable but less flexible.
Support
- Mailchimp offers extensive documentation, but direct support is less personal.
- Constant Contact provides direct human support and onboarding, which SMBs value highly.
Pricing
- Both scale with list size. Mailchimp’s free tier is gone for most new accounts, pushing early users into paid plans quickly.
- Constant Contact has no forever-free plan, but its tiers are transparent and predictable.
Section 3: Host/Platform Considerations
- WordPress users: Mailchimp has strong official plugins, widely supported by third-party developers.
- Shopify users: Mailchimp lost and regained Shopify integration—now solid but always double-check.
- Ecommerce SMBs: Constant Contact’s built-in event and survey features work well for community-driven businesses.
Section 4: Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Workflow (Choosing Between Them)
- Define your core need: simple campaigns vs advanced automation.
- Map your integrations—Shopify? WordPress? CRM? See which platform fits more naturally.
- Test automation builders: build a welcome flow in both platforms.
- Compare support experiences—chat with both, evaluate responsiveness.
- Price out growth: estimate list at 12 months and calculate cost at each tier.
- Decide based on long-term fit, not just entry-level ease.
Section 5: In-Depth Explanation
Plain English:
Mailchimp is like a Swiss Army knife—powerful, but bulky. Constant Contact is like a reliable pocketknife—fewer tools, but easy to grab.
Technical detail:
- Mailchimp offers more segmentation, custom fields, predictive analytics, and advanced reporting.
- Constant Contact provides useful extras like event sign-ups and surveys without needing third-party apps.
- Both require proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup for deliverability.
Section 6: Checklist (Copy-Paste)
- Compare welcome sequence builders
- Verify critical integrations (Shopify, WordPress, CRM)
- Estimate 12-month subscriber growth and costs
- Test deliverability with SPF/DKIM setup
- Evaluate support responsiveness
- Align feature set with team skill level
Section 7: Broader Context
- Email ROI remains one of the strongest channels, with average returns still estimated above 30:1.
- Mailchimp claims millions of users and billions of emails sent monthly, cementing its dominance.
- Constant Contact’s acquisition of Moosend in 2025 shows its commitment to catching up in automation and modern features.
Section 8: “Do This, Not That” Best Practices
- Do test workflows before committing; don’t assume both platforms deliver the same automation depth.
- Do project costs at scale; don’t base decision only on starting tier.
- Do use templates to speed up campaigns; don’t over-customize early on.
- Do lean on CC’s human support if you need hand-holding; don’t expect the same from Mailchimp.
Section 9: When to Escalate
- Deliverability issues persist despite SPF/DKIM setup.
- Advanced automation needs outgrow Constant Contact.
- Support or onboarding is critical, tipping the scale toward CC.
- Cost overruns make Mailchimp unsustainable as list size grows.
Closing
Mailchimp and Constant Contact remain staples. In 2025, Mailchimp wins for integrations and advanced users, while Constant Contact stays strong for small businesses that want guidance and predictability. The choice comes down to whether you value breadth or simplicity—and whether your budget can keep up.
FAQs
- Does Mailchimp still offer a free plan?
No. New accounts generally start on paid tiers after trials. - Can Constant Contact handle ecommerce?
Yes, but it’s better suited for service and event-driven businesses than complex ecommerce. - Which platform has better templates?
Mailchimp offers more customization; CC’s are simpler. - Which offers stronger support?
Constant Contact is known for more personal, hands-on support. - Which scales better for advanced automation?
Mailchimp’s automation builder is more powerful, though ActiveCampaign still surpasses both.
