Top five Constant Contact alternatives for nonprofits

The right email marketing platform can save you time and effort and ultimately maximize your impact. From customizable templates to automated sending, having effective tools can set you up for long-term success. But, not all email marketing tools for nonprofits are the same.

While Constant Contact is a popular choice for its user-friendly interface and features, many organizations find themselves seeking alternatives that better align with their needs and budget. 

In this blog, we’ll compare the best Constant Contact alternatives that offer more nonprofit-specific features, affordably priced plans, and other benefits for changemakers. 

Constant Contact for nonprofits: What you need to know

Constant Contact has long been a favorite email marketing software for nonprofits—its easy-to-use interface and nonprofit discount (20% off of 6-month prepaid plans and 30% off prepaid 12-month plans) are major selling points.

However, some nonprofits struggle with Constant Contact’s price, feature access, and limited customization:

• Pricing 💸 Even with Constant Contact’s nonprofit pricing discount, costs can add up quickly as an organization’s email list grows, which can be unsustainable for grassroots nonprofits with limited budgets. Plus, while Constant Contact offers a free trial, there’s no permanently free plan.‍
• Limited features ⚒️ Organizations can only access some of Constant Contact’s best features—like automation, segmentation, and personalization tools—if they pay for the Standard or Premium plans.‍
• Few customization options 🎨 While Constant Contact has a vast array of email templates,  users often complain about the lack of customization options, which can hinder the creativity and mission-specific needs of some organizations. 

Best alternatives to Constant Contact to consider

1. Givebutter: Best for all-in-one fundraising and engagement 🧈

Givebutter is a true all-in-one platform tailored specifically to nonprofits, combining email marketing, donation processing, event ticketing, supporter engagement, and more in a single interface.

Unlike Constant Contact, Givebutter offers more features at less cost and goes beyond email outreach to provide nonprofits with a central location to run all of their operations, from fundraising to donor management.

💰 Price: Givebutter’s core fundraising and engagement features, including email, are free, with fees only for donation processing (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction) that donors can choose to cover.

⭐Features: With Givebutter, nonprofits get access to an entire suite of modern, user-friendly email marketing features—list segmentation, built-in Canva integration, personalization at scale, ROI tracking, and more.

✅ Best for: Nonprofits tired of juggling multiple platforms, looking for an all-in-one solution to combine and streamline their donor engagement and fundraising capabilities. 

⚖️ Our take: Givebutter is ideal for nonprofits needing versatile, affordable software that offers centralized email marketing, fundraising, and event management. Unlike Constant Contact, which charges based on contact lists, Givebutter’s free pricing model means organizations can grow their supporter base without worrying about rising fees, making it a one-stop shop for nonprofits who want to do it all.

2. Mailchimp: Best for basic email marketing 🐒

Mailchimp is another widely-used email marketing tool known for its intuitive interface and feature set. It offers a forever-free plan, making it an appealing option for small nonprofits on tight budgets or those just starting to put their fundraising emails to the test. 

💰 Price: To access additional features or add more than 500 contacts, Mailchimp gives a 15% discount to verified nonprofit organizations for paid plans, starting at $20/month.

⭐ Feature-rich free plan: Mailchimp provides a robust free plan—unlike Constant Contact’s pricing for nonprofits—with essential features, including analytics and basic automation.

✅ Best for: Nonprofits needing a free alternative to Constant Contact that is also beginner-friendly.

⚖️ Our take: Mailchimp is a strong choice for many nonprofits thanks to its ease of use. While the free tier has limitations (like no advanced automation), the platform’s pricing and growth-friendly features make it a suitable alternative for small to mid-sized nonprofits looking to scale their efforts. 

3. Brevo: Best for integrated SMS and email marketing 🤳

Brevo stands out with email and SMS marketing on a single platform, offering flexible pricing based on the number of emails sent rather than the number of contacts stored. Its transactional email capabilities and automation are especially helpful for nonprofits running event-heavy campaigns or donation drives.

💰 Price: Brevo’s free pan includes up to 300 email sends a day. If nonprofits need to send more emails, they can choose from Brevo’s paid plans, which start at $8/month. The platform also provides a 15% discount for nonprofits on their custom Enterprise license fee.

⭐ Free, integrated SMS: Unlike other platforms, Brevo offers integrated SMS marketing—a feature that Constant Contact charges organizations $10/month for, regardless of the plan.

✅ Best for: Nonprofits needing SMS marketing or flexible pricing based on email volume instead of the number of contacts.

