Amazon SES vs Mailfence: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Amazon SES and Mailfence 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 7.7/10)
- • 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
Mailfence
Secure and private email made in Belgium
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Secure email service from Belgium
- • End-to-end encryption and digital signatures
| At a Glance |  Amazon SES | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Email Deliverability | Email Deliverability |
Rating | 81/100 | 77/100 |
| Feature | Amazon SES | Mailfence |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 81 | 77 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Email DeliverabilityTransactional Email | Email DeliverabilityPrivacy Management |
Understanding the Differences
Both Amazon SES and Mailfence solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Amazon SES positions itself as "transactional email service from aws" while Mailfencefocuses on "secure and private email made in belgium". 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 Mailfence
Mailfence is worth considering if you need a flexible option with both free and paid tiers tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
Mailfence won't cost you anything to start, which is exactly what early-stage teams need.
We'd pick: Mailfence
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?
Want to test first? Mailfence has a free tier to get you started.
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 Mailfence 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 Mailfence If
- You want to start free and scale later
- 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 Mailfence 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 Mailfence better?
Based on our analysis, Amazon SES scores higher with 81/100. Amazon SES ispaid while Mailfence is freemium. 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 Mailfence 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 Mailfence offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Amazon SES is paid with potential trial.Mailfence is freemium with a free tier. Visit their websites for current trial offers.