Sequenzy vs MJML: Visual Platform vs Code Framework

Overview

This is a comparison between fundamentally different tools. Sequenzy is a complete email platform with visual building. MJML is an open-source markup language that developers use to write email templates in code. Choose based on who will be creating your emails.

When to Choose Sequenzy

Sequenzy works when you want non-developers to create and modify emails. Marketing teams can build campaigns without writing code. The visual editor handles responsive design and cross-client compatibility automatically.

The integrated workflow is valuable. Build an email, set up an automation trigger, schedule sending, track results. All in one platform. No need to export MJML output to a sending service.

For SaaS companies, Sequenzy's billing integrations add another layer of value. Segment by Stripe subscription data, target trial users, track revenue attribution. MJML has no concept of these things since it is purely a template framework.

When to Choose MJML

MJML makes sense when developers own the email workflow. The markup language is elegant and productive. Write semantic code, compile to compatible HTML. Version control with Git. Integrate into your build pipeline.

Example MJML code:

<mjml>
  <mj-body>
    <mj-section background-color="#f4f4f4">
      <mj-column>
        <mj-image src="logo.png" width="150px" />
        <mj-text font-size="20px" color="#333">
          Welcome to our platform
        </mj-text>
        <mj-button background-color="#007bff" href="https://app.example.com">
          Get Started
        </mj-button>
      </mj-column>
    </mj-section>
  </mj-body>
</mjml>

MJML excels at programmatic templates. Generate personalized emails at runtime. Create templates with conditional logic. Build a component library that developers can reuse across projects.

Cost matters at scale. MJML is free. Pair it with a cost-effective sending service like AWS SES and your email infrastructure costs stay minimal.

The Developer vs Marketer Question

If marketers need to create and iterate on emails without developer involvement, Sequenzy wins. The learning curve is minimal. Changes are immediate. No deployment process.

If developers will maintain templates anyway, MJML is often cleaner. Code review email changes. Deploy templates through your normal process. Keep email templates in the same repository as your application.

Some teams use both. MJML for transactional templates that change rarely and need code review. Sequenzy for marketing campaigns that change frequently.

Cross-Client Compatibility

Both produce excellent cross-client HTML. MJML has been battle-tested for years across the worst email clients. Sequenzy's builder uses similar techniques under the hood.

MJML gives more control over the output. You can override default styles and adjust the generated HTML. Sequenzy abstracts this away, which is both a limitation and a simplification.

The Verdict

Choose Sequenzy if you want visual editing, integrated sending, and a complete platform that non-developers can use. Best for marketing-heavy teams and SaaS with billing integration needs.

Choose MJML if developers will own the email workflow, you want code-based templates with version control, or you need maximum customization and cost optimization.