How to Send Application Emails: AWS SES vs. CloudMailin vs. DIY SMTP

Choosing the right method to send emails from your application is a common challenge, with options ranging from feature-rich managed services to self-hosted solutions. The best path often depends on your email volume, technical comfort level, and need for auxiliary features like analytics and deliverability management.

Managed Email API Services

For developers seeking a reliable, scalable, and hands-off solution, managed email services are the go-to choice. They handle the complexities of deliverability, reputation management, and provide robust APIs for integration.

• AWS Simple Email Service (SES): A frequently recommended option known for its rock-bottom pricing and high reliability. It's a pragmatic choice for those already within the AWS ecosystem or anyone looking for a proven, no-frills service that 'just works'.
• CloudMailin: Praised for its 'bare simplicity' and excellent user experience. Users highlight its generous free tier, simple integration, and useful dashboard as reasons to choose it over more complex competitors like SendGrid or MailGun. It's a great option for those who value ease of use.
• Resend and Brevo: These are also mentioned as modern, viable alternatives in the email API space, each with competitive features and free tiers suitable for getting started.

The DIY Approach: Direct SMTP and sendmail

An interesting counterpoint is that for many applications, especially those sending transactional emails rather than bulk newsletters, a dedicated third-party service is unnecessary.

• Plain SMTP: Almost any email provider's SMTP server can handle thousands of emails without issue. For simple notifications or a low volume of transactional emails, configuring your application to send through a standard SMTP server is a straightforward and cost-effective method.
• sendmail: For those with server administration skills, configuring a local mail transfer agent like sendmail offers complete control.

A crucial note on the DIY approach: Success hinges on proper server configuration to ensure your emails don't land in spam folders. You must correctly configure your domain's DNS records, particularly SPF and DKIM, to authenticate your emails and prove they aren't forged.