Best Email Marketing Software for Small Business (2026)
Mailchimp vs Constant Contact vs MailerLite — compared on price, sending limits, and value.
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Email is still the highest-ROI marketing channel for small businesses. We compared Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and MailerLite on 2026 pricing, free plans, and how far your money goes as your list grows.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | Brand recognition & integrations | Free (250 contacts) — paid from $13/mo | ★★★★☆ 4.4 |
| Constant Contact | Support & event marketing | From ~$12/mo (no free plan) | ★★★★☆ 4.3 |
| MailerLite | Best value, unlimited sends | Free (500 subs, 12k emails) — paid from $25/mo | ★★★★✯ 4.7 |
Our top 3 picks, compared
Mailchimp
- Huge integration ecosystem
- Familiar, polished interface
- Strong template library
- You pay for inactive contacts
- Monthly send limits
- Gets expensive at scale
Constant Contact
- Excellent customer support
- Built-in event & survey tools
- Beginner-friendly
- No free plan
- Higher cost per contact
- Fewer automation options
MailerLite
- Best value as your list grows
- Unlimited email sends
- Clean drag-and-drop builder
- Fewer native integrations
- Account approval can take time
MailerLite
MailerLite pairs top reviews with the best recurring value — unlimited sends and a genuinely usable free plan — so your costs stay low as your list grows.
Based on public reviews and list pricing as of June 2026 — always do your own research. This is an opinion, not financial advice.
Mark's Pick: MailerLite →How to choose
More small business comparisons
Pricing reflects publicly listed rates as of June 2026 and may change. Always confirm current pricing on the provider’s site before buying. Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy or sign up through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This is how we keep Small Business Tool Guide free. We only recommend tools we believe in.