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MailerSend alternatives: 6 best email API platforms 

Looking for the best MailerSend alternatives? There are many solutions available including Mailgun, Brevo (Sendinblue), Elastic Email, SMTP2GO, SMTP.com, and Mailchimp Transactional Email. Choosing the right solution can be overwhelming.
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January 6, 2026

MailerSend works well for its developer-friendly UI, simple pricing, and fast onboarding, and it’s great for startups and SMBs that want to launch transactional email without a heavy marketing suite. 

However, as teams grow, some MailerSend users face limitations like higher-volume pricing, short log retention, or the need for dedicated IPs, advanced analytics, or deeper compliance. Others seek more robust support, broader APIs, or advanced deliverability tools. If you’re considering a switch or simply choosing the right solution from day 1, this guide compares top MailerSend alternatives by pricing, features, and deliverability. 

How we compared each alternative

When evaluating the best MailerSend alternatives, we focused on real-world developer and business needs. Our criteria included deliverability, pricing, API quality, analytics, and support so you can choose confidently. 

  • Deliverability and reliability 
  • Pricing and scalability 
  • Ease of integration, feature set, and support 

The top MailerSend alternatives for 2026

Each MailerSend alternative has unique strengths for teams of different sizes and needs. Compare their approaches, integrations, and pricing to find out which email API is the best fit.  

Mailgun 

Mailgun delivers transactional and marketing emails through its API, offering high deliverability, deep analytics, and flexible integrations. Compared to MailerSend, Mailgun prioritizes a developer-first experience, robust REST API, longer log retention, and flexible pricing plans. It works well for fast-scaling teams that need advanced compliance and reliability. 

Best for

Engineering-driven startups, SaaS, and enterprises wanting a scalable, reliable email API without a full marketing suite. 

Pricing overview

  • Free plan available; send up to 100 emails/day  
  • Basic plans start at $15/month for 10,000 emails/month 
  • Transparent, usage-based plans 
  • Competitive rates for volume; dedicated IP add-ons 

Features

  • REST API and SMTP relay 
  • Up to 30-day searchable logs and analytics; varies by plan  
  • Suppression management and email validations 
  • Webhooks for real-time events 
  • Dedicated IPs available as add-ons or on higher tiers 
  • US/EU data residency options 

Pros: 

  • High deliverability and log retention 
  • Developer-focused docs and SDKs 
  • Flexible for both small and high-volume senders 
  • SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 certified, GDPR compliant, and supports HIPAA use cases with a BAA 

Cons: 

  • No native drag-and-drop template editor 
  • Marketing automation not included 

Brevo (Sendinblue)

Brevo combines transactional email with marketing automation, SMS/WhatsApp, and push notifications. For teams seeking EU data residency and a unified platform, Brevo works as a strong MailerSend alternative. However, it may be more complex than needed for simple transactional use. 

Best for

Teams wanting marketing and transactional in one suite, especially with EU data storage requirements. 

Pricing overview

  • Free tier includes 300 emails/day 
  • Affordable entry plans 
  • Dedicated IP as an add-on; prepaid credits available 

Features

  • SMTP relay and transactional API 
  • Drag-and-drop template editor 
  • EU-based data centers in France, Germany, Belgium 
  • SMS, push, chat, CRM, and automation tools 
  • Flexible subscriptions or credits 
  • Full marketing suite with automation 

Pros: 

  • Unified marketing and transactional platform 
  • Strict EU data residency compliance 
  • Flexible billing options 

Cons: 

  • More complex than needed for transactional-only 
  • Support and reliability may vary 
  • Add-ons can increase total cost 

Elastic Email

Elastic Email focuses on low pricing, with some of the most affordable entry-level costs for API and SMTP sending. While it offers global data centers and built-in verification, feature depth and support may not match MailerSend or Mailgun. 

Best for

Startups and small businesses prioritizing low-cost, high-volume sending with basic analytics. 

Pricing overview

  • Email API plans from about $19/month for 50k emails 
  • Free tier available (100 emails/day); affordable overages 

Features

  • API/SMTP with global endpoints (EU/US/CA) 
  • Integrated email verification tools 
  • Basic drag-and-drop builder 
  • Suppression and bounce management 
  • Multiple data center locations 

Pros: 

  • Competitive pricing at volume 
  • Usage- based flexible pricing  
  • Built-in verification tools 

Cons: 

  • Shorter log retention on lower tiers 
  • Support and deliverability may vary at scale 
  • Limited analytics features 

SMTP2GO 

SMTP2GO delivers reliability, straightforward pricing, and responsive support. With regional endpoints and included dedicated IPs on mid-tier plans, it works as a solid MailerSend alternative for agencies and MSPs. 

Best for

Agencies, MSPs, and SMBs needing dependable SMTP/API sending, included IPs, and strong support. 

