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Every side project needs password resets and signup confirmations, and every vendor pricing page is designed to look cheaper than it is. I read the docs so you don't have to. Full comparison with tables: https://stacktested-nw.netlify.app/guide-email.html
The numbers that matter
| Provider | Free tier | Entry paid | ~50k emails/mo | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resend | 3,000/mo, 100/day cap | $20/mo | $20 | The 100/day cap IS the free tier. One busy day and you're done |
| Postmark | 100/mo (testing only) | $15/mo | ~$63-90 | No real free tier for production. Premium buys deliverability |
| Mailgun | ~3,000/mo (100/day) | $15/mo | $35 | Email validation is a paid add-on, not included |
| SendGrid | None (60-day trial) | $19.95/mo | ~$20-35 | No permanent free tier at all |
| Brevo | 300/day | from $9/mo | ~$69 | Highest daily free send; Starter is a sliding scale |
| Amazon SES | None for new signups | ~$0.16/1k | ~$8 | Cheapest raw price, most setup friction |
| Mailtrap | 4,000/mo (150/day) | $20/mo | $20 | Really a staging inbox that also sends |
My picks
- Starting out: Resend free. Cleanest API, easiest path from zero to sending. Just know the daily cap.
- Mail that must land in the inbox: Postmark. You pay for it. Say it plainly.
- High volume, thin margins: Amazon SES. Budget a day of setup pain and read the sandbox docs before launch week.
What this is based on
Docs-based research from public pricing pages, checked Sept-Oct 2026. Not hands-on load testing; I didn't run seed-list deliverability tests and I say so in the full guide. Prices change; verify on the vendor page.
I publish one comparison like this per week at StackTested (by northloopworks). Want the next guide in your inbox? Email northloopworks@proton.me with subject "Subscribe". No spam, no list selling.
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