5
Looking for recommendations on SMS and email providers with API and pay-as-you-go pricing
r/SaaS
7/8/2025
Content Summary
A developer seeks recommendations for SMS and email providers with API integration and pay-as-you-go pricing. Users suggest Postmark/SendGrid for email (with 99.4% inbox rate) and Twilio for SMS (96.8% global delivery). Lettermint offers EU-based GDPR-compliant email services with startup discounts. Key considerations include delivery reliability, regional compliance, and separating transactional vs marketing use cases.
Opinion Analysis
Mainstream recommendations focus on established providers like Twilio and SendGrid, emphasizing technical metrics. Some suggest specialized solutions: Postmark for transactional emails vs SendGrid for marketing. Lettermint positions itself as GDPR-compliant alternative. Debate exists between using single provider vs multiple specialized services. User experience sharing (Node.js + Firebase integration) adds practical validation.
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postmark | High inbox placement (99.4%), transactional emails | ||
| SendGrid | Marketing campaigns, segmentation | ||
| Mailgun | API integration | ||
| Twilio | SMS | High delivery success (96.8% across 14 countries) | |
| Vonage | SMS | API integration | |
| Telnyx | SMS | API integration | |
| Lettermint | https://lettermint.co | EU infrastructure, GDPR compliance, startup discounts |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Need reliable providers with API integration
- Requires pay-as-you-go pricing models
- Ensuring high delivery success rates across regions
Problems to Solve:
- Automating SMS/email notifications
- Managing transactional vs marketing communications
- Compliance with regional regulations (e.g., GDPR)
Potential Solutions:
- Using specialized providers for transactional vs marketing emails (Postmark/SendGrid)
- Combining SMS providers with global reach (Twilio)
- Leveraging EU-based services for GDPR compliance (Lettermint)
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Offering startup discounts to attract early customers
- Regional infrastructure for compliance advantages
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Highlighting technical metrics (delivery rates) as selling points
- Targeting specific use cases (transactional vs marketing)
Monetization & Product:
- Pay-as-you-go pricing model flexibility
- API-first product design for developer adoption
User Engagement:
- Sharing integration success stories (Node.js + Firebase example)
- Providing detailed delivery analytics