Mailgun vs Brevo: Head-to-Head Comparison

Quick Verdict

Mailgun is the better pick for developers needing flexible sending and email validation. Brevo is the better pick for small businesses combining campaigns and transactional email.

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At a Glance

Feature	Mailgun	Brevo
Best For	Developers needing flexible sending and email validation	Small businesses combining campaigns and transactional email
Pricing	Free tier with paid plans	Free tier with paid plans
Free to Start	Yes	Yes
License	Proprietary	Proprietary
Deployment	Managed cloud	Managed cloud
Link	Visit Mailgun	Visit Brevo

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Detailed Breakdown

Mailgun

Email API service by Sinch

Pros:

• Powerful routing and inbound parsing
• Email validation API
• Detailed logs

Cons:

• Free tier is limited
• Plan tiers can be confusing

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Brevo

Marketing and transactional email platform (formerly Sendinblue)

Pros:

• Marketing, SMS and transactional together
• Free plan with daily sends
• Built-in CRM

Cons:

• Brevo branding on the free plan
• Less developer-focused

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Key Differences

• Positioning: Mailgun — email API service by Sinch. Brevo — marketing and transactional email platform (formerly Sendinblue).
• Both share the same licensing model (proprietary), so the decision comes down to features and workflow fit.
• Pricing: Mailgun — free tier with paid plans. Brevo — free tier with paid plans.
• Signature strength: Mailgun — powerful routing and inbound parsing. Brevo — marketing, SMS and transactional together.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mailgun better than Brevo?

It depends on your requirements. Mailgun is a strong fit for developers needing flexible sending and email validation, while Brevo suits small businesses combining campaigns and transactional email.

Is Mailgun free to use?

Yes, you can start with Mailgun for free. Pricing model: Free tier with paid plans.

Is Brevo free to use?

Yes, you can start with Brevo for free. Pricing model: Free tier with paid plans.

Can I self-host Mailgun or Brevo?

Mailgun is offered as a managed service: managed cloud. Brevo is offered as a managed service: managed cloud.

What are the main drawbacks of Mailgun and Brevo?

Mailgun: free tier is limited; plan tiers can be confusing. Brevo: brevo branding on the free plan; less developer-focused.