Constant Contact vs HubSpot: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Constant Contact and HubSpot 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: HubSpot is our overall pick for CRM 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 need email marketing features specifically
- • Affordable email marketing for small businesses
- • Drag-and-drop email builder with templates
HubSpot
CRM platform for scaling businesses
Best for you if:
- • You need CRM features specifically
- • All-in-one CRM platform covering marketing, sales, service, content, and operations with a shared contact database
- • Free CRM and tools for unlimited users; paid Starter plans begin at $15/seat/month with Marketing Professional at $890/month
| At a Glance |  Constant Contact |  HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $12/monthLite | $15/seat/monthStarter |
Best For | Email Marketing | CRM |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Constant Contact or HubSpot?
Choose Constant Contact if
Established email marketing for small businesses
- Easy to use
- Good for beginners
- Event marketing
- Budget matters ($12/month vs $15/seat/month)
- Your work is email marketing-shaped, not CRM-shaped
Choose HubSpot if
CRM platform for scaling businesses
- Generous free tier with CRM, forms, email, live chat, and basic reporting at no cost
- Unified platform eliminates data silos between marketing, sales, and service teams
- Intuitive interface with short learning curve compared to Salesforce
- Your work is CRM-shaped, not email marketing-shaped
| Feature | Constant Contact | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 11,849 reviews | ★4.2/5 13,321 reviews |
| Categories | Email MarketingMarketing Automation | CRMMarketing 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
HubSpot
CRM platform for scaling businesses
Strengths
- +Generous free tier with CRM, forms, email, live chat, and basic reporting at no cost
- +Unified platform eliminates data silos between marketing, sales, and service teams
- +Intuitive interface with short learning curve compared to Salesforce
- +Extensive integration marketplace and open API for custom connections
- +HubSpot Academy provides free certifications and high-quality training content
Weaknesses
- -Pricing escalates quickly, Professional and Enterprise tiers are expensive for SMBs
- -Marketing contacts model means you pay more as your database grows
- -CMS is less flexible than WordPress for heavily customized websites
- -Reporting and analytics lag behind dedicated BI tools like Looker or Tableau
- -Contract terms require annual commitment; no monthly billing on higher tiers
Key features
Pricing: Constant Contact vs HubSpot
| Plan | Constant Contact | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $12 month Lite | Free Free Tools |
| Tier 2 | $35 month Standard | $15 /seat/month Starter |
| Tier 3 | $80 month Premium | $890 /month Professional |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $3600 /month Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Constant Contact pricing and HubSpot 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?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Constant Contact
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: HubSpot
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?
Constant Contact is a email marketing tool. HubSpot is in CRM. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
HubSpot
- Larger review base (13,321 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Constant Contact
- Better fit for email marketing
The Bottom Line
HubSpot is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Constant Contact or HubSpot better?
HubSpot is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Constant Contact and HubSpot used for?
Constant Contact: Established email marketing for small businesses. HubSpot: CRM platform for scaling businesses.
What does Constant Contact cost vs HubSpot?
Constant Contact is freemium (free tier + paid plans). HubSpot is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.