Mailgun vs Amazon SES: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Mailgun and Amazon SES 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 is our overall pick for email workflows. Pick Amazon SES if you need API tools.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Mailgun
Send, parse, and validate emails with a reliable developer API
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need email features specifically
- • Mailgun is an email API service for developers sending transactional email
- • It handles email delivery, validation, and tracking at scale
Amazon SES
Transactional email service from AWS
Best for you if:
- • You need API tools 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
| At a Glance |  Mailgun |  Amazon SES |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $0.1/moPay-as-you-go |
Best For | API Tools | |
Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
Choose Mailgun or Amazon SES?
Choose Mailgun if
Send, parse, and validate emails with a reliable developer API
- Powerful API
- Email validation
- Good logs
- Your work is email-shaped, not API tools-shaped
Choose Amazon SES if
Transactional email service from AWS
- Cheapest email sending
- High deliverability
- Pay per email
- Your work is API tools-shaped, not email-shaped
| Feature | Mailgun | Amazon SES |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 518 reviews | ★4.5/5 323 reviews |
| Categories | EmailDeveloper Tools | API ToolsEmail |
In-Depth Analysis
Mailgun
Send, parse, and validate emails with a reliable developer API
Strengths
- +Powerful API
- +Email validation
- +Good logs
Weaknesses
- -Complex pricing
- -Support can be slow
Key features
Amazon SES
Transactional email service from AWS
Strengths
- +Cheapest email sending
- +High deliverability
- +Pay per email
- +Integrates with AWS
- +No monthly minimum
Weaknesses
- -Basic features only
- -Not for marketing emails
- -Setup can be complex
- -UI minimal
- -Reputation management manual
Key features
Pricing: Mailgun vs Amazon SES
| Plan | Mailgun | Amazon SES |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $0.10/1000 emails Pay-as-you-go |
| Tier 2 | $35 Foundation | $0.10/1000 emails Inbound Email |
| Tier 3 | $90 Scale | $24.95/IP Dedicated IP (Standard) |
| Tier 4 | Custom Enterprise | $15/account + usage Dedicated IP (Managed) |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Mailgun pricing and Amazon SES pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Mailgun has a free tier. Amazon SES is paid only.
Go with: Mailgun
Want the highest-rated option?
Mailgun: 4.2/5 (518 reviews). Amazon SES: 4.5/5 (323 reviews).
Go with: Amazon SES
Value user reviews?
Mailgun: 518 reviews (4.2/5). Amazon SES: 323 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Mailgun
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Mailgun is freemium. Amazon SES is paid. Mailgun lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Mailgun is a email tool. Amazon SES is in API tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Amazon SES is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.2/5.
Key Takeaways
Mailgun
- Larger review base (518 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Amazon SES
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.2/5
- Better fit for API tools
The Bottom Line
Mailgun is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mailgun or Amazon SES better?
Mailgun is rated in our evaluation. Mailgun is freemium and Amazon SES is paid.
What are Mailgun and Amazon SES used for?
Mailgun: Send, parse, and validate emails with a reliable developer API. Amazon SES: Transactional email service from AWS.
What does Mailgun cost vs Amazon SES?
Mailgun is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Amazon SES is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.