Quick Overview
- 1#1: SendGrid - SendGrid is a scalable cloud-based platform for sending transactional and marketing emails with exceptional deliverability and APIs.
- 2#2: Mailchimp - Mailchimp is an all-in-one email marketing platform for creating, sending, and tracking campaigns with automation features.
- 3#3: Brevo - Brevo provides email marketing, transactional messaging, SMS, and CRM tools with high-volume sending capabilities.
- 4#4: Amazon SES - Amazon SES is a cost-effective, pay-as-you-go service for sending high-volume transactional and marketing emails.
- 5#5: Mailgun - Mailgun offers developer-friendly APIs for sending, receiving, and tracking emails with robust deliverability.
- 6#6: Postmark - Postmark specializes in reliable transactional email delivery with fast sending and detailed reporting.
- 7#7: ActiveCampaign - ActiveCampaign delivers personalized email marketing automation integrated with CRM and sales tools.
- 8#8: Klaviyo - Klaviyo is an e-commerce-focused platform for targeted email and SMS campaigns with advanced segmentation.
- 9#9: ConvertKit - ConvertKit helps creators send newsletters, automate sequences, and grow subscriber lists effectively.
- 10#10: GetResponse - GetResponse enables email marketing, autoresponders, landing pages, and webinars for lead generation.
Tools were ranked based on core strengths: deliverability, feature depth (including automation, segmentation, and integrations), user experience, and overall value, prioritizing those that balance power with accessibility for diverse needs.
Comparison Table
Email sender software is vital for effective communication, and this comparison table guides users through leading tools like SendGrid, Mailchimp, Brevo, Amazon SES, Mailgun, and more. It outlines key features, pricing models, and best use cases to help readers identify the right solution for their needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SendGrid SendGrid is a scalable cloud-based platform for sending transactional and marketing emails with exceptional deliverability and APIs. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 2 | Mailchimp Mailchimp is an all-in-one email marketing platform for creating, sending, and tracking campaigns with automation features. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | Brevo Brevo provides email marketing, transactional messaging, SMS, and CRM tools with high-volume sending capabilities. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 4 | Amazon SES Amazon SES is a cost-effective, pay-as-you-go service for sending high-volume transactional and marketing emails. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 5 | Mailgun Mailgun offers developer-friendly APIs for sending, receiving, and tracking emails with robust deliverability. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Postmark Postmark specializes in reliable transactional email delivery with fast sending and detailed reporting. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | ActiveCampaign ActiveCampaign delivers personalized email marketing automation integrated with CRM and sales tools. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 8 | Klaviyo Klaviyo is an e-commerce-focused platform for targeted email and SMS campaigns with advanced segmentation. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 9 | ConvertKit ConvertKit helps creators send newsletters, automate sequences, and grow subscriber lists effectively. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | GetResponse GetResponse enables email marketing, autoresponders, landing pages, and webinars for lead generation. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
SendGrid is a scalable cloud-based platform for sending transactional and marketing emails with exceptional deliverability and APIs.
Mailchimp is an all-in-one email marketing platform for creating, sending, and tracking campaigns with automation features.
Brevo provides email marketing, transactional messaging, SMS, and CRM tools with high-volume sending capabilities.
Amazon SES is a cost-effective, pay-as-you-go service for sending high-volume transactional and marketing emails.
Mailgun offers developer-friendly APIs for sending, receiving, and tracking emails with robust deliverability.
Postmark specializes in reliable transactional email delivery with fast sending and detailed reporting.
ActiveCampaign delivers personalized email marketing automation integrated with CRM and sales tools.
Klaviyo is an e-commerce-focused platform for targeted email and SMS campaigns with advanced segmentation.
ConvertKit helps creators send newsletters, automate sequences, and grow subscriber lists effectively.
GetResponse enables email marketing, autoresponders, landing pages, and webinars for lead generation.
SendGrid
enterpriseSendGrid is a scalable cloud-based platform for sending transactional and marketing emails with exceptional deliverability and APIs.
Proprietary deliverability engine with automated IP warming, warm-up, and reputation management for optimal inbox placement.
SendGrid is a premier cloud-based email delivery platform specializing in transactional and marketing emails, enabling businesses to send billions of emails reliably at scale. It offers robust APIs, SMTP relay, drag-and-drop email builders, and advanced automation for developers and marketers alike. With real-time analytics, deliverability optimization, and seamless integrations with over 100 platforms, SendGrid ensures high inbox placement and compliance with global regulations.
Pros
- Industry-leading deliverability rates exceeding 99%
- Scalable API and SMTP for high-volume sending
- Comprehensive analytics, A/B testing, and automation
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly for very high volumes
- Email builder lacks some advanced design flexibility
- Support can be slower on free/basic plans
Best For
Developers and growing businesses requiring reliable, high-volume transactional email delivery with strong analytics and integrations.
Pricing
Free plan (100 emails/day); paid plans from $19.95/mo (50k emails) up to enterprise tiers, plus pay-as-you-go at $0.10/1k emails.
Mailchimp
specializedMailchimp is an all-in-one email marketing platform for creating, sending, and tracking campaigns with automation features.
