This content originally appeared on HackerNoon and was authored by Daria Spizheva
Many email marketers sometimes wonder whether their tool is easy to use and sufficiently functional. As an email enthusiast, I’ll try to figure out all the trustworthy options. This article will uncover unique perspectives and experiences in using the leading platforms, helping to navigate the ‘best-choice’ challenge.
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:::tip Note: The links in this article include affiliate links to Mailtrap. You won’t be charged anything extra for clicking on these links, but you will be supporting me if you do choose to purchase something through one of these links.
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Why Consider SendGrid Alternatives?
SendGrid started in 2008 to make email more accessible for developers. Now, it is a leading email API platform with a reputation as a massive email volume provider. SendGrid processes an incredible amount of emails daily; the record is 10.3 billion on Cyber Monday, and 10.6 billion on Black Friday 2023.
\ SendGrid is also known for its commitment to ensuring emails reach their planned inboxes. They offer features like IP reputation monitoring, spam testing, and much more. E-mail delivery is a crucial factor for businesses relying on this communication channel. \n
So, why search for more? Marketer considers different reasons when searching for alternative tools. The needed platform might depend on how many emails you must send monthly and how much you are willing to pay for it. While SendGrid offers a free tier, its paid plans can be costly, especially for high-volume email sending. Other possible factors are the feature set, a more beginner-friendly interface, or even preferences you got used to.
What Should You Look for in SendGrid Alternatives
Regardless of this, there are a few key factors to consider, and here's a short breakdown of them:
Reliability
My point here is that reliability = exceptional deliverability. It’s advisable to look for a provider with a proven track record of high uptime and email deliverability first. I prefer checking customer reviews for insights to prevent unexpected issues.
Pricing
You must consider your email volume to asses this criteria right. The pay-as-you-go model (you pay for what you use) can be more cost-effective for businesses sending a large number of emails. Also, note that most email providers have transactional emails billed separately.
Features
Your needs always will vary depending on your goals. Is it marketing automation, advanced analytics, or a pleasant email builder? Make a list of the features that are important to you and compare different providers. If you only need to send transactional emails (like password resets or order confirmations), a simpler and affordable alternative might be sufficient.
Ease of Integration and Use
Some multifunctional tools aren’t really balanced for primary users. For example, SendGrid can be complex to set up and use for tech-unsavvy users. At the same time, some alternatives offer a user-friendly interface that's easier to navigate.\
If you need more functions, look for an email provider that integrates with your existing CRM, CMS, marketing automation, or e-commerce platform. Note, that good documentation is also essential for you to use all the power of the tool.
Customer Support
If the tutorials and documentation aren't helpful enough, reliable and responsive customer support is a must. Look for a provider that offers multiple support channels, email, phone, and live chat.
5 Best Sendgrid Alternatives
Here are my top picks:
| Tool | Pricing | Monthly Email Send Volume | Key Features | |----|----|----|----| | Mailtrap | From $15/ month | From 10K/month | Email sandbox testing; Spam checker; Transactional Email API for automated tests and quick integration; Tech support team of experts | | Elastic Email | From $9/ month | From 60K/month | Geolocation tracking; Real-time delivery monitoring; Intuitive drag-and-drop email builder | | ActiveCampaign | From $29/ month | Unlimited email sends for up to 250,000 contacts | Device-independent deployment; Lead scoring, web analytics, CRM; Unlimited email sends SMS campaigns | | SMTP2GO | From $10/ month | From 10K/month | Detailed reporting; Dashboard to track delivery, bounce, spam, etc.; Easy to configure | | Campaign Monitor | From $11/ month | From 2,500/ month | Variety of designed templates; No branding or watermarks in emails; API access on each pricing plan |
\ Now, let’s talk about the background of this comparison in detail.
#1. Mailtrap
It's an email testing and debugging tool. It allows developers to safely test email functionality before sending it to recipients. The tool consists of Mailtrap Email Testing and Mailtrap Sending, additional Mailtrap Email Campaigns module will be released soon.
\ Mailtrap is designed to help development teams manage all aspects of their email infrastructure in a single place. Trusted by over 150,00+ monthly active users, the tool provides various functionalities to ensure deliverability success, including:
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- Validating CSS and HTML
- Checking spam scores
- Automating workflows for debugging and improvement
- Sharing test results with your team
Pros and Cons
The main benefits are:
- High deliverability rates
- Easy integration with various applications
- Actionable analytics, reports, and alerts
- All-in-one solution
- Well-documented API
\ The cons include:
- Limited features compared to marketing automation platforms
- Can be expensive for basic email testing needs
Pricing
There is a free plan for up to 1,000 emails/month, followed by paid plans with higher email credits and additional features like webhooks and email analytics. Freemium is ideal for individuals or low-volume testing needs.
