No free plan
Constant Contact has no permanent free tier. You're paying from day one. Pigeon offers a genuinely free plan for up to 500 subscribers with no send limits.
Comparison
Pigeon vs Constant Contact: The Honest Comparison
Constant Contact has been around for decades, but its pricing has no free plan and send limits can mean extra charges. Here's how it compares to Pigeon.
Why marketers switch
Overage fees may apply
Constant Contact explicitly warns that overage fees may apply if you exceed your plan limits. Pigeon never charges overages.
SMS is an expensive add-on
SMS marketing on Constant Contact starts at $10/month on top of your email plan. Pigeon keeps pricing simple - one plan, everything included.
Pricing & Value
Pigeon
Pigeon prices by subscriber count and includes unlimited sends on every plan. That keeps monthly costs predictable as your audience grows.
Constant Contact
Constant Contact has straightforward paid plans for traditional businesses, but no permanent free tier.
Verdict: Pigeon is strongest when you want clear pricing and frequent sending without surprise overages.
Email Builder & Ease of Use
Pigeon
Pigeon keeps the builder focused on newsletter creation with reusable content blocks and fewer distractions.
Constant Contact
Constant Contact has a functional builder and a familiar workflow for long-time users, though it can feel more dated.
Verdict: Pigeon is easier for teams that want to create and send quickly.
Deliverability
Pigeon
Pigeon sends from your own verified domain with DKIM, SPF, and DMARC guidance, plus automatic bounce and complaint handling.
Constant Contact
Constant Contact has long-standing email infrastructure and sender guidance.
Verdict: Pigeon gives small teams a practical, domain-first deliverability setup.
Automation
Pigeon
Pigeon currently focuses on welcome flows and simple lifecycle sending rather than complex multi-branch automation.
Constant Contact
Constant Contact supports automation, but deeper features depend on plan and use case.
Verdict: Pigeon covers simple automation well, while advanced workflow needs may favor larger suites.
Analytics & Reporting
Pigeon
Pigeon includes opens, clicks, bounces, complaints, top links, and delivery health signals without locking reports behind higher tiers.
Constant Contact
Constant Contact includes useful campaign reporting for newsletters and events.
Verdict: Pigeon covers the core campaign analytics most SMBs need.
Support
Pigeon
Pigeon offers direct email support across plans, including the free plan, with a product built for small business workflows.
Constant Contact
Constant Contact offers established support channels, with phone support as part of its traditional service model.
Verdict: Pigeon keeps support access simple instead of tying help to enterprise tiers.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Pigeon | Constant Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✅ 500 subscribers | ❌ No free plan |
| Overage fees | ✅ Never | ❌ May apply |
| Monthly send limit | ✅ Unlimited | ❌ Based on plan |
| Price for 1K subscribers | ✅ €12/month | ❌ $12/month (Lite) |
| Price for 5K subscribers | ✅ €24/month | ❌ ~$55/month |
| EU data hosting | ✅ AWS Frankfurt | ❌ US-based |
| Email builder | ✅ Modern, fast | ⚠️ Functional but dated |
| Automation | ⚠️ Welcome flow | ⚠️ Limited on Lite |
| SMS marketing | ❌ Not available | ✅ Add-on $10+/month |
| Link in Bio | ✅ Free with every plan | ❌ Not available |
| GDPR compliance | ✅ Built-in | ⚠️ Available |
Pricing comparison
| Subscribers | Pigeon | Constant Contact |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | Free | ~$12/mo (Lite) |
| 1,000 | €12/mo | ~$12/mo (Lite) |
| 3,000 | €17/mo | ~$35/mo |
| 5,000 | €24/mo | ~$55/mo |
| 10,000 | €44/mo | ~$80/mo |
Pigeon includes a genuinely free plan. Constant Contact requires payment from day one.
Switch to Pigeon today
No contracts. No hidden fees. Cancel anytime.