Constant Contact Problems & Issues
Real user-reported problems, complaints, and limitations for Constant Contact. Based on analysis of 12 signals.
Overall score: 52/100
Issues by Category
No refunds on prepayments - even for hardship cases
Constant Contact has strict no-refund policy on prepayments. Users report being charged $796+ after attempting to cancel and being denied refunds. Even documented hardship cases (hospitalization) were denied refunds despite repeated requests.
Cancellation extremely difficult - must call during business hours
Constant Contact makes cancellation very difficult by requiring customers to phone during Eastern business hours. No online cancellation option. Users report long hold times and difficulty reaching anyone to cancel.
Expensive compared to modern alternatives
Pricing is described as 'really expensive' and one of Constant Contact's biggest detriments. Costs increase sharply with contacts. ActiveCampaign costs 50% less at 1000 contacts ($15 vs $30/month).
Auto-renewal charges without clear consent
Users report being charged early renewal fees without consent and denied refunds. Automatic renewal catches users off guard. Proactive cancellation vigilance required.
SMS costs extra - overage fees for exceeding limits
SMS marketing is an add-on starting at $10/month for 500 messages. Going over monthly email limits incurs overage fees of $0.002 per email. Hidden costs add up.
Platform glitchy and slow to load
Users report the platform is glitchy and slow to load. At current price points, bugs shouldn't exist but issues persist with various tasks. Text and formatting tools are restrictive and inconsistent across email clients.
Over the top for small businesses and nonprofits
Platform described as 'a little over the top for small businesses and non-profits.' Other less expensive and less complicated options exist that would suit better.
Formatting inconsistent across devices and email clients
Text and formatting tools are restrictive, buggy, and inconsistent across devices and email clients. Emails look different in different inboxes. Design work doesn't translate reliably.
Lack of empathy and transparency from billing/support
Reviews describe complete lack of empathy, transparency, and follow-through from Billing and Support. Requests 'under review' for months without resolution. Trust in the vendor completely destroyed.
Integrations leave much to be desired - relies on Zapier
Constant Contact's integrations 'leave much to be desired.' Platform relies on Zapier to expand integration options. Native integrations are limited compared to competitors.
Automation capabilities limited for advanced needs
Platform may not suit teams needing deeper automation, broader integrations, or flexible pricing. Automation features are basic compared to ActiveCampaign or Klaviyo.
Very strict about what you're allowed to send
Constant Contact can be 'very strict about what your allowed to send.' Content restrictions may limit legitimate marketing for some industries. Approval processes can delay campaigns.
Regret Patterns
Common reasons users regret choosing Constant Contact.
Charged $796 after trying to cancel - refund denied
Attempted to cancel account before renewal. Was charged anyway. Called to request refund and was told 'no refunds on prepayments.' Now stuck with platform for a year or losing money.
Couldn't cancel during medical emergency
Husband hospitalized in ICU and unable to manage subscriptions. Despite providing hospital documentation, Constant Contact wouldn't provide reasonable refund. Request 'under review' for months.
Discovered ActiveCampaign is half the price
Paid Constant Contact premium prices for years. Finally compared with alternatives and found ActiveCampaign offers better automation at 50% lower cost. Regretted not switching sooner.
Spent hours on hold trying to cancel
Tried to cancel before renewal but couldn't find online option. Called during business hours and spent hours on hold. Finally got through only to be pitched to stay. Extremely frustrating.
Automation too limited for growing business
Started with Constant Contact for simple newsletters. Business grew and needed more automation. Discovered platform couldn't handle complex workflows. Had to migrate during busy period.
Emails looked different across email clients
Carefully designed emails looked great in preview but inconsistent in actual inboxes. Formatting issues across devices and email clients. Spent extra time on workarounds.
When Constant Contact Breaks Down
Specific scenarios where Constant Contact fails or underperforms.
User needs to cancel subscription
Cancellation requires phone call during Eastern business hours. Long hold times reported. No online option. Users report difficulty actually completing cancellation.
Charged after attempting to cancel
Users report being charged renewal fees after cancellation attempts. No refunds on prepayments policy means losing hundreds of dollars. Bank disputes may be necessary.
Business needs advanced automation
Automation capabilities are limited compared to competitors. Complex workflows not possible. Must migrate to ActiveCampaign, Klaviyo, or HubSpot for advanced needs.
Contact list grows past 2,500
Pricing increases sharply with contacts. At 5,000 contacts, Standard costs ~$110/month vs ~$40 at MailerLite. Value proposition weakens significantly at scale.
Team needs specific third-party integration
Native integrations are limited. Platform relies on Zapier for many connections. This adds complexity and potential additional costs.
Urgent billing issue needs resolution
Billing support described as lacking empathy and transparency. Requests go 'under review' for months. Follow-up yields no resolution. Trust in vendor destroyed.