Neon is the serverless Postgres database that's becoming standard for modern SaaS applications. It branches like Git, scales to zero, and integrates with the frameworks developers already use (Next.js, Vercel, Cloudflare Workers). But like any database, Neon doesn't handle email. You need to connect it to an email platform.

The integration pattern for Neon is straightforward: when data changes in your Neon database (new user, subscription update, usage threshold crossed), trigger an email via your application code or a background job.

How Neon + Email Works

Neon is a Postgres database, so the integration patterns are the same as any Postgres-backed application:

Application-level triggers: Your app code calls the email API after database operations
Background jobs: A job queue (like BullMQ, Inngest, or Trigger.dev) processes database events and sends emails
Database triggers + listeners: Postgres NOTIFY/LISTEN or logical replication for real-time event streaming

Most Neon-based apps use the first approach: after writing to the database, call the email tool's API.

The 5 Best Options

1. Sequenzy

Best for: SaaS on Neon wanting lifecycle email with event tracking

Sequenzy's event API accepts events from your Neon-backed application. When a user signs up, completes a task, or hits a milestone (all stored in Neon), send an event to Sequenzy and trigger automated sequences.

Pricing: From $29/month Integration: Event tracking API from your application Pros: Lifecycle automation, AI sequences, transactional + marketing Cons: No database-level integration (application code required)

2. Resend

Best for: Next.js + Neon developers wanting the cleanest DX

Resend is the natural email companion for Neon-powered apps. Both target the same modern stack: Next.js, Vercel, TypeScript. The Resend SDK integrates cleanly into API routes or server actions that also write to Neon.

Pricing: Free for 100 emails/day, from $20/month Integration: SDK in your application code Pros: Best DX for modern stacks, React Email, TypeScript-first Cons: Marketing features still maturing, limited automation

3. Loops

Best for: Early-stage Neon apps wanting simple event-driven email

Loops accepts events via API, making it easy to integrate from any application that uses Neon. Send events from your API routes or server actions, and trigger email sequences.

Pricing: Free for 1,000 contacts, from $49/month Integration: Event API from your application Pros: Simple, modern, good free tier, event-driven model Cons: Limited automation depth, basic features

4. Postmark

Best for: Neon apps prioritizing transactional email speed

Postmark handles transactional email (password resets, notifications, receipts) with the best deliverability in the industry. Integrate from your Neon-backed application via the Postmark SDK.

Pricing: From $15/month Integration: SDK in your application code Pros: Fastest delivery, best deliverability, excellent for transactional Cons: Basic marketing features, no automation sequences

5. Customer.io

Best for: Technical teams building complex email systems on Neon

Customer.io accepts events from any source via API. Forward user actions from your Neon-backed application and build complex multi-step email workflows. Maximum flexibility for teams willing to invest in setup.

Pricing: From $100/month Integration: Event API from your application Pros: Most powerful automation, flexible event handling Cons: Expensive, complex setup, overkill for many use cases

The Standard Integration Pattern

Since Neon is Postgres, the integration with any email tool follows this pattern:

User takes an action in your app
Your app writes to Neon (insert/update)
In the same request handler (or via a background job), call the email tool's API
The email tool processes the event and triggers any applicable automations

Example flow for a Next.js + Neon + email tool:

POST /api/signup -> Insert user into Neon -> Call email API (add subscriber + trigger welcome) -> Return response

For background-heavy operations, use a job queue (Inngest, Trigger.dev, BullMQ) to handle the email API call asynchronously, keeping your response times fast.

FAQ

Is there a direct Neon-to-email integration? Not at the database level. Neon is a Postgres database and doesn't send webhooks on data changes (unlike Supabase). Integration happens at the application level.

Can I use Postgres triggers to send email? Technically yes (using pg_notify and a listener), but it's not recommended. Application-level integration is simpler, more maintainable, and keeps your database focused on data storage.

What about Neon's branching for email testing? Neon's database branching is great for development. You can test email flows against a branch database without affecting production data. Just make sure your email tool is configured for a test environment so you don't send real emails from test branches.

Do I need a separate email tool, or can I just use SMTP? You can send email via SMTP from any application, but you'll be building subscriber management, automation, deliverability, and analytics from scratch. An email tool handles all of this so you can focus on your product.