HelloBoxResend vs Amazon SES: which should you send with?
Updated
Short answer
Amazon SES is the cheapest way to send at volume, at about $0.10 per 1,000 emails, but it takes AWS setup and has no inbox or dashboard for people. Resend is quicker to start, with a clean API and dashboard, and costs more per email at scale. Neither gives your team an inbox for replies. HelloBox works with both: connect SES or Resend in two clicks and get a shared inbox, campaigns and an MCP server, without changing how your app sends.
Side by side
| Amazon SES | Resend | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | High volume, teams already on AWS | Fast setup, developer experience |
| Price | About $0.10 per 1,000 emails | Free tier, then monthly plans |
| Setup | AWS account, IAM, domain verification, sandbox exit | Sign up, verify domain, send |
| Receiving | Receipt rules to S3, Lambda or SNS | MX record, then webhooks and API |
| Inbox for people | No | No |
| Broadcasts / campaigns | No built-in tool | Broadcasts |
| Inbox, campaigns and MCP with HelloBox | Yes | Yes |
Prices change, so check each provider's pricing page before you decide.
How to choose
- Pick SES if you send a lot, already have AWS credits or infrastructure, and are happy to set up IAM and DNS once.
- Pick Resend if you want to send your first email in minutes and value the API, React Email and dashboard.
- Use both if you like: HelloBox connects one or both, and shows all your domains in one inbox.
Either way, add an inbox
Whichever you send with, customers will reply. HelloBox turns receiving on for your domain and gives you a shared inbox, campaigns that send through your own account, and an MCP server so AI agents can work with your email. Connecting SES takes one CloudFormation stack; connecting Resend takes one sign-in.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Amazon SES cheaper than Resend?
- At volume, usually yes: SES costs about $0.10 per 1,000 emails. Resend is quicker to set up and has a free tier. Check both pricing pages for current numbers.
- Does Amazon SES or Resend have an inbox?
- Neither has an inbox for people to read and answer mail. HelloBox adds one for both, set up in two clicks.
- Can I use Resend and Amazon SES together?
- Yes. HelloBox connects one or both providers and shows mail for all your domains in one inbox.