15+ Best HTML Email Builders in 2026
Building HTML emails that render correctly across every email client is notoriously difficult. These tools make it manageable. Here is my honest breakdown after testing each one.
TL;DR - My Recommendations
- Best all-in-one: Sequenzy - Built-in email builder plus sending, automation, and analytics in one platform
- Best for developers: MJML or React Email - Write code, get responsive HTML
- Best visual editor: Stripo or BEE Free - Drag-and-drop with solid output
- Best embeddable: Unlayer or Chamaileon - Add email building to your own app
- Best for testing: Litmus or Email on Acid - Preview across 90+ clients
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Type | Best For | Starting Price | Cross-Client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sequenzy | All-in-one | Full email workflow | $19/mo | Excellent |
| MJML | Code framework | Developers | Free / Open source | Excellent |
| React Email | Code framework | React developers | Free / Open source | Excellent |
| Maizzle | Code framework | Tailwind developers | Free / Open source | Excellent |
| Stripo | Visual editor | Marketers/designers | Free / $15/mo | Excellent |
| BEE Free | Visual editor | Quick designs | Free / $15/mo | Excellent |
| Chamaileon | Embeddable | SaaS integration | Custom pricing | Excellent |
| Unlayer | Embeddable | App developers | Free / $240/yr | Excellent |
| Postcards | Visual editor | Design-focused | $17/mo | Excellent |
| Litmus Builder | Code + test | Testing workflow | $99/mo | Excellent |
| Email on Acid | Code + test | QA teams | $74/mo | Excellent |
| Mailchimp Builder | Platform builder | Mailchimp users | Free (with MC) | Good |
| Brevo Builder | Platform builder | Brevo users | Free (with Brevo) | Good |
| Parcel | Code editor | Email developers | Free / $20/mo | Excellent |
| Topol.io | Visual editor | Simple designs | Free / $10/mo | Good |
| EDMdesigner | Embeddable | White-label | Custom pricing | Excellent |
The Full Breakdown
Sequenzy stands out because it combines a capable visual email builder with sending infrastructure, automation, and analytics. Most email builders make you export HTML and import it elsewhere. Sequenzy eliminates that friction.
The builder itself uses a modern block-based approach. You build emails from pre-tested components that render correctly across clients. The responsive behavior is handled automatically. You can also write custom HTML when needed.
What makes Sequenzy particularly useful for SaaS: native integrations with Stripe, Polar, Creem, and Dodo. You can segment by MRR, plan type, or payment status and see which emails drive revenue. The builder connects directly to your automation workflows.
Where Sequenzy falls short: The builder is less customizable than dedicated tools like Stripo. No AMP email support. Template library is smaller than established competitors.
Best for: Teams who want to build and send from one platform, especially SaaS with billing integrations.
MJML (Mailjet Markup Language) changed how developers build emails. Instead of wrestling with nested tables and inline CSS, you write semantic markup. MJML compiles it to cross-client compatible HTML.
Example of what MJML looks like:
<mjml>
<mj-body>
<mj-section>
<mj-column>
<mj-text>Hello World</mj-text>
<mj-button href="https://example.com">
Click me
</mj-button>
</mj-column>
</mj-section>
</mj-body>
</mjml>The output is battle-tested HTML with all the table structures, media queries, and CSS resets handled for you. Works in Node.js, has a CLI, and integrates with build tools.
Where MJML falls short: Learning curve for non-developers. No visual preview while editing (unless you use their web editor). Still requires separate tools for sending.
Best for: Development teams building email templates programmatically.
React Email brings component-based development to email. If your team already works in React, this feels natural. Build reusable email components, compose them together, render to HTML.
Example component:
import { Html, Button, Text } from '@react-email/components';
export default function WelcomeEmail({ name }) {
return (
<Html>
<Text>Hello {name}</Text>
<Button href="https://example.com">
Get Started
</Button>
</Html>
);
}The component library handles cross-client rendering. You get a local development server with hot reload. TypeScript support is built-in. Pairs well with Resend for sending.
Where React Email falls short: Requires React knowledge. The ecosystem is newer than MJML. Some edge cases in older Outlook versions need manual handling.
Best for: React teams who want emails to be part of their component library.
