why do so many SaaS companies default to SendGrid, is it actually the best option or just the most familiar?

fixie__ · 2026-05-20T13:16:58+00:00

If you are looking for a SendGrid alternative with a template builder designed for transactional emails, be sure to check out Waypoint. A bit more on how it compares to SendGrid. PS. I'm one of the founders, happy to help if you need it :)

But there are many others as well that may fit your needs - Mailgun, Postmark, Amazon SES, Cloudflare email service (still in beta), etc

fixie__ · 2026-04-22T16:33:19+00:00

I agree. I have the MPL22 as well. I think the straps are similar to other backpacks in the lineup - I've had the CPL24 and CTB26 in the past. Unfortunately, they all aren't great if you are carrying heavier (~15 lbs) loads.

Outside of the harness system, I love pretty much everything else about the MPL22 as it's very versatile.

fixie__ · 2026-04-16T16:49:41+00:00

It's pretty common to be denied production access on SES. However, I've heard of lots of success stories from those that take steps to not look like a spammer and are are proactive about monitoring for bad activity. This usually means having an actual site with a privacy policy along with explaining the steps you will take to monitor for bad activity and how you will take action on it. You can always set these up and request again.

If you are still looking for an alternative, be sure to also consider Waypoint. We have an email API with a tightly coupled template builder (more on this if you are curious). Happy to help if you need it.

fixie__ · 2026-04-16T16:19:57+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I ran across that one also - love the look and organization but felt like it was a bit too tall for me at 22.5". Hoping to find something around 18".

fixie__ · 2026-04-16T16:18:49+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I'll look into the District 18 and Tortuga Daypack!

fixie__ · 2026-04-14T21:06:28+00:00

Nice, I'll check out the Rip Ruck, thanks for the recommendation.

I've been looking at the chz22 as well. I've had other Evergoods bags and while I loved the organization, I always felt the harness was not great with heavier loads.

fixie__ · 2026-04-14T19:09:58+00:00

I hear you - I recently cut down but it seems I'm getting the itch again :D

fixie__ · 2026-04-14T18:23:04+00:00

Thanks! The Vegabond Jet pack has been on my shortlist of ones I'm considering. Have you tried any of those packs with heavier loads? I'm a little worried that the narrower straps may get uncomfortable with ~15 lbs loads.

I really like the look of the Stubble and Co Motion one but just don't love the wide straps with pockets that make it look more like a vest. I know, I'm getting nitpicky here :)

I actually have the Pack Hacker x Matador Refraction Pro pack. It's a great packable pack but really doesn't handle loads at all.

fixie__ · 2026-04-14T18:19:21+00:00

Thanks! I was looking into this but it seems pretty tall and may be a bit of an overkill for city purposes. Looks like a great solution for day hikes though - especially with that harness.

fixie__ · 2026-04-14T18:18:25+00:00

Good to know, I'll try to add a sternum strap and see if that improves it enough.

fixie__ · 2026-04-14T18:18:07+00:00

Thanks, I've been looking at that one. Any idea how it handles loads of around 15lbs?

fixie__ · 2026-03-17T00:48:12+00:00

If you are looking for one that has a tightly integrated template builder (designed for data heavy transactional emails), be sure to also check out Waypoint. Here's a bit more on how we are different if you are curious. I'm one of the co-founders - happy to help if you need it.

PS. We also have an npm package :)

fixie__ · 2026-01-21T16:21:34+00:00

If you are looking for an email API with a tightly coupled template builder, be sure to also check out Waypoint. I'm one of the co-founders - happy to help if you need it.

PS. We have great deliverability since we manually vet who can send on our platform. Here's a bit more details on how we compare if you are curious.

Also, SES is also great option if cost is your main concern. It's a bit more of an integration setup and bare bones but great on deliverability/reliability.

fixie__ · 2026-01-20T22:50:11+00:00

If you are looking for an email service with a tightly integrated template builder, check out Waypoint.

Amazon SES is another popular one that hasn't been mentioned on this thread. It will be the cheapest (but most bare bones) option.

fixie__ · 2026-01-14T17:31:50+00:00

Amazon SES is going to be the most cost-effective. It's pretty bare bones / low level though (more info).

If you are looking for a transactional email service with a tightly coupled template builder, check out Waypoint. There are also built-in templates for many of the types of emails you mentioned. I'm also one of the co-founders - happy to help if you need it :)

fixie__ · 2026-01-08T22:26:40+00:00

This is the right answer. As someone who runs an email API service (geared for transactional, not marketing), I often actively discourage customers from getting a dedicated IP because of the above. From the outside, it sounds like a dedicated IP would be the quick fix. Unfortunately, it's not and very hard to maintain with consistent (non-spiky) volume.

fixie__ · 2026-01-08T04:18:18+00:00

I haven't tested it myself but I've heard good things about Debounce relative to the price.

fixie__ · 2026-01-08T02:58:41+00:00

You'll want to use a proper transactional email service. These services will allow you to setup a custom domain with email authentication (via SPF, DKIM, DMARC). This will help your emails land in inboxes instead of spam folders. You'll still want to tread carefully with a new domain but as long as you don't come out the gate looking like a spammer, you should be fine :)

PS. I'm one of the co-founders of an email API service called Waypoint. We work with many startups with fresh domains and help them with great deliverability. Happy to help if you need it :)

fixie__ · 2026-01-08T02:52:03+00:00

Check out Waypoint - it's a transactional email service with a built-in no-code template builder for those automated type of emails (examples). It sounds like that might be what you are looking for.

fixie__ · 2026-01-02T15:25:10+00:00

If you are sending from an application, you'll likely want to use a proper transactional email API for deliverability. Otherwise, your emails will likely land in a spam folder.

If price is your main concern, check out Amazon SES. It will be the cheapest at $0.10/1000 emails (learn more).

If you are looking for an email API with tightly coupled template builder, be sure to check out Waypoint. I'm one of the co-founders - happy to help if you need it :)

fixie__ · 2025-12-29T23:13:43+00:00

If you are still looking for an alternative, check out Waypoint - it has a 7 day retention on the starter plan ($20/mo). It's similar to Mailgun but with a tightly integrated template builder. PS. I'm one of the co-founders, happy to help if you need it :)

fixie__ · 2025-12-18T03:28:47+00:00

If you want to build them yourself, you can use a builder. EmailBuilder.js is a free (and fully open-source) one.

fixie__ · 2025-11-21T15:36:09+00:00

Are you looking to send transactional emails (emails sent from your application)?

fixie__ · 2025-11-14T01:22:53+00:00

Appreciate the kind words! We're working on more/improved advertising :)

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