In-Depth Comparison
SendGrid vs Mailgun
In-depth comparison of SendGrid and Mailgun for B2B SaaS companies. We analyze API quality, deliverability, pricing, features, and real-world use cases.
Last updated: 2026-03-15
SendGrid
sendgrid.comDeliver exceptional email experiences with the trusted email platform.
Ideal for: Companies needing reliable email at scale with both marketing and transactional capabilities
Mailgun
www.mailgun.comThe email service for developers. Powerful APIs for sending, receiving, and tracking.
Ideal for: Development teams needing flexible email infrastructure with SMTP, inbound processing, and email validation
TL;DR: SendGrid vs Mailgun
SendGrid wins on scale, marketing features, integration ecosystem, and track record. Mailgun wins on email validation and inbound email routing flexibility. Both are established platforms with similar core capabilities. Sequenzy is the strongest choice if your SaaS needs lifecycle email with native billing integration for trial conversion, dunning, and churn prevention.
The industry standard for email at scale with marketing and transactional
The developer email platform with SMTP, inbound, and validation
Purpose-built SaaS email with native billing integration
Editor's Note
Both SendGrid and Mailgun are general-purpose email infrastructure. If your B2B SaaS needs lifecycle email with billing integration (trial conversion, dunning, churn prevention), consider Sequenzy (sequenzy.com).
SendGrid vs Mailgun vs Sequenzy: Quick Comparison
| Feature | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Enterprise-scale email with marketing campaigns | Developer teams needing SMTP, inbound, and validation | B2B SaaS lifecycle email with billing integration | Sequenzy |
| Starting Price | Free (100 emails/day) | $35/mo for 50,000 emails | $19/mo for 15,000 emails | SendGrid |
| Deliverability | 15+ years of IP reputation management | Variable shared IP quality | SaaS-only IP pools | SendGrid |
| Marketing Campaigns | Full campaign builder (paid add-on) | Not available | Campaign builder with SaaS templates | SendGrid |
| Email Validation | Available as paid add-on | Mailgun Optimize built-in validation | Not available | Mailgun |
| Inbound Email | Inbound parse webhook | Full inbound routing and parsing | Not supported | Mailgun |
| SMTP Support | Full SMTP relay | Full SMTP with flexible routing | API-only | Tie |
| Log Retention | 30+ days on all plans | 5-30 days depending on plan | 30+ days | SendGrid |
| Payment Integration | None | None | Native Stripe, Paddle, Chargebee, LemonSqueezy | Sequenzy |
| Dedicated IP | Available on Pro ($89.95/mo) | Available on Scale ($90/mo) | Available on Growth ($49/mo) | Sequenzy |
| SDK Languages | 7 official SDKs | 7 official SDKs | Node.js and Python | Tie |
Score Breakdown
Each category scored out of 10. Totals: SendGrid 69/100, Mailgun 61/100, Sequenzy 67/100.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Detailed feature analysis across every category that matters for B2B SaaS email.
📨 Transactional Email
| Feature | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Send speed | 8/10 Reliable with occasional latency | 7/10 Decent speed, some variance | 7/10 Reliable, lifecycle-optimized |
| Template system | 7/10 Handlebars dynamic templates with visual editor | 5/10 Handlebars templates via API, no visual editor | 8/10 Liquid templates with SaaS blocks |
| Bounce handling | 8/10 Auto-suppression with management | 7/10 Bounce processing with suppression | 8/10 Auto with payment context |
| Email routing | 6/10 Standard SMTP relay | 9/10 Flexible routing rules for complex workflows | 5/10 Standard API sending |
| Attachments | 9/10 Up to 30MB with inline support | 8/10 Up to 25MB with inline support | 7/10 Standard attachment support |
📧 Marketing & Campaigns
| Feature | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campaign builder | 8/10 Full drag-and-drop builder in Marketing Campaigns | 0/10 Not available | 7/10 Campaign builder with SaaS templates |
| A/B testing | 8/10 Subject line and content testing | 0/10 Not available | 7/10 Subject line testing |
