iContact vs Constant Contact
Email Marketing pricing comparison · 2026
iContact pricing ranges from $14–$199/month, while Constant Contact ranges from $12–$80/month. Constant Contact is typically 46% more affordable, though your actual cost depends on tier and team size.
iContact and Constant Contact are two of the most established email marketing platforms for small businesses. iContact offers a free plan (250 contacts, 500 sends/month), then paid tiers starting at $14/month for Launch (750 contacts, unlimited sends), $36/month for Grow (2,500 contacts), $65/month for Expand (5,000 contacts), and $199/month for Advanced (25,000 contacts). Constant Contact starts at $12/month for Lite (500 contacts), $35/month for Standard, and $80/month for Premium.
The biggest pricing difference at entry level: iContact has a free plan while Constant Contact does not. iContact's Launch plan at $14/month is also only $2 more than Constant Contact Lite at $12/month, but iContact includes unlimited sends while Constant Contact Lite caps monthly emails at 10x your contact count. This makes iContact the better pure email value at the lowest tier.
Where Constant Contact pulls ahead is in breadth of marketing features. The Standard plan at $35/month includes event marketing, surveys, social media scheduling, and donations pages for nonprofits — features iContact does not offer. Constant Contact also has a stronger brand reputation and more third-party integrations. At the top tier, Constant Contact Premium at $80/month is significantly cheaper than iContact Advanced at $199/month, though iContact Advanced covers 25,000 contacts while Constant Contact Premium pricing scales separately with contact count.
Plan-by-Plan Pricing
| Plan | iContact | Constant Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free /month | $12 /month |
| Launch | $14 /month | $35 /month |
| Grow | $36 /month | $80 /month |
| Expand | $65 /month | — |
| Advanced | $199 /month | — |
Cost at Scale
Total cost of ownership — licenses, implementation, and hidden costs included.
iContact
5 scenariosConstant Contact
4 scenariosOur Verdict
Choose iContact if your primary need is affordable, straightforward email marketing with unlimited sends. The free plan is a genuine advantage for testing, and the Launch plan at $14/month with 750 contacts and unlimited sends is among the most affordable paid email plans available. iContact's tiered pricing by contact count is simple and predictable. It is the better choice for businesses focused purely on email campaigns and automation without needing broader marketing tools.
Choose Constant Contact if you need a broader small business marketing suite beyond email. Constant Contact's Standard plan at $35/month adds event marketing, surveys, social media scheduling, and nonprofit donation pages that iContact lacks. For local businesses, organizations that run events, and nonprofits, Constant Contact delivers more utility per dollar. The Premium plan at $80/month also provides advanced segmentation and analytics at a lower price than iContact's top tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Is iContact cheaper than Constant Contact?
At the entry level, yes. iContact has a free plan (250 contacts, 500 sends) that Constant Contact lacks. iContact Launch at $14/month is only $2 more than Constant Contact Lite at $12/month but includes unlimited sends versus Constant Contact's 10x-contact email cap. At mid-tier, Constant Contact Standard at $35/month is comparable to iContact Grow at $36/month. At the top tier, Constant Contact Premium at $80/month is significantly cheaper than iContact Advanced at $199/month.
02 Which platform includes unlimited email sends?
iContact includes unlimited email sends on every paid plan starting at $14/month. Constant Contact Lite limits sends to 10x your contact count, while Standard and Premium plans include higher but still limited monthly send volumes depending on contact tier.
03 Does either platform have a free plan?
iContact offers a free plan for up to 250 contacts with 500 sends per month, including the drag-and-drop editor and one welcome email series. Constant Contact does not offer a permanent free plan — it provides a 14-day free trial instead.
04 Which is better for nonprofits?
Constant Contact is better for nonprofits. It includes native donation pages and event registration tools in its Standard ($35/month) and Premium ($80/month) plans, plus offers nonprofit discounts. iContact offers a nonprofit discount (email billing@icontact.com with 501(c)(3) proof) but does not have built-in donation or event tools.
05 What are the hidden costs of each platform?
iContact's main hidden costs are limited support hours (no weekend phone/chat), unexpected auto-renewal charges reported by multiple users, and limited image storage. Constant Contact's hidden costs include paid inbox preview ($10/month extra), steep pricing increases as contact lists grow beyond 500, and advanced analytics locked behind the Premium plan.