As a copywriter with 15 years in the trenches, I’ve seen countless tools come and go. But when it comes to landing new clients, nothing beats a well-crafted cold email campaign.
You know the struggle – manually sending emails is tedious and ineffective. You need a system that can scale your outreach while maintaining that personal touch that gets responses.
In this guide, I’ll share my honest review of the top cold email platforms that have consistently delivered results for copywriters like you. By the end, you’ll know exactly which software fits your unique needs and budget, helping you land more clients with less effort.
Why Cold Email Software Matters for Copywriters
Before diving into specific platforms, let’s address why dedicated cold email software is worth the investment:
- Time efficiency – Automate follow-ups and scheduling while focusing on writing great copy
- Higher deliverability – Avoid spam filters with proper sending infrastructure
- Performance tracking – Know exactly which subject lines and messages get the best results
- Personalization at scale – Make each prospect feel like you wrote specifically to them
- Consistent client acquisition – Create a reliable system for generating new business
As copywriters, we sell persuasive writing – our cold emails should showcase this skill. The right software lets you focus on crafting compelling messages rather than managing spreadsheets.
What to Look for in Cold Email Software
Before comparing specific platforms, here are the key features that matter most for copywriters:
- Deliverability rate – Your brilliant copy is worthless if it lands in spam
- Personalization capabilities – The ability to make each email feel custom-written
- Automated sequences – Smart follow-ups that know when to persist and when to stop
- A/B testing – Test different approaches to continuously improve results
- Analytics – Data that shows what’s working and what isn’t
- Integration with CRMs – Connect with your existing workflow
- Affordability – Reasonable pricing for solo copywriters and small agencies
Now, let’s examine four leading platforms that excel in these areas.
Woodpecker: The Relationship-Builder
Overview
Woodpecker positions itself as personalization-focused cold email software designed for building relationships rather than just blasting messages.
Key Features
- Deliverability focus – Mimics manual sending patterns to avoid spam flags
- Smart sending – Automatically detects replies and stops sequences when prospects engage
- Agency features – Manage multiple clients from one dashboard
- Personalized snippets – Insert custom fields beyond just first name
- Bounce handling – Automatically removes invalid emails from your campaigns
Pricing
Woodpecker starts at around $49/month for a single user with 1,500 prospects, making it accessible for solo copywriters. Team and agency plans are available at higher price points.
Best For
Woodpecker shines for copywriters focused on building long-term client relationships rather than quick wins. Its emphasis on careful, measured outreach aligns well with service providers who need to establish trust.
Limitations
The platform isn’t the most feature-rich option, and some users report a steeper learning curve compared to alternatives. The interface prioritizes functionality over aesthetics.
Quickmail: The Power User’s Choice
Overview
Quickmail offers an advanced feature set designed for experienced email marketers who want granular control over their campaigns.
Key Features
- AI assistant – Helps optimize subject lines and email content
- Auto-warmer – Gradually increases sending volume to improve deliverability
- Zapier integration – Connect with 3,000+ other apps
- Advanced personalization – Dynamic content blocks and conditional logic
- Detailed analytics – Track opens, clicks, replies, and conversions
- Multiple inbox rotation – Distribute sending across several email accounts
Pricing
Quickmail starts at approximately $59/month for the basic plan, with higher tiers offering more features and higher sending limits.
Best For
Quickmail works best for copywriters who are serious about cold email as a primary client acquisition strategy and want deep data insights. If you’re running complex, multi-step outreach campaigns, this platform offers the control you need.
Limitations
The wealth of features can be overwhelming for beginners. The price point is also higher than some alternatives, potentially challenging for copywriters just starting out.
Mailshake: The User-Friendly Option
Overview
Mailshake focuses on simplicity and ease of use while still offering the core features needed for effective cold email campaigns.
Key Features
- Intuitive campaign builder – Create sequences with drag-and-drop simplicity
- Lead Catcher – Centralized inbox for managing all your prospects’ replies
- Templates library – Access proven cold email templates
- Social selling integration – Coordinate email outreach with LinkedIn activity
- Phone dialer – Follow up with calls directly from the platform
Pricing
Mailshake’s email outreach plan starts at around $58/month per user, with a sales engagement plan at $83/month that includes additional features like the phone dialer.
