Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to AWS SES · 📬 email
AWS SES vs Postal
Run your own mail delivery infrastructure with a web interface, webhooks, IP pools, and spam filtering integrations for inbound and outbound email. Here is how Postal ($0/mo open source) stacks up against AWS SES ($15/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Postal is a verified Open Source-licensed open-source replacement for AWS SES. Switching from AWS SES ($15/mo) saves $180/yr per solo seat, or $900/yr for a 5-person team. Deployment: Runs on Self-host.
The catch: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed AWS SES.
Postal
$0.00/mo · Open Source
AWS SES vs Postal Specifications
facts verified 2026-11-07
| Dimension | AWS SES (Paid) | Postal (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $15 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $180 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $180) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $900 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $900) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,800 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,800) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source Open Source |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hosteddocker to self-host |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 16.9k (active nov 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from AWS SES to Postal
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed AWS SES.
How to deploy Postal
Clone https://github.com/postalserver/postal or deploy with Docker Compose
What it takes to run
Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
Where your data lives
All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
Why fork Postal instead of vibe-coding a AWS SES clone?
Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for AWS SES or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 2 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Postal.
AWS SES vs Postal FAQ
Is Postal a good free alternative to AWS SES?+
Yes. Postal is a verified open-source (Open Source) replacement for AWS SES. Run your own mail delivery infrastructure with a web interface, webhooks, IP pools, and spam filtering integrations for inbound and outbound email.
What is the catch when switching from AWS SES to Postal?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed AWS SES.
How much do you save switching from AWS SES to Postal?+
AWS SES costs $15/mo ($180/yr) per seat, whereas Postal is $0/mo. Switching saves $180/yr for a solo user, $900/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,800/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Postal instead of AWS SES?+
Install: Clone https://github.com/postalserver/postal or deploy with Docker Compose. Setup: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