| Automation | 6/10 Basic automation in Marketing Campaigns | 0/10 Not available | 9/10 Pre-built SaaS lifecycle automation |
| Contact management | 7/10 Contact lists with segmentation | 3/10 Mailing lists via API | 8/10 Contacts with billing data sync |
| Unsubscribe management | 8/10 Group unsubscribes and preferences | 6/10 Basic unsubscribe handling | 8/10 Preference center |
💻 API & Developer Tools
| Feature | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| API design | 6/10 Functional but v2/v3 inconsistencies | 6/10 Functional but dated in areas | 8/10 Clean REST with lifecycle endpoints |
| Documentation | 7/10 Comprehensive but dense | 6/10 Adequate but hard to navigate | 8/10 SaaS-focused guides |
| SDK quality | 7/10 Official SDKs, some feel auto-generated | 6/10 Official SDKs, some dated | 7/10 Node.js and Python |
| Email validation | 5/10 Available as paid add-on | 9/10 Mailgun Optimize with real-time and bulk validation | 0/10 Not available |
| Inbound processing | 6/10 Inbound parse webhook | 8/10 Full inbound routing with flexible rules | 0/10 Not supported |
🚀 Deliverability & Infrastructure
| Feature | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP reputation | 8/10 15+ years of reputation management | 6/10 Variable shared IP quality | 8/10 SaaS-only pools |
| Dedicated IP | 8/10 Available on Pro with warmup tools | 7/10 Available on Scale plan | 7/10 Available on Growth plan |
| Domain auth | 7/10 SPF, DKIM, DMARC with link branding | 7/10 SPF, DKIM, DMARC, tracking domain | 8/10 Guided SPF, DKIM, DMARC setup |
| Scale capacity | 10/10 Proven at billions per month | 8/10 Handles high volume well | 7/10 Optimized for SaaS scale |
| Compliance | 9/10 Full CAN-SPAM, GDPR, unsubscribe headers | 7/10 Basic compliance tools | 8/10 Built-in compliance |
🎯 SaaS-Specific Features
| Feature | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billing integration | 0/10 Not available | 0/10 Not available | 10/10 Native Stripe, Paddle, LemonSqueezy, Chargebee |
| Lifecycle sequences | 4/10 Basic automation in marketing add-on | 0/10 Not available | 9/10 Pre-built onboarding, dunning, churn prevention |
| Dunning emails | 2/10 Build with API | 0/10 Not available | 10/10 Auto-triggered by payment failures |
| Trial conversion | 2/10 Build custom workflow | 0/10 Not available | 10/10 Pre-built from billing trial status |
| Revenue attribution | 0/10 Not available | 0/10 Not available | 9/10 MRR impact per sequence |
SendGrid vs Mailgun vs Sequenzy: Pricing
SendGrid has tiered monthly plans. Mailgun charges by email volume with feature gating by plan. Sequenzy charges by volume with all features included.
Free: 100 emails/day
Free trial, then $35/mo
14-day free trial, then $19/mo
| Tier | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $19.95/mo 100,000 emails, basic analytics | $35/mo 50,000 emails, 5 days log retention | $19/mo 15,000 emails, all SaaS workflows, billing integration | 50K-100K emails/month |
| Growth | $89.95/mo 500,000 emails, dedicated IP, phone support | $90/mo 100,000 emails, dedicated IP, 15 days log retention | $49/mo 50,000 emails, dedicated IP, advanced analytics | 100K-500K emails/month |
| Scale / Pro | $249.95+/mo 1M+ emails, SLA, SSO, dedicated IP pool | $350+/mo 500K+ emails, 30 days log retention, SLA | $149/mo 200,000 emails, SLA, SSO | 500K-1M+ emails/month |
SendGrid: Watch Out For
- !Marketing Campaigns is a separate add-on
- !Email validation costs extra
- !Dedicated IP add-on on lower plans
Mailgun: Watch Out For
- !Email validation (Mailgun Optimize) is a separate add-on
- !Log retention limited to 5 days on starter
- !Dedicated IP costs extra on lower plans
- !IP pool management fees
Sequenzy: Watch Out For
- !Smaller SDK ecosystem
- !No SMTP relay support
- !No email validation service
Pricing Verdict: SendGrid offers more emails per dollar at lower tiers. Mailgun is pricier per email but includes unique features like email validation. Sequenzy is the best value for B2B SaaS teams needing lifecycle email at $19/mo.
