Pricing and Plans

Frequently Asked Questions

How does SendGrid work?

SendGrid is a cloud-based SMTP provider that acts as an email delivery engine, allowing you to send email without the cost and complexity of maintaining your own email servers. SendGrid manages the technical details of email delivery, like infrastructure scaling, ISP outreach, reputation monitoring, and real-time analytics.

Learn more: SendGrid Overview Documentation, SMTP Service Glossary

How can I send my email through SendGrid?

You can send your email through SendGrid using any of the following integrations, or a combination of them:

1. SMTP Relay: This is a great option if you’re looking for a delivery engine to work behind the scenes with your own application or another tool. SMTP relay is the standard protocol for sending email, and is a typical solution for customers who would like to increase deliverability while setting up their email in a third party application.

2. Web API: Designed for customers who need to programmatically send email through their own applications. This method is typically used for transactional messages, like password reset emails and order confirmations, but can be used for any message type.

3. Marketing Campaigns: This toolset is designed to help you send marketing email. It allows you to upload and manage recipient lists, build or upload your own HTML email templates, and then schedule and send your email campaigns through SendGrid. This option works well for bulk, newsletter-type sends.

Learn more: Web API vs. SMTP Relay, Marketing Campaigns Documentation

Do I have to sign up for separate API and Marketing Campaigns accounts?

No! You can send via API or through Marketing Campaigns within the same SendGrid account. You'll have one email plan to use to send any type of email. If you send your marketing email through Marketing Campaigns, you'll simply pay an additional cost of $10/10,000 contacts you store (after your first 2,000 contacts which are free!).

Learn more: Marketing Email Setup Documentation, Billing Info and FAQs

How does SendGrid measure the number of emails sent?

Every time you make a request to send one message to one recipient, it is counted by SendGrid as a message sent, regardless of the message being deferred or sent to spam.

Learn more: Billing Info and FAQs, SendGrid Plan Comparison Chart

Do you offer tailored onboarding help, or deliverability consulting?

Whether you’re just getting started with SendGrid and want to make sure that you’re configuring your IPs correctly, or have been a SendGrid customer for years and want to take your deliverability to the next level, our Expert Services can help you make the most of your email program!

Delivery Consultants work with customers to evaluate their entire email program and deliver a detailed assessment to help you identify areas for optimization. Onboarding Specialists work with you through the entire set-up process to ensure that your email environment is built for success.

Learn more: SendGrid’s Personalized Email Delivery and Onboarding Services

What if I’m an early-stage startup looking for assistance?

SendGrid loves startups! Maximize your growth potential with proven email tools and valuable insight from our experienced mentors by joining the SendGrid Accelerate program.

Learn more: What is SendGrid Accelerate?

I’m ready to sign up. What do I do and how do I pay?

When you’re ready to sign up, select the plan that suits your needs based on your monthly email volume. We accept credit cards and charge on the first of every month. There are no contracts—each plan is month-to-month—and you can cancel at any time. If you want to do some testing before signing up for a paid plan, you can integrate with SendGrid and send up to 40,000 emails for free with our 30-day trial. You can always store up to 2,000 contacts for free within Marketing Campaigns.

Learn more: Can't Log Into Your Account?, How do I Contact Support?

What are the details of the free trial?

You can send up to 40,000 emails for 30 days and store up to 2,000 contacts once you verify your account for the free trial. You will need to verify your email address, and may be asked to set up two-factor authentication and/or create a domain whitelabel. If you wish to continue your free trial after the 30 day period, you can continue to send 100 emails/day.

Learn more: How do I Complete my Account Sign Up?, How to Setup a Domain Whitelabel?

Why do I need to verify my account?

We require verification to help safeguard your account and maintain deliverability for you and all of our customers.

Learn more: How do I Complete my Account Sign Up?, How to Setup a Domain Whitelabel?