7 Best List Building Tools to Grow Your Email List in 2025

Have you ever had a day when your website buzzes with traffic… but not a single lead comes through? I have, and so have dozens of 200 founders and marketers I’ve worked with. I know it feels like wasted potential.

Over the past 8 years in the industry, I realized that most businesses don’t have a traffic problem. They have a conversion problem.

That’s where the right email list building tools come in. These tools help you reach people at just the right moment when they’re most likely to engage and share their info. It’s made a real difference in how I capture leads who are genuinely interested in what I offer.

So I dug in. I reviewed tools hands-on, audited dozens of list-building workflows, and sifted through user reviews on G2 to find what works, not just what sounds good on a landing page.

This blog breaks down 7 email list building tools that stand out for one reason: they help you grow your list without wasting your traffic.

Let’s get into it.

Discover the 7 Best Email List Building Tools for Success

I curated this list by focusing on what actually makes list building easier, like ease of use, automation, GDPR compliance, and integrations that work. 

To help you make an informed decision easily and quickly, I’ve included a table comparing tools side-by-side, followed by a detailed guide on each tool’s strengths, pricing, and ideal use cases.

1. Picreel – Best for Increasing Conversions

Picreel is one of the top-notch email list builders in the market. 1000+ brands trust Picreel to capture leads and build email lists because of its exceptional exit intent technology, user-friendly interface, and rich feature set. 

With captivating popups and irresistible offers, this tool lets you engage visitors and capture valuable contact info. It has 100+ ready-made templates, perfect for capturing leads using proven methods like newsletter popups, exit surveys, lead capture forms, and more.

I cannot begin to describe how easy it has made lead management and nurturing. I just set up the CRM and Email marketing integrations; the whole process is automated now. Integration with my WordPress site is also seamless and easy.

It keeps all my popups mobile-optimized by setting the display to “all devices.” Moreover, it helps build trust by allowing me to add a ready-made GDPR-compliant consent message to all my popups. 

I love how easy it makes setting up A/B tests by selecting the campaigns. It automatically shows in-depth analytics highlighting the best campaign version, helping me further refine my strategies.

What you’ll like:

• Intuitive popup builder for effortless customization
• Wide range of 100+ professionally designed templates
• Comprehensive reports and analytics for insights and evaluation
• Sophisticated trigger and targeting options for precise audience engagement
• Exit intent overlays to engage prospects on your website

What you may not like:

• It could use some industry-specific templates
• The analytics dashboard needs more custom fields

Pricing: Forever free up to 5k visitors. Paid starts at $9.99/month

G2 Rating: 4.5/5

G2 Review:

“The software is really easy to use and navigate. My team members without design knowledge can easily create delightful popups using Picreel. Everything in the interface is explained clearly to get the best results.” – Joyce A, Outreach Specialist.

But hey, you don’t have to take my word for it. See how Picreel helped Living Online, skyrocket weekly signups by 900% using powerful exit-intent popups and personalized offers. It quickly turned bouncing visitors into loyal subscribers.

2. OptiMonk – Best for Capturing Leads

Image Source: OptiMonk

OptiMonk is a useful tool for growing your email list. With OptiMonk, you can implement engaging features like encouraging social media shares, showcasing specific products, and presenting products in a gallery view to make the experience more enjoyable for your visitors.

I like that it includes various list-building features such as lightbox popups, a spin-to-win game, and slide-ins to capture attention effectively.

Its smart targeting system also needs to be mentioned here. It allows you to categorize your visitors, tailoring your communication to their preferences.

Also, it’s worth noting that OptiMonk seamlessly integrates with major email marketing services, making it a valuable addition to enhance your online business’s success and user experience.

Pros:

• Trigger popups based on scroll activity for precise engagement.
• Effortlessly design visually appealing popups with the drag-and-drop editor.
• Easily integrate with popular email marketing platforms for seamless data synchronization.
• Choose from a variety of stunning popup templates to create eye-catching designs.
• Conduct A/B testing to optimize popups for maximum conversion.

