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 wins this matchup. Our overall Email Marketing pick is ActiveCampaign. Our free Email Marketing pick is SendPulse. 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 a free tier before you commit
- • You want easy to use
- • You want good for beginners
Drip
Ecommerce marketing automation
Best for you if:
- • You want e-commerce focused
- • You want strong integrations
| 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 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Constant Contact or Drip?
Choose Constant Contact if
Established email marketing for small businesses
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want easy to use
- You want good for beginners
- Your work is email marketing-shaped, not e-commerce platforms-shaped
Choose Drip if
Ecommerce marketing automation
- You want e-commerce focused
- You want strong integrations
- Your work is e-commerce platforms-shaped, not email marketing-shaped
| Feature | Constant Contact | Drip |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 10,413 reviews | ★4.4/5 668 reviews |
| Categories | Email MarketingMarketing Automation | E-commerce PlatformsEmail Marketing |
In-Depth Analysis
Constant Contact
Established email marketing for small businesses
Constant Contact's pricing is on the higher side compared to some market alternatives, especially for the Lite tier at $12/month which offers limited features and contacts.
Watch out
Potential for increased costs with additional users on Lite.
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
Drip's pricing is on the higher side for smaller contact lists, with the 2,500 People tier at $39/month offering standard features.
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 (10,413 reviews). Drip: 4.4/5 (668 reviews).
Go with: Drip
Value user reviews?
Constant Contact: 10,413 reviews (4.2/5). Drip: 668 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 (10,413 reviews)
- Better fit for email marketing
The Bottom Line
Drip wins this matchup. Our overall Email Marketing pick is ActiveCampaign. Our free Email Marketing pick is SendPulse. 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.