Pricing overview

  • Starter at about $10/month for 10k emails 
  • Dedicated IP from around $75/month (100k emails) 

Features

  • Regional API endpoints (US/EU/AU) 
  • Detailed analytics and reporting 
  • Phone and chat support 
  • Email archiving and compliance add-ons 
  • Subaccounts and suppression management 
  • Easy scaling with dedicated IPs 

Pros: 

  • High reliability and support reputation 
  • Multi-region sending and compliance options 
  • Dedicated IPs and subaccounts for scale 

Cons: 

  • No permanent free tier (trial only) 
  • Limited marketing/automation features 
  • SMS add-on requires extra setup 

SMTP.com 

SMTP.com offers classic SMTP relay and API focused on dedicated IP delivery and reputation management. While plans suit IT-led teams seeking straightforward contracts, commitments are higher and support/cancellation feedback is mixed compared to MailerSend. 

Best for

IT departments and enterprises seeking dedicated IPs and classic SMTP relay. 

Pricing overview

  • Plans from about $25/month (50k emails) 
  • Dedicated IPs on lower tiers; no free tier 

Features

  • API and SMTP relay 
  • Dedicated IPs and reputation management add-on 
  • 24/7 phone/email support 
  • Suppression and bounce management 
  • Simple, volume-based contracts 
  • Industry track record 

Pros: 

  • Dedicated IP access on lower tiers 
  • Established reputation 
  • Phone support included 

Cons: 

  • 30-day cancellation notice required 
  • Basic analytics and logging only 
  • No marketing tools or visual editors 

Mailchimp Transactional Email (Mandrill)

Mailchimp Transactional works well for teams already using Mailchimp, with a robust API/SMTP, rules engine, inbound routing, and subaccounts. Unlike MailerSend, it uses block pricing and requires a Mailchimp Standard or Premium plan. 

Best for

Mailchimp users needing advanced routing, subaccounts, and on-demand pricing. 

Pricing overview

  • Blocks of 25k emails from about $20/block (lower at scale) 
  • Requires active Mailchimp Standard or Premium 

Features

  • API/SMTP with inbound processing and rules engine 
  • Subaccounts for agency or multi-tenant use 
  • Detailed analytics and global delivery 
  • Optional dedicated IPs with automated warmup 
  • Deep Mailchimp integration 
  • Advanced operational tools 

Pros: 

  • Advanced routing and operational features 
  • Flexible block-based pricing 
  • Deep Mailchimp integration 

Cons: 

  • Requires Mailchimp subscription 
  • No rollover for unused credits 
  • Occasional UI/login friction 

Migrating from MailerSend to a new platform

Moving from MailerSend to another email API works smoothly with a phased approach. Here’s how to make a clean migration: 

Step 1: Export your data

  • Export templates, suppression lists, and activity logs from MailerSend (CSV/JSON). 
  • Document webhook/endpoints and app credentials for reference. 

Step 2: Set up domains and authentication

  • Add sending domains on the new provider. 
  • Configure SPF, DKIM, and optionally DMARC; verify DNS propagation. 
  • Use guided DNS/setup wizards where available. 

Step 3: Migrate templates and contacts

  • Recreate or import templates via editor or API. 
  • Upload suppression lists to keep compliance. 
  • If needed, port contact lists for triggered emails. 

Step 4: Test and validate deliverability

  • Send tests to internal/external inboxes and seed lists. 
  • Monitor bounces, opens, clicks, and spam placement. 
  • Adjust authentication, content, or IP warmup as needed. 

Step 5: Switch credentials and cut over

  • Update SMTP credentials or API keys in your app. 
  • Rotate webhooks to the new endpoints. 
  • Run parallel sending briefly, then fully cut over. 

FAQs 

For most teams, Mailgun offers the best combination of email deliverability, tooling, and scalability. If you need an all-in-one suite with EU data residency, Brevo works well. Elastic Email stands out for budget-conscious, high-volume senders. 

At moderate to high volumes, Elastic Email is typically the lowest-cost option. SMTP2GO and Mailgun also offer competitive pricing depending on your sending volume and IP needs. 

Run a parallel send by verifying domains and warming up IPs on the new provider. Test events and webhooks, then switch API or SMTP credentials once your metrics look healthy to avoid interruptions. 

Yes. Mailgun, Elastic Email, and Brevo provide free tiers or trials, letting you test their platforms before committing to a paid plan. 

Not always. A dedicated IP works well for high-volume or strict reputation control. For low to moderate senders, quality shared IP pools often provide strong deliverability. 

Email deliverability depends on your sending practices, but Mailgun, SMTP2GO, and Mailchimp Transactional are consistently strong when best practices are followed. 

Most providers offer chat, email, and phone support on paid tiers. Mailgun and SMTP2GO are known for responsive support, while others may vary based on plan and region. 

This guide was created by the team at Mailgun by Sinch. While we’ve aimed for a fair comparison of popular email services, our goal is to show you where Mailgun shines. We hope this helps you make the right choice for your needs. Last updated December 2025.