Cons:

• Lacks direct integrations with some CRM tools.
• Editor can be clunky at times.

Pricing: Starts at $39/month

G2 Rating: 4.8/5 

G2 Review:

“Versatile platform with lots of campaign customization, and diverse integration.” – Bryant M., Small Business.

3. OptinMonster – Best for Increasing Your Sales Figures

Image Source: OptinMonster

OptinMonster is a great lead capture tool that has successfully adapted to the changing times, setting it apart from many of its competitors.

OptinMonster excels at creating newsletter popups and offers a variety of popup styles, including slide-ins, lightboxes, full-screen takeovers, inline forms, and even engaging spin-to-win popups.

The software comes with an extensive selection of templates, allowing you to customize your popups easily. It also provides features like A/B testing, a content locker to restrict access until an action is taken, and countdown timers to create a sense of urgency.

The reason I used OptinMonster extensively was because of its robust targeting options. You can target specific audiences based on factors like geographical location, referrals, cookies, click triggers, and more.

Pros:

• Built-in conversion analytics provide valuable insights into campaign performance
• Onsite retargeting features enhance user engagement on your website
• Advanced page-level targeting allows for personalized campaigns tailored to specific website sections
• Smart campaign triggers automate the delivery of timely and relevant messaging
• Mobile-friendly forms optimize the user experience for mobile device users

Cons:

• Templates are not very customizable
• The reporting system lacks depth

Pricing: Starts at $9/month

G2 Rating: 4.4/5

G2 Review:

“We use it to collect emails, offer discount codes, and fully tailor our buyer’s journeys. It integrates so easily into Klaviyo and allows you to build campaigns that continue to generate leads and sales.” – Brandon L., Digital Marketing Manager.

4. Mailmunch – Best for Customizable Opt-In Forms

Image Source: Mailmunch

Mailmunch is a list building software designed to help you expand your mailing list, primarily through the use of popups. It offers standard lightbox popups, floating bars, and slide-ins to capture the attention of your website visitors.

The platform provides a plethora of templates that simplify the process of creating visually appealing popups within a matter of minutes.

Despite its more focused set of features, Mailmunch doesn’t compromise on functionality, which is why I love this tool. It supports A/B testing, allowing you to experiment with different variations and determine the most effective approach.

The tool also generates useful reports to give you insights into the performance of your popups. Additionally, Mailmunch seamlessly integrates with various email marketing tools like ActiveCampaign, enhancing its compatibility with your existing tools.

Pros:

• Advanced display rules allow for customized and targeted campaign delivery
• Mobile-responsive designs ensure an optimal experience across various devices
• Beautifully designed templates provide visually appealing campaign options
• Advanced segmentation and personalization enable tailored messaging based on specific audience segments
• Power-packed integrations seamlessly connect with other tools and platforms for enhanced campaign performance

Cons:

• UI can be improved for better performance
• Lacks choices when it comes to design and layout

Pricing: Starts at $13.99/month

Capterra Rating: 4.7/5 

Capterra Review:

“Overall, I have found MailMunch to be intuitive, user-friendly, and effective. I haven’t come up with any ideas that I couldn’t implement using MailMunch.” – Barbara., Management Consultant.

5. HubSpot – Best for Streamlining Marketing Efforts

Image Source: HubSpot

Look no further than HubSpot’s Marketing Hub and form builder if you’re in search of an exceptional email list building software. Although it’s on the pricier side, I’ve included it for how effortlessly it captures visitor info and pushes it straight into your CRM.

According to me, what sets HubSpot apart is the level of customization it offers. With over 100 predefined fields at your disposal, you can tailor your forms to gather specific data points, allowing for precise segmentation of your audience.

The true power of HubSpot lies in its integration with your CRM. By seamlessly syncing the collected data with your CRM platform, you have the ability to leverage it for personalized follow-ups and welcome emails.

