Quick answer (August 2026): Constant Contact (8.5/10) edges out AWeber (8.0/10) for most small businesses — better templates, event management, and social media tools. AWeber wins for solopreneurs who want a genuine free plan (500 subscribers). Full side-by-side pricing, features, and verdict below.
TL;DR Quick Answer
Constant Contact wins (8.5/10 vs 8.0/10). Choose Constant Contact for small businesses, event management, and template variety. Choose AWeber if you need a free plan with up to 500 subscribers or you're a solopreneur who values simplicity.
AWeberEmail Marketing · from Free
One of the oldest email marketing platforms, AWeber has a loyal following among solopreneurs and bloggers. Its free plan (500 subscribers, 3,000 emails/month) is genuinely useful, and the drag-and-drop builder is approachable for non-technical users. Automations are basic compared to competitors but reliable.
Constant ContactEmail Marketing · from $12/mo
Constant Contact targets small businesses and nonprofits with a wide template library (200+), built-in event management, and social media posting tools. No permanent free tier, but the 60-day free trial (no credit card) is generous. Deliverability rates are consistently strong across independent benchmarks.
Verdict at a Glance
Both platforms are solid for email marketing and have been around for decades. The choice comes down to use case: AWeber is better if you're a solopreneur or blogger who needs a free plan and simple automations. Constant Contact is the stronger pick for small businesses that want richer templates, event registration, and social media integration.
For most small business owners, Constant Contact is the better long-term investment — better features at a competitive price. Both offer risk-free trials so you can test before committing.
Who Should Use AWeber?
- Solopreneurs and bloggers who need a free plan with up to 500 subscribers
- Teams sending simple newsletters without complex automation flows
- Users who want a straightforward, reliable platform with minimal learning curve
- Businesses with an existing audience under 500 contacts looking to start email marketing for free
Who Should Use Constant Contact?
- Small businesses that host events and need registration + email in one tool
- Nonprofits and associations that benefit from Constant Contact's nonprofit discount (20-30%)
- Businesses that rely on social media and want integrated scheduling
- Teams that need 200+ professional email templates and strong deliverability
Pricing Comparison (August 2026)
| Plan | AWeber | Constant Contact |
|---|
| Free tier | Yes — 500 subscribers, 3,000 emails/mo | 60-day trial only (no card required) |
| Entry paid plan | Pro from $14.99/mo (500 subs) | Lite from $12/mo (500 contacts) |
| Mid-tier | $29.99/mo (2,500 subs) | Standard from $35/mo (500 contacts) |
| Upper tier | $49.99/mo (5,000 subs) | Premium from $80/mo (500 contacts) |
| Pricing model | By subscriber count | By subscriber count |
| Annual discount | Up to 33% off | Up to 30% off |
| Nonprofit discount | — | 20-30% off |
Verdict on pricing: AWeber has the edge for under 500 subscribers thanks to its permanent free plan. Above 500 subscribers, Constant Contact's Lite plan ($12/mo) is cheaper than AWeber Pro ($14.99/mo). At higher contact counts, pricing becomes comparable — compare based on your list size.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AWeber | Constant Contact |
|---|
| Email templates | 700+ | 200+ (higher quality) |
| Drag-and-drop editor | Yes | Yes |
| Automation / autoresponders | Basic (tag-based) | Advanced (Standard+) |
| Landing pages | Yes (Pro plan) | Yes (Standard+) |
| A/B testing | Subject lines only | Subject + content (Standard+) |
| Event management | — | Yes — registration + email |
| Social media posting | — | Yes (Standard+) |
| E-commerce tools | Yes (Stripe integration) | Yes (Shopify + WooCommerce) |
| Reporting & analytics | Standard opens/clicks | More detailed (Standard+) |
| Integrations | 750+ | 300+ (deeper native integrations) |
| Customer support | 24/7 live chat + phone | Phone + chat + knowledge base |
| GDPR compliance tools | Yes | Yes |
| Overall score | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
Constant Contact wins on features for most business use cases. AWeber's automation is simpler but reliable for basic drip sequences and welcome email flows.
Our Final Verdict
Constant Contact (8.5/10) is our pick for most small businesses. Here is why:
- Better templates: 200+ high-quality, mobile-responsive templates vs AWeber's larger-but-older library.
- Event management: Built-in event registration is unique to Constant Contact and saves small businesses from needing a separate tool.
- Deliverability: Constant Contact consistently achieves 97-98% inbox placement in independent benchmarks.
- Social integration: Social media posting and monitoring on Standard+ plans adds real value for small business owners.
Choose AWeber if: You have under 500 subscribers and want a truly free email marketing plan. AWeber's free tier is more generous than Constant Contact's 60-day trial for long-term use at small list sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AWeber better than Constant Contact?
It depends on your list size and needs. Constant Contact (8.5/10) is generally better for small businesses — better templates, event management, and social tools. AWeber (8.0/10) wins for solopreneurs who need a genuine free plan for up to 500 subscribers.
How much does AWeber cost vs Constant Contact?
AWeber has a free plan (500 subscribers, 3,000 emails/month) and Pro from $14.99/month. Constant Contact has a 60-day free trial, then Lite from $12/month, Standard from $35/month, Premium from $80/month. For under 500 subscribers, AWeber's free plan beats Constant Contact. Above 500, Constant Contact Lite ($12/mo) is cheaper than AWeber Pro ($14.99/mo).
Can I try AWeber and Constant Contact for free?
AWeber offers a permanent free plan (up to 500 subscribers, no time limit). Constant Contact offers a 60-day free trial with no credit card required. We recommend trying both before committing to a paid plan.
Which is better for small businesses — AWeber or Constant Contact?
Constant Contact is generally better for small businesses due to 200+ professional templates, built-in event management tools, social media integration, and strong deliverability. AWeber is better for solopreneurs and bloggers who value simplicity and a genuine free tier.
Does Constant Contact have a free plan?
Constant Contact does not have a permanent free plan. It offers a 60-day free trial with no credit card required, which is generous for evaluating the platform. After the trial, paid plans start at $12/month.
What is AWeber's free plan limit?
AWeber's free plan includes up to 500 subscribers and 3,000 emails per month. It includes basic landing pages, sign-up forms, and a drag-and-drop email editor. This is a permanent free plan, not a trial.