⚖️ Our take: Brevo is an effective option for nonprofits focused on email and SMS outreach, particularly those who want to run multi-channel campaigns without expanding their contact limits. While it lacks some features available in Constant Contact, Bravo’s free plan and pay-as-you-go model can offer better value for budget-conscious nonprofits. 

4. Moosend: Best for affordable marketing automation 🐄

Moosend has some powerful automation features, even in its free trial and basic plan, giving nonprofits the ability to save time and engage with supporters creatively. Plus, with design options like countdown timers and conditional content, nonprofits have quite a few ways to wow supporters through their marketing efforts.

💰 Price: Moosend offers a free 30-day trial and a 25% discount to nonprofits on every purchase made with this platform. After that, nonprofits can subscribe to their Pro plan, which is only $7/month. 

⭐ Advanced automations: Moosend is a bargain with features that surpass Constant Contact’s at similar pricing.

✅ Best for: Nonprofits with mid-sized to large donor lists in need of cost-effective automation.

⚖️ Our take: Moosend delivers powerful tools like automation workflows, typically found in higher-cost plans on other platforms. Although it doesn’t have a free tier, the advanced capabilities make it a worthwhile investment for growing nonprofits looking to streamline their donor engagement.

5. Campaign Monitor: Best for advanced features ✨

Campaign Monitor stands out by going beyond basic email functionality, offering AI writing tools, send time optimizations, advanced link tracking, and more. For nonprofits that want a few extra bells and whistles, this platform is a great fit.

💰 Price: Campaign Monitor offers a limited free trial, allowing nonprofits to send a campaign to as many as five subscribers. Paid plans start at $12/month based on contact list size. The platform also offers a 15% nonprofit discount.

⭐ Top-tier tools: Campaign Monitor’s features are more advanced than Constant Constant’s, resulting in better opportunities for donor engagement and higher click-through rates.

✅ Best for: Nonprofits needing advanced donor engagement tools, including dynamic content and enhanced email tracking.

⚖️ Our take: Campaign Monitor is a great fit for nonprofits that run segmented and targeted campaigns. However, as your contact list grows, it does come at a higher price than some alternatives, which may be a consideration for smaller nonprofits.

What to look for in alternatives to Constant Contact for nonprofits

When evaluating Constant Contact alternatives, nonprofits should focus on features that support their specific needs, budget, and growth goals. When making your choice, be sure to consider:

• Cost 💸 Constant Contact’s pricing increases as contact lists grow, which can be challenging for nonprofits with expanding donor bases. Platforms with more flexible pricing or pay-as-you-go models may be more cost-effective.‍
• Automation and personalization 🔄 Constant Contact’s automation and personalization capabilities on entry-level plans are limited, which can restrict nonprofits from building targeted donor journeys. ‍
• Multi-channel tools 📱 While Constant Contact provides basic email and social media tools, nonprofits may need additional channels, like SMS or advanced social integrations, for multi-channel campaigns. ‍
• Design customization 🎨 Many Constant Contact users complain about limited customization options when it comes to email design. When choosing the right alternative, ensure the platform offers all the flexibility you need.‍
• Nonprofit-specific features 🛠️ Constant Contact isn’t explicitly built for nonprofits. While that’s not always an issue for charities, platforms intentionally built with social good in mind usually offer more tailored features.‍
• Ease of use and support 🤖 It’s likely that several staff members will use your email marketing software in your organization. To ensure that it’s simple for anyone to access, look for platforms with higher usability ratings, drag-and-drop email tools, and dedicated support, no matter which plan you choose.

Switch to Givebutter, the best Constant Contact alternative for nonprofits

Choosing the right email marketing platform can make all the difference in a nonprofit’s ability to connect with donors, streamline fundraising efforts, and maximize engagement. While Constant Contact remains a solid option, its limitations in pricing, features, and customization often lead nonprofits to seek alternatives.

Givebutter is packed with tools exclusively for mission-driven organizations. It enables changemakers to take advantage of powerful email marketing features integrated with their donor management system, donation forms, fundraising pages, events, and more. 

For nonprofits looking to take their email marketing to the next level, Givebutter Plus offers an advanced visual drag-and-drop email editor with hundreds of pre-built templates. It also includes built-in SMS marketing and discounted direct mail campaigns designed to impress, as well as workflow automation and task management features for deeper donor engagement through drip campaigns, donor journeys, and more.

User-friendly, loved by nonprofits, and built to grow with your organization, Givebutter takes just a few minutes to set up. Sign up for your free account today and discover how Givebutter can transform your email marketing for good.