Constant Contact vs Drip: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Constant Contact and Drip comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Drip is our overall pick for e-commerce platforms workflows. Pick Constant Contact if you need email marketing.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Constant Contact
Established email marketing for small businesses
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need email marketing features specifically
- • Affordable email marketing for small businesses
- • Drag-and-drop email builder with templates
Drip
Ecommerce marketing automation
Best for you if:
- • You need e-commerce platforms features specifically
- • Drip is an e-commerce marketing automation platform for online retailers
- • It provides email campaigns, SMS, pop-ups, and customer behavior tracking for stores
| At a Glance |  Constant Contact |  Drip |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $39/mo2,500 People |
Best For | Email Marketing | E-commerce Platforms |
Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.4/5 |
Choose Constant Contact or Drip?
Choose Constant Contact if
Established email marketing for small businesses
- Easy to use
- Good for beginners
- Event marketing
- Your work is email marketing-shaped, not e-commerce platforms-shaped
Choose Drip if
Ecommerce marketing automation
- E-commerce focused
- Strong integrations
- Behavior-based automation
- Your work is e-commerce platforms-shaped, not email marketing-shaped
| Feature | Constant Contact | Drip |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 11,849 reviews | ★4.4/5 473 reviews |
| Categories | Email MarketingMarketing Automation | E-commerce PlatformsEmail Marketing |
In-Depth Analysis
Constant Contact
Established email marketing for small businesses
Strengths
- +Easy to use
- +Good for beginners
- +Event marketing
- +Templates
- +Phone support
Weaknesses
- -Expensive for features
- -Limited automation
- -Dated interface
- -Competitors better value
- -Per-contact pricing
Key features
Drip
Ecommerce marketing automation
Strengths
- +E-commerce focused
- +Strong integrations
- +Behavior-based automation
Weaknesses
- -Pricey for small stores
- -Learning curve
Key features
Pricing: Constant Contact vs Drip
| Plan | Constant Contact | Drip |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $12 month Lite | $39 2,500 People |
| Tier 2 | $35 month Standard | $99 5,000 People |
| Tier 3 | $80 month Premium | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Constant Contact pricing and Drip pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Constant Contact has a free tier. Drip is paid only.
Go with: Constant Contact
Want the highest-rated option?
Constant Contact: 4.2/5 (11,849 reviews). Drip: 4.4/5 (473 reviews).
Go with: Drip
Value user reviews?
Constant Contact: 11,849 reviews (4.2/5). Drip: 473 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Constant Contact
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Constant Contact is freemium. Drip is paid. Constant Contact lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Constant Contact is a email marketing tool. Drip is in e-commerce platforms. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Drip is rated higher: 4.4/5 vs 4.2/5.
Key Takeaways
Drip
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.2/5
- Our pick for this comparison
Constant Contact
- Has a free tier
- Larger review base (11,849 reviews)
- Better fit for email marketing
The Bottom Line
Drip is our pick. Constant Contact has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Constant Contact or Drip better?
Drip is rated in our evaluation. Constant Contact is freemium and Drip is paid.
What are Constant Contact and Drip used for?
Constant Contact: Established email marketing for small businesses. Drip: Ecommerce marketing automation.
What does Constant Contact cost vs Drip?
Constant Contact is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Drip is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.