Cost Comparison Note
Most SaaS teams need both transactional and lifecycle email. Using SendGrid or Mailgun plus a lifecycle tool costs $150-300/mo combined. Sequenzy combines both at $19/mo.
B2B SaaS Use Cases
How each platform handles the email workflows that matter most for B2B SaaS companies.
🎯 User Onboarding Sequences
Automated onboarding email sequences.
SendGrid
Use Marketing Campaigns automation or build with transactional API. Visual editor for templates.
Mailgun
Send via Mailgun API. No automation. All sequencing in your codebase.
Sequenzy
Pre-built onboarding templates connected to billing. Branch by plan and engagement.
Verdict: Sequenzy wins with ready-made SaaS onboarding. SendGrid has basic automation. Mailgun has none.
Real-World Example
A SaaS needs 5 onboarding emails. Sequenzy offers a template. SendGrid requires Marketing Campaigns. Mailgun requires custom code.
Example subject line: Welcome to [App]. Get started in 3 steps.
🔔 Transactional Notifications
System emails requiring reliable delivery.
SendGrid
Reliable delivery via API or SMTP. Proven at massive scale. Dynamic templates.
Mailgun
Send via API or SMTP. Flexible routing rules. Proven infrastructure.
Sequenzy
Send via API with SaaS templates. Reliable delivery.
Verdict: SendGrid has a slight edge with proven scale and better shared IP reputation. Both handle transactional well. Sequenzy adds SaaS template value.
Real-World Example
A SaaS sends 100K transactional emails daily. Both SendGrid and Mailgun handle this.
Example subject line: Your password has been reset
💰 Trial-to-Paid Conversion
Trial conversion emails tied to billing.
SendGrid
Build with Marketing Campaigns automation or transactional API.
Mailgun
Send via API. No automation. Build everything from scratch.
Sequenzy
Purpose-built trial conversion connected to Stripe/Paddle.
Verdict: Sequenzy wins with native billing integration. SendGrid has basic automation. Mailgun has none.
Real-World Example
A SaaS with 14-day trials needs conversion emails. Sequenzy automates from billing data.
Example subject line: Your trial ends in 3 days.
💳 Payment Failed (Dunning)
Automated payment recovery emails.
SendGrid
Build with transactional API from billing webhooks.
Mailgun
Send via API from billing webhooks. No dunning support.
Sequenzy
Automatic dunning from Stripe/Paddle failures. Escalating templates. Auto-stops on success.
Verdict: Sequenzy dominates dunning. Both SendGrid and Mailgun require custom development.
Real-World Example
A subscription SaaS needs escalating dunning. Sequenzy handles it automatically.
Example subject line: Action required: your payment failed
🧹 Email Validation
Verifying email addresses to improve deliverability.
SendGrid
Email validation add-on available. Validates at registration or cleans existing lists.
Mailgun
Mailgun Optimize provides real-time and bulk validation. Integrated into your sending workflow.
Sequenzy
Not available natively. Relies on bounce handling for list hygiene.
Verdict: Mailgun has the best built-in email validation. SendGrid offers it as an add-on. Sequenzy does not have validation.
Real-World Example
A SaaS with 50K signups/month validates emails at registration. Mailgun handles this natively.
Example subject line: N/A
🔄 Churn Prevention
Re-engagement emails for declining users.
SendGrid
Build re-engagement in Marketing Campaigns with synced user data.
Mailgun
Send via API when your app detects at-risk users. No behavior tracking.
Sequenzy
Churn prevention combining usage with billing data. Pre-built win-back sequences.
Verdict: Sequenzy wins with billing-aware churn prevention. SendGrid has basic re-engagement. Mailgun has nothing.
Real-World Example
A SaaS wants automated re-engagement. Sequenzy combines behavior and billing data.
Example subject line: We miss you. Here is what you have been missing.
📥 Inbound Email Processing
Receiving and processing emails sent to your app.
SendGrid
Inbound parse webhook forwards parsed emails to your endpoint.
Mailgun
Full inbound routing with flexible rules. Route by recipient, domain, or content pattern.
Sequenzy
Not supported.
Verdict: Mailgun has better inbound routing with more flexibility. SendGrid offers basic inbound parsing.
Real-World Example
A SaaS processes reply emails. Mailgun has the most flexible routing. SendGrid supports basic parsing.
