Amazon Pinpoint vs Amazon SES: What are the differences?

Amazon Pinpoint and Amazon SES are both cloud-based email services offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). Let's explore the key differences between them.

1. Integration: Amazon Pinpoint is primarily used for sending targeted messages through multiple channels like email, SMS, and push notifications, while Amazon SES (Simple Email Service) is focused solely on sending emails. Pinpoint offers more comprehensive integration options, allowing developers to easily connect Pinpoint with other AWS services for personalized messaging campaigns. On the other hand, SES integrates well with multiple AWS services where email notifications are required.

2. Sending Limits and Pricing: Amazon Pinpoint has certain sending limits based on customer requests and subscription plans. It offers different pricing tiers based on the number of messages sent, including a free tier for limited usage. Amazon SES also has sending limits, but they can be increased by contacting AWS Support. SES offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model based on the number of emails sent, with lower prices for higher volumes.

3. Email Reputation Management: Amazon Pinpoint does not provide explicit email reputation management features. However, it allows users to track metrics related to email campaigns, such as open rates and click-through rates. Amazon SES, on the other hand, includes built-in email reputation management tools and features, helping to maintain high deliverability rates and protect sender reputation by monitoring bounces, complaints, and improving email sending practices.

4. Email Sending Control: With Amazon Pinpoint, developers can have more control over the delivery process of email campaigns, including customizing email headers, configuring feedback loop settings, and adding email headers for more reliable authentication. Amazon SES also offers similar levels of control, but with additional features like email content filtering and spam filter customization.

5. Support for Non-Email Channels: While Amazon Pinpoint supports multiple messaging channels such as SMS and push notifications in addition to email, Amazon SES is solely focused on email sending. Pinpoint provides an easy way to integrate SMS and push notification capabilities into applications, giving developers the flexibility to choose their preferred communication channels.

6. Email Analysis and Tracking: Amazon Pinpoint provides granular tracking and analysis of email engagement metrics, including click-through rates, open rates, and conversions. SES also provides email tracking but with fewer data points and specific analysis capabilities, focusing more on email delivery and reputation management.

In summary, Amazon Pinpoint is focused on engagement and marketing, offering tools for targeted messaging and analytics, while Amazon SES is more about transactional and bulk email sending, providing a scalable and reliable infrastructure for delivering emails.