Advanced behavioral automation journeys with multi-step triggers and personalization
Mailchimp is a comprehensive email marketing platform designed for creating, sending, and analyzing email campaigns with ease. It offers drag-and-drop email builders, audience segmentation, automation workflows, A/B testing, and detailed performance analytics. Beyond basic sending, it includes integrations with e-commerce, CRM tools, landing pages, and social ads, making it an all-in-one marketing hub for businesses of all sizes.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for quick campaign creation
- Powerful automation and audience segmentation tools
- Comprehensive analytics and A/B testing capabilities
Cons
- Pricing scales steeply with larger contact lists
- Limited customer support on free and lower-tier plans
- Some advanced features require higher paid plans
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses and marketers seeking an user-friendly, all-in-one platform for email campaigns and basic marketing automation.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly sends; paid Essentials plan starts at $13/mo (5,000 contacts/50k sends), Standard at $20/mo, with pricing tiered by audience size up to enterprise levels.
Brevo
specializedBrevo provides email marketing, transactional messaging, SMS, and CRM tools with high-volume sending capabilities.
Seamless integration of transactional and marketing emails with a single API and unlimited contacts
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is an all-in-one email marketing and transactional email platform that enables users to send high-volume marketing campaigns, automate customer journeys, and deliver transactional emails via SMTP or API. It offers a drag-and-drop editor, segmentation tools, A/B testing, and detailed analytics for optimizing performance. Additionally, it integrates SMS, chat, and CRM features, making it a versatile solution for multi-channel communication.
Pros
- Generous free plan with 300 emails/day and unlimited contacts
- Excellent deliverability rates and robust automation workflows
- Multi-channel support including email, SMS, and live chat
Cons
- Advanced reporting and customization locked behind higher tiers
- Customer support limited on free and lower plans
- Steeper learning curve for complex automations
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking an affordable, scalable platform for both marketing and transactional emails.
Pricing
Free plan (300 emails/day); Starter from $25/mo (20k emails/mo); higher Business plans up to custom enterprise pricing.
Amazon SES
enterpriseAmazon SES is a cost-effective, pay-as-you-go service for sending high-volume transactional and marketing emails.
Unlimited scalability with automatic handling of massive volumes and AWS-native integration for seamless global delivery
Amazon Simple Email Service (SES) is a cloud-based email sending platform that enables developers to send transactional, notification, and marketing emails at scale via API or SMTP. It offers high deliverability through features like dedicated IP options, reputation dashboards, and automatic bounce/complaint handling. Ideal for applications needing reliable bulk emailing, SES integrates seamlessly with other AWS services for enhanced workflows.
Pros
- Exceptional scalability for millions to billions of emails without performance issues
- High deliverability rates with built-in reputation management and suppression lists
- Cost-effective pay-as-you-go pricing with a generous free tier
Cons
- Requires exiting sandbox mode for production volumes, involving request approval
- Developer-focused with limited no-code UI or email design tools
- Setup involves AWS credentials and can be complex for non-technical users
Best For
Developers and businesses building high-volume transactional email systems within the AWS ecosystem.
Pricing
Pay-per-use at $0.10 per 1,000 emails sent (first 62,000/month free); additional fees for attachments, dedicated IPs ($24.95/month), and data transfer.
Mailgun
specializedMailgun offers developer-friendly APIs for sending, receiving, and tracking emails with robust deliverability.
Real-time webhooks for instant email event notifications and automation
Mailgun is a developer-focused email delivery platform that specializes in sending transactional and marketing emails via API or SMTP. It provides high deliverability through features like email validation, bounce management, and dedicated IP options. The service includes real-time analytics, webhooks for event tracking, and tools for list management and suppression to maintain sender reputation.
Pros
- Exceptional deliverability rates and inbox placement
- Robust API, SMTP relay, and extensive integrations
- Comprehensive analytics including opens, clicks, and bounces
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-developers
- Volume-based pricing can become expensive at scale
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
Best For
Developers and SaaS companies needing reliable, high-volume transactional email delivery integrated into applications.
Pricing
Free Flex plan up to 1,000 emails/month (then $1 per 1,000 emails); paid plans start at $35/month for 50,000 emails with volume discounts and dedicated IPs available.
Postmark
specializedPostmark specializes in reliable transactional email delivery with fast sending and detailed reporting.
Sub-second delivery speeds combined with inbox placement analytics and automatic bounce/suppression handling
Postmark is a developer-focused transactional email delivery service that specializes in sending reliable notifications, receipts, and other application-generated emails with exceptional speed and deliverability. It offers robust API and SMTP integrations, real-time webhooks, and detailed analytics to monitor email performance without supporting marketing campaigns. Ideal for apps needing high inbox placement rates, Postmark ensures emails land quickly and stay out of spam folders.
Pros
- Exceptional deliverability rates with proactive spam monitoring
- Lightning-fast delivery (under 1 second on average) and 99.99% uptime
- Powerful analytics, webhooks, and message streams for segmentation
Cons
- Strictly transactional emails only—no marketing or bulk sending
- Pricing scales quickly for high-volume senders
- Template editor is basic, better suited for developers than designers
Best For
Development teams and SaaS applications requiring reliable, high-deliverability transactional emails.
