Are you browsing some of the best Amazon SES alternatives for your transactional or marketing email needs? If so then you have arrived at the right blog post.
Amazon SES (Simple Email Service) has been a popular choice for businesses and developers to send transactional and marketing emails.
However, as your email needs grow, you might want to explore alternative SMTP relay services that offer better features and deliverability.
In this blog post, we will explore the top Amazon SES alternatives, providing a detailed overview, key features, pros and cons, pricing plans, and a comparison to help you make an informed decision.
Without wasting any time, let’s just straight to action…
1. Brevo (formerly known as Sendinblue)
Brevo, formerly known as Sendinblue, is a versatile email marketing and automation platform that serves as one of the best Amazon SES alternatives. It caters to a wide range of users, from small businesses to enterprises, offering easy-to-use features and robust deliverability.
The software boasts an impressive email deliverability rate of approximately 98%, ensuring your messages land in the inbox and not the spam folder.
Key Features of Brevo
- SMTP API Integration: Brevo’s SMTP API integration allows you to send personalized emails and transactional messages programmatically, ensuring efficient communication with your customers.
- Advanced Email Personalization: Customize email content using merge tags, making your messages feel more personal and relevant.
- Marketing Automation: Set up automated email workflows based on user actions, streamlining your marketing efforts and nurturing leads.
- Real-time Reporting and Analytics: Monitor email performance, track opens, clicks, and analyze campaign results to optimize your email strategy.
Pros & Cons of Brevo
Pros:
- User-friendly interface, suitable for beginners and experienced marketers alike.
- Comprehensive automation and segmentation features.
- Affordable pricing plans with a generous free plan option.
- Excellent customer support.
Cons:
- Advanced features like A/B testing are limited in the free plan.
- Some users may find the email template library slightly restrictive.
Brevo Free Trial & Pricing Plans
Brevo offers various pricing tiers, including a free plan with 300 emails per day and a limit of 9,000 emails per month. Paid plans start at $15 per month for 20,000 emails. All the pricing tiers come with all features and the flexibility to scale your pricing tiers at any time.
2. SendPulse SMTP
SendPulse SMTP is a powerful email delivery service that guarantees high inbox placement and delivery rates. It is another excellent Amazon SES alternative, with a focus on deliverability and customer engagement.
SendPulse boasts an impressive deliverability rate of approximately 95%, ensuring your emails reach the intended recipients consistently.
Key Features of SendPulse SMTP
- SMTP Relay: Easily integrate with SendPulse’s SMTP relay to send transactional emails, password resets, and notifications securely.
- Drag-and-Drop Editor: Create visually appealing emails without any coding knowledge, using the intuitive drag-and-drop editor.
- A/B Testing: Test different email variations to optimize your campaigns and increase open and click-through rates.
- Web Push Notifications: Complement your email strategy with web push notifications to engage users even when they are not actively checking their inbox.
Pros & Cons of SendPulse SMTP
Pros:
- High deliverability rates.
- Intuitive user interface.
- Robust automation and segmentation capabilities.
- Free plan available.
Cons:
- Limited reporting and analytics in the free plan.
- Some users may find the pricing structure slightly complex.
SendPulse SMTP Free Trial & Pricing Plans
SendPulse offers a free plan with 12,000 monthly email credits and a limit of 500 subscribers. At the same time, paid plans for transactional emails start at $8.85 per month, with additional features and higher email volumes.
3. MailerSend
MailerSend is a modern email delivery service designed for developers and marketers alike. With its simplicity and focus on deliverability, it proves to be an efficient alternative to Amazon SES.
This transactional email service guarantees an excellent deliverability rate of approximately 99%, ensuring your emails reach the inbox promptly.
Key Features of MailerSend
- SMTP Relay and API: Seamlessly integrate MailerSend with your application using SMTP or API to deliver transactional emails with ease.
- Email Tracking: Monitor email opens, clicks, and bounces in real-time, gaining valuable insights into campaign performance.
- Email Validation: Ensure the cleanliness of your email list and increase deliverability by removing invalid or inactive addresses.
- Global Infrastructure: Benefit from MailerSend’s distributed infrastructure, ensuring reliable delivery to recipients worldwide.
Pros & Cons of MailerSend
Pros:
- High deliverability rates.
- Developer-friendly API documentation.
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
- User-friendly interface.
Cons:
- Some users may require more comprehensive marketing automation features.
MailerSend Free Trial & Pricing Plans
MailerSend offers a flexible pay-as-you-go pricing model, starting at $30 per month for 50,000 emails. It includes 3,000 monthly credits for free, allowing you to explore the service before committing to a paid plan.
4. SMTP.com
SMTP.com is a reputable SMTP relay service known for its reliable email delivery infrastructure. It serves as one of the strongest Amazon SES alternatives, providing businesses with a robust platform to send transactional and marketing emails seamlessly.
