AWS SES vs SendGrid: Raw Infrastructure vs Managed Platform
Comparing Amazon SES and SendGrid for transactional email. Lowest cost with DIY management versus feature-rich managed platform.
Overview
AWS SES and SendGrid represent fundamentally different approaches. SES provides raw email infrastructure at minimal cost. SendGrid provides a managed platform with templates, analytics, and marketing features. The choice depends on your team's resources and requirements.
| Feature | AWS SES | SendGrid |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $0.10/1k emails | $20/mo (50k) |
| Setup Complexity | High | Low |
| Template Editor | API only | Visual editor |
| Marketing Features | None | Full campaigns |
| Analytics Dashboard | CloudWatch | Built-in |
| Bounce Handling | Manual setup | Automatic |
| Support | AWS support tiers | Dedicated |
Key Differences
Cost vs Management
AWS SES costs approximately $0.10 per 1,000 emails with no monthly minimum. At high volume, this is significantly cheaper than any managed service. However, you manage templates, bounce handling, reputation, and deliverability yourself.
SendGrid costs more but handles these concerns for you. Templates, analytics, bounce processing, and reputation management are included.
Setup Requirements
AWS SES requires significant setup. New accounts start in sandbox mode (limited sending). You must request production access, configure SNS for bounces and complaints, warm up your sending, and monitor reputation through CloudWatch.
SendGrid works quickly after signup. Verify your domain, add DNS records, and start sending.
Feature Set
SendGrid provides Marketing Campaigns, a visual template editor, detailed analytics, webhooks, and dedicated support. Enterprise features include SSO and custom contracts.
AWS SES is raw sending infrastructure. Everything else requires additional AWS services or custom development.
Cost Example
Sending 100,000 emails per month:
- AWS SES: ~$10 (sending only)
- SendGrid: ~$35/mo (Pro plan)
At 1,000,000 emails per month:
- AWS SES: ~$100
- SendGrid: Custom pricing
When to Choose AWS SES
- Cost optimization is the primary goal
- Your team has AWS expertise
- You send very high volume
- Custom infrastructure requirements
When to Choose SendGrid
- You want a managed platform
- Marketing campaigns are needed
- Visual template editing is valuable
- You prefer quick setup over cost savings
Alternative: Sequenzy
For SaaS applications, consider Sequenzy. It provides managed transactional + marketing email with native billing integrations. More features than SES, simpler than SendGrid.
The Bottom Line
Choose AWS SES if cost is critical and you have engineering resources for setup and maintenance. Choose SendGrid for a managed platform with marketing features and minimal infrastructure work.