SendGrid vs Mailgun: Email & SMS API Software Compared (2026)
SendGrid and Mailgun are two widely compared messaging APIs. SendGrid (Twilio SendGrid) is an email delivery platform with an API and SMTP relay for transactional email plus marketing campaigns. Mailgun is a transactional email API with sending, inbound routing, email validation and analytics for developers.
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this page
- 1 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- No winner declaredFit depends on your criteria
- Not tested by Stack18Editorial summary of documented facts
SendGrid vs Mailgun: the short answer
SendGrid (Twilio SendGrid) is an email delivery platform with an API and SMTP relay for transactional email plus marketing campaigns. Mailgun is a transactional email API with sending, inbound routing, email validation and analytics for developers. Both are messaging APIs, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus.
On pricing, SendGrid is described as: monthly plans by volume; Mailgun as: monthly plans by volume. Mailgun lists a free option: 100/day. SendGrid does not document a permanent free plan. SendGrid is positioned for teams wanting one vendor for transactional and marketing email, and Mailgun for developers needing analytics, validation and inbound email.
Everything below is drawn from the two sourced profiles and the 1 dated sources listed at the end. Where a source does not document something it is marked Unknown, and third-party estimates are labelled. No winner is declared: the better fit depends on your size, budget and requirements.
SendGrid and Mailgun at a glance.
One card per product, drawn from each full profile. Open a profile for features, pricing plans, limits and sources.
SendGrid
Twilio · Email & SMS API Software
SendGrid (Twilio SendGrid) is an email delivery platform with an API and SMTP relay for transactional email plus marketing campaigns.
- Pricing
- Essentials from $19.95/mo; Pro from $89.95/mo (up to 2.5M emails); 60-day trial at 100/day; no permanent free plan.
- Best for
- Teams wanting one vendor for transactional and marketing email
Mailgun
Mailgun · Email & SMS API Software
Mailgun is a transactional email API with sending, inbound routing, email validation and analytics for developers.
- Pricing
- Free (100/day, 1-day logs); Basic $15 (10,000); Foundation $35 (50,000); Scale $90 (100,000) a month.
- Best for
- Developers needing analytics, validation and inbound email
SendGrid vs Mailgun: feature-by-feature comparison.
Every row is drawn from the sources listed below. Rows that differ are marked, and you can filter the table to show only those.
- YesDocumented
- PartialAvailable with limits or on some plans
- NoDocumented as unavailable
- UnknownNot documented in the sources reviewed
| Dimension |  SendGrid |  Mailgun |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Product typeDiffers | YesEmail API and marketing | YesEmail API for developers |
| VendorDiffers | YesTwilio | YesMailgun |
| Best forDiffers | YesTeams wanting one vendor for transactional and marketing email | YesDevelopers needing analytics, validation and inbound email |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | YesMonthly plans by volume. | YesMonthly plans by volume. |
| Pricing summaryDiffers | YesEssentials from $19.95/mo; Pro from $89.95/mo (up to 2.5M emails); 60-day trial at 100/day; no permanent free plan. | YesFree (100/day, 1-day logs); Basic $15 (10,000); Foundation $35 (50,000); Scale $90 (100,000) a month. |
| Free planDiffers | NoNo | YesYes (100/day) |
| Free trialDiffers | YesYes (60 days) | NoNot documented |
| Email & SMS API Software criteria | ||
| Pricing model | YesVolume tiers | YesVolume tiers |
| Starting priceDiffers | Yes$19.95/mo | YesFree; $15/mo |
| Free tierDiffers | NoNo; 60-day trial | YesYes (100/day) |
| Channel | YesEmail | YesEmail |
| Best forDiffers | YesTransactional + marketing | YesDeveloper control |
| Fit and platform | ||
| Team size | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises |
| Platforms | YesAPI, Web | YesAPI, Web |
| IntegrationsDiffers | YesTwilio, Segment, Zapier, Salesforce | YesZapier, Salesforce, Segment, Slack |
| API | YesCore product is an API. | YesCore product is an API. |
SendGrid vs Mailgun pricing.
Plan names, prices and billing terms as reported in each profile's sources. Taxes, add-ons and discounts are excluded unless stated.
SendGrid pricing
Monthly plans by volume.
- EssentialsFrom $19.95 per month · Monthly
- ProFrom $89.95 per month · Monthly
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Dupple (October 2026). Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All SendGrid plans and sources
Mailgun pricing
Monthly plans by volume.
- Free$0 · Free
- Basic$15 per month · Monthly
- Foundation$35 per month · Monthly
- Scale$90 per month · Monthly
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Dupple (October 2026). Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Mailgun plans and sourcesSendGrid vs Mailgun: pricing model, ecosystem and fit.
Pricing model and cost drivers
SendGrid: monthly plans by volume. Dupple (October 2026). Mailgun: monthly plans by volume. Dupple (October 2026). Model costs at your real seat count, usage and contract term before comparing headline prices.