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- Basic ($15/month): 10,000 emails/month — for startups and small businesses
- Business ($85/month): 100,000 emails/month — for mid-sized companies
- Enterprise ($750/month): 1,500,000 emails/month — for large-scale enterprises with high email volume
- Custom tier — for specific needs
#2. Elastic Email
Elastic Email is a good option for small businesses or those new to email marketing and looking for a cost-effective and easy-to-use solution. Many reviewers on G2 highlight its affordability and intuitive interface.
Pros and Cons
Additionally to the pros listed above, the benefits are:
- Good deliverability rates
- SMTP and API options
\ The main cons:
- A limited set of features, such as automation capabilities or fancy email templates.
- Pricing based on the number of contacts might not be ideal for businesses with large email lists.
Pricing
Their pricing structure is based on the number of contacts you have, not the number of emails you send.
- Free tier: 100 emails per day for life.
- All plans include a fixed price, Starter and Pro.
- Starter ($9/ month) for 2,000 contacts and 60,000 emails. Plus web forms, segmentation, analytics, and support.
- Pro ($60/ month) for 10,000 contacts and 300,000 emails. Plus automation, faster delivery speed, webhooks, etc.
API has another pricing logic. Additionally, you can add Private IPs to your billing plan.
#3. ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is an all-in-one solution for creating and automating personalization (e.g., automation workflows, CRM integration, and landing pages). You can create automated email and marketing campaigns to nurture leads and personalize customer experiences here.
Pros and Cons
Here's a quick summary of what ActiveCampaign offers:
- Cross-channel marketing: email, SMS, etc.
- User-friendly interface with a drag-and-drop builder
- CRM and sales automation tools
The cons are a limited free trial of 100 contacts and 100 emails and a vast feature set, which can be overwhelming for beginners.
Pricing
Pricing scales with features; ActiveCampaign offers several plans:
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- "Lite" ($29/month) with unlimited emails for up to 250,000 contacts
- "Plus" ($49/month) with CRM
- "Professional" ($149/month) with advanced automation and lead scoring
- "Enterprise" (custom pricing).
#4. SMTP2GO
SMTP2GO is a well-regarded solution for businesses and individuals who need a reliable and easy-to-use SMTP service. Their servers are distributed globally to ensure efficient email delivery. It is ideal for sending high volumes of transactional emails. However, some users may desire more advanced features.
Pros and Cons
SMTP2GO pros:
- Reliable email delivery
- Integrates with many applications
- Detailed reporting and analytics
- Secure with features like SPF and DKIM\
\ Cons:
- Limited historical data access
- Difficulty with bulk domain verification
- There is a 50 MB limit for attachments per email
Pricing
The free plan allows 200 emails daily, five days of email reporting, and ticket support only.
- Starter plan ($10/mo) for 10,000 emails, 30 days of email reporting, phone support, SMS messaging, and scheduled reporting.
- Professional plan ($75/mo) for complete email-sending control with better reporting, account management, etc.
#5. Campaign Monitor
Campaign Monitor by Marigold is a user-friendly email marketing platform better suited for small and medium businesses. However, if you need advanced features, deep integrations with other applications, or have an extensive subscriber list, you might want to consider other email marketing tools.
Pros and Cons
The main pros of Campaign Monitor:
- The drag-and-drop builder without coding
- A variety of customizable email templates
- Detailed reports
\ Among the cons are:
- Lacks advanced features compared to other email marketing tools
- Limited integrations
Pricing
Campaign Monitor offers three plans:
- Lite: $11/month with core features
- Essentials: $19/month with unlimited emails for frequent senders
- Premier: $149/month for advanced segmentation and premier support
Nonprofits get a 15% discount.
Wrapping up
You can choose the best option for your business by considering these alternatives whenever the reason for searching for a new email provider is. ActiveCampaign is a strong choice for its powerful features. Campaign Monitor might fit basic needs well. Mailtrap is the clear choice for its specialized functionality. Research each platform and consider your specific needs (email volume, features required, budget) before deciding.
This content originally appeared on HackerNoon and was authored by Daria Spizheva
Daria Spizheva | Sciencx (2024-08-16T12:42:35+00:00) SendGrid Alternatives in 2024: 5 Leading Tools for Your Email Marketing Needs. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2024/08/16/sendgrid-alternatives-in-2024-5-leading-tools-for-your-email-marketing-needs/
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