Pros:

• Seamlessly integrated with CRM for enhanced management
• Fully customizable form fields for tailored data collection
• User-friendly drag and drop features for effortless design
• Quick and hassle-free installation process

Cons:

• Limited number of form templates
• Reporting offers limited insights

Pricing: Starts at $800/month

G2 Rating: 4.4/5

G2 Review:

“HubSpot Marketing Hub makes it easy to run smart, multi-touch nurturing campaigns without needing to manually follow up all the time. We use them to automate email sequences, segment leads based on behavior, and trigger actions that match where each contact is in their journey.” – Steve B., Director of Simulation; AI Solutions.

6. Wishpond – Best for Optimizing Marketing Campaigns

Image Source: Wishpond

Wishpond has carved a successful niche in the realm of lead capture, offering a comprehensive suite of features to boost mailing list growth. The platform stands out by providing tools to create diverse elements such as landing pages, pop-ups, contests, and the integration of marketing automation campaigns.

Wishpond’s landing pages offer a huge variety, boasting over a hundred templates. This extensive selection allows businesses to craft everything from lead capture pages to sales pages, catering to a range of marketing needs.

What I particularly liked was its user-friendly interface coupled with a drag-and-drop editor. This intuitive design makes it a breeze to construct visually appealing popups, offering businesses the flexibility to design engaging variations.

Pros:

• Versatile lead capture with a range of options including landing pages, popups, contests, and automation
• Choose from over 100 templates specifically designed for creating tailored landing pages that have a high conversion rate
• Engage visitors with a variety of popup options such as lightbox popups, slide-ins, floating bars, and full-screen takeovers
• Designing and testing popups is made easy with an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, allowing for seamless customization and optimization

Cons:

• Extensive features may result in a learning curve for new users
• Setting up complex automation may be challenging for some

Pricing: Custom pricing

G2 Rating: 3.6/5

G2 Review:

“Wishpond has been a helpful addition to our marketing toolbox. It’s straightforward and makes managing campaigns easier, especially if you’re handling multiple tasks at once.” – Tantum H., CEO.

7. Sleeknote – Best for Lead Gen With Customizable Popups

Image Source: Sleeknote

Sleeknote is more than just your typical email capture app. While its core functionality revolves around email capture, it extends its capabilities to guide visitors through the purchasing journey, facilitate conversations with a chatbot, and boost sales through timely product recommendations.

Despite offering a limited number of popup types, Sleeknote compensates with an impressive degree of customization. Users can tailor the popups to meet their unique needs, ensuring a seamless integration with the brand’s aesthetic and messaging.

The tool’s strength lies in its powerful targeting options, which include distinguishing between new and returning visitors, detecting referral sources, mapping funnel paths, and more. This robust set of features, in my opinion, positions Sleeknote as a versatile and comprehensive tool.

Pros:

• 120+ customizable popup templates offer a wide range of options for designing engaging campaigns
• Third-party integrations with CRM, CMS, and email marketing tools streamline your campaign workflows
• A/B split tests allow for testing and optimizing different variations of your popups
• Mobile-friendly popups ensure a seamless experience for users on mobile devices
• In-depth campaign analytics provide comprehensive insights into your campaign performance

Cons:

• Expensive as compared to its competitors
• The user interface can get annoying with multiple windows

Pricing: Starts at $49/month

G2 Rating: 4.3/5

G2 Review:

“User friendly and easy to customize to your needs and campaign tracking. API and zapier webhook make it easy to integrate with other martech apps in your tool box” – Olivia H., Marketing Analytics specialist.

What to Check When Comparing Email List Building Tools

When I looked for a list building tool, I focused on ease, integrations, and real value, not just flashy features. I tested tools, read G2 reviews, and chose what truly worked after trying the free plan. Based on my experience, here are the points you must keep in mind while selecting your tool: 

1. Ease of Use: Go for tools that work without coding or needing a developer. If you can set it up in minutes, you’re on the right track.
   
