Constant Contact vs Wave: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Constant Contact and Wave — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Wave wins on our scorecard (7.8/10 vs 7.6/10).
| Scored on | Constant Contact | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 9 | 9 |
| Fees & pricing | 6 | 9 |
| Customer support | 7 | 5 |
| Features | 8 | 7 |
| Lite Plan (starting) | $12/mo | — |
| Standard Plan (starting) | $35/mo | — |
| Premium Plan (starting) | $80/mo | — |
| Prepay Discount | 15% off | — |
| Starter Plan | — | $0/mo |
| Pro Plan | — | $16/mo |
| CC Processing (Visa/MC) | — | 2.9% + $0.60 |
| CC Processing (Amex) | — | 3.4% + $0.60 |
| ACH Processing | — | 1% ($1 min) |
| Payroll (Tax Service) | — | $40 + $6/employee |
Constant Contact in one paragraph
Constant Contact remains the most reliable 'beginner-to-intermediate' marketing tool for owners who prioritize ease of use and high deliverability over complex customization.
Skip it if: Skip it if you have a massive list of 50,000+ contacts and a tight budget, as the volume-based pricing will quickly eclipse the cost of a full-time marketing tool.
Wave in one paragraph
Wave remains the gold standard for free invoicing and simple bookkeeping for solo service providers, provided you don't mind limited support.
Skip it if: Skip it if you sell physical inventory or plan to scale to a 10+ person team within the next year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Constant Contact or Wave?
On our five-axis scorecard, Wave scores higher (7.8/10 vs 7.6/10). Wave remains the gold standard for free invoicing and simple bookkeeping for solo service providers, provided you don't mind limited support.
Who should skip Constant Contact?
Skip it if you have a massive list of 50,000+ contacts and a tight budget, as the volume-based pricing will quickly eclipse the cost of a full-time marketing tool.
Who should skip Wave?
Skip it if you sell physical inventory or plan to scale to a 10+ person team within the next year.