7 Best List Building Tools 2024 (50 Email List Builders Rated)

by Chris Von Wilpert, BBusMan • Last updated November 23, 2023

Expert Verified by Leandro Langeani, BBA

Editorial Disclosure: We buy, test and review products featured on our website using a 3-step rating methodology. If you buy through our links, we will get a commission. Read our rating methodology and how we make money.

Today there are 137 different list building tools. We spent 114 hours comparing the top 50 to find the seven best you can use to automate your lead generation.

What is the Best List Building Tool?

  1. ConvertBox — best of the best
  2. Salesmsg — best for SMS list building
  3. UpLead — best for B2B list building 
  4. Sumo — best for e-commerce 
  5. OptinMonster — best opt-in forms 
  6. Thrive Leads — best for WordPress 
  7. Brevo — best for ease of use

Our Verdict — Best Of The Best

Price: $495

ConvertBox is an all-in-one list building tool with a focus on personalization. We think it’s the best because of its conversion-focused templates, real-time analytics dashboard, and one-time pricing.

The Best Part:

  • Skyrocket your conversions. ConvertBox’s Smart Targeting feature lets you display tailor-made messages based on user behavior, upping the odds of turning visitors into subscribers, and subscribers into buyers.

The Worst Part:

  • A bit short on integrations. ConvertBox doesn't play nice with every major marketing tool out there. Double-check that it'll work with your stack before you plan to integrate it.

Get it if you want to target and convert website visitors like a pro, with personalized messages and opt-in forms.

I recommend you grab the Lifetime plan for $495.

(30-day money-back guarantee)

Best For

ConvertBox is best for digital marketers who want an easy-to-use tool that helps them build their email list quickly and efficiently.

Top Features

  • Stunning opt-in forms. ConvertBox's drag-and-drop editor combined with its templates enable anyone to create high conversion forms on a whim. 

  • It integrates with your email software. Hook up ConvertBox to your go-to email service provider, such as GetResponse, MailChimp, and AWeber.

  • Before you go... Show targeted messages or offers just as users are about to leave your site, giving them one last chance to subscribe.

  • Find the spot. Test different form designs and messages with A/B tests, to find the winning combination that drives more results.

  • It’s risk free. Give ConvertBox a try before you decide to keep it, with its no questions asked 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pricing

ConvertBox offers two pricing plans:

  • Convert Box Lifetime: $495 one-time payment, for digital marketers who want the most powerful list building tool for life.
  • Convert Box Pro: $95 one-time additional price, for digital marketers who want the right to get up to 500k views/month in up to 50 websites.

Try ConvertBox today with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Our Verdict — Best For SMS List Building

Price: Starts at $25/month

Salesmsg is an efficient and reliable SMS marketing solution for growing your customer base. We think it’s the best for SMS list building because of its two-way messaging features, powerful automation capabilities, and SMS scheduling options.

The Best Part:

  • Seamless CRM integration. Salesmsg connects to top CRM systems like Keap, HubSpot, Pipedrive, and Active Campaign, and keeps your contacts synced up.

The Worst Part:

  • Limited to SMS marketing. Salesmsg doesn't offer email marketing features, which might be a deal-breaker if you're looking for a multi-channel solution.

Get it if you want a reliable SMS marketing solution that works in tandem with your existing CRM system.

I recommend you start with the 14-day free trial, then get the 1,000 messages plan for $49/month.

(14-day free trial)

Best For

Salesmsg is best for small to medium-sized businesses who want an easy-to-use platform for managing their SMS marketing campaigns effectively.

Top Features

  • Engage in real conversations. Salesmsg's two-way messaging feature allows you to keep the conversation going, allowing you to always follow up.

  • Keep tabs on performance. Monitor the success of your campaigns with in-depth analytics and reporting features. Track revenue, conversions, and clicks.

  • Never miss a call. Salesmsg keeps you always reachable with inbound call notifications across devices.

  • Capture leads effortlessly. Use Salesmsg's website chat widget to engage visitors and turn them into leads via SMS.