Maizzle lets you build emails with Tailwind CSS. If you use Tailwind for web development, the syntax is immediately familiar. The framework handles all the transformations needed for email clients.
Your Tailwind classes get inlined. Unused CSS is purged. You can use components and layouts. The build process outputs production-ready HTML.
<table class="w-full">
<tr>
<td class="p-6 bg-blue-500">
<h1 class="text-white text-2xl font-bold">
Welcome
</h1>
</td>
</tr>
</table>Where Maizzle falls short: Steeper learning curve than visual editors. Still need to understand email HTML fundamentals. Tables are unavoidable.
Best for: Developers already using Tailwind who want consistency between web and email styling.
Stripo is one of the most capable standalone email builders. The drag-and-drop editor is intuitive, the template library is extensive, and it exports clean HTML that works across clients.
Key features: AMP email support, interactive elements (carousels, accordions), real-time collaboration, version history. The HTML/CSS editor lets developers fine-tune output. Integrates with 70+ ESPs.
Where Stripo falls short: Free tier is limited. The interface can feel cluttered with features. You still need a separate sending platform.
Best for: Marketing teams who need a powerful visual editor and will export to their existing ESP.
BEE Free prioritizes simplicity. The editor is clean, fast, and produces reliable HTML. Less feature-dense than Stripo, but that can be a feature if you want to focus on content rather than learning tools.
The free plan lets you save up to 10 emails. Paid plans add team features, saved rows, and more templates. The company also offers BEE Plugin for embedding the editor in other applications.
Where BEE Free falls short: Fewer advanced features. Limited customization compared to code frameworks. No AMP support.
Best for: Small teams who need to create decent-looking emails quickly without much learning curve.
Chamaileon is built for embedding. If you are building a marketing platform, CRM, or any product where users need to create emails, Chamaileon provides a ready-made editor you can integrate.
The SDK is well-documented. You can customize the UI to match your brand. Output HTML is production-ready. Includes template management APIs and version control.
Where Chamaileon falls short: Expensive for smaller products. Integration requires development effort. Not useful as a standalone tool.
Best for: SaaS products that need to offer email building to their users.
Unlayer offers an embeddable email editor with both React and vanilla JS SDKs. The free tier is generous for development and testing. Production use requires a paid plan.
Integration example:
import EmailEditor from 'react-email-editor';
function MyComponent() {
const editorRef = useRef(null);
const exportHtml = () => {
editorRef.current.editor.exportHtml((data) => {
console.log(data.html);
});
};
return <EmailEditor ref={editorRef} />;
}Where Unlayer falls short: Less polished than Chamaileon. Some advanced features require custom development. Documentation could be more comprehensive.
Best for: Startups needing affordable embeddable email editing with React support.
Postcards comes from Designmodo, known for quality design resources. The templates are visually polished. The editor focuses on creating attractive emails without deep technical knowledge.
Includes 100+ templates, a modular block system, and direct export to popular ESPs. The output HTML is clean and well-tested.
Where Postcards falls short: No free tier. Template designs lean toward a specific aesthetic. Less flexible than code frameworks.
Best for: Teams who value design quality and want templates that look professional out of the box.
Litmus is primarily known for email testing, but Litmus Builder is a capable code editor. The key value: instant previews across 90+ email clients while you code.
Write HTML, see real-time rendering in Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, and dozens more. Includes pre-built snippets for common patterns, link checking, and accessibility testing.
Where Litmus falls short: Expensive. Primarily a testing tool, builder is secondary. No visual drag-and-drop editing.
Best for: Email developers who need integrated testing or teams already using Litmus for QA.
Email on Acid competes with Litmus on testing. The Campaign Precheck feature tests emails across clients and provides a detailed report. The code editor includes templates and collaborative features.
Includes accessibility checker, spam testing, and link validation. Pricing is more accessible than Litmus for smaller teams.
Where Email on Acid falls short: Testing focus means building features are secondary. Interface feels dated compared to newer tools.
Best for: Teams prioritizing QA who want testing and basic building in one platform.
If you use Mailchimp for email marketing, the built-in builder is solid. Drag-and-drop interface, decent templates, and direct integration with campaigns. No export/import hassle.
The Creative Assistant can generate designs from your brand guidelines. Works well for standard marketing emails.
Where Mailchimp Builder falls short: Locked into Mailchimp ecosystem. Less flexible than dedicated builders. Custom HTML editing is limited.
