Amazon SES vs Listmonk: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Amazon SES and Listmonk comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Amazon SES
Transactional email service from AWS
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.1/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need email deliverability features specifically
- • Amazon SES is a cloud email service for sending transactional and marketing emails at scale
- • It provides high deliverability, email authentication, and detailed analytics for sent messages
Listmonk
Self-hosted, open-source platform for managing newsletters, mailing lists, and transactional messages.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need email marketing features specifically
- • Self-hosted, open-source newsletter and mailing list manager.
- • High-performance with multi-threaded email queues and low resource footprint.
| At a Glance |  Amazon SES | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free |
Best For | Email Deliverability | Email Marketing |
Rating | 81/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Amazon SES | Listmonk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Free |
| Editorial Score | 81 | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Email DeliverabilityTransactional Email | Email MarketingNewsletter Tools |
Understanding the Differences
Both Amazon SES and Listmonk solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Amazon SES positions itself as "transactional email service from aws" while Listmonkfocuses on "self-hosted, open-source platform for managing newsletters, mailing lists, and transactional messages.". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Amazon SES
Amazon SES makes sense if you're looking for a comprehensive paid solution. With a score of 81/100, it's our top pick in this comparison.
When to Choose Listmonk
Listmonk is worth considering if you need a free tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
Listmonk won't cost you anything to start, which is exactly what early-stage teams need.
We'd pick: Listmonk
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Amazon SES handles scale better in our testing.
We'd pick: Amazon SES
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Amazon SES is built for organizations like yours.
We'd pick: Amazon SES
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Zero budget? Listmonk won't cost you anything.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Amazon SES higher (81/100). But the community has upvoted Listmonk more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Amazon SES Does Better
- Higher overall score (81/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider Listmonk If
- You need a completely free solution
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Amazon SES (81/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Amazon SES scores higher in our analysis, but Listmonk might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon SES or Listmonk better?
Based on our analysis, Amazon SES scores higher with 81/100. Amazon SES ispaid while Listmonk is free. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Amazon SES to Listmonk easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Amazon SES and Listmonk offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Amazon SES is paid with potential trial.Listmonk is completely free. Visit their websites for current trial offers.