MJML vs Responsive HTML Email Template
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A markup language that compiles simple email templates into responsive HTML that works across email clients.
Open source · MIT
A free, simple responsive HTML email template with a clear call-to-action button.
The short answer
Choose MJML if you need…
- Developers who build transactional or marketing emails by hand
- Teams that need emails to display well on phones and desktop clients
- People who want a readable template format instead of nested email HTML tables
- Anyone who wants to try it in the browser before installing
Choose Responsive HTML Email Template if you need…
- Developers sending transactional or product emails through an API service
- Marketers who want a basic template to paste into a campaign tool like Mailchimp
- Teams that need one clean call-to-action email quickly
Side-by-side
| MJML | Responsive HTML Email Template | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dev tool | Design asset |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 18.3k | 13.7k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Beginner |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | See the README |
| Main language | JavaScript | HTML |
| Last code update | 14 days ago | 2 years ago |
What each one is
MJML
MJML is a markup language created by Mailjet for building responsive HTML emails with less effort. You write simpler, semantic tags and its open-source engine translates them into the responsive HTML that email clients need. It ships with a standard component library to speed up building.
Responsive HTML Email Template
This is a ready-made HTML email layout that adapts to phone and desktop screens and includes a prominent button for a main action. You copy the file and fill in your own text, images and links. It is meant for people who want a simple starting point rather than building email HTML from scratch.
Best for
MJML
- Developers who build transactional or marketing emails by hand
- Teams that need emails to display well on phones and desktop clients
- People who want a readable template format instead of nested email HTML tables
- Anyone who wants to try it in the browser before installing
Responsive HTML Email Template
- Developers sending transactional or product emails through an API service
- Marketers who want a basic template to paste into a campaign tool like Mailchimp
- Teams that need one clean call-to-action email quickly
Strengths
MJML
- Simple, semantic syntax designed specifically for responsive email
- Open-source engine with a standard component library
- Multiple ways to use it: npm package, CLI, online editor, and editor plugins
Responsive HTML Email Template
- Simple, focused layout with a clear call-to-action button
- Includes an already-inlined version (email-inlined.html) for API sending
- MIT licensed and free to use
Not ideal for
MJML
- People who only need a plain-text or single-page web layout, since MJML targets email output
- Users who do not work with Node.js or the command line and want no setup; the README points to an online editor for that case
Responsive HTML Email Template
- People who need a complex, multi-section newsletter design, since the README describes this as a simple template
- Anyone expecting a visual editor; the template is an HTML file you edit by hand
Trade-offs
MJML
- Output depends on the MJML engine version, so template and tool versions need to stay in sync
- Advanced options such as includes and template syntax need careful configuration, per the CLI and options tables
Responsive HTML Email Template
- README says email CSS support is inconsistent, so you must inline CSS and send test emails yourself
- Limited scope; it is a single basic layout rather than a full design system
- Last push was August 2024, so it may not reflect newer email client changes
Getting started
Responsive HTML Email Template
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/leemunroe/responsive-html-email-templateFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between MJML and Responsive HTML Email Template?
MJML: A markup language that compiles simple email templates into responsive HTML that works across email clients. Responsive HTML Email Template: A free, simple responsive HTML email template with a clear call-to-action button. MJML suits developers who build transactional or marketing emails by hand, while Responsive HTML Email Template suits developers sending transactional or product emails through an api service.
Are MJML and Responsive HTML Email Template free?
MJML: Free and open source. Responsive HTML Email Template: Free and open source.
Is MJML or Responsive HTML Email Template more popular?
MJML has more GitHub stars (18.3k) than Responsive HTML Email Template (13.7k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to MJML and Responsive HTML Email Template?
Other options people compare them with include React Email.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.