Email/Messaging

Amazon SES vs Mailgun: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between Amazon SES and Mailgun? Both are popular email/messaging tools. Below we compare them on pricing, free tiers, features, and pros & cons so you can pick the right fit for your stack.

Quick verdict

Both Amazon SES and Mailgun are strong email/messaging choices. The right pick comes down to your specific feature needs, existing stack, and team preferences.

Amazon SES vs Mailgun — Side by Side

Amazon SESMailgun
CategoryEmail/MessagingEmail/Messaging
PricingFreeFree · paid from $35/mo
Starting priceFree tier availableFree tier available
Free tier
Best forEmail/Messaging — email, transactionalEmail/Messaging — email, transactional

Pros & Cons

  • Cheapest email at scale
  • Massive scalability
  • Tight AWS integration
  • Pay only for what you send
  • Bare-bones (you build the rest)
  • Setup/warmup is on you
  • No nice dashboard
  • Reliable, mature sending infra
  • Strong analytics & validation
  • Good docs
  • Inbound routing
  • Free tier limited to 100/day
  • Pricier than Amazon SES at volume

Choose Amazon SES if…

you want a free tier to start, and Amazon SES The cheapest transactional email at scale — pay-as-you-go AWS email (~$0.10 per 1,000 emails).

Amazon SES review & pricing

Choose Mailgun if…

you want a free tier to start, and Mailgun Developer-focused transactional email API with strong deliverability and detailed analytics.

Mailgun review & pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Amazon SES better than Mailgun?

Both Amazon SES and Mailgun are strong email/messaging choices. The right pick comes down to your specific feature needs, existing stack, and team preferences.

What is the difference between Amazon SES and Mailgun?

Amazon SES — The cheapest transactional email at scale — pay-as-you-go AWS email (~$0.10 per 1,000 emails). Mailgun — Developer-focused transactional email API with strong deliverability and detailed analytics. Both are email/messaging tools; the comparison table above breaks down pricing, free tiers, and what each is best for.

Amazon SES vs Mailgun: which is cheaper?

Amazon SES pricing: Free. Mailgun pricing: Free · paid from $35/mo. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.

See more options in our guide to the best email/messaging tools for startups.

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