Mailgun vs SendGrid: Which Email API Should You Use in 2026?

A practical comparison of Mailgun and SendGrid for developers and small teams sending transactional and marketing email, covering pricing, features, and migration steps.

Updated 2026-09 · 2026

Mailgun

Developer-first email API built for deliverability

$0 (3-month trial) / $15/mo Foundationper month, 10k emails

Strengths

+Powerful, well-documented REST API and webhooks
+Detailed event logs and real-time analytics
+Built-in email validation service

Weaknesses

-No permanent free tier, only a time-limited trial
-Dashboard UI feels dated compared to competitors
-Support response times are slow on lower tiers

Best for

Developers who need fine-grained API control, inbound email processing, and don't mind coding their own templates.

SendGrid

Reliable transactional and marketing email at scale

$0 forever / $19.95/mo Essentialsper month, 50k emails

Strengths

+Genuinely free tier: 100 emails/day forever
+Backed by Twilio's infrastructure and reliability
+Combines transactional API with marketing campaigns

Weaknesses

-Pricing jumps sharply once you exceed Essentials tier
-Marketing plan pricing scales by contact count, not just emails
-Support is limited to community/email on free and low tiers

Best for

Small teams that want a free-to-start email tool with both transactional sending and basic marketing campaigns in one place.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Mailgun	SendGrid
Free tier	3-month trial, ~5k emails, then paid	100 emails/day, forever free
Email API	REST API + SMTP relay	REST API + SMTP relay
Email validation	Built-in, pay per validation	Separate add-on via Twilio
Inbound email parsing	Robust inbound routing rules	Inbound Parse webhook, less flexible
Marketing campaigns	Not offered natively	Built-in Marketing Campaigns product
Log/event retention	1–30 days depending on plan	3–7 days on free/Essentials, longer on higher tiers
Dedicated IP	Available on Scale plan ($90/mo+)	Available on Pro plan ($89.95/mo+)
Webhooks	Comprehensive event webhooks	Comprehensive event webhooks
Template editor	Code-based, minimal visual editor	Drag-and-drop editor plus dynamic templates
Support	Ticket-based, slow on lower tiers	Community/email free tier, chat on paid plans
Pricing model	Pay-as-you-go or tiered by volume	Tiered by volume, contacts count for marketing

The Verdict

SendGrid is the better starting point for small teams because of its permanent free tier and built-in marketing tools, while Mailgun suits developers who need deeper API control and inbound email processing. If cost is the deciding factor, start free on SendGrid and only move to Mailgun if you need its validation or routing features at scale.

How to switch from Mailgun to SendGrid

1Export your data from Mailgun: go to Sending > Suppressions in the dashboard and download bounces, unsubscribes, and complaints as CSV files, then use the Events API to pull historical send logs as JSON.
2Create a SendGrid account and verify your sending domain by adding new SPF and DKIM DNS records — don't reuse Mailgun's DNS entries.
3Import your suppression lists into SendGrid's Suppression Manager by uploading the CSV files you exported from Mailgun.
4Recreate your email templates in SendGrid's Dynamic Template editor, converting any Mailgun handlebars variables to SendGrid's templating syntax.
5Update API keys and SMTP credentials in your application code and any connected tools (Zapier, CRM, e-commerce platform) to point to SendGrid instead of Mailgun.
6Run both services in parallel for a short test period to confirm deliverability, then fully cut over your DNS records and cancel your Mailgun plan.

Mailgun vs SendGrid: common questions

How do I export my data from Mailgun before switching to SendGrid?+

Mailgun lets you download suppression lists (bounces, unsubscribes, complaints) as CSV from the Suppressions page in the dashboard. For historical send logs, use the Events API to pull JSON records, since there's no one-click full export. Templates must be copied manually as Mailgun doesn't offer a bulk template export.

What do I lose by switching from Mailgun to SendGrid?+

You lose Mailgun's more flexible inbound routing rules and built-in email validation pricing, since SendGrid's inbound parse is more basic and validation is a separate paid add-on. You'll also need to rebuild any custom logic tied to Mailgun's route/action system in your application code.

Is SendGrid's free plan enough for a small team?+

If you're sending under 100 transactional emails per day, the free plan works fine and never expires. It won't cover marketing blasts or higher-volume transactional needs, so most teams outgrow it within a few months and move to the $19.95/mo Essentials plan.

Does SendGrid integrate with the tools we already use?+

Yes, SendGrid has native integrations with Zapier, Shopify, WordPress, Heroku, and most major CRMs and e-commerce platforms. It also has SDKs for all common languages, so replacing Mailgun's API calls is usually a straightforward find-and-replace in your codebase.

Will switching from Mailgun to SendGrid actually save money?+

At low volumes (under 100 emails/day) SendGrid is free while Mailgun charges after the trial, so you save immediately. At higher volumes the pricing is close enough that the decision should be based on features you need, not cost alone — run your actual monthly volume through both pricing calculators before committing.