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    Email Marketing Software Comparison: MailChimp vs. GetResponse vs. Constant Contact

    Written By Jason Rowse - Digital Marketing Expert

    Updated: 09/06/2021

    Which email marketing software is best?

    In this guide, we compare three market leaders: MailChimp, GetResponse and Constant Contact.

    Covering everything from the basics to each one’s finer points, you’ll find out which product is right for you.

    To learn more about the top email marketing software, check out the tables below.

    MailChimp

    Which industry it is best for? Ecommerce, bloggers and medium-sized businesses

    Pricing: 2,500 to 25,000 contacts = From $9.99 a month

    Pro's

    • Deep reporting, including Google Analytics
    • Free up to 10K emails and 2K subscribers
    • Full marketing and integration options

    Con's

    • Limited automation and complex interface
    • Affiliate marketing is prohibited

    Devices supported: PC, Mac, iOS and Android mobile devices

    Features: 

    • Custom email templates
    • One-click automation
    • Custom domains
    • Marketing CRM
    • Behavioral targeting
    • Advanced segmenting
    • Custom branding 
    • A/B testing
    • Advanced reporting
    • Multivariate testing
    • 24/7 support
    • Manage 200K contacts
    • Demographics reports
    • Customer value score
    • Pop-up forms
    • Facebook integration
    • Integrate 200+ apps
    • Mobile compatible 

    Third party tools:

    • Google Analytics
    • Ecommerce option
    • ClickTale
    • WordPress
    • Zapier
    • Facebook

    Overview of MailChimp

    Arguably the biggest name in email newsletter creation and management, Mailchimp caters for users at both ends of the marketing spectrum. According to the stats, more than 600 million emails are sent through its platform every two days.

    That puts it well ahead of the rest when it comes to daily activity.

    However, that’s not the only strengths it has. For starters, the pricing is such that anyone can start using it. 

    For non-business users or those just starting out, there is a free option that gives you access to a customer relationship management (CRM) tool and basic email templates if you have 2,000 subscribers or fewer.

    Above that, you’ll pay between $9.99 and $129+ for a full suite of services.

    Naturally, email marketing is the company’s main product. However, in recent years it has expanded to offer a broad range of marketing options. 

    For those that pay a monthly fee, email templates are just the start of the features you can utilize.

    Analytics are a major part of the MailChimp platform and you can receive reports on client activity, locations and social media engagement. What’s more, you can tap into Google Analytics to learn even more about your marketing reach.

    As well as reports, can be integrated with a number of platforms, including WordPress and Zapier. This is ideal if want to build your email list and maximize engagement.

    At the top end of the MailChimp spectrum, users can take advantage of tools such as multivariate testing and advanced automated segmentation.

    The former is a neat tool that allows you to send multiple emails to the same address in order to test their effectiveness.

    The reports generated allow you to tailor your content in order to increase response rates.

    GetResponse

    Which industry it is best for? Small businesses and low-volume users

    Pricing: Varies by tier – 2,500 contacts from $25/mo, 10,000 contacts from $65/mo, 25,000 contacts from $145/mo

    Pro's

    • Unlimited emails at all levels
    • Easy tracking with Google Analytics option
    • Simple, powerful email list management

    Con's

    • Landing pages come at a cost
    • No refunds on annual plans

    Devices supported: PC, Mac, iOS and Android mobile devices

    Features: 

    • Email editor tool
    • Landing page creator
    • Autoresponder
    • RSS feed to email
    • A/B testing
    • Simple interface
    • Custom contact field
    • Sales funnels
    • Lead funnels
    • Host webinars
    • Work together option
    • Facebook ads
    • Can sell products
    • Contact scoring
    • Contact tagging
    • Simple CRM
    • Automation templates

    Third party tools: 

    • 123ContactForm
    • 1CBitrix Integration
    • Amazon Payments
    • Automate.io
    • BingAds
    • ClickDesk
    • DPD
    • Etsy
    • Shopify
    • Slack

    Overview of GetResponse

    The self-titled “world’s easiest email marketing software” platform, GetResponse is targeted at small businesses. For free you can sign up for 30 days, try out the software and build up an email list of 250 subscribers. From there, packages start at $15 per month (for 1,000 subscribers) and there are three options to choose from. At the basic level, you can get access to autoresponder software, the ability to create as many landing pages as you like and unlimited automation email templates.

