MandrillvsSMTP2GO

Mandrill vs SMTP2GO

Mailchimp transactional add-on vs dedicated SMTP relay

TL;DR

Mandrill requires Mailchimp for transactional email. SMTP2GO is an independent SMTP relay service with a generous free tier and straightforward pricing. SMTP2GO wins on independence, simplicity, and free tier. Mandrill wins only on Mailchimp integration.

Key Differences

The main things that set these tools apart

Independence
SMTP2GO wins

SMTP2GO is a standalone service. Sign up, configure SMTP or API, start sending. Mandrill requires creating a Mailchimp account first, subscribing to a plan, then adding Mandrill.

Support
SMTP2GO wins

SMTP2GO is known for excellent, responsive support. Getting help with Mandrill means going through Mailchimp's support system, which many users find frustrating.

Free Tier
SMTP2GO wins

SMTP2GO offers 1,000 emails/month free, permanently. Mandrill gives a one-time 500-email trial. For testing and low-volume use, SMTP2GO is much more practical.

Price at Scale
Mandrill wins

At 50k emails, Mandrill (~$40/mo) is actually cheaper than SMTP2GO ($65/mo). Mandrill's block pricing becomes more competitive at higher volumes.

Pricing Comparison

At 50,000 emails/month

Mandrill
$30+/month

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

Visit Mandrill
SMTP2GO
$65/month

Professional plan. 50k emails/month, email testing, sub-users.

Visit SMTP2GO
Sequenzy

The SaaS alternative

$49/month

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

Feature Comparison

Side-by-side feature breakdown

Feature
Mandrill
SMTP2GO
Sequenzy
Email Delivery
SMTP Relay
Yes (primary focus)
REST API
Email Testing
Built-in (render previews)
Deliverability Reporting
Basic
Detailed with reputation monitoring
Standard
Platform
Standalone
No (requires Mailchimp)
Free Tier
500 emails one-time
1,000 emails/month
100 subscribers
Marketing Email
Via Mailchimp
No (delivery focus)
Built-in
Support Quality
Mailchimp support
Excellent (known for support)
Founder support
Value
Price at 50k emails
~$40+/mo
$65/mo
$49/mo
Dedicated IPs
$29.95/mo
Included on Professional+
Enterprise
Setup Simplicity
Requires Mailchimp account
Direct signup
Direct signup
Sub-users
Yes (Professional+)
Team features

Best For

When to choose each tool

Choose Mandrill if you...
  • Mailchimp users wanting transactional email
  • High-volume senders wanting cheaper per-email pricing
Choose SMTP2GO if you...
  • Teams wanting reliable SMTP relay with great support
  • Companies wanting a generous free tier
  • Businesses preferring simple, straightforward email delivery
Choose Sequenzy if you...
  • SaaS founders needing Stripe-integrated email
  • Teams wanting transactional + marketing combined

When to Consider Sequenzy Instead

SaaS-Specific

Neither Mandrill nor SMTP2GO combines email delivery with SaaS features. Sequenzy adds Stripe integration and subscription automation alongside transactional email.

Try Sequenzy Free

Overview

Mandrill and SMTP2GO serve different audiences. Mandrill is a Mailchimp add-on for transactional email. SMTP2GO is an independent SMTP relay service focused on reliable delivery and great support. For our take on each, see our Mandrill comparison.

SMTP2GO's Simplicity

SMTP2GO is refreshingly straightforward. Sign up, configure your SMTP settings or API, and start sending. No prerequisite subscriptions, no platform lock-in. Mandrill requires first creating a Mailchimp account, subscribing to a plan, then enabling the Mandrill add-on.

The Support Difference

SMTP2GO is consistently praised for excellent support — fast, knowledgeable, and accessible. Getting help with Mandrill means navigating Mailchimp's support system, which has drawn significant user criticism over the years.

The Sequenzy Alternative

For SaaS founders wanting transactional email and marketing campaigns with Stripe integration, Sequenzy offers a unified platform 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.

Start Free TrialSee All Features

Related Comparisons

Mandrill vs SendGrid

Compare these two popular email tools

Mandrill vs Postmark

Compare these two popular email tools

Mandrill vs Mailgun

Compare these two popular email tools

Mandrill vs Amazon SES

Compare these two popular email tools

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