What is SendGrid?
SendGrid is a cloud email platform from Twilio that sends transactional email through an API or SMTP relay and runs marketing campaigns for growing businesses. Twilio completed its purchase of SendGrid in 2019, and the product now lives on Twilio.com under the Twilio SendGrid name. Twilio says the platform delivers more than 200 billion emails a month, which makes it a common choice for apps that send at large scale.
SendGrid comes in two main products. The Email API serves developers with a Web API, SMTP relay, dynamic templates, email validation and dedicated IPs on higher plans. Marketing Campaigns serves marketers with design and code editors, segmentation, signup forms, A/B testing and automation. Both share the same account, so a company can keep app email and promotional email with one vendor.
SendGrid at a glance
How does SendGrid work?
- Create an account
Sign up for the free trial and authenticate your sending domain.
- Integrate the Email API
Send from your app with the Web API or SMTP relay, using libraries for Python, Node.js, Ruby, Go, PHP, Java or C#.
- Design templates
Build dynamic templates once and fill in recipient data at send time.
- Run campaigns
Marketers build emails in the design or code editor, segment contacts and schedule or automate sends.
- Monitor deliverability
Review deliverability insights by mailbox provider and validate addresses to cut bounces.
SendGrid key features
Email API and SMTP relay
Send transactional email through a Web API, SMTP API or SMTP relay at very high volume.
Dynamic templates
Create responsive templates and personalize them with recipient data.
Email validation
Check addresses in real time or in bulk to remove invalid contacts before sending.
Deliverability insights
A dashboard that shows performance across mailbox providers over time.
Dedicated IPs and subusers
Pro and higher plans include a dedicated IP, subuser management and single sign-on.
Marketing Campaigns
Design and code editors, segmentation, signup forms, A/B testing and automation for marketers.
Why use SendGrid?
- The platform is built for very high sending volume and is backed by Twilio.
- Developers get libraries in many languages and long-standing documentation.
- Transactional and marketing email can live in one account.
- Built-in email validation helps protect sender reputation.
- Pro plans add a dedicated IP and subusers for teams managing several apps or clients.
Who is SendGrid best for?
A good fit for
- SaaS companies sending large volumes of app email
- Developers who want mature APIs and SDKs
- Businesses that also use Twilio for SMS or voice
- Marketing teams that want campaigns and transactional email together
Less suited to
- Hobby projects that need a permanent free API plan, since the Email API offers a 60-day trial
- Small teams that want simple, flat pricing with every price shown upfront
- Senders who need searchable activity history beyond a few days on lower plans
SendGrid pricing
| Pricing model | Subscription |
|---|---|
| Free plan | No |
| Free trial | 60 days (100 emails/day) |
| Starting price | From $19.95/month (Email API Essentials) |
Email API Pro starts at $89.95/month and adds a dedicated IP, subusers, SSO and email validations, while Premier is custom. Marketing Campaigns is priced separately from $15/month and scales with contacts and email volume.
Prices checked October 2026. Vendors change plans often, so confirm on the official SendGrid pricing page before you buy.
SendGrid pros and cons
Pros
- Proven at very large sending volume
- Mature API with SDKs for many languages
- Email validation and deliverability insights built in
- Marketing and transactional tools from one vendor
Cons
- Free option for the Email API is a time-limited trial
- Prices per volume band are not fully listed on the pricing page
- Overage rates and add-ons can make costs harder to predict
SendGrid integrations and platforms
Works with
Available on
SendGrid alternatives
See the full shortlist in Best Transactional Email Services.
SendGrid FAQ
Is SendGrid free?
SendGrid offers a free trial rather than a permanent free Email API plan. The trial lasts 60 days, allows 100 emails a day and needs no credit card. After that, Email API plans start at $19.95 a month. Twilio's Marketing Campaigns pricing page also mentions a free option with limited contacts and sends.
What is SendGrid used for?
SendGrid is used to send transactional email from apps, such as account verification, password resets, receipts and alerts. Its Marketing Campaigns product is used to send newsletters and promotions with a visual editor, segments and automation. Many companies use SendGrid for both, with developers and marketers working in the same account.
Is SendGrid the same as Twilio?
SendGrid is a product of Twilio. Twilio completed its purchase of SendGrid in February 2019 and later merged the SendGrid website into Twilio.com. The product is now called Twilio SendGrid, but existing SendGrid logins, documentation and support still work. Twilio also sells SMS, voice and other messaging products.
SendGrid vs Mailgun: what's the difference?
Both are developer-focused email APIs for transactional sending. SendGrid also sells a separate Marketing Campaigns product with a visual editor and automation, and it is part of Twilio, which also offers SMS and voice. Mailgun is centered on its developer API. The right choice usually depends on volume, pricing and whether marketers need a campaign builder.
Is SendGrid good for beginners?
SendGrid works for beginners who are comfortable with basic coding, thanks to clear guides and libraries in many languages. Marketers can also use the visual editor in Marketing Campaigns without code. The many plans, add-ons and settings can feel complex at first, so small projects may find simpler tools easier to start with.
Sources
This overview is based on SendGrid's official website and documentation, checked October 2026.