This SMTP service boasts an impressive email deliverability rate of approximately 97%, ensuring your critical emails reach recipients’ inboxes efficiently.
Key Features of SMTP.com
- SMTP Relay Service: SMTP.com offers a secure and scalable SMTP relay service, ensuring high delivery rates for your transactional emails.
- IP Pool Management: Maintain a positive sender reputation with IP pool management, optimizing email deliverability.
- Real-time Reporting: Gain valuable insights into email performance with real-time reporting and detailed analytics.
- Email Encryption: Ensure the security and privacy of your emails with SMTP.com’s advanced email encryption features.
Pros & Cons of SMTP.com
Pros:
- Excellent deliverability rates.
- Dedicated IP option for improved deliverability.
- Reliable infrastructure with multiple data centers.
- Compliance with email authentication standards.
Cons:
- Some users might find the pricing plans slightly higher than other alternatives.
- The user interface could benefit from modernization.
SMTP.com Free Trial & Pricing Plans
SMTP.com offers a variety of pricing plans based on the number of emails sent and the level of support required. Pricing plans start at $25/month for 50,000 emails.
5. Mailgun
Mailgun is a popular email service provider trusted by developers and businesses for its powerful email APIs and deliverability. As an Amazon SES alternative, Mailgun offers robust features for sending, receiving, and tracking emails.
Mailgun maintains a strong email deliverability rate of approximately 95%, ensuring your emails reach the target audience without fail.
Key Features of Mailgun
- Email APIs: Mailgun provides a range of APIs for easy email integration, enabling developers to send emails programmatically.
- Email Validation: Ensure a clean email list with Mailgun’s email validation service, reducing bounce rates and improving deliverability.
- Event Tracking: Track email events, such as opens, clicks, and bounces, to analyze campaign performance and engagement.
- Email Logs and Analytics: Access detailed logs and analytics to gain insights into email activity and performance.
Pros & Cons of Mailgun
Pros:
- Reliable and scalable infrastructure.
- Powerful developer-friendly APIs and documentation.
- Advanced tracking and analytics capabilities.
- 24/7 customer support.
Cons:
- The pricing can become expensive at higher email volumes.
- Some users might find the setup and configuration process complex.
Mailgun Free Trial & Pricing Plans
Mailgun offers different pricing tiers based on the number of emails sent per month, starting with a free trial that allows 5,000 emails per month. Paid plans start at $35 per month for 50,000 emails.
6. SendGrid
SendGrid is a cloud-based email delivery service, widely used by businesses of all sizes for reliable email delivery. With its robust features and extensive integration options, SendGrid proves to be an excellent Amazon SES alternative.
SendGrid maintains an impressive email deliverability rate of approximately 96%, ensuring your emails successfully reach recipients.
Key Features of SendGrid
- SMTP Relay and Web API: SendGrid offers both SMTP relay and Web API integration options for seamless email delivery.
- Email Templates and Editor: Create engaging emails using SendGrid’s template library and drag-and-drop editor.
- Segmentation and Personalization: Target specific segments of your audience with personalized content to improve engagement.
- Automated Email Workflows: Set up automated email sequences based on user actions or specific triggers.
Pros & Cons of SendGrid
Pros:
- High deliverability rates.
- Scalable infrastructure suitable for high email volumes.
- Easy integration with popular platforms and frameworks.
- Extensive documentation and developer resources.
Cons:
- Some users may find the reporting and analytics interface less intuitive.
- Pricing plans can be costly for larger businesses.
SendGrid Free Trial & Pricing Plans
SendGrid offers various pricing tiers based on email volume, starting with a free plan that allows 100 emails per day. Paid plans start at $19.95 per month for 50,000 emails.
7. Postmark
Postmark is a leading email service provider, renowned for its lightning-fast email delivery and exceptional deliverability rates. As one of the best Amazon SES alternatives, Postmark caters to businesses looking for reliable and transactional email services.
Postmark boasts an outstanding email deliverability rate of approximately 99.9%, ensuring your critical emails are delivered promptly.
Key Features of Postmark
- Transactional Email API: Postmark offers a robust API for sending transactional emails with high deliverability.
- Bounce and Spam Handling: Automatically handle bounces and spam complaints to maintain a positive sender reputation.
- Inbound Email Processing: Receive and process incoming emails effortlessly using Postmark’s inbound email functionality.
- Team Collaboration: Collaborate with your team using Postmark’s user roles and permissions.
Pros:
- Exceptional deliverability rates.
- Focus on transactional emails for critical communications.
- User-friendly interface and easy integration.
- Stellar customer support.
Cons:
- Limited marketing automation features compared to some other alternatives.
- Higher cost per email compared to some competitors.