Best For
Mailshake is ideal for copywriters who want a straightforward, no-frills platform that’s easy to learn. If you’re new to cold email automation or prefer simplicity over complexity, this is your best option.
Limitations
Advanced users might find some limitations in customization options. The platform also lacks some of the more sophisticated features found in alternatives like Quickmail.
Smartlead: The Newcomer with Promise
Overview
Smartlead is a relatively newer platform that’s quickly gaining popularity for its modern approach to cold email outreach.
Key Features
- Unlimited email accounts – Connect as many sending addresses as you need
- AI-powered writing assistant – Help crafting compelling emails
- Webhook integration – Connect with virtually any other software
- Team collaboration – Great for agencies with multiple copywriters
- Advanced deliverability tools – Domain rotation, sending time optimization, and more
Pricing
Smartlead offers a credit-based pricing system that starts around $39/month for basic features, with higher tiers providing more credits and capabilities.
Best For
Smartlead works well for tech-savvy copywriters and agencies looking for cutting-edge features and maximum deliverability. The unlimited email accounts feature makes it particularly valuable for those managing multiple clients or brands.
Limitations
As a newer platform, Smartlead may have occasional bugs or limited integration options compared to more established competitors. The learning curve can also be steeper for those unfamiliar with advanced email marketing concepts.
Comparing the Options: Which is Right for You?
Let’s break down how these platforms compare in key areas:
For beginners:
- Mailshake offers the gentlest learning curve
- Woodpecker provides a good balance of simplicity and effectiveness
For advanced users:
- Quickmail delivers the most sophisticated feature set
- Smartlead offers cutting-edge technology and unlimited accounts
For affordability:
- Woodpecker has the lowest starting price point
- Smartlead’s credit system can be cost-effective for certain usage patterns
For agencies managing multiple clients:
- Smartlead’s unlimited accounts feature is invaluable
- Woodpecker’s team dashboard provides good oversight
How to Maximize Your Results with Any Platform
Whichever software you choose, these strategies will help you achieve better results:
- Start with research – Target the right prospects to improve response rates
- Focus on personalization – Go beyond just the first name
- Test constantly – Run A/B tests on subject lines, opening paragraphs, and CTAs
- Keep emails brief – Respect your prospect’s time with concise messages
- Follow up intelligently – Most responses come from follow-ups, but know when to stop
- Monitor deliverability – Regularly check spam scores and inbox placement
- Showcase your copywriting skills – Your cold emails are samples of your work
My Personal Experience
After testing all four platforms extensively with my own client acquisition efforts, I’ve found that each has its strengths for different situations.
When I was starting out, Mailshake’s simplicity helped me get campaigns running quickly. As my business grew, I appreciated Quickmail’s advanced testing capabilities. For managing multiple client campaigns, Smartlead’s unlimited accounts feature proved invaluable.
Currently, I use a combination of platforms depending on the specific campaign needs – there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
The Bottom Line: Choosing Your Cold Email Partner
The “best” cold email software depends entirely on your specific needs, technical comfort level, and budget. Here’s my straightforward advice:
- Choose Woodpecker if you value relationship-building and need a straightforward solution with good deliverability
- Choose Quickmail if you want comprehensive features and don’t mind a learning curve
- Choose Mailshake if ease of use is your top priority
- Choose Smartlead if you need to manage multiple accounts and want cutting-edge features
Remember, the platform is just a tool – your copywriting skills and strategy matter more than any software feature. The best platform is the one that fades into the background, letting your writing and relationship-building take center stage.
Ready to Level Up Your Client Acquisition?
If you’re ready to transform your client acquisition strategy with cold email, I’ve created a free guide with 10 proven cold email templates specifically for copywriters. These templates have helped my students land clients ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.
[Download my free copywriter’s cold email template pack here]
And if you want to dive deeper into mastering client acquisition as a copywriter, check out my comprehensive [Client Acquisition Masterclass for Copywriters] where I share the exact systems I’ve used to build a six-figure copywriting business.
What cold email software have you tried? Let me know your experiences in the comments below!
John Fawkes is a direct response copywriter with 15 years of experience helping businesses convert prospects into customers. He teaches copywriters how to build sustainable businesses through his courses at JrFawkes.com.