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, websites and landing pages for small businesses.
Mailchimp: Email and SMS marketing with automation for small businesses
MailerLite: Email marketing, websites and landing pages for small businesses
Constant Contact: Email, SMS and event marketing for small businesses and nonprofits
Mailchimp
Email and SMS marketing with automation for small businesses
MailerLite
Email marketing, websites and landing pages for small businesses
Constant Contact
Email, SMS and event marketing for small businesses and nonprofits
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | MailerLite | Constant Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Starting Price | $13/mo | $12/mo | $12/mo |
| Free Plan | 250 contacts, 500 emails/month | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month | No free plan |
| Founded | 2001 | 2010 | 1995 |
| Email Templates | 100 | 90 | 300 |
| Integrations | 300 | 140 | 300 |
| Independent Inbox Test | No independent test | No independent test | No independent test |
| Marketing Automation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| A/B Testing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Landing Pages | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Segmentation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drag & Drop Editor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SMS Marketing | Yes | No | Yes |
| Ecommerce Features | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| API Access | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Language | Yes | No | No |
| Web Push Notifications | No | No | No |
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Analytics | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Verdict
| Criterion | Weight | Mailchimp | MailerLite | Constant Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $13/mo | $12/mo | $12/mo |
| Deliverability | 25% | 3.9/5 | 4.1/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Rating | 25% | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 | 3.7/5 |
| 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…
- + Best for bloggers
- + Best for freelancers
- + Excellent value for money — most affordable paid plans
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 (250 contacts, 500 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 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails/month
- − 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