  • Add flair to your SMS. Send personalized video messages to individuals, groups, or lists with Salesmsg's video SMS feature.

Pricing

Salesmsg offers six pricing plans:

  • 500 messages: $25/month for small businesses just starting with SMS marketing. 
  • 1,000 messages: $49/month for growing businesses looking to expand their reach. 
  • 2,500 messages: $99/month for established companies that need more two-messaging capabilities. 
  • 5,000 messages: $179/month for larger organizations with extensive customer bases. 
  • 7,500 messages: $249/month for organizations managing multiple campaigns and audiences. 
  • 10,000 messages: Custom pricing, for organizations with unique messaging needs and requirements.

Try Salesmsg today with a free 14-day trial.

Our Verdict — Best For B2B List Building

Price: Starts at $99/month

UpLead is an all-in-one solution for B2B companies looking to grow their email lists with high-quality leads. We think it’s the best for B2B list building because of its high-quality leads, efficient lead management, and user-friendly interface.

The Best Part:

  • It's more accurate than the rest. UpLead's lead data is 95% accurate, which means you're wasting way less time on dead ends.

The Worst Part:

  • It can be overwhelming. UpLead offers so many features it might take some time for newbies to get the hang of it… especially if they’re new to B2B prospecting.

Get it if you want an efficient way to find high-quality, accurate B2B leads.

I recommend you take advantage of UpLead's 7-day free trial, then get the Essentials plan for $99/month.

(7-day free trial)

Best For

UpLead is best for B2B businesses that want to expand their customer base by finding and getting in touch with the right leads.

Top Features

  • It finds laser-targeted leads. UpLead's advanced search filters help you zero in on the perfect prospects for your business, and put your monthly lead credits to good use.

  • Real-time email verifications. UpLead keeps your deliverability rates high by allowing you to reach out to the most up-to-date contact information.

  • Customizable lead scoring. Have UpLead assign scores to your leads based on their behavior and engagement levels, to pinpoint the hottest leads.

  • Advanced segmentation. Group your prospects based on various criteria such as industry, location, job title, and more.

  • Deliver the perfect pitch. Leverage in-depth prospect intelligence to develop customized pitches that resonate with your target audience. UpLead identifies key insights to make each lead move.

Pricing

UpLead offers three pricing plans:

  • Essentials: $99/month for sales professionals who want up to 170 leads per month, with over 50 search filters and real-time email verification.
  • Plus: $199/month for growing businesses and sales teams who need up to 400 monthly leads, CRM integration, API access, and bulk lookup capabilities.
  • Professional: $399/month for well-established organizations and enterprises that want up to 1,000 monthly leads, data enrichment, and intent data insights.

Annual plans provide a 25% discount.

Try UpLead today with a free 7-day trial.

Our Top Three Picks

Here’s a quick summary of our top three picks:

  1. ConvertBox — best of the best
  2. Salesmsg — best for SMS list building
  3. UpLead — best for B2B list building

Here’s a quick comparison of our top seven picks:

Tool

Entry Offer

Pricing

ConvertBox

30-day money-back guarantee

$495

Salesmsg

14-day free trial

Starts at $25/mo

UpLead

7-day free trial

Starts at $99/mo

Sumo

Free plan

Starts at $49/mo

OptinMonster

14-day money-back guarantee

Starts at $108/yr

Thrive Leads

30-day money-back guarantee

Starts at $149/qtr

Brevo

Free plan

Starts at $25/mo

Here are the top 50 list building tools we considered in this review:

