What are some minimal email infrastructure options for a new app?

If you’re launching a new app and want the smallest, simplest email setup, here are the main options, from easiest to more self-managed:

1) Use a transactional email service

Best for: signups, password resets, receipts, notifications.

Common choices:

• Postmark
• SendGrid
• Amazon SES
• Mailgun
• Resend

Why it’s minimal:

• You avoid running your own mail server
• Better deliverability than DIY SMTP
• Easy API or SMTP integration
• Handles bounce/complaint tracking

Typical setup:

• Verify your sending domain
• Add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records
• Send mail via API or SMTP from your app

2) Use your cloud provider’s email tool

Best for: apps already hosted in AWS/GCP/Azure.

Examples:

• Amazon SES if you’re on AWS
• Sometimes a managed SMTP relay from your host

Why it’s minimal:

• Fewer vendors
• Usually cheap
• Integrates well with your existing infrastructure

Tradeoff:

• More setup complexity than a polished email SaaS
• Less friendly UX and support than some alternatives

3) Use an SMTP relay service only

Best for: apps that just need a simple outbound mail pipe.

Examples:

• SMTP2GO
• Mailjet
• Brevo (Sendinblue)

Why it’s minimal:

• Often as simple as configuring SMTP credentials
• No need to manage servers
• Easy for legacy apps

Tradeoff:

• Less API-first than modern transactional providers

4) Use a third-party auth provider for app emails

Best for: authentication-heavy apps.

Examples:

• Auth0
• Clerk
• Supabase Auth
• Firebase Auth

Why it’s minimal:

• They handle verification and password reset emails
• Less email logic in your app

Tradeoff:

• Only covers auth-related email, not product emails

5) Self-host SMTP only if you really need control

Best for: special compliance or legacy requirements.

Options:

• Postfix
• Exim
• Dockerized mail relay

Why it’s not minimal:

• Deliverability is hard
• Need SPF/DKIM/DMARC, IP reputation, bounce handling, blacklists
• Ongoing maintenance burden

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Minimal recommendation for most new apps

A very common “smallest sane setup” is:

• Transactional provider like Postmark or Resend
• Domain authentication: SPF + DKIM + DMARC
• One sending address like no-reply@yourdomain.com
• Separate email templates for:
  • welcome
  • password reset
  • verification
  • notifications

If you want, I can also suggest the best minimal setup by app type:

• SaaS
• marketplace
• mobile app
• internal tool
• hobby project