2. Free Plan: A solid free tier should include more than just a form. Look for smart triggers, email sync, or basic to advanced analytics.
   
3. Conversion-Ready Features: Ensure the tool offers features like exit-intent, scroll triggers, and time delays which can help you catch leads at the right moment.
   
4. Integrations: Make sure it connects with your email tool or CRM without complicated workarounds.
   
5. Flexible Design Options: You’ll want full control over how your popups look, when they appear, and how they perform in tests. So, choose a tool that offers decent customization options.
   
6. Multi-Site Support: If you manage multiple domains, having one tool to control all your popups across different websites saves both time and money.
   
7. Privacy Tools: With data laws evolving, built-in cookie consent and GDPR support should be non-negotiable.
   
8. Real Reviews: I chose tools that weren’t just well-marketed but had high G2 ratings and positive feedback from users who actually rely on them. And you should too to avoid post-purchase surprises and regrets.

My Top 3 Picks

I know sorting among 7 tools can be confusing. That’s why I have listed the top 3 email list building tools that have helped me grow my email list. 

Here are my top 3 picks:

Tool #1 – Picreel

Picreel, with its intuitive interface and diverse features, empowers businesses to capture leads and expand their email lists effectively. The tool provides appealing, customizable opt-in forms, such as popups and overlays to engage and convert website visitors.

Utilizing intelligent targeting, Picreel ensures optimal timing for displaying forms, enhancing success rates. The platform’s advanced analytics offer valuable campaign insights, enabling users to optimize strategies and boost conversions.

Tool #2 – Optimonk

Optimonk, a top-tier email list building tool, provides users a robust feature set for streamlined lead capture and list expansion. Its user-friendly, drag-and-drop editor facilitates the creation of engaging popups, scroll boxes, and interactive gamified forms to reach and captivate website visitors effectively.

Tool #3 – Sleeknote

Sleeknote streamlines lead capture and email list growth with its intuitive interface and diverse features. The tool provides customizable opt-in forms, like popups and banners, to engage website visitors. Sleeknote’s integration with popular email platforms and strong customer support make it a trusted and effective tool for email list building.

Email List Building Tools: Ready to Pick One That Converts?

If you’re still unsure which tool to choose, here’s what I’d say: choose one that fits your goals and makes your life easier. I’ve tested and explored many list building tools, and while each one offers something valuable, a few stood out.

I lean toward tools that offer more than just flashy popups. I want something that converts, doesn’t take hours to set up, offers effortless email list building services, and plays nicely with the rest of my marketing stack. That’s why Picreel clicked for me. 

Its exit-intent popups, smart targeting, customizable opt-in forms, seamless integration, and built-in analytics made lead capture feel less of a chore and more like a strategy. 

But ultimately, it’s about what works for you. Try the tool’s free plan, like Picreel’s, to see what fits, and focus on tools that grow with your email marketing goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these email capture tools GDPR-compliant and secure for EU users?

Yes, most of the tools listed offer built-in GDPR compliance features like cookie consent popups and data privacy controls. If you’re looking for a tool that makes this super easy, Picreel has ready-made GDPR consent options that you can add to your popups with just a few clicks.

What is the best free tool for building an email list?

If you want something powerful without spending upfront, Picreel is a great pick. It offers a forever-free plan for up to 5,000 visitors, with features like exit-intent popups, lead capture forms, and CRM integrations all without a big learning curve.

How do exit-intent and trigger-based popups help increase conversions?

These popups appear at just the right moment, like when someone’s about to leave your site or scrolls through a particular section. That’s when they’re more likely to take action. Tools like Picreel use smart triggers to grab attention and turn visitors into leads before they bounce.

Which email list building tools offer no-code setup and easy integrations?

Picreel is perfect if you don’t want to mess with code. It works smoothly with platforms like WordPress and BigCommerce and connects easily with email tools like HubSpot, Klaviyo, and MoEngage—no developer needed.