  1. ConvertBox
  2. Salesmsg
  3. UpLead
  4. Sumo
  5. OptinMonster
  6. Thrive Leads
  7. Brevo
  8. Mailchimp
  9. AWeber
  10. GetResponse
  11. ConvertKit
  12. MailerLite
  13. Constant Contact
  14. ActiveCampaign
  15. Benchmark Email
  16. OptiMonk
  17. Drip
  18. Keap
  19. HubSpot Email Marketing
  20. Moosend
  21. SendPulse
  22. Campaign Monitor
  23. Omnisend
  24. Hello Bar
  25. Sleeknote
  26. Privy
  27. Unbounce 
  28. Leadpages 
  29. Bloom by Elegant Themes
  30. WP Subscribe Pro
  31. Elementor Popup Builder
  32. Ninja Popups
  33. Icegram
  34. MailOptin
  35. Optin Forms
  36. Hustle Plugin by WPMU DEV
  37. Popup Builder by Sygnoos
  38. Scroll Triggered Boxes by ibericode
  39. Convert Pro Plugin by Brainstorm Force
  40. MailMunch
  41. Listagram
  42. MailChimp Popup Subscribe for Joomla!
  43. Rapidology WordPress Plugin
  44. PopupAlly by AmbitionAlly
  45. Justuno Email Popups
  46. Pippity
  47. Wishpond Popups & Forms
  48. Gleam Capture
  49. Bouncezap
  50. Picreel Exit Intent Popups

What is a list building tool?

A list-building tool is a powerful tool designed to help digital marketers and businesses gather a wide range of contact information. 

As an example, you can gather email addresses, forming an email list that can be used for email marketing campaigns. 

These tools usually come with features like sign-up forms, inline forms, and popup options that assist in converting casual visitors of a website into potential customers, thereby growing the contact list.

Advanced list-building tools like ConvertBox also provide advanced targeting features, allowing businesses to display personalized messages and opt-in forms based on user behavior. This enhances the user experience and improves conversion rates. List-building tools can be integrated with email marketing software to send targeted emails to subscribers and manage email marketing campaigns effectively.

What tools do you use for lead list building?

For lead list building, there is a broad spectrum of tools that you can use. ConvertBox is a popular choice for its advanced features, beautiful templates, and ease of use, while tools like Salesmsg are best for SMS list building. If you're looking to focus on B2B list building, UpLead is a strong contender due to its high-quality leads, efficient lead management, and user-friendly interface. Other software examples are Gravity Forms, Thrive Suite, and Constant Contact. All these tools are designed to help businesses effectively collect and manage email addresses, nurture potential customers, and optimize email marketing campaigns.

How do I create a free email list?

Creating a free email list often involves using a combination of free tools and strategies to attract potential customers. Use sign-up forms, exit-intent popups, and newsletter popups on your website to encourage visitors to subscribe. Contact forms on different pages of your site can also help with page-level targeting. You can start out with a tool such as MailChimp to set up your free email list and conversion forms free of charge using a free plan.

How do I create a mass email list?

Creating a mass email list requires the use of effective list-building tools and a robust strategy to attract a large number of email subscribers. Using email list building software like ConvertBox, you can create engaging interactive quizzes and lightbox pop-ups on your website to attract visitors and persuade them to sign up. Advanced targeting features help to personalize the user experience, and powerful integrations with your email marketing software can facilitate the smooth management of your email list. Additionally, gated content can act as an incentive for visitors to subscribe, further growing your email list.

What is the best tool for collecting leads?

There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best tool for collecting leads largely depends on your specific business needs and goals. ConvertBox is a highly rated tool for its focus on personalization, conversion-focused templates, and real-time analytics dashboard. It's an excellent tool for digital marketers wanting to target and convert website visitors effectively. Salesmsg is ideal for businesses wanting to build an SMS list, and UpLead is best suited for B2B companies looking for high-quality leads. Other options include Sumo, OptinMonster, and Thrive Leads. Consider your business' requirements and the specific features each tool offers when selecting the best tool for lead collection.

Remember, regardless of the tool you choose, it should have functionalities such as easy form creation, advanced targeting, seamless integration with email marketing services, real-time analytics to track performance, and customizable features to fit your unique business needs. These are crucial to keep track of all necessary numbers and growing your conversions with time.

The Bottom Line

To recap, here are the best list building tools to try this year:

  1. ConvertBox — best of the best
  2. Salesmsg — best for SMS list building
  3. UpLead — best for B2B list building 
  4. Sumo — best for e-commerce 
  5. OptinMonster — best opt-in forms 
  6. Thrive Leads — best for WordPress
  7. Brevo — best for ease of use

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