GDPR Compliance Risk

SendGrid is a US-based service subject to the CLOUD Act. EU organizations using this service risk non-compliance with GDPR data transfer requirements.

GDPR-Compliant Alternative to SendGrid

🇺🇸Twilio · US-based · Subject to CLOUD Act

SendGrid by Twilio is a cloud-based email delivery platform that enables businesses to send transactional and marketing emails. It offers reliable delivery, analytics, and scalable solutions to optimize email performance.

Why You Need a GDPR-Compliant Alternative to SendGrid

Since the landmark Schrems II ruling in 2020, transferring personal data to US-based services like SendGrid has become a significant legal risk for EU organizations. The US CLOUD Act gives American authorities the power to access data held by US companies, regardless of where that data is physically stored — even if it's in an EU data center.

While the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF) adopted in 2023 provides a new legal basis for transfers, privacy experts and legal scholars have raised concerns about its long-term viability. The framework could face the same fate as its predecessors (Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield), both of which were struck down by the Court of Justice of the EU.

For organizations that want to eliminate compliance risk entirely, switching to a European-based sms & communications is the most straightforward solution. Below are the best GDPR-compliant alternatives to SendGrid, all headquartered in Europe with data stored in EU data centers.

CLOUD Act Exposure

US authorities can access your data stored by SendGrid, even if servers are located in Europe.

GDPR Fine Risk

Non-compliant data transfers can result in fines up to 4% of annual global revenue under GDPR Article 83.

EU Alternative Available

2 GDPR-compliant European alternatives available with full EU data residency.

2 GDPR-Compliant Alternatives to SendGrid

European services with full GDPR compliance and EU data residency

Brevo

🇫🇷

by Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)

5.0 (1)

Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is a French marketing and transactional email platform founded in 2012 by Armand Thiberge in Paris. With over 500,000 customers including eBay, Volkswagen, and Michelin, Brevo has grown from an email marketing tool into a full customer communication suite covering email campaigns, transactional email API, SMS, WhatsApp, CRM, live chat, and marketing automation. All data is processed and stored in EU data centers. Brevo offers a genuinely usable free tier (300 emails/day) that makes it accessible for startups and small projects, with paid plans scaling from Starter through Enterprise.

EU-BasedGDPR CompliantB CorpISO 27001EU-hosted

freemiumMigration:●●●2-4 hours

Why switch?

Brevo offers customizable email templates for tailored campaigns.
Advanced analytics in Brevo provide detailed performance insights.
Brevo ensures GDPR compliance with EU-hosted data for user protection.

Consider

Migrating from SendGrid to Brevo may require significant data transfer.
Some advanced SendGrid features may not be available in Brevo.

View Details Compare Switch Guide

Visit Brevo

Mailjet

🇫🇷

by Mailjet

Mailjet by Sinch is a European email marketing platform designed for businesses to manage and optimize their email campaigns. It offers features such as email automation, real-time analytics, and customizable templates. Mailjet ensures compliance with EU data protection regulations, providing a reliable solution for businesses operating in Europe