Amazon SES vs Mailgun: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Amazon SES and Mailgun 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.
Bottom line: Mailgun wins this matchup. ElevenLabs is our overall API Tools pick. ElevenLabs is our free API Tools pick. Pick Amazon SES if you need API tools.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Amazon SES
Transactional email service from AWS
Best for you if:
- • You want cheapest email sending
Mailgun
Send, parse, and validate emails with a reliable developer API
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Amazon SES | Mailgun |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.1/mo Pay-as-you-go | Free Free plan |
Category | API Tools Email | Email Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.5/5 G2 4.3 · Capterra 4.7 326 reviews | 4.1/5 Trustpilot 4.1 · G2 4.2 1,850 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | Attachments at $0.12/GB add up. | High overage fees on lower tiers |
Choose Amazon SES or Mailgun?
Choose Amazon SES if
- You want cheapest email sending
- You want high deliverability
- You work in API tools, not email
Choose Mailgun if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want powerful API
- You want email validation
- You work in email, not API tools
In-Depth Analysis
Amazon SES
Transactional email service from AWS
Amazon SES offers a highly competitive and generally fair pricing model, especially for its pay-as-you-go outbound and inbound email services at $0.10/1000 emails.
Watch out
Attachments at $0.12/GB add up.
Strengths
- Pro: Cheapest email sending
- Pro: High deliverability
- Pro: Pay per email
- Pro: Integrates with AWS
- Pro: No monthly minimum
Weaknesses
- Con: Basic features only
- Con: Not for marketing emails
- Con: Setup can be complex
- Con: UI minimal
- Con: Reputation management manual
Key features
Mailgun
Send, parse, and validate emails with a reliable developer API
Mailgun's pricing is competitive, especially for developers needing high volume.
Watch out
High overage fees on lower tiers
Strengths
- Pro: Powerful API
- Pro: Email validation
- Pro: Good logs
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex pricing
- Con: Support can be slow
Key features
Pricing: Amazon SES vs Mailgun
| Plan | Amazon SES | Mailgun |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0.10/1000 emails Pay-as-you-go | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $0.10/1000 emails Inbound Email | $35 Foundation |
| Tier 3 | $24.95/IP Dedicated IP (Standard) | $90 Scale |
| Tier 4 | $15/account + usage Dedicated IP (Managed) | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Amazon SES pricing and Mailgun pricing.
Key Takeaways
Mailgun
- Larger review base (1,850 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Amazon SES
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.1/5
- Better fit for API tools
The Bottom Line
Mailgun wins this matchup. ElevenLabs is our overall API Tools pick. ElevenLabs is our free API Tools pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon SES or Mailgun better in 2026?
Mailgun wins this matchup. ElevenLabs is our overall API Tools pick. ElevenLabs is our free API Tools pick. Pick Amazon SES for API tools workflows (main strength: cheapest email sending). Pick Mailgun for email workflows (main strength: powerful API).
What are Amazon SES and Mailgun used for?
Amazon SES: Transactional email service from AWS. Mailgun: Send, parse, and validate emails with a reliable developer API.
What does Amazon SES cost vs Mailgun?
Amazon SES's paid plans start at $0.1/mo (Pay-as-you-go). Mailgun's paid plans start at Free (Foundation).
What's the main difference between Amazon SES and Mailgun?
Amazon SES's main strength: cheapest email sending. Mailgun's main strength: powerful API.