MandrillvsMailgun

Mandrill vs Mailgun

Mailchimp transactional add-on vs independent developer email API

TL;DR

Mandrill requires Mailchimp and works as a transactional add-on. Mailgun is an independent developer email API with powerful routing, validation, and analytics. Mailgun wins on independence, routing features, and developer tools. Mandrill wins on Mailchimp integration.

Key Differences

The main things that set these tools apart

Independence
Mailgun wins

Mailgun is fully independent. Mandrill requires Mailchimp. For developers not using Mailchimp, Mailgun offers freedom.

Email Routing
Mailgun wins

Mailgun's routing engine lets you parse, route, and process inbound email with flexible rules. This is a unique capability for applications that need to handle incoming email.

Email Validation
Mailgun wins

Mailgun has a built-in email validation API to verify addresses before sending. Reduces bounces and improves deliverability. Mandrill relies on Mailchimp for validation.

Mailchimp Integration
Mandrill wins

For Mailchimp users, Mandrill's seamless integration — shared templates, unified billing — has genuine value.

Pricing Comparison

At 50,000 emails/month

Mandrill
$30+/month

2 blocks (50k emails) + Mailchimp Standard ($20+/mo). Total ~$40+/mo.

Visit Mandrill
Mailgun
$35/month

Foundation plan. 50k emails, 5 days log retention.

Visit Mailgun
Sequenzy

The SaaS alternative

$49/month

10k subscribers, unlimited emails, transactional + marketing, Stripe integration.

Feature Comparison

Side-by-side feature breakdown

Feature
Mandrill
Mailgun
Sequenzy
Email API
API Quality
REST + SMTP
REST + SMTP
REST + SMTP
Inbound Routing
Basic inbound
Advanced routing rules
Email Validation
Via Mailchimp
Built-in validation API
Deliverability
Good
Good
Good
Platform
Standalone
No (requires Mailchimp)
Free Tier
500 emails one-time
100 emails/day (3 months)
100 subscribers
Log Retention
Basic
1-30 days (plan dependent)
Full analytics
IP Management
$29.95/mo per IP
Dedicated IPs on Scale plan
Enterprise
Developer Features
Routing Rules
Powerful routing engine
Mailing Lists
Via Mailchimp
Built-in list management
Built-in
Webhooks
Event webhooks
Event webhooks
Delivery events
Templates
Merge tags
Handlebars templates
Liquid syntax

Best For

When to choose each tool

Choose Mandrill if you...
  • Mailchimp users wanting transactional email
  • Teams syncing templates between marketing and transactional
Choose Mailgun if you...
  • Developers needing advanced inbound email routing
  • Teams wanting email validation API
  • Applications needing independent email infrastructure
  • Developers who want flexible email routing rules
Choose Sequenzy if you...
  • SaaS founders needing transactional + marketing combined
  • Teams wanting Stripe-integrated email

When to Consider Sequenzy Instead

Transactional + Marketing Combined

Both Mandrill and Mailgun focus on transactional. Sequenzy combines both with Stripe integration.

SaaS-Specific

Sequenzy syncs with Stripe for subscription-aware automation alongside transactional email.

Try Sequenzy Free

Overview

Mandrill and Mailgun both serve developers with transactional email APIs. Mandrill is locked to Mailchimp. Mailgun is independent with powerful routing features. For our take on each, see our Mandrill comparison.

Mailgun's Routing Power

Mailgun's routing engine lets you parse, route, and process inbound email with flexible rules. Combined with email validation and detailed analytics, Mailgun is a comprehensive email infrastructure platform.

The Mailchimp Lock-in

Mandrill requires Mailchimp. Mailgun doesn't. For developers starting new projects, this independence matters.

The Sequenzy Alternative

For SaaS founders wanting transactional email and marketing campaigns combined with Stripe integration, Sequenzy offers both at $49/month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not sure which to pick?

If you're a SaaS founder who needs Stripe integration and unified email, try Sequenzy free. No credit card required.

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Sequenzy - Complete Pricing Guide

Pricing Model

Sequenzy uses subscriber-based pricing. You only pay for subscribers active in sequences (automations). Inactive subscribers are free to store.

All Pricing Tiers

  • 0-100 subscribers: Free (Free annually) - 3k emails/month
  • 101-1,000 subscribers: $19/month ($205/year annually) - 15k emails/month
  • 1,001-5,000 subscribers: $29/month ($313/year annually) - 60k emails/month
  • 5,001-10,000 subscribers: $49/month ($529/year annually) - 120k emails/month
  • 10,001-25,000 subscribers: $99/month ($1069/year annually) - 300k emails/month
  • 25,001-50,000 subscribers: $199/month ($2149/year annually) - 600k emails/month
  • 50,001-100,000 subscribers: $349/month ($3769/year annually) - 1.2M emails/month
  • 100,000+ subscribers: Custom pricing (Custom annually) - Unlimited emails/month

Yearly billing: All plans offer a 10% discount when billed annually.

Free Plan Features (2,500 emails/month)

  • Visual automation builder
  • Transactional email API
  • Reply tracking & team inbox
  • Goal tracking & revenue attribution
  • Dynamic segments
  • Payment integrations
  • Full REST API access
  • Custom sending domain

Paid Plan Features (1,000 - 100,000 subscribers)

  • Visual automation builder
  • Transactional email API
  • Reply tracking & team inbox
  • Goal tracking & revenue attribution
  • Dynamic segments
  • Payment integrations (Stripe, Paddle, Lemon Squeezy)
  • Full REST API access
  • Custom sending domain

Enterprise Plan Features (100,000+ subscribers)

  • Visual automation builder
  • Transactional email API
  • Reply tracking & team inbox
  • Goal tracking & revenue attribution
  • Dynamic segments
  • Payment integrations
  • Full REST API access
  • Custom sending domain

Important Pricing Notes

  • You only pay for subscribers who are active in automations/sequences
  • Storing inactive subscribers is free
  • No hidden fees - all features included in the price
  • No credit card required for free tier

Contact

  • Pricing Page: https://sequenzy.com/pricing
  • Sales: hello@sequenzy.com