← All Comparisons

MJML vs React Email: Markup Language vs Component Library

Two developer-focused approaches to email templates. Choose based on your stack.

Quick Comparison

Feature MJML React Email
Syntax XML-based markup JSX/React
Price Free Free
Maturity Established (2015) Newer (2022)
TypeScript Limited Native
Learning Curve New syntax Familiar (if React)
Ecosystem Large Growing
Dev Server Available Hot reload

Overview

Both MJML and React Email solve the same problem: making HTML email development sane. They take different approaches. MJML uses custom XML-like markup. React Email uses React components. Both compile to cross-client compatible HTML.

For teams wanting a complete platform instead of a framework, Sequenzy offers visual building with integrated sending and does not require coding.

MJML Approach

MJML provides a domain-specific markup language for emails. Components like mj-section, mj-column, and mj-button translate to reliable HTML structures.

<mjml>
  <mj-body>
    <mj-section>
      <mj-column>
        <mj-text font-size="18px">Welcome!</mj-text>
        <mj-button background-color="#007bff">
          Get Started
        </mj-button>
      </mj-column>
    </mj-section>
  </mj-body>
</mjml>

MJML has been around since 2015 (created by Mailjet). Documentation is extensive. The community is large. Tooling is mature. If something does not work, someone has probably solved it.

React Email Approach

React Email lets you write emails as React components. If your team already thinks in components and JSX, this feels natural.

import { Html, Text, Button } from '@react-email/components';

export default function WelcomeEmail({ name }) {
  return (
    <Html>
      <Text style={{ fontSize: '18px' }}>Welcome, {name}!</Text>
      <Button
        href="https://app.example.com"
        style={{ backgroundColor: '#007bff' }}
      >
        Get Started
      </Button>
    </Html>
  );
}

TypeScript support is built-in. The development server has hot reload. You can share logic between your app and emails. Testing is familiar if you test React components.

Choosing Based on Stack

If your app is React-based, React Email integrates naturally. Emails become part of your component library. Shared types, shared utilities, familiar patterns.

If you are not using React, MJML has the advantage. The syntax is simple regardless of your backend. Node.js, Python, Ruby, Go are all supported through the CLI or APIs.

Ecosystem and Tooling

MJML has a larger ecosystem. More IDE plugins, more starter templates, more community resources. The online editor is useful for quick experiments.

React Email is growing quickly. The team behind it (Resend) is actively developing. The component library is expanding. Expect the ecosystem to mature.

Rendering Quality

Both produce excellent cross-client HTML. MJML has more years of testing across edge cases. React Email handles the major clients well with occasional quirks in older Outlook versions.

For critical transactional emails, MJML's maturity provides slightly more confidence. For most use cases, both are production-ready.

The Verdict

Choose MJML if you want maximum maturity, language-agnostic tooling, or are not already invested in React. The ecosystem is proven.

Choose React Email if your stack is React-based and you want emails to feel like part of your application. The developer experience is excellent if you already know React.

If you want visual building instead of code, consider Sequenzy. Built-in email builder with sending and automation, no coding required.

Try MJML Try React Email