Software · head to head
InitLive vs Constant Contact
The short version
- Only Constant Contact has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: InitLive email notification system is weak, lacking ability to track sent emails and resend to unopened recipients; 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)
- They diverge on capability: InitLive covers Event creation, Constant Contact covers Email marketing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which InitLive and Constant Contact actually diverge.
| Attribute | InitLive | Constant Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, Mobile-responsive |
| Founded | 2013 | 1995 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 InitLive
- Event creation
- Mobile app
- Registration
- Check-in
- Feedback collection
- Networking tools
- Stripe
- PayPal
Only in Constant Contact
- Email marketing
- Event management
- Contact management
- Automation
- Analytics
- Zapier
- Google Analytics
Both cover
- Salesforce
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
InitLive
- Business operations
- Productivity
- Automation
Constant Contact
- Business operations
- Productivity
- Automation
Both are used for business operations, productivity, automation, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
InitLive
- Email notification system is weak, lacking ability to track sent emails and resend to unopened recipients
- Discrepancy between mobile app and web version features and functionality
- Mobile app tablet optimization is suboptimal compared to phone version
- Initial setup requires substantial preparation time and configuration
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)
Pricing, plan by plan
InitLive
On request- Starter$100/month
- Event creation
- Basic mobile app
- Professional$250/month
- Advanced features
- Customization
- Integrations
Constant Contact
Free- FreeFree
- Basic email marketing
- Contacts up to 100
- Plus$45/month
- Advanced features
- Event management
- Automation
Which should you pick?
Choose InitLive if
- You need event creation.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want mobile app.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is InitLive or Constant Contact better?
- Neither clearly leads. InitLive starts at On request and Constant Contact at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, InitLive or Constant Contact?
- Constant Contact has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for InitLive and Free for Constant Contact.
- Does InitLive or Constant Contact run on more platforms?
- InitLive runs on Web, iOS, Android. Constant Contact runs on Web, Mobile-responsive.
- Can I use Constant Contact for free?
- Yes. Constant Contact has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. InitLive starts at On request.
- What is InitLive best used for?
- InitLive is most often used for business operations, productivity, automation.
- What can InitLive do that Constant Contact cannot?
- InitLive covers Event creation, Mobile app, Registration, Check-in. Constant Contact covers Email marketing, Event management, Contact management, Automation. Both handle Salesforce, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
InitLive: What communication features does InitLive have?
InitLive includes a broadcasting system that allows sending messages to staff lists with ease, real-time communication during events, and staff can delegate volunteer management to other volunteers.
SourceInitLive: How is InitLive licensed to nonprofits today?
InitLive was acquired by Bloomerang in March 2023 and rebranded as Bloomerang Volunteer in July 2023. The product continues to operate as part of the Bloomerang nonprofit relationship management platform.
Source