SendGrid's Inbound Parse requires you to configure a domain, create a parse setting, and set up route filters. Mailhooks gives you a simpler path: add DNS records, create a webhook, done.
Since the Twilio acquisition, SendGrid has been absorbed into a broader communications platform. The inbound email features haven't kept pace. Mailhooks is independent and focused on inbound email.
Mailhooks provides a TypeScript SDK, clean JSON payloads with attachment URLs (not base64 blobs), real-time webhook delivery, and integrations with Notion, Discord, and n8n — all out of the box.
| Feature | Mailhooks | SendGrid |
|---|---|---|
| Inbound email webhooks | ||
| Setup time | 5 min | 20+ min |
| Free tier | 100 emails/mo | 100 emails/day (credit card required) |
| Pricing model | Per-email, simple | Per-email + tier add-ons |
| Structured JSON payloads | ||
| Attachment URLs | ||
| IMAP client access | ||
| Notion integration | ||
| Discord integration | ||
| n8n integration | ||
| TypeScript SDK | ||
| BYO cloud storage | ||
| Inbound parse config | 1 step | Domain + route + filter |
| Outbound email sending | ||
| Email marketing |
Every feature is built around receiving and processing email. No outbound features cluttering the dashboard or the pricing.
Mailhooks sends webhooks to your server. Standard HTTP, standard JSON. No proprietary SDKs required to process inbound events.
Clean, typed JSON with attachments as downloadable URLs — not base64 blobs that inflate your webhook payload size.
SendGrid is a strong choice if you need a full-service email platform. Consider sticking with SendGrid if:
You need outbound email delivery (transactional or marketing)
You want email marketing and automation features
Your team is already deep in the Twilio ecosystem
Simpler inbound email webhooks vs Mailgun's full platform
Modern stack and transparent pricing vs CloudMailin
Standalone inbound email without outbound requirements
Purpose-built for inbound vs Resend's beta inbound support
Notion Mail shuts down 22 Sept 2026 — keep email flowing into Notion