Mailchimp vs MailerLite vs Constant Contact
First-time email marketers and non-technical small business owners need a platform they can learn quickly without sacrificing capability. Mailchimp and Constant Contact are the long-established choices with extensive templates and hand-holding, while MailerLite has earned a reputation for being the easiest to use at a fraction of the cost.
Quick Verdict
Best for most users: MailerLite — email marketing tools for growing businesses.
Mailchimp: Turn emails into revenue
MailerLite: Email marketing tools for growing businesses
Constant Contact: Small business marketing made easy
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | MailerLite | Constant Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Starting Price | $13/mo | $10/mo | $12/mo |
| Free Plan | 250 contacts, 500 emails/month | 1,000 subscribers | No free plan |
| Founded | 2001 | 2010 | 1995 |
| Email Templates | 100 | 90 | 300 |
| Integrations | 300 | 140 | 300 |
| Deliverability Rate | 96% | 97% | 97% |
| Marketing Automation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| A/B Testing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Landing Pages | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segmentation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drag & Drop Editor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SMS Marketing | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Ecommerce Features | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| API Access | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-Language | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Web Push Notifications | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Live Chat | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advanced Analytics | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
The Verdict
| Criterion | Weight | Mailchimp | MailerLite | Constant Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $13/mo | $10/mo | $12/mo |
| Deliverability | 25% | 96% | 97% | 97% |
| Rating | 25% | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 300 | 140 | 300 |
| Free Tier | 10% | Yes | Yes | No |
Choose Mailchimp if…
- + Best for ecommerce
- + Most recognized brand in email marketing
Choose MailerLite if…
- + Lowest starting price ($10/mo)
- + Best for bloggers
- + Best for freelancers
Choose Constant Contact if…
- + Best for event marketing
- + Best for local businesses
- + Longest 60-day free trial in the industry
Mailchimp: Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Most recognized brand in email marketing
- +Excellent drag-and-drop editor
- +300+ integrations with third-party tools
- +Strong analytics and reporting
- +Good for beginners with guided setup
Cons
- −Free plan severely limited (500 contacts, 1,000 sends)
- −Premium plan is expensive ($350/mo)
- −Charges for unsubscribed contacts
- −Affiliate marketing restricted
- −Deliverability has declined in recent years
MailerLite: Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Excellent value for money — most affordable paid plans
- +Clean, intuitive interface perfect for beginners
- +Built-in website and landing page builder
- +Sell digital products directly
- +Strong drag-and-drop email editor
Cons
- −Free plan limited to 1,000 subscribers
- −No SMS marketing
- −Fewer integrations than competitors
- −Strict approval process for new accounts
- −Limited automation compared to ActiveCampaign
Constant Contact: Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Longest 60-day free trial in the industry
- +Excellent event marketing features
- +300+ templates and integrations
- +Strong brand recognition and trust
- +Social media posting included
Cons
- −No free plan
- −Automation is basic on lower tiers
- −Gets expensive with larger lists
- −Interface feels outdated in places
- −Limited advanced features