Twilio SendGrid vs Mailgun
Detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool in 2026
π Quick Verdict
It's a tie! Both are great options.
SendGrid is better for teams needing both transactional and marketing email at scale with a free tier. Mailgun is better for developers who want a clean API focused purely on transactional email.
π Explore More
π Visual Comparison
Overall Score Comparison
Category Breakdown
Twilio SendGrid Highlights
- β Handles massive scale (billions of emails)
- β Free tier with 100 emails/day
- π° Free / $19.95/month
Mailgun Highlights
- β Excellent developer documentation
- β Powerful email parsing and receiving
- π° $35/month (50K emails)
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Twilio SendGrid | Mailgun |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | 100 emails/day | Trial (5,000 emails for 3 months) |
| Transactional Email | β | β |
| Marketing Email | β | β |
| API | REST + SMTP | REST + SMTP |
| Templates | Dynamic templates | Basic |
| Analytics | Advanced | Good |
| Deliverability Tools | β | β |
| Webhooks | β | β |
| SDKs | 7+ languages | Multiple languages |
| Dedicated IP | Paid | Paid |
What is Twilio SendGrid?
SendGrid (by Twilio) is one of the largest email delivery platforms, handling billions of emails monthly. It offers both transactional and marketing email capabilities with a strong API and deliverability.
β Pros
- β’Handles massive scale (billions of emails)
- β’Free tier with 100 emails/day
- β’Good deliverability reputation
- β’Marketing email features included
- β’Comprehensive API and SDKs
- β’Detailed analytics and reporting
βCons
- β’Support quality has declined
- β’Account suspensions can be frustrating
- β’Interface feels dated
- β’Complex pricing tiers
- β’Template editor could be better
What is Mailgun?
Mailgun is a developer-focused email API service known for its powerful sending, receiving, and tracking capabilities. Popular among developers for its clean API and email validation features.
β Pros
- β’Excellent developer documentation
- β’Powerful email parsing and receiving
- β’Email validation API included
- β’Flexible routing rules
- β’Good deliverability
- β’Clean, well-designed API
βCons
- β’No free tier (trial only)
- β’No marketing email features
- β’Smaller scale than SendGrid
- β’Limited template management
- β’UI less polished
Pricing Comparison
Twilio SendGrid
Free / $19.95/month
Volume-based pricing
β Free tier availableView detailed pricing βπIn-Depth Analysis: Twilio SendGrid vs Mailgun
Choosing between Twilio SendGrid and Mailgun can be challenging, as both tools offer compelling features for modern workflows. In this comprehensive comparison, we'll analyze every aspectβfrom features and pricing to real-world use casesβto help you make an informed decision.
Twilio SendGrid
SendGrid (by Twilio) is one of the largest email delivery platforms, handling billions of emails monthly. It offers both transactional and marketing email capabilities with a strong API and deliverability.
Mailgun
Mailgun is a developer-focused email API service known for its powerful sending, receiving, and tracking capabilities. Popular among developers for its clean API and email validation features.
π―Best Use Cases
When to Choose Twilio SendGrid
- βFor Teams:
Handles massive scale (billions of emails)
- βFor Small Business:
Free tier with 100 emails/day
- βFor Enterprise:
Good deliverability reputation
When to Choose Mailgun
- βFor Individuals:
Excellent developer documentation
- βFor Small Business:
Powerful email parsing and receiving
- βFor Teams:
Email validation API included
πFeature Deep Dive
Free Tier
Transactional Email
Marketing Email
API
Templates
Analytics
π°Pricing Analysis
Twilio SendGrid
Volume-based pricing
β Free tier availableMailgun
Volume-based pricing
π‘ Pro Tip
Both tools offer free trials or tiers. We recommend testing both with your actual workflow before committing to a paid plan.
πOur Recommendation
After extensive analysis and testing, here's our take: Both Twilio SendGrid and Mailgun are excellent tools that can significantly improve your productivity. The best choice depends on your specific needs, workflow, and priorities.
Choose Twilio SendGrid if:
You need both transactional and marketing email, want a free tier, or are sending at massive scale.
Choose Mailgun if:
You're a developer focused on transactional email who values a clean API, email parsing, and validation features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both have good deliverability. SendGrid handles more volume overall, but Mailgun's deliverability tools and email validation help ensure high inbox placement.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
β¨ Choose Twilio SendGrid if
You need both transactional and marketing email, want a free tier, or are sending at massive scale.
β¨ Choose Mailgun if
You're a developer focused on transactional email who values a clean API, email parsing, and validation features.