Pricing
Free for first 100 emails/month; plans start at $10 for 10k emails, scaling to $1,790+ for 10M+ emails with pay-as-you-go overages at $1.50/1k.
ActiveCampaign
enterpriseActiveCampaign delivers personalized email marketing automation integrated with CRM and sales tools.
Visual automation builder with conditional logic and machine learning predictions
ActiveCampaign is a robust email marketing platform that excels in sending personalized emails through advanced automation workflows, CRM integration, and behavioral tracking. It enables users to design complex customer journeys, segment audiences dynamically, and deliver targeted campaigns across email, SMS, and site messaging. With strong analytics and A/B testing, it's built for scaling marketing efforts beyond simple newsletters.
Pros
- Powerful automation builder for complex customer journeys
- Integrated CRM and site tracking for personalization
- High deliverability and detailed reporting
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Pricing scales quickly with contacts and features
- Interface can feel cluttered for simple use cases
Best For
Mid-sized businesses and marketing teams needing advanced email automation with CRM capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (annual billing) for Starter plan (500 contacts); Plus at $49, Pro at $149; scales by contacts and features.
Klaviyo
specializedKlaviyo is an e-commerce-focused platform for targeted email and SMS campaigns with advanced segmentation.
Revenue Per Recipient (RPR) analytics with multi-touch attribution to directly tie emails to sales
Klaviyo is a robust email marketing platform tailored for e-commerce businesses, enabling automated, personalized email campaigns driven by first-party customer data. It integrates seamlessly with platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce to sync real-time behavioral data for advanced segmentation and dynamic content. Key strengths include revenue tracking, A/B testing, and multi-step flow automation to nurture leads and recover lost sales.
Pros
- Exceptional e-commerce integrations with real-time data syncing
- Advanced segmentation and predictive analytics for personalization
- Precise revenue attribution and ROI measurement
Cons
- Pricing scales steeply with active contacts, costly for large lists
- Steeper learning curve for complex flows and analytics
- Less optimized for non-e-commerce or B2B use cases
Best For
E-commerce and DTC brands focused on data-driven email automation to maximize customer lifetime value.
Pricing
Free for up to 250 active profiles; paid plans start at $20/month (500 profiles) and scale tiered by contacts (e.g., $60 for 1,000, $150 for 5,000), plus add-ons for SMS.
ConvertKit
specializedConvertKit helps creators send newsletters, automate sequences, and grow subscriber lists effectively.
Visual automation sequences with drag-and-drop logic for easy, powerful email workflows
ConvertKit is an email marketing platform tailored for creators, bloggers, podcasters, and online businesses, enabling users to send newsletters, build subscriber lists via forms and landing pages, and automate email sequences. It emphasizes segmentation through tags and behaviors, commerce integrations for selling digital products, and high deliverability. While powerful for content-driven marketing, it focuses less on e-commerce scale compared to generalist tools.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop automation builder
- Creator-focused tools like subscriber incentives and commerce
- Strong deliverability and segmentation capabilities
Cons
- Pricing scales steeply with subscriber growth
- Limited advanced reporting and A/B testing
- Fewer integrations than enterprise competitors
Best For
Content creators, bloggers, and solopreneurs who want to grow, nurture, and monetize email lists without technical complexity.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers; paid Creator plan starts at $15/month (up to 300 subs), scaling to $29/month (1,000-3,000 subs) and higher tiers based on list size.
GetResponse
specializedGetResponse enables email marketing, autoresponders, landing pages, and webinars for lead generation.
Conversion Funnel builder that automates multi-step campaigns combining emails, landing pages, and webinars
GetResponse is an all-in-one email marketing platform designed for creating, sending, and automating email campaigns to engage subscribers and drive conversions. It features drag-and-drop email builders, autoresponders, A/B testing, segmentation, and analytics, alongside complementary tools like landing pages, webinars, and e-commerce integrations. Ideal for marketers needing more than just email sending, it supports full marketing funnels from lead capture to nurturing.
Pros
- Comprehensive automation with autoresponders and workflows
- Built-in webinar hosting and landing page builder
- Strong analytics and A/B testing capabilities
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly for larger lists
- Some advanced features have a learning curve
- Customer support can be slow for non-premium users
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses and solopreneurs looking for an integrated email marketing and automation solution.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 500 contacts; paid plans start at $19/month (1,000 subscribers) up to $999+/month for enterprise, with tiered options like Starter, Marketer, and Creator.
Conclusion
Evaluating email sender software reveals standout options, with SendGrid leading as the top choice, celebrated for its scalable cloud-based delivery and exceptional deliverability. Mailchimp follows, excelling as an all-in-one platform with robust automation and campaign tools, while Brevo impresses with its high-volume multi-channel capabilities (email, SMS, CRM). Together, these three tools showcase the best in the field, each suited to different needs, ensuring a strong option for nearly any user.
Start with SendGrid to experience seamless, effective email communication, or explore Mailchimp or Brevo if your focus is on automation, e-commerce, or combined messaging—your goals will thrive with the right tool.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
