Campaign Monitor vs Constant Contact for Drip Emails (2026)
Compare Campaign Monitor and Constant Contact for drip email campaigns. Automation, templates, pricing, and deliverability reviewed.
TL;DR verdict
Campaign Monitor wins on email design quality and deliverability. Constant Contact is easier for beginners and includes event marketing features. For pure drip email campaigns, Campaign Monitor offers a more polished experience, while Constant Contact provides simplicity and wider support options.
Campaign Monitor
7.5/80
Superior design tools and deliverability for polished drip campaigns.
Constant Contact
7/80
Straightforward drip emails for small businesses, with strong support and event tools.
Sequenzy · also consider
8.5/80
SaaS-optimized drip platform with native billing integration and pre-built sequences.
Sequenzy email automation for SaaS → · from $19/month
These two platforms cater to different audiences. Campaign Monitor is for teams that care about design craft, while Constant Contact is for small businesses that want simplicity and support. For SaaS drip emails, neither is ideal. Consider Sequenzy for billing-aware automation.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Campaign Monitor | Constant Contact | Sequenzy | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Automation Builder | Yes, linear flow | Yes, basic paths | Yes, pre-built + custom | Campaign Monitor |
| Event Marketing | Not available | Built-in event management | Not available | Constant Contact |
| Template Quality | Premium, agency-grade | Good, functional designs | SaaS-optimized | Campaign Monitor |
| Social Media Integration | Basic sharing | Social posting built-in | Not available | Constant Contact |
| Phone Support | Premier plan only | All paid plans | Email support | Constant Contact |
| Custom HTML Emails | Full support | Limited | Full support | Campaign Monitor |
| Billing Integration | Via Zapier | Via Zapier | Native Stripe/Paddle/Lemon Squeezy | Sequenzy |
Score breakdown
| Category | Campaign Monitor | Constant Contact | Sequenzy | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drip Campaign Builder | 7 | 6 | 9 | 10 |
| Email Template Editor | 9 | 7 | 7 | 10 |
| Automation Triggers | 6 | 6 | 9 | 10 |
| Segmentation | 7 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Analytics & Reporting | 7 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Deliverability | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| Ease of Use | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| Pricing Value | 6 | 6 | 9 | 10 |
| Total | 58 | 54 | 67 | 80 |
Drip feature deep-dive
Sequence Building
| Capability | Campaign Monitor | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual workflow editor | 7/10 — Clean linear builder with drag-and-drop | 6/10 — Simple automation path editor | 9/10 — Pre-built SaaS sequences with step editor |
| Multi-step sequences | 7/10 — Unlimited steps in linear sequences | 6/10 — Multi-step but limited branching | 9/10 — Unlimited steps with billing-aware logic |
| Delay configuration | 7/10 — Time-based delays | 6/10 — Basic time delays | 8/10 — Time, event, and business-hours delays |
Personalization
| Capability | Campaign Monitor | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merge fields | 8/10 — Standard merge tags with fallbacks | 7/10 — Basic contact field merge | 9/10 — Liquid templating with billing data |
| Conditional content | 5/10 — Limited conditional blocks | 4/10 — Minimal conditional support | 8/10 — Plan and usage-based conditional content |
| Send time optimization | 6/10 — Time zone sending | 5/10 — Basic scheduling | 7/10 — Time zone and business hours |
Pricing
Both platforms price similarly at lower tiers. Campaign Monitor gets more expensive faster as contact counts grow. Neither offers a free plan, though Constant Contact provides a longer trial period.
Campaign Monitor free option
No free plan. Short free trial.
From $11/mo for 500 contacts
Constant Contact free option
No free plan. 60-day free trial.
From $12/mo for 500 contacts
Sequenzy free option
Free tier available; paid from $19/mo (check current limits)
From $19/month
| Tier | Campaign Monitor | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 contacts | $11/mo — Lite plan | $12/mo — Lite plan | $19/mo — Full features, 15K emails/mo |
| 2,500 contacts | $39/mo — Lite plan | $50/mo — Standard plan recommended | $19/mo — Same plan covers this range |
| 10,000 contacts | $109/mo — Essential plan | $120/mo — Standard plan | $49/mo — Growth plan, 50K emails/mo |
| 50,000 contacts | $329/mo — Premier plan | $430/mo — Premium plan | $99/mo — Scale plan, 150K emails/mo |
Campaign Monitor is slightly cheaper at most tiers. Sequenzy offers the best value for SaaS companies with fixed-rate pricing and included drip templates.
Both platforms lack a free plan, but Constant Contact offers a generous 60-day trial compared to Campaign Monitor shorter trial period. At higher tiers, both become expensive, making Sequenzy flat-rate pricing attractive for SaaS teams.
