Constant Contact vs EmailOctopus: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Constant Contact and EmailOctopus 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: Constant Contact is our overall pick for email marketing workflows. Pick EmailOctopus if you need a free tier to start with.
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:
- • Affordable email marketing for small businesses
- • Drag-and-drop email builder with templates
EmailOctopus
Email marketing made easy with intuitive tools and competitive pricing.
Best for you if:
- • Simplifies email marketing with a drag-and-drop editor and automation.
- • Offers competitive pricing and a generous free plan for up to 2,500 subscribers.
| At a Glance |  Constant Contact |  EmailOctopus |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Email Marketing | Email Marketing |
Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Constant Contact or EmailOctopus?
Choose Constant Contact if
Established email marketing for small businesses
- Easy to use
- Good for beginners
- Event marketing
Choose EmailOctopus if
Email marketing made easy with intuitive tools and competitive pricing.
- Very competitive pricing compared to alternatives
- Easy to use and intuitive interface
- Excellent and responsive customer support, even for free users
| Feature | Constant Contact | EmailOctopus |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 11,849 reviews | ★4.6/5 690 reviews |
| Categories | Email MarketingMarketing Automation | Email MarketingMarketing Automation |
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
Value 65/100. 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: Pricing scales significantly with contact list size.
EmailOctopus
Email marketing made easy with intuitive tools and competitive pricing.
Strengths
- +Very competitive pricing compared to alternatives
- +Easy to use and intuitive interface
- +Excellent and responsive customer support, even for free users
- +Good email deliverability
- +Generous free plan available
Weaknesses
- -Focuses solely on email marketing, no SMS or other marketing channels
- -EmailOctopus branding on emails for the free plan
Key features
Value 85/100. EmailOctopus offers a very generous free tier for up to 2,500 subscribers, which is excellent for startups and small businesses.
Watch out: Pro tier requires yearly billing for stated price
Pricing: Constant Contact vs EmailOctopus
| Plan | Constant Contact | EmailOctopus |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $12 month Lite | Free STARTER |
| Tier 2 | $35 month Standard | $9 PER MONTH, BILLED YEARLY PRO |
| Tier 3 | $80 month Premium | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Constant Contact pricing and EmailOctopus pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Constant Contact
Want the highest-rated option?
Constant Contact: 4.2/5 (11,849 reviews). EmailOctopus: 4.6/5 (690 reviews).
Go with: EmailOctopus
Value user reviews?
Constant Contact: 11,849 reviews (4.2/5). EmailOctopus: 690 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: Constant Contact
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are email marketing tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
EmailOctopus is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 4.2/5.
Key Takeaways
Constant Contact
- Larger review base (11,849 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
EmailOctopus
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.2/5
The Bottom Line
Constant Contact is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Constant Contact or EmailOctopus better?
Constant Contact is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Constant Contact and EmailOctopus used for?
Constant Contact: Established email marketing for small businesses. EmailOctopus: Email marketing made easy with intuitive tools and competitive pricing..
What does Constant Contact cost vs EmailOctopus?
Constant Contact is freemium (free tier + paid plans). EmailOctopus is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.