ActiveCampaign vs Constant Contact (2026)
The automation heavyweight — against — Built for brick-and-mortar small business. Same table, same scoring system, clear verdict.
Affiliate disclosure: Critingo is reader-supported. If you sign up through links on this page we may earn a commission — it costs you nothing extra and never changes our verdicts. We verify pricing and terms regularly, but they change often: always confirm on the vendor's site before buying.
Head-to-head
Pricing and terms last verified 31 October 2026 — vendors change them often.
| ActiveCampaign 🏆 | Constant Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | No |
| Paid from | Paid typically from around $15/mo ( Starter, 1,000 contacts) | Paid typically from around $12/mo for small lists |
| Free trial | 14 days | 60 days |
| Automations | ✓ | ✓ |
| Landing pages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paid subscriptions | ✗ | ✗ |
| Ecommerce features | ✓ | ✓ |
| Our score | 4.2/5 | 4/5 |
Choose ActiveCampaign if…
- You're primarily b2b and agencies running complex funnels
- Most powerful automation builder in mainstream email marketing
- You can live with: steep learning curve — overkill for simple newsletters
Choose Constant Contact if…
- You're primarily restaurants, salons, local services running events
- Longest free trial in the category (60 days)
- You can live with: no permanent free plan
ActiveCampaign vs Constant Contact: FAQ
ActiveCampaign or Constant Contact — which is better in 2026?
For most people matching ActiveCampaign's strengths (b2b and agencies running complex funnels), ActiveCampaign is the stronger choice — it scores 4.2/5 on our four-factor score. But "better" depends on you: choose ActiveCampaign for b2b and agencies running complex funnels, and Constant Contact for restaurants, salons, local services running events.
Is ActiveCampaign cheaper than Constant Contact?
ActiveCampaign has no permanent free plan (Paid typically from around $15/mo ( Starter, 1,000 contacts)), while Constant Contact has no permanent free plan (Paid typically from around $12/mo for small lists). Vendors reprice several times a year — check both pricing pages before deciding.
Can I switch from ActiveCampaign to Constant Contact (or back)?
Yes. Subscribers export as CSV/JSON from either platform and import into the other. Automation sequences usually need rebuilding — map your tags and forms before migrating.