Sidemail vs Mailgun
Both are developer‑friendly email platforms, but they take different approaches. Here's what matters for your decision.
Quick overview ‑ which one is better?
Sidemail
WinnerPros
- All‑in‑one: transactional + marketing + automation
- One service, one bill
- Fast and reliable email delivery
- 90‑day email history
- Visual email editor included
- Markdown email support (best for AI)
- 5‑star support, pro‑customer approach
Cons
- Less low-level API control
- Smaller company, less brand recognition
Mailgun
Pros
- Granular control over email sending
- Good API and developer docs
- Pay‑as‑you‑go option
Cons
- Marketing requires separate Mailjet account
- Only 1‑7 days email history
- Support quality declined after Sinch acquisition
- No visual email editor
- Higher starting price
Sidemail wins for teams and developers that want all‑in‑one simplicity and human support. Mailgun wins for developers who want granular control.
Feature‑by‑feature comparison
Sidemail wins
Tied
Mailgun wins
| Sidemail | Mailgun | |
| Transactional emails | ||
| Marketing emails | Separate service (Mailjet) | |
| Email automation | Separate service (Mailjet) | |
| Visual editor | ||
| Premade templates | ||
| Contacts | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Team members | Unlimited | Unlimited (10 on Mailjet) |
| Data history | 90 days | 1 day (7 on Scale at $90) |
| Ease of setup | Fast (<30 min) | Moderate |
| Support | Included in all plans | Tiered |
| Based in | 🇪🇺 EU | 🇺🇸 US |
Pricing comparison
True cost comparison - including all the services you'll need. Starting prices:
Sidemail
WinnerAll‑in‑one plan
- Transactional + Marketing + Automation
- 90‑day email history
- Visual email editor
- Weekend support included
Mailgun
$35 transactional + $27 marketing
- Marketing needs separate service
- 1‑7 day email history
- No visual email editor
- 24/7 support needs Scale plan ($90+/mo)
For products and businesses that need both transactional and marketing email, Sidemail at $19/mo is simpler and cheaper than Mailgun ($35) + Mailjet ($15+) combined.
When to choose each?
Choose Sidemail if you...
- Want transactional + marketing in one platform
- Prefer visual tools over pure API
- Value responsive support
- Need to debug emails days/weeks later
- Prefer simpler billing
Choose Mailgun if you...
- Only need transactional email
- Want maximum API flexibility
- Need advanced routing/parsing features
- Already don't need marketing or use another tool
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Mailgun after the Sinch acquisition?
Sinch acquired Mailgun in 2020. Since then, many users report declining support quality and less focus on the product. Mailgun and Mailjet now operate as separate but related services under Sinch.
Do I really need both Mailgun and Mailjet?
If you need both transactional and marketing email, yes. Mailgun is transactional-only. Marketing campaigns require a separate Mailjet account. Sidemail combines both into one service.
Is Sidemail's API as good as Mailgun's?
Yes. For today's businesses, Sidemail's API is even more efficient and easier to work with. It covers all common use cases with a simpler, cleaner design.