What sets each apart
The SendGrid profile highlights: part of Twilio; transactional + marketing; no free plan. The Mailgun profile highlights: inbound routing; validation; log tiers.
Integrations and ecosystem
SendGrid integrations named in its sources: Twilio, Segment, Zapier and Salesforce. Mailgun: Zapier, Salesforce, Segment and Slack. Check that the connectors you rely on exist on the plan you would buy.
Deployment and team fit
SendGrid runs on API and Web and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. Mailgun runs on API and Web and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. We did not test setup or migration.
SendGrid and Mailgun: each option, in balance.
Each point is linked to a dated source on the product's profile.
SendGrid
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Scales small to large.
- Transactional and marketing in one vendor.
- Twilio ecosystem.
- No free plan after trial.
- Pro needed for higher volume.
- Limited detail on add-ons in source.
Mailgun
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Analytics and validation.
- Inbound routing.
- Free plan.
- Short log retention on cheap plans.
- Scale needed for 30-day logs.
- Free plan is small.
SendGrid or Mailgun: which fits which situation?
No overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on the criteria that matter most to you, so test both against your own requirements.
Choose SendGrid if you are…
- Teams wanting one vendor for transactional and marketing email
- Twilio customers
- High-volume senders
Less suited to: hobby projects wanting free forever; SMS-only needs.
See the SendGrid profile
Choose Mailgun if you are…
- Developers needing analytics, validation and inbound email
- SaaS apps
- Agencies
Less suited to: marketing-first teams; SMS needs.
See the Mailgun profileSwitching between SendGrid and Mailgun.
Moving off SendGrid or Mailgun means updating API keys and SDK calls, re-creating templates, re-verifying sending domains (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) or porting phone numbers and 10DLC registrations, warming new IPs, and updating webhooks for bounces, replies and delivery events. Switch gradually by routing a share of traffic. Send a week of real transactional traffic (or a percentage of it) through each shortlisted provider, then compare delivery, latency, logs and the projected monthly bill.
- Export a sample of your data and test an import into the other product.
- List the automations, integrations and permissions you would need to rebuild.
- Compare total cost at your real volume, including add-ons and services.
- Pilot with one team before a full cut-over.
- Check contract terms and notice periods with both vendors.
General guidance, not specific to either vendor. Confirm migration options with the vendors.
SendGrid vs Mailgun: questions and answers
What is the difference between SendGrid and Mailgun?
SendGrid (Twilio SendGrid) is an email delivery platform with an API and SMTP relay for transactional email plus marketing campaigns. Mailgun is a transactional email API with sending, inbound routing, email validation and analytics for developers. Both are messaging APIs, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus. SendGrid is positioned for teams wanting one vendor for transactional and marketing email; Mailgun for developers needing analytics, validation and inbound email.
Is SendGrid cheaper than Mailgun?
It depends on your volume and plan. SendGrid: Essentials from $19.95/mo; Pro from $89.95/mo (up to 2.5M emails); 60-day trial at 100/day; no permanent free plan. Mailgun: Free (100/day, 1-day logs); Basic $15 (10,000); Foundation $35 (50,000); Scale $90 (100,000) a month. Compare both at your real seat count, usage and contract term.
Do SendGrid or Mailgun have a free plan?
Mailgun lists a free option: 100/day. SendGrid does not document a permanent free plan. SendGrid free trial: Yes (60 days). Mailgun free trial: Not documented.
SendGrid or Mailgun: which is better for small teams?
SendGrid and Mailgun are both documented for small teams. SendGrid suits teams wanting one vendor for transactional and marketing email; Mailgun suits developers needing analytics, validation and inbound email. Neither is best for everyone.
What are the main limitations of SendGrid and Mailgun?
SendGrid: No free plan after trial. Mailgun: Short log retention on cheap plans.
How much does SendGrid cost?
Essentials starts at $19.95 a month and Pro at $89.95, per an October 2026 guide.
How much does Mailgun cost?
Basic is $15 a month for 10,000 emails, Foundation $35 and Scale $90; Free covers 100 a day.
What are the alternatives to SendGrid and Mailgun?
Stack18 has alternatives guides for both: SendGrid alternatives and Mailgun alternatives, each comparing at least four other messaging APIs on pricing, free plan, features and fit. The Email & SMS API Software category lists every profile.
Where this comparison comes from.
- The Best Transactional Email Services in 2026 (updated 14 October 2026) Dupple Third-party Accessed 11 Nov 2026
This comparison summarises the SendGrid and Mailgun profiles and their sources. Third-party figures are labelled; confirm current pricing and terms with each vendor. Stack18 has not tested these products.
Ready to test SendGrid and Mailgun?
Check each vendor's current pricing and terms, run both against a real scenario from your business, or talk to Stack18 if off-the-shelf software is not the answer.
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