Softwr

Nonprofits · head to head

Constant Contact vs Handbid

Constant Contact logo

Constant Contact

Nonprofits

Email marketing and event management

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Handbid logo

Handbid

Nonprofits

Mobile-first auction and event fundraising platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Constant Contact has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Constant Contact core plan started at $9.99 per month and Plus plan at $45 per month, both scaling by contact list size rather than a flat rate (Internet Archive capture, 2022); Handbid the pricing page publishes no plan, no rate, no minimum and no per-event fee; it states there are no preset tiers and directs every visitor to a pricing consultation
  • They diverge on capability: Constant Contact covers Email marketing, Handbid covers Mobile bidding.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Constant Contact and Handbid actually diverge.

Attributes where Constant Contact and Handbid differ
AttributeConstant ContactHandbid
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mobile-responsiveWeb, IOS, Android
Founded19952011

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Nonprofits).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Constant Contact

  • Email marketing
  • Event management
  • Contact management
  • Automation
  • Analytics
  • Zapier
  • Google Analytics
  • Facebook

Only in Handbid

  • Mobile bidding
  • Silent auctions
  • Live auctions
  • Fund-a-need
  • Ticketing
  • Stripe
  • PayPal
  • Mailchimp

Both cover

  • Salesforce
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Constant Contact

  • Business operationsnot Handbid
  • Productivitynot Handbid
  • Automationnot Handbid

Handbid

  • Mobile bidding for charity and fundraising auctionsnot Constant Contact
  • Event ticketing, registration and check-in with tap to paynot Constant Contact
  • White-labelled online auctions for schools, nonprofits and corporate eventsnot Constant Contact

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Constant Contact

  • Core plan started at $9.99 per month and Plus plan at $45 per month, both scaling by contact list size rather than a flat rate (Internet Archive capture, 2022)

Handbid

  • The pricing page publishes no plan, no rate, no minimum and no per-event fee; it states there are no preset tiers and directs every visitor to a pricing consultation
  • There is no self-serve signup path; the only routes offered are Start Chatting, a consultation or a demo booking
  • Because packages are assembled per event, the cost of white-label auctions, text-to-give and support levels is not published

Pricing, plan by plan

Constant Contact

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic email marketing
    • Contacts up to 100
  • Plus$45/month
    • Advanced features
    • Event management
    • Automation

Handbid

On request
  • Starter$199/month
    • Basic auction features
    • Up to 50 items
  • Professional$499/month
    • Unlimited items
    • Live streaming
    • Fund-a-need
  • Enterprise$999/month
    • Multi-event license
    • White labeling
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose Constant Contact if

  • You need email marketing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile-responsive.
  • You also want event management.
Constant Contact review

Choose Handbid if

  • You need mobile bidding.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want silent auctions.
Handbid review

Questions people ask

Is Constant Contact or Handbid better?
Neither clearly leads. Constant Contact starts at Free and Handbid at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Constant Contact or Handbid?
Constant Contact has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Constant Contact and On request for Handbid.
Does Constant Contact or Handbid run on more platforms?
Constant Contact runs on Web, Mobile-responsive. Handbid runs on Web, IOS, Android.
Can I use Constant Contact for free?
Yes. Constant Contact has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Handbid starts at On request.
What is Constant Contact best used for?
Constant Contact is most often used for business operations, productivity, automation. Of those, business operations and productivity are not what Handbid is typically brought in for.
What can Constant Contact do that Handbid cannot?
Constant Contact covers Email marketing, Event management, Contact management, Automation. Handbid covers Mobile bidding, Silent auctions, Live auctions, Fund-a-need. Both handle Salesforce, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Handbid: How much does Handbid cost?

Handbid does not use standard pricing tiers. Instead, the company provides custom quotes based on your event needs, event volume, and support requirements. Handbid emphasizes no commission on funds raised.

Source
Handbid: Does Handbid take a commission on auction proceeds?

No. Handbid does not charge a percentage of funds raised. Platform fees are separate from payment processing.

Source
Handbid: What payment processing fees does Handbid charge?

Handbid's payment processing fees are: Visa/Mastercard/Discover 3.5% + $0.30 per transaction, American Express 3.95% + $0.30 per transaction, and ACH 1.5% flat with no per-transaction fee.

Source
Handbid: What is included in Handbid licenses?

All Handbid licenses include unlimited items, guests, and bidders; all auction formats (silent, live, paddle raise); ticketing and check-in; money handling and reporting; platform updates; and live phone support during events.

Source
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