Discover 7 top custom email template builders for creating stunning, responsive HTML email designs with ease. Perfect for your campaigns.
“I choose a lazy person to do a hard job because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.” Bill Gates
We agree with Bill. But he wasn’t talking about couch potatoes. No, he meant smart laziness—the there-has-to-be-an-easier-way kind that often invents brilliant tools. Case-in-point: custom email template builders. These tools likely came from someone who thought, “Why spend hours designing emails from scratch? Why not make email campaigns easier?” And voilà! Editable email templates came into existence.
Whether you prefer the simplicity of drag-and-drop email builders or find solace in writing the code, these builders help you create gorgeous-looking email templates that look like a million bucks but cost you way less in time and effort.
Not only do they ensure design consistency across campaigns, but they also let you personalize to meet today’s sky-high consumer expectations. The result is more engagement and higher conversions.
The only problem? With tons of email builders out there—from all-rounder platforms to niche tools—how do you choose?
Start here.
We’ve collated 7 of the best custom email template builders to help you easily create jaw-dropping HTML emails.
Let’s go.
The Top 7 Customizable Email Template Builders
Stripo
If you’re looking for an excellent email template builder packed with features and pretty generous free plans, Stripo is hard to beat.
With its drag-and-drop editor and HTML code editor, it caters to both beginners and seasoned email designers. Whether you use it online or as a plug-in within your SaaS apps, its flexibility and usability are unquestionable.
Key Features:
- Over 1,500 pre-designed, well-designed HTML email templates for free.
- AMP to create interactive, dynamic emails without coding required.
- Modules library if you want to build and save custom content blocks to reuse across campaigns.
- Export emails to ESPs with a single click thanks to seamless integration to 70+ ESPs.
- AI tools to generate and refine subject lines and hidden preheaders
- Brand kit generator so as to standardize email designs and maintain consistency across campaigns.
MailerLite
MailerLite made it to our list of custom email template builders for its user-friendly interface, affordability, and features designed to simplify email design.
Key Features:
- Many options to choose from: a drag-and-drop editor, a rich-text editor, or a custom HTML editor (available on the Advanced plan).
- Comes with content elements like video block, carousel mages, countdown timers, etc, to build templates from scratch.
- Very much eCommerce-friendly. It makes adding product blocks, surveys, and social media posts to emails easy, perfect for cross-promotion.
- Access 100+ attractive, responsive templates with the paid plan ($25/month for 2,500 subscribers). However, templates are exclusive to MailerLite accounts and not exportable.
- Use collaboration features to track recent changes in email designs.
- AI email generator, free image library, and newsletter templates for added convenience.
Moosend
Moosend is a budget-friendly and beginner-friendly email marketing and automation platform with a star feature—an intuitive email template builder.
Key Features:
- Includes all advanced and important features like countdown timers, product recommendations, and video embeds.
- Over 100 customizable, pre-made template libraries.
- Ease of exporting templates. Copy the HTML or download the JSON file to use on other platforms.
- Built-in AI writer to generate and refine email copy and subject line.
- Attractively affordable plans start at just $9/month. It also includes unlimited emails, sign-up forms, pop-ups, spam testing, and automation tools.
- Preview your email on various devices and send test emails.
Litmus
Litmus is a custom email template builder for anyone who is looking to build professional-grade email templates with efficiency, precision, and versatility.
Key Features:
- Build custom email templates with a drag-and-drop or HTML code editor to cater to all skill levels.
- You can store all your digital assets centrally—brand guidelines, modular design blocks, and templates for quick, consistent email creation.
- Advanced testing tools to preview emails across 100+ email clients and devices.
- Centralized design assets and ESP Sync prevent mix-ups and streamline workflows.
- Litmus Assistant generates subject lines and polishes content tone.
Beefree
Beefree is another popular email builder known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop HTML editor.
Key Features:
- You get a wide range of modern-looking pre-built templates. They are customizable, without any coding.
- Rich media library hosts over 500,000 stock images, GIFs, and stickers to create visually stunning emails.
- Integrate ESP-specific merge tags and make your campaigns more personalized.
- Export email templates in HTML or directly to major ESPs. Or download designs as PDFs (available on paid plans).
- Reuse content blocks like headers and footers for the next campaigns.
- Real-time collaboration with features like commenting, editing, and approval process.
SendPulse
SendPulse is a cloud-based marketing platform with a comprehensive solution spanning SMS, Email, and Push notifications.
The email template provider comes with an intuitive drag-and-drop editor for visually appealing and responsive designs without technical expertise. However, more experienced users always have the option of HTML coding.
Key Features:
- 30+ pre-designed, responsive email templates are organized into purpose-based categories.
- Advanced features with AMP4Email enable real-time changes in content while creating dynamic and interactive emails.
- Set access permissions and maintain control over confidential information while collaborating with your team.
Chamaileon
Nothing like Chamaileon if your email marketing has outgrown basic email builders but you lack the budget for enterprise-grade platforms. It combines advanced functionality with user-friendly features for email and landing page design.
Key Features:
- The no-code drag-and-drop builder is as intuitive and smooth as professional design tools.
- Access over 100 templates. But their high-quality, modern, and responsive designs compensate for the fewer options.
- While there is no stock image library, the built-in image editor lets you edit your visuals with filters, text, and exposure adjustments.
- Shareable links make sharing email designs a breeze, akin to Google Docs.
- Standardized assets and design modules help you save time.
- Built-in design system for effortless asset management.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are customizable email template builders?
A customizable email template builder is a tool to create and edit custom email templates. Most common email template builders that are currently available in the market typically have drag-and-drop editors, pre-designed templates, and features like HTML editing. Some even offer image customization and dynamic content options.
Can I use an email template builder with no coding knowledge?
Absolutely. The drag-and-drop interface and visual editors offered by most modern email template builders make them beginner-friendly. You can easily move, arrange, and customize design elements without writing any code. Nonetheless, advanced users often have more control and can edit templates with HTML.
What are some popular email template builders?
Some of the most popular custom email template builders are Stripo, Beefree, Moosend, MailerLite, Litmus, SendPulse, Chamaileon, etc.
Are these email template builders free to use?
Most email template builders offer free plans with basic features. However, advanced options like AMP support, template export, or premium template designs typically come with only a paid subscription. Prices vary based on features and number of users.