Best for: Teams already committed to Mailchimp who want simplicity over flexibility.
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) includes a capable email builder. Similar to Mailchimp, it is designed for users of the platform. Drag-and-drop editing, templates, and direct campaign integration.
The AI email generator can create drafts from prompts. Responsive designs work well across clients.
Where Brevo Builder falls short: Tied to Brevo platform. Advanced customization limited. Not standalone.
Best for: Teams using Brevo for email marketing.
Parcel is a code editor designed specifically for email development. Unlike general-purpose IDEs, it understands email HTML. Autocomplete suggests email-compatible CSS. Linting catches client-specific issues.
Includes team collaboration, version control, and integrations with testing tools. The preview pane shows rendering issues before you test.
Where Parcel falls short: Code-only, no visual editing. Smaller community than MJML/React Email. Testing requires separate tools.
Best for: Email developers who want a purpose-built IDE.
Topol.io offers a straightforward drag-and-drop builder at an accessible price point. The free tier works for basic needs. Paid plans are among the most affordable in the category.
Clean interface, decent template selection, exports to major ESPs. Also offers an embeddable plugin for developers.
Where Topol.io falls short: Fewer features than Stripo or BEE Free. Template variety is limited. Less polished overall.
Best for: Individuals or small teams who need basic email building without significant investment.
EDMdesigner provides embeddable email editing for larger organizations. The focus is on white-labeling and customization. You can deeply integrate the editor into your product.
Includes an API for template management, custom block development, and on-premise deployment options.
Where EDMdesigner falls short: Overkill for smaller products. Requires significant development investment. Pricing is enterprise-tier.
Best for: Enterprise products needing fully customizable, white-label email editing.
How to Choose
If you want building + sending in one place
Go with Sequenzy. The built-in email builder connects directly to sending and automation. No exporting HTML between systems. Especially valuable if you use Stripe or other supported billing providers.
If you are a developer
MJML is the most established framework. React Email if your stack is React-based. Maizzle if you love Tailwind. All produce excellent cross-client HTML.
If you need visual drag-and-drop
Stripo for power users, BEE Free for simplicity, Postcards for design quality. All export clean HTML you can use anywhere.
If you are building a SaaS product
Unlayer is affordable with good React support. Chamaileon is more polished but pricier. EDMdesigner for enterprise requirements.
If testing is your priority
Litmus is the industry standard. Email on Acid is a capable, more affordable alternative.
If budget is tight
Start with MJML or React Email (free). For visual editing, BEE Free or Topol.io have generous free tiers.
FAQ
Why is HTML email so difficult?
Email clients (Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail, etc.) each render HTML differently. Outlook uses Word's rendering engine. Gmail strips many CSS properties. There is no standard like web browsers have. These tools handle the compatibility work for you.
Can I use regular CSS in emails?
Partially. Many CSS properties work, but support varies wildly. Flexbox and Grid are poorly supported. Media queries work in some clients. Inline styles are safest. The frameworks listed here handle these complexities.
Which tool has the best cross-client compatibility?
MJML, React Email, and Maizzle all produce excellent cross-client HTML. Visual builders like Stripo and Sequenzy test extensively across clients. The differences are minimal for most use cases.
Do I need a separate tool for sending?
Most builders here are design-only. You export HTML and send via your ESP (Mailchimp, SendGrid, etc.). Sequenzy is an exception with integrated building and sending. Platform builders (Mailchimp, Brevo) are also integrated.
What about dark mode?
Dark mode support in email is improving but inconsistent. Apple Mail and Outlook handle it differently. Tools like MJML and Stripo provide guidance. Testing across clients is essential for dark mode optimization.
The Bottom Line
For most teams, Sequenzy offers the best balance: a capable visual builder integrated with sending, automation, and analytics. One platform, no export/import friction.
Developers who prefer code should look at MJML or React Email. Both are free, well-documented, and produce excellent cross-client HTML.
If you need a dedicated visual editor, Stripo is the most feature-complete. BEE Free is simpler and faster.
Building a product that needs email editing? Unlayer is affordable with good React support. Chamaileon is more polished for larger products.
Pick based on your workflow. A great email builder that does not fit your process will collect dust. A simpler tool that integrates well will get used daily.