6 Email Template Builders Every Small Business Owner Should Know About
Ann HandleyRunning a small business means juggling a million things at once—and email marketing is often one of them. But let’s be honest: not everyone has the time (or the budget) to hire a designer or fiddle with messy HTML.
The good news? There are email template builders out there that make the process painless. Whether you're a local gym, an online boutique, or a freelance consultant, these tools help you send better emails—without the stress.
Let’s take a look at six of the best.
1. Tabular – Simple, Sharp, and To the Point
If you just want to build great-looking emails without touching code, Tabular is your best friend. It’s fast, super easy to use, and doesn’t get in your way.
Think of it as the Canva of email templates—just drag and drop, edit text, and you’re done.
Why you’ll love it:
- Super clean editor
- No login needed to start designing
- Works great for product launches, promos, and newsletters
- Export as HTML and use with any ESP (like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, etc.)
It’s ideal for small business owners who just want results—no fluff, no locked features, no mess.
2. Mailchimp – The Classic All-Rounder
Mailchimp’s been around forever, and for good reason. It’s an all-in-one marketing platform, and its email builder is solid—even if it’s not the flashiest.
Great for:
Businesses looking to manage email, automation, and customer lists all in one place.
What you get:
- Dozens of templates to start with
- Built-in analytics
- Audience segmentation tools
- A free plan (great for beginners)
Just note: as your list grows, so will the price.
3. Bee – Beautiful Emails, Done Fast
Bee (formerly Beefree) is all about visual beauty. Their editor is smooth, intuitive, and filled with design-focused templates.
If you care a lot about how your email looks—and want to export it into another platform like Gmail or HubSpot—this one’s for you.
Best for:
Freelancers, consultants, or brands that want slick design without hiring a designer.
Highlights:
- Pixel-perfect design editor
- Huge template library
- Easy export options
4. Stripo – If You Like More Control
Stripo gives you both drag-and-drop and HTML editing in the same platform. That makes it great for teams with varying skill levels—or anyone who likes to tinker a bit more.
It’s a bit more advanced, but powerful if you want total design freedom.
Features worth noting:
- Interactive content support
- AMP email options
- Integration with most major email tools
5. Moosend – Automation + Templates
Moosend isn’t as well-known as the others, but don’t let that fool you. It offers strong automation features and a decent email builder at a very affordable price point.
Perfect for:
E-commerce shops or small businesses that want to set up basic automations (like welcome emails or abandoned cart sequences).
What you’ll get:
- Drag-and-drop email builder
- Workflow automation
- Detailed analytics
6. Mailerlite – For Keeping It Simple
Mailerlite is kind of like the minimalist’s choice—it’s simple, straightforward, and does the basics really well. If you just need to send clean, mobile-friendly emails without all the marketing fluff, give it a try.
Great for:
Bloggers, local businesses, or anyone just getting started.
Good to know:
- Free for up to 1,000 subscribers
- Clean layouts
- Easy to use
Wrapping Up
Small businesses don’t need bloated software to send great emails. In fact, simple often wins.
If you want a builder that focuses on speed, simplicity, and looking great on any device, Tabular is the one to try first. But depending on your needs—automation, CRM, design—any of the tools above can help level up your email game.