Drip campaign types
Welcome Series
Winner: SequenzyOnboarding new subscribers with introductory emails
7/10 · Campaign Monitor
Polished template-driven welcome sequences
6/10 · Constant Contact
Simple welcome email automation
9/10 · Sequenzy
SaaS onboarding tied to activation milestones
Campaign Monitor offers better design. Sequenzy leads for SaaS onboarding.
Trial Conversion
Winner: SequenzyConverting trial users to paying customers
5/10 · Campaign Monitor
Basic time-based drips without billing awareness
4/10 · Constant Contact
Limited trial-specific features
9/10 · Sequenzy
Native trial tracking with Stripe/Paddle and pre-built flows
Sequenzy is purpose-built for this use case.
Event Promotion
Winner: SequenzyPromoting events with a multi-email drip campaign
6/10 · Campaign Monitor
Standard drip sequences for event promotion
9/10 · Constant Contact
Built-in event tools with RSVP tracking and reminders
5/10 · Sequenzy
Standard drip sequences
Constant Contact dominates with native event management.
Re-engagement
Winner: SequenzyWinning back inactive subscribers
7/10 · Campaign Monitor
Engagement-based segmentation and triggered drips
5/10 · Constant Contact
Basic inactivity triggers
8/10 · Sequenzy
Usage-based re-engagement with product activity tracking
Sequenzy leads for SaaS re-engagement. Campaign Monitor is solid for general use.
Nonprofit Fundraising
Winner: SequenzyMulti-touch fundraising campaigns for nonprofits
7/10 · Campaign Monitor
Professional templates suitable for nonprofits
9/10 · Constant Contact
Nonprofit-specific templates and discounted pricing
3/10 · Sequenzy
Not designed for nonprofit use
Constant Contact is the clear winner with nonprofit-specific features and pricing.
Constant Contact unique strength is event marketing. If your drip campaigns revolve around event promotion, registration reminders, and post-event follow-ups, Constant Contact is the only option with these features built in.
Automation builder & editor
Builder features
| Feature | Campaign Monitor | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drag-and-drop editor | ✓ Clean linear builder | ✓ Simple path editor | ✓ Streamlined flow editor |
| If/else branching | — Linear only | ✓ Basic conditional paths | ✓ Billing and behavior branching |
| Contact tagging | ✓ Tag-based segmentation | ✓ Tag contacts in automations | ✓ Auto-tagging from billing events |
| Webhook triggers | ✓ Via API | — Not natively supported | ✓ Full webhook support |
| SMS steps | — Email only | ✓ SMS add-on available | — Email only |
| Social posting | — Not available | ✓ Post to social from automation | — Not available |
Template editor
| Aspect | Campaign Monitor | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editor Type | Drag-and-drop with full code editor | Drag-and-drop (limited code access) | Block-based with HTML option |
| Template Library | 100+ premium designs | 200+ templates (many industry-specific) | 20+ SaaS-focused templates |
| Custom HTML | Full HTML/CSS support | Very limited custom code | Full HTML support |
| Stock Images | Unsplash integration | Built-in stock photo library | Not included |
| AI Content | Not available | AI subject line and content generation | Not available |
Deliverability
| Factor | Campaign Monitor | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Inbox Placement | 93-95% | 90-93% | 93-96% |
| DKIM/SPF Setup | Guided setup | Guided setup | Automated setup |
| Dedicated IP | Premier plan | Premium plan | Not available |
| List Hygiene Tools | Automatic suppression | Contact cleaning and verification | Health scoring and auto-cleanup |
| Abuse Prevention | Strict anti-spam policies | Content review and compliance checks | SaaS-only sender pool |
Both platforms have strong deliverability reputations. Campaign Monitor benefits from a smaller, more curated user base. Constant Contact has a long track record with ISPs and strong inbox placement for small business senders.
