Technical workflow
Learn how Email integrates with your systems and how messages are delivered. Choose the integration method that best fits your needs:
- HTTP API: Fast, secure, and analytics-ready.
- SMTP API: Simple to set up and ideal for transactional email.
HTTP API vs SMTP API
| Aspect | HTTP API | SMTP API |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | HTTP (RESTful API calls) | SMTP protocol |
| Integration | Modern applications, REST-friendly | Universal, supports legacy applications |
| Error handling | Detailed JSON responses, easy debugging | Basic SMTP response codes, limited feedback |
| Features | Advanced templates, tracking, scheduling, batch processing | Basic email sending |
| Security | API tokens, HTTPS encryption | Username/password, STARTTLS encryption |
| Performance | Generally faster, better concurrency | Slower, less scalable |
| Vendor lock-in | Higher (proprietary API formats) | Lower (standardized protocol) |
| Compatibility | Requires HTTP client support | Supported by almost all email clients and languages |
| Setup complexity | Requires API integration and authentication handling | Simple: SMTP server credentials |
| Scalability | Better scalability with high volume and concurrency | Requires client-side queuing and retries |
TipChoose HTTP API if you need advanced features, analytics, and high scalability. Choose SMTP API for simple, universal integration with existing email clients or legacy systems.