Example subject line: Re: Your support ticket
📈 Upsell & Expansion
Upgrade emails based on usage.
SendGrid
Build upsell campaigns in Marketing Campaigns.
Mailgun
Send via API when opportunities are detected. No built-in support.
Sequenzy
Automatic triggers on plan limits. Personalized by billing history.
Verdict: Sequenzy automates expansion with billing data. SendGrid can support basic campaigns. Mailgun has no support.
Real-World Example
An API platform upsells users hitting limits. Sequenzy automates this.
Example subject line: You are approaching your plan limit
The Bigger Picture
Neither platform offers SaaS-specific lifecycle features. For billing-triggered workflows, Sequenzy fills the gap with native Stripe/Paddle integrations.
Automation Capabilities
Email automation is critical for B2B SaaS. Here is how SendGrid, Mailgun, and Sequenzy compare.
| Capability | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual workflow builder | Yes Basic builder in Marketing Campaigns | No Not available | Yes Visual builder with SaaS templates |
| Event-based triggers | Yes Basic triggers in Marketing Campaigns | No Your app calls the API | Yes Product + billing events |
| Drip sequences | Yes Basic drip campaigns | No Not available | Yes Pre-built SaaS lifecycle sequences |
| Conditional branching | Yes Basic if/else | No Build in code | Yes Branch by plan, MRR, trial status |
| Email routing | Yes Standard SMTP relay | Yes Flexible inbound routing rules | No Standard sending |
| Goal tracking | No Not available | No Not available | Yes Auto-remove on billing events |
| Dynamic content | Yes Handlebars dynamic data | Yes Recipient variables | Yes Dynamic with billing data |
API & Developer Experience
For B2B SaaS teams, the API quality directly impacts how fast you can integrate and iterate on email.
SendGrid API
- SDKs: Node.js, Python, Go, Ruby, PHP, Java, C#
- Docs: 7/10
- Webhooks: Event webhooks with basic signing
- Rate Limit: Varies by plan, high capacity at scale
- Batch: Up to 1,000 personalizations per request
Mailgun API
- SDKs: Python, Ruby, Java, C#, Go, PHP, Node.js
- Docs: 6/10
- Webhooks: Webhook events for delivery, opens, clicks, bounces
- Rate Limit: Varies by plan, generally generous
- Batch: Batch via recipient variables
Sequenzy API
- SDKs: Node.js (official), Python (official), REST API
- Docs: 8/10
- Webhooks: Email and billing events with retry
- Rate Limit: 50 req/s, higher on Scale
- Batch: Batch with per-recipient personalization
SendGrid Code Example
const sgMail = require("@sendgrid/mail");
sgMail.setApiKey(process.env.SENDGRID_API_KEY);
await sgMail.send({
to: "user@company.com",
from: "hello@acme.com",
subject: "Welcome",
templateId: "d-abc123",
dynamicTemplateData: { firstName: "Sarah" },
});Mailgun Code Example
const Mailgun = require("mailgun.js");
const formData = require("form-data");
const mg = new Mailgun(formData);
const client = mg.client({ username: "api", key: "key" });
await client.messages.create("acme.com", {
from: "Acme <hello@acme.com>",
to: ["user@company.com"],
subject: "Welcome",
template: "welcome",
"h:X-Mailgun-Variables": JSON.stringify({
firstName: "Sarah",
}),
});Sequenzy Code Example
import { Sequenzy } from "sequenzy";
const sq = new Sequenzy("sq_your_api_key");
await sq.subscribers.add({
email: "user@company.com",
firstName: "Sarah",
stripeCustomerId: "cus_abc123",
});
await sq.sequences.trigger({
email: "user@company.com",
sequence: "trial_onboarding",
});Email Deliverability Comparison
Your emails are useless if they do not reach the inbox. Here is how all three platforms handle deliverability.
| Factor | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Twilio-backed with 15+ years of reputation data | Sinch-backed with global nodes | Managed with SaaS-only pools |
| Inbox Placement | ~95-97% (varies by sender) | ~92-96% (shared IPs can vary) | ~96-98% (SaaS-only pools) |
| Dedicated IP | Available on Pro ($89.95/mo) | Available on Scale ($90/mo) | Available on Growth ($49/mo) |
| Auth Protocols | SPF, DKIM, DMARC, link branding | SPF, DKIM, DMARC, tracking domain | SPF, DKIM, DMARC, Custom Return-Path |
| Email Validation | Paid add-on | Mailgun Optimize (built-in paid feature) | Not available |
| IP Warmup | Warmup tools with volume scheduling | Manual warmup with guidelines | Guided warmup |
SendGrid generally has stronger deliverability due to more mature IP management. Mailgun shared IPs can be inconsistent. Both benefit from dedicated IPs. Sequenzy SaaS-only pools tend to have better reputation since all senders are legitimate software companies.
