Mailgun vs SendGrid: What are the differences?

Introduction

Mailgun and SendGrid are both cloud-based email delivery platforms that offer APIs for sending and receiving emails. While both services are reliable and widely used, there are several key differences between them in terms of features, pricing, and customer support.

1. Pricing: One of the key differences between Mailgun and SendGrid is their pricing structure. Mailgun offers a flexible pricing model based on the number of emails sent, while SendGrid offers tiered pricing based on the number of emails sent per month. This means that businesses with varying email volumes may find one service more cost-effective than the other, depending on their specific needs.

2. Email Validation: Another difference is the email validation feature. Mailgun provides built-in email validation APIs that help identify invalid email addresses before sending the emails, minimizing bounce backs and increasing deliverability. On the other hand, SendGrid does not offer this specific feature as part of their platform.

3. SMTP Relay: Both Mailgun and SendGrid allow users to send emails through SMTP relay. However, Mailgun offers an additional feature called "Inbound Routing" that enables users to route incoming emails to different destinations based on specific rules, providing more flexibility in managing incoming email traffic.

4. Email Tracking: Mailgun and SendGrid provide email tracking capabilities, allowing users to track delivery, opens, clicks, and unsubscribes. However, Mailgun offers more advanced tracking features, such as the ability to track email events in real-time using webhooks and websockets. This can be particularly useful for businesses that require real-time analytics and event-driven workflows.

5. Email Templates: SendGrid offers a comprehensive email template engine that simplifies the creation and management of email templates. It provides a drag-and-drop editor, pre-designed templates, and dynamic content capabilities. Mailgun, on the other hand, does not offer a built-in email template editor, requiring users to create and manage templates through their own HTML or API integrations.

6. Customer Support: Customer support is another area where Mailgun and SendGrid differ. Mailgun offers 24/7 technical support via phone and email, with guaranteed response times, while SendGrid offers a variety of support options, including chat, email, and community forums. The level and responsiveness of customer support may vary depending on the specific plan or package chosen.

In summary, Mailgun and SendGrid differ in terms of pricing structure, email validation, SMTP relay features, email tracking capabilities, email template management, and customer support options. Choosing between the two platforms will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the business, as well as the importance placed on these key differences.