Postmark Free Trial & Pricing Plans
Postmark offers a simple pricing model based on the number of emails sent. Its forever-free plan offers 100 free emails every month while the paid plans start at $15/month for 10,000 emails.
8. Elastic Email
Elastic Email is a powerful email service provider designed to meet the needs of developers and marketers. It offers a feature-rich platform with high deliverability, making it a competitive alternative to Amazon SES.
Elastic Email maintains a solid email deliverability rate of approximately 98%, ensuring your emails reach the recipients’ inboxes.
Key Features of Elastic Email
- SMTP Relay and API: Use Elastic Email’s SMTP relay and API to send transactional and marketing emails programmatically.
- Email Tracking and Analytics: Monitor email opens, clicks, and other vital statistics with comprehensive tracking and analytics.
- Marketing Automation: Create automated email workflows to engage users at different stages of the customer journey.
- Advanced Segmentation: Segment your audience based on behavior, demographics, and engagement to target them effectively.
Pros & Cons of Elastic Email
Pros:
- High deliverability rates.
- Comprehensive email tracking and reporting.
- Flexible and scalable pricing plans.
- Robust API documentation.
Cons:
- The interface might feel overwhelming for beginners.
- Some users may find the email editor less user-friendly.
Elastic Email Free Trial & Pricing Plans
Elastic Email offers flexible pricing based on the number of emails sent per month, starting at $9 per month for 10,000 emails.
Amazon SES Alternatives Comparison Table
| Feature | Brevo | SendPulse SMTP | MailerSend | SMTP.com | Mailgun | SendGrid | Postmark | Elastic Email |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMTP Relay | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Email Deliverability | 98% | 95% | 99% | 97% | 95% | 96% | 99.9% | 98% |
| A/B Testing | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Email Validation | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Real-time Reporting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Marketing Automation | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Pricing Starting At | $25/month | $8.85/month | $30/month | $25/month | $35/month | $19.95/month | $15/month | $9/month |
What is Amazon SES?
Amazon SES (Simple Email Service) is a cloud-based email sending service offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS).
It allows businesses and developers to send emails in a scalable and cost-effective manner. Amazon SES is commonly used for sending transactional emails, marketing campaigns, and other types of messages.
Why Do You Need To Look For Its Alternatives? (Drawbacks of Using Amazon SES)
While Amazon SES is a popular email service, there are some drawbacks to consider:
- Deliverability Challenges: Achieving consistently high deliverability rates can be challenging with Amazon SES, especially for new or low-volume senders. Emails might end up in recipients’ spam folders.
- Limited Support: Amazon SES provides limited customer support, and users are primarily responsible for managing their email deliverability and reputation.
- Complex Setup: Setting up and configuring Amazon SES requires technical expertise, making it less user-friendly for beginners.
- Lack of Advanced Features: Amazon SES lacks some advanced marketing automation features and detailed analytics that other specialized email service providers offer.
- Higher Costs for Additional Features: While Amazon SES has a pay-as-you-go pricing model, certain advanced features and add-ons can incur additional costs, making it less cost-effective for businesses with specific requirements.
Conclusion
Choosing the right SMTP relay service is crucial for effective email communication. Each of the mentioned Amazon SES alternatives has its strengths and may cater to different types of users.
Choose the best Amazon SES alternative that aligns with your business needs and goals to unlock the full potential of your email marketing strategy.
That being said, here are a couple of other relevant blog posts that you may like –
- SMTP2GO alternatives
- EmailOctopus alternatives for different users
- Email list cleaning services to keep your email lists clean
Frequently Asked Questions on Amazon SES Alternatives
What is SMTP relay, and how does it work?
SMTP relay is a process of routing emails from one mail server to another, ensuring efficient delivery of emails. When you send an email, it passes through an SMTP relay server, which checks the recipient’s domain and forwards the email to the appropriate mail server.
Can I switch to an Amazon SES alternative without disrupting my current email setup?
Yes, most Amazon SES alternatives offer seamless migration options. You can integrate the new service with your existing email setup and gradually transition without any disruptions.
Are there any limits on the number of emails I can send with these alternatives?
Yes, most SMTP relay services have tiered pricing plans based on the number of emails sent per month. Check the pricing details of each alternative to find the best fit for your email volume requirements.
How can I improve email deliverability with an Amazon SES alternative?
To enhance deliverability, maintain a clean and engaged email list, implement email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and regularly monitor email performance and engagement metrics.
Can I use these alternatives for both transactional and marketing emails?
Yes, most of these alternatives support both transactional and marketing emails, making them versatile solutions for various email communication needs.
Do these alternatives offer SMTP API documentation for developers?
Yes, all the mentioned alternatives provide detailed SMTP API documentation, making it easier for developers to integrate and send emails programmatically.