Integration Ecosystem
SendGrid has ~100 integrations, Mailgun has ~50, and Sequenzy has ~25. Here is how they compare across key B2B SaaS categories.
Payment & Billing
| Service | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Yes (API Only) | Yes (API Only) | Yes (Native) |
| Paddle | Yes (API Only) | Yes (API Only) | Yes (Native) |
CRM
| Service | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| HubSpot | Yes (3rd Party) | Yes (3rd Party) | Yes (Official) |
| Salesforce | Yes (Official) | Yes (3rd Party) | Yes (3rd Party) |
Automation & Workflow
| Service | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zapier | Yes (Official) | Yes (Official) | Yes (Official) |
| Make (Integromat) | Yes (Official) | Yes (Official) | Yes (Official) |
| n8n | Yes (Official) | Yes (Official) | Yes (3rd Party) |
Product Analytics
| Service | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Segment | Yes (Official) | Yes (3rd Party) | Yes (Official) |
| Mixpanel | Yes (3rd Party) | No (None) | Yes (3rd Party) |
Development Frameworks
| Service | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Django/Flask | Yes (Official) | Yes (Official) | Yes (Official) |
| Rails | Yes (Official) | Yes (Official) | Yes (API Only) |
| Next.js | Yes (API Only) | Yes (API Only) | Yes (API Only) |
Analytics & Reporting
What data you can track and how each platform helps you measure email performance.
| Metric | SendGrid | Mailgun | Sequenzy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open rate | Per-campaign and per-email | Per-email tracking | Per-campaign and per-sequence |
| Click tracking | Link-level with engagement metrics | Click tracking with URL rewriting | Link-level with conversion attribution |
| Bounce tracking | Categorization with auto-suppression | Bounce handling with suppression | With payment context |
| Revenue attribution | Not available | Not available | MRR impact per sequence |
| Dashboard | Full analytics dashboard | Analytics dashboard with charts | SaaS-focused with lifecycle metrics |
| Log retention | 30+ days on all plans | 5-30 days depending on plan | 30+ days |
| Export | CSV, scheduled reports, API | API and limited CSV | CSV plus API with revenue data |
SendGrid: Unique Features
- + ISP-level stats
- + A/B testing analytics
- + Scheduled reports
- + Marketing campaign dashboards
Mailgun: Unique Features
- + Email validation analytics
- + Inbound email routing analytics
- + Tag-based categorization
- + Inbox placement testing
Sequenzy: Unique Features
- + MRR impact per sequence
- + Trial conversion tracking
- + Dunning recovery dashboard
- + Churn prevention metrics
- + Lifecycle overview
Pros & Cons
SendGrid
Pros
- + Proven at billions of emails per month
- + Marketing Campaigns with campaign builder and automation
- + Largest integration ecosystem
- + Enterprise SLAs backed by Twilio
- + Better shared IP reputation than Mailgun
- + Full SMTP relay support
- + 30+ days log retention on all plans
- + Official Salesforce integration
Cons
- - API design feels dated
- - Dashboard can be complex
- - Marketing Campaigns is a paid add-on
- - Support quality reportedly declined post-acquisition
- - Complex pricing with add-ons
- - No SaaS-specific features
- - Inbound email less flexible than Mailgun
- - Email validation less robust than Mailgun Optimize
Mailgun
Pros
- + Best-in-class email validation with Mailgun Optimize
- + Flexible inbound email routing and parsing
- + Strong SMTP relay with routing rules
- + Action Mailer support for Rails
- + Tag-based analytics for categorization
- + Batch sending with recipient variables
- + Good Python SDK
- + Flexible email routing API
Cons
- - Shared IP reputation can be inconsistent
- - No marketing campaign features
- - Limited log retention on lower plans (5 days)
- - API documentation can be hard to navigate
- - SDKs feel less polished
- - Multiple ownership changes create uncertainty
- - No SaaS lifecycle or billing features
- - Higher per-email cost than SendGrid at similar volume
Who Should Use What?
