Mailgun vs SendGrid
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right email apis solution for your project.
Quick Verdict
Both tools are excellent choices with similar feature sets. Your decision should be based on pricing, ecosystem fit, and specific use case requirements.
Mailgun
Powerful email APIs
Best for
SendGrid
Email delivery at scale
Best for
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mailgun | SendGrid |
|---|---|---|
| REST API | Yes | Yes |
| SMTP | Yes | Yes |
| Inbound email | Yes | No |
| Webhooks | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated IPs | Yes | Yes |
| Email validation | Yes | No |
| Marketing campaigns | No | Yes |
| Email templates | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
Mailgun
SendGrid
Mailgun Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Powerful email validation
- +Inbound email routing
- +Good deliverability
- +Flexible APIs
Cons
- -Trial expires after 3 months
- -Interface feels dated
- -Pricing can be confusing
SendGrid Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Battle-tested at scale
- +Both transactional & marketing
- +Powerful analytics
- +Backed by Twilio
Cons
- -Dated developer experience
- -Can get expensive
- -Complex pricing
Mailgun Verdict
Mailgun is powerful for advanced use cases like inbound processing and validation. Overkill for simple transactional email.
SendGrid Verdict
SendGrid is the reliable choice for high-volume email. More features than competitors but the DX shows its age.
More options in Email APIs
Looking for different tradeoffs? Explore alternatives to each tool.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Mailgun vs SendGrid
Is Mailgun or SendGrid better?
It depends on your use case. Mailgun is best for inbound email processing and email validation needs. SendGrid is best for high-volume senders and marketing + transactional. Mailgun is powerful for advanced use cases like inbound processing and validation. Overkill for simple transactional email.
Is Mailgun free?
Yes, Mailgun offers a free tier. Paid plans start at $35/mo.
Is SendGrid free?
Yes, SendGrid offers a free tier. Paid plans start at $19.95/mo.
Can I migrate from Mailgun to SendGrid?
Yes, you can migrate from Mailgun to SendGrid, though the complexity depends on how deeply integrated your current solution is. Most developers recommend evaluating both tools in a test environment before committing to a migration.
Which is more popular, Mailgun or SendGrid?
Both Mailgun and SendGrid are popular choices in their category. The best choice depends on your specific requirements, team expertise, and budget rather than popularity alone.