Integrations
Campaign Monitor
250+
Constant Contact
300+
Sequenzy
30+
E-commerce
Campaign Monitor
- ✓ Shopify: Native plugin
- ✓ WooCommerce: Plugin available
Constant Contact
- ✓ Shopify: Native integration
- ✓ WooCommerce: Plugin available
Sequenzy
- — Shopify: Not available
- — WooCommerce: Not available
Payment / Billing
Campaign Monitor
- — Stripe: Via Zapier
- — Paddle: Not available
Constant Contact
- — Stripe: Via Zapier
- — Paddle: Not available
Sequenzy
- ✓ Stripe: Deep native integration
- ✓ Paddle: Deep native integration
CRM
Campaign Monitor
- ✓ Salesforce: Native integration
- ✓ HubSpot: Via Zapier
Constant Contact
- ✓ Salesforce: Native integration
- ✓ HubSpot: Via Zapier
Sequenzy
- — Salesforce: Not available
- ✓ HubSpot: Via webhook
Analytics & reporting
| Metric | Campaign Monitor | Constant Contact | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Rate Tracking | Yes, with geographic data | Yes, basic reporting | Yes, with trend analysis |
| Click Tracking | Click maps and link tracking | Click-through rates by link | Link-level click tracking |
| Revenue Attribution | Basic e-commerce | E-commerce revenue tracking | Native MRR attribution |
| Automation Reports | Step-by-step completion | Basic automation stats | Funnel view with conversion rates |
| Comparative Reports | Campaign comparison view | Side-by-side campaign comparison | Sequence performance comparison |
Only in Campaign Monitor
- Geographic open maps
- Email client reporting
Only in Constant Contact
- Event attendance tracking
- Social engagement metrics
Only in Sequenzy
- MRR impact tracking
- Trial conversion funnel
Pros and cons
Campaign Monitor
Pros
- Best-in-class email design tools
- High deliverability rates
- Clean, intuitive interface
- Full HTML/CSS template editing
- Strong agency and team features
Cons
- No free plan
- Linear automations only
- No event marketing features
- Limited phone support
- More expensive at higher tiers
Constant Contact
Pros
- Built-in event management and RSVP
- Phone support on all paid plans
- Large template library with industry-specific designs
- Nonprofit discounts available
- Easy to learn for beginners
Cons
- Less polished email designs
- Limited custom HTML support
- Automation builder is basic
- Higher prices at larger contact counts
- Reporting lacks depth
Best for these scenarios
Design agency
Pick: Campaign MonitorAgency creating branded drip campaigns for clients
Campaign Monitor offers superior design tools and agency management features.
Local nonprofit
Pick: Constant ContactA nonprofit running event-based fundraising campaigns
Constant Contact has built-in event tools and nonprofit pricing discounts.
SaaS onboarding
Pick: SequenzyA software company converting trial users to paid plans
Sequenzy has native billing integration and SaaS-specific drip templates.
Small local business
Pick: Constant ContactA local business needing simple drip emails with phone support
Constant Contact provides phone support and an easy learning curve.
Marketing consultant
Pick: Campaign MonitorA consultant managing email campaigns for multiple brands
Campaign Monitor has better branding controls and multi-client management.
Migration plans
Campaign Monitor → Constant Contact
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1-2 hours
Warnings
- Custom HTML templates will need significant rework
- Campaign Monitor analytics history will not transfer
- Tag structures may differ between platforms
Constant Contact → Campaign Monitor
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1-2 hours
Warnings
- Event management features cannot be replicated
- SMS automations will not transfer
- Social posting integrations will need separate tools
| Direction | Step | Success criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign Monitor → Constant Contact | Export subscriber lists from Campaign Monitor as CSV | Easy |
| Campaign Monitor → Constant Contact | Import contacts into Constant Contact | Easy |
| Campaign Monitor → Constant Contact | Recreate automations in Constant Contact automation builder | Easy |
| Campaign Monitor → Constant Contact | Rebuild email templates | Easy |
| Campaign Monitor → Constant Contact | Configure sending domain | Easy |
| Campaign Monitor → Constant Contact | Test automations before activating | Easy |
| Constant Contact → Campaign Monitor | Export contacts from Constant Contact | Easy |
| Constant Contact → Campaign Monitor | Import into Campaign Monitor | Easy |
| Constant Contact → Campaign Monitor | Recreate drip sequences | Easy |
| Constant Contact → Campaign Monitor | Build email templates in Campaign Monitor editor | Easy |
| Constant Contact → Campaign Monitor | Set up domain authentication | Easy |
| Constant Contact → Campaign Monitor | Test all sequences | Easy |
Frequently asked questions
Which is easier for beginners?
Constant Contact is generally considered easier for complete beginners, with guided setup and phone support. Campaign Monitor has a cleaner interface but assumes some email marketing familiarity.
Which has better drip automation?
Campaign Monitor has a slightly more refined automation builder, but both are relatively basic compared to dedicated automation tools. Neither offers deep branching logic.
Which is better for SaaS companies?
Neither is built for SaaS. Both lack native billing integration. Sequenzy is purpose-built for SaaS drip emails with Stripe, Paddle, and Lemon Squeezy integration.
Does Constant Contact offer nonprofit pricing?
Yes. Constant Contact provides discounted pricing for registered nonprofits, along with specialized templates for fundraising and event campaigns.
Which has better customer support?
Constant Contact offers phone support on all paid plans. Campaign Monitor limits phone support to Premier plan subscribers.
Which should you choose?
Choose Campaign Monitor if…
- You prioritize email design quality above all
- You need full HTML/CSS template control
- You run an agency managing multiple brands
- Deliverability is your primary concern
Choose Constant Contact if…
- You need event marketing and RSVP management
- You want phone support from day one
- You are a nonprofit looking for discounted pricing
- You prefer the simplest possible setup experience
Also consider Sequenzy
SaaS-optimized drip platform with native billing integration and pre-built sequences. From $19/month with native Stripe, Paddle, and Lemon Squeezy billing events for dunning and trial conversion.
Related comparisons
Browse the full comparison library, the 15-tool shortlist, or the drip strategy guides.