Specific recommendations based on your company type and needs.
Early-stage SaaS
Startup needing email infrastructure fast.
Sequenzy at $19/mo includes transactional and lifecycle email with billing integration. Neither SendGrid nor Mailgun offers SaaS-specific features.
Marketing + transactional in one platform
Need campaign management alongside transactional.
SendGrid is the only option here with marketing campaigns. Mailgun has no marketing features.
SaaS needing email validation
High-volume signups requiring email verification.
Mailgun Optimize is the best built-in email validation. SendGrid offers it but as a weaker add-on.
Product-led growth SaaS
Self-serve signups with billing-aware lifecycle email.
Sequenzy connects to Stripe/Paddle for trial conversion, dunning, and churn prevention.
High-volume sender
Sending millions monthly at scale.
SendGrid has the most proven infrastructure at massive scale, backed by Twilio.
Rails app needing SMTP
Ruby on Rails with Action Mailer setup.
Mailgun has excellent Rails/Action Mailer integration with flexible SMTP routing.
Migration Guide
Migrating from SendGrid to Mailgun
Steps
- 1. Set up Mailgun account and verify domain
- 2. Convert SendGrid templates to Mailgun Handlebars format
- 3. Update API calls from SendGrid SDK to Mailgun SDK
- 4. Migrate SMTP credentials if using relay
- 5. Set up webhook endpoints
- 6. Test all email flows
- 7. Migrate traffic gradually
Watch Out For
- ! Marketing Campaigns features have no Mailgun equivalent
- ! Log retention may be shorter on lower Mailgun plans
- ! SendGrid group unsubscribes have no direct equivalent
- ! Analytics dashboards differ significantly
Migrating from Mailgun to SendGrid
Steps
- 1. Set up SendGrid account and verify domain
- 2. Convert Mailgun templates to SendGrid dynamic templates
- 3. Update API calls from Mailgun SDK to SendGrid SDK
- 4. Migrate SMTP relay configuration
- 5. Set up webhook endpoints
- 6. Test all email flows
- 7. Switch traffic
Watch Out For
- ! Mailgun inbound routing needs to be reconfigured
- ! Email validation needs to switch to SendGrid add-on or third-party
- ! Mailgun routing rules have no direct SendGrid equivalent
- ! Historical data does not transfer
The Bottom Line
Choose SendGrid if...
- ✓ You need marketing campaigns alongside transactional email
- ✓ Scale and proven infrastructure are your priorities
- ✓ You want the largest integration ecosystem
- ✓ You need enterprise SLAs backed by Twilio
- ✓ You want longer log retention out of the box
- ✓ You need a Salesforce integration
Choose Mailgun if...
- ✓ You need built-in email validation
- ✓ You need flexible inbound email routing
- ✓ You use Rails with Action Mailer
- ✓ You need complex email routing rules
- ✓ You want tag-based email categorization
- ✓ SMTP flexibility with routing is important
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SendGrid more reliable than Mailgun?
SendGrid generally has better deliverability and more consistent shared IP reputation. Mailgun shared IPs have varied. For both platforms, a dedicated IP improves reliability. SendGrid has a longer track record (15+ years) and handles more volume globally.
Does Mailgun have better email validation than SendGrid?
Yes. Mailgun Optimize is a more mature and comprehensive email validation service. SendGrid offers validation as an add-on but it is not as feature-rich as Mailgun Optimize, which provides real-time and bulk validation with detailed risk assessment.
Which is cheaper for 100K emails per month?
SendGrid costs $89.95/mo for up to 500K emails. Mailgun costs $90/mo for 100K emails. At this volume, SendGrid gives you more emails per dollar. Sequenzy at $49/mo gives you 50K emails with lifecycle features included.
Can I use both SendGrid and Mailgun together?
Yes, some teams use SendGrid for marketing/transactional sending and Mailgun for inbound email processing or email validation. This adds complexity but leverages each platform strengths.