Software profile

Mailgun

A developer email API with analytics, validation and inbound routing, free for 100 emails a day and from $15 a month (Basic, 10,000 emails).

  • Free plan
  • By volume
  • Cloud
  • Email API
  • Independent sources

by MailgunEmail & SMS API SoftwareEmail API for developers

Visit official website (external) ↗Compare productsExplore alternatives
  • Verified 11 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this profile
  • 1 sourceLinked, typed and dated
  • Independent third-party sourcesHow this profile was compiled
  • Not an endorsementStack18 has not tested this product
Quick answer

What is Mailgun?

Mailgun is a transactional email API with sending, inbound routing, email validation and analytics for developers.

  • Best forDevelopers needing analytics, validation and inbound email
  • Team size fitSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises
  • PricingFree (100/day, 1-day logs); Basic $15 (10,000); Foundation $35 (50,000); Scale $90 (100,000) a month.
  • Main limitationShort log retention on cheap plans.
  • AlternativesSendGrid, Postmark, Resend · compare all

Reviewed by the Stack18 editorial team · Verified 11 Nov 2026 · 1 source

Overview

Mailgun overview: who it is for and what it does.

Mailgun offers sending, inbound routing, email validation and analytics through an API.

An October 2026 guide lists a free plan at 100 emails a day with 1-day log retention, Basic at $15 a month for 10,000 emails, Foundation at $35 for 50,000 and Scale at $90 for 100,000.

It notes short log retention on cheaper plans, with Scale needed for 30-day logs.

Main problem it solves

Gives developers full control of email.

Typical customer segment

Teams of all sizes.

Target users

  • Developers
  • DevOps
  • Product teams

Primary use cases

  • Transactional email
  • Inbound routing
  • Validation
  • Analytics

What makes it distinct

  • Inbound routing.
  • Validation.
  • Log tiers.
Key features

Mailgun features explained.

Plans (per month)

Free
100/day; 1-day logs.
Basic
$15; 10,000 emails.
Foundation
$35; 50,000.

Scale

Price
$90; 100,000.
Logs
30-day.
Analytics
Deeper.

Capabilities

Inbound
Routing.
Validation
Email.
Analytics
Included.
Pricing

Mailgun pricing and plans.

Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly. Checked 11 Nov 2026 against Dupple.

Pricing model

Monthly plans by volume.

Free plan

Yes (100/day)

Free trial

Not documented

Mailgun plans and prices (USD)

  • Free

    $0

    Free

    100/day.

  • Basic

    $15 per month

    Monthly

    10,000 emails.

  • Foundation

    $35 per month

    Monthly

    50,000 emails.

  • Scale

    $90 per month

    Monthly

    100,000 emails.

Dupple (October 2026).

Prices change. Confirm current plans and terms on the vendor's site before you decide.

Visit official website (external) ↗See alternatives
Integrations and compatibility

Mailgun integrations, API and platforms.

Important integrations

  • Zapier
  • Salesforce
  • Segment
  • Slack

Supported platforms

  • API
  • Web

API

Core product is an API.

Data import and export

Not reviewed for this profile.

Integration coverage was not assessed in full. Check Mailgun's integrations directory and documentation for your tools.

Strengths, limitations and best fit

Mailgun pros and cons.

Strengths, limitations and best fit. Each point cites a source; editorial summaries are not customer reviews.

Strengths

  • Analytics and validation. [1]
  • Inbound routing. [1]
  • Free plan. [1]

Limitations

  • Short log retention on cheap plans. [1]
  • Scale needed for 30-day logs. [1]
  • Free plan is small. [1]

Best for

  • Developers needing analytics, validation and inbound email
  • SaaS apps
  • Agencies

May be less suited to

  • Marketing-first teams
  • SMS needs
How it compares

Mailgun compared with similar transactional email and SMS API services.

Summaries come from each profile. This is a side-by-side aid, not a ranking.

ProductPricing modelStarting priceFree tierChannelBest for
MailgunVolume tiersFree; $15/moYes (100/day)EmailDeveloper control
Amazon SESPer 1,000 emails$0.10/1,000Credits onlyEmailLowest cost
MailerSendVolume tiersFree; $7/moYes (500/mo)Email + SMSTemplates + SMS
MailtrapVolume tiersFree; $30/moYes (4,000/mo)EmailTesting + sending
PlivoPer message$0.0077/SMS (US)NoSMS + voiceLow rates
PostmarkVolume tiers$15/moYes (100/mo)EmailDeliverability

Browse all Email & SMS API Software →

Discussions

Mailgun discussions and buying questions.

No published discussions mention this product yet.

FAQ

Mailgun questions and answers

What is Mailgun used for?

Mailgun is a transactional email API with sending, inbound routing, email validation and analytics for developers. Typical uses include transactional email, inbound routing, validation, analytics.

How much does Mailgun cost?

Basic is $15 a month for 10,000 emails, Foundation $35 and Scale $90; Free covers 100 a day.

How long does Mailgun keep logs?

One day on Free; 30-day logs need Scale.

Does Mailgun handle inbound email?

Yes, with inbound routing.

How does Mailgun compare with its competitors?

Stack18 publishes head-to-head comparisons of Mailgun vs Mailtrap and SendGrid vs Mailgun, each with a feature table, pricing and best-fit scenarios.

What are the main alternatives to Mailgun?

The main alternatives to Mailgun covered on Stack18 are SendGrid, Postmark and Resend. SendGrid may suit teams wanting one vendor for transactional and marketing email. Postmark may suit apps where transactional delivery speed matters. Resend may suit developers building modern apps with React. See the Mailgun alternatives guide for a side-by-side table.

What are the pros and cons of Mailgun?

Strengths: Analytics and validation. Inbound routing. Limitations: Short log retention on cheap plans. Scale needed for 30-day logs.

Who is Mailgun best for?

Mailgun may suit developers needing analytics, validation and inbound email; SaaS apps; agencies. It may be less suited to marketing-first teams; SMS needs.

What integrations does Mailgun support?

Documented integrations and ecosystem items include Zapier, Salesforce, Segment, Slack. API: Core product is an API.

When was the Mailgun profile last verified?

Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 11 Nov 2026. 1 source is listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.

Sources and freshness

Where this information comes from.

  1. The Best Transactional Email Services in 2026 (updated 14 October 2026) Dupple Third-party Accessed 11 Nov 2026

Secondary-source profile. Vendor pages were not reviewed directly for this profile. Facts and prices are taken from independent third-party sources and may differ from the vendor's current pages. Confirm with the vendor before buying.

Pricing comes from dated 2026 guides; usage-based bills depend on volume, carrier fees and add-ons. Confirm with the vendor before buying. Capabilities were not tested.

Stack18 has not tested this product or received anything from the vendor for this profile. Editorial summaries of vendor information are not endorsements. Confirm details with the vendor before buying.

Next step

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