    Additionally, all users get at least one sales funnel, unlimited lead funnels and Facebook ads. Finally, you can sell products via GetResponse, something you can’t do via other email marketing platforms.

    Once you move up the tiers (Basic, Plus and Professional), you’ll get access to extra tools such as the ability to host webinars, automation builders, more sales funnels and a simple CRM. 

    If there’s one area where they can’t match MailChimp of Constant Contact, it’s reporting. Although it is possible to track campaigns, the level of details isn’t a deep. Having said that, you can score contacts and tag accounts. this is a simple way of highlighting the contacts that respond well and what they respond to. Therefore, even though it may not be as powerful as some tracking systems, it’s perfect for beginners. 

    What’s more, GetResponse’s packages aren’t based on subscriber thresholds. As long as you have between 1,000 and 100,000 subscribers, you can choose Basic, Plus or Professional and pay accordingly.

    That, for us, is an example of why they are one of the easiest to use email marketing platforms out there.

    By making all options available to everyone and keeping things simple, you can find the right product at the right price, regardless of how large or small your business is. 

    Constant Contact

    Which industry it is best for? Ideal for small and medium businesses

    Pricing: Email Plan = From $20 a month, Email Plus = From $45 a month

    Pro's

    • Great tools for low-end users
    • Easy to customize campaigns
    • Google Analytics integration 

    Con's

    • Default storage limited to five files
    • Software can be slow and glitchy

    Devices supported: PC, Mac, iOS and Android mobile devices

    Features:

    • Unlimited emails
    • Customize templates
    • Branded templates
    • List segmentation
    • Google Ads
    • Social media insight
    • Social posting
    • Landing page creator
    • Tracking & reporting
    • A/B testing
    • Surveys and polls
    • Dynamic content tool
    • Event marketing 
    • Non-opener resend
    • Chat support
    • Learning resources
    • Apps and integration
    • Mobile app
    • Welcome email series

    Third party tools: 

    • Outlook
    • WordPress
    • Zapier
    • Cazoomi
    • Facebook
    • Office 365
    • Gmail
    • MINDBODY
    • Shopify
    • Eventbrite

    Overview of Constant Contact

    Compared to a platform such as MailChimp, Constant Contact is slightly less affordable if you’re a low-volume user.

    Although there is a  30-day free trial for new customers, those with 2,500 contacts will have to pay at least $20 per month. That’s not an extortionate amount.

    However, MailChimp offers a free service for those with a similar number of subscribers. Having said that, there are just two packages at Constant Contact: Email and Email Plus. 

    This keeps things nice and simple. Indeed, MailChimp has multiple options which can, sometimes, get confusing for new users.

    The other benefit of keeping the number of packages to a minimum is options.

    Because there are only two tiers, you actually get more for your money at the lower level. 

    Perhaps the biggest selling point for them is that there isn’t an email limit. Regardless of the price you pay, you can send as many emails as you like. That’s something few other companies allow.

    As well as unlimited emails, Constant Contact allows all users to use stock templates or create their own.

    Beyond that, you can import lists, create pop-up forms, segment your emails contacts, create landing pages and add color to your marketing emails with image options.

    Finally, there are plenty of reporting insights available. From monitoring social media ads to tracking email response types and times, you can get a complete insight into your campaigns, regardless of the package you purchase. 

    This, combined with award-winning support, a mobile app and auxiliary marketing options, make Constant Contact a winner. However, what we really like about this product are the tools available for small-time users.

    MailChimp may offer a more complete service but that’s only for high-volume users. With Constant Contact, you get a fantastic range of options at all levels. 

    Which Email Marketing Provider is Best for You?

    Overall, MailChimp stands out as the industry leader. Although newer platforms are challenging its dominant position, it still offers some of the most powerful email management tools in the business.

    When you combine this with MailChimp’s capacity to provide a full suite of marketing options, it’s certainly the best option for established companies.

    However, if you’re a single-person business or you need a simple, cost-effective solution, GetResponse and Constant Contact are fantastic alternatives.

    For complete novices, we’d recommend GetResponse due to its easy to use interface.

    For growing businesses, Constant Contact is ideal is it allows you to send an unlimited number of emails. Put simply, the latest range of email marketing software is fantastic. All you have to do is select the right product for your needs.