An email builder is a tool for creating email templates with a focus on compatibility across inboxes. It can be a standalone app or an embedded feature inside a SaaS product. Many email builders use a visual canvas with blocks and settings so users can build layouts quickly without touching code.
The Building Blocks of Most Email Builders
At a minimum, an email builder helps you create an email template that holds up across clients. That usually means generating table-based structure, managing spacing, and applying styles in a way that works in Gmail and Outlook. Many builders also provide responsive behaviors, such as stacking columns and resizing images for responsive email. Some support advanced flows like reusable modules, approval, and versioning for larger teams.
Compatibility Is the Hard Part
Email HTML is constrained. Many CSS properties are inconsistently supported, and rendering engines vary across every email client. Because of that, email builders often rely on patterns like table based layout to make layout behavior more predictable. Builders that produce clean, consistent markup reduce time spent on client-specific fixes and help teams reuse templates safely across campaigns and automations.
Practical Selection Criteria
When evaluating an email builder, look at output quality and governance, not only the UI. Ask how it handles responsive stacking, buttons, background images, and dark mode. Check whether the builder supports reusable blocks, content locking, and preview workflows. If you are embedding an editor, also consider APIs, permissions, and tenant configuration. A builder that is easy to integrate and maintain is usually more valuable than one with a flashy interface but fragile output.
Email Builder and Topol
Topol supports building email templates with structured blocks and predictable HTML output, making it easier for SaaS teams to embed an email builder without inheriting rendering chaos. Learn more at Topol, create an account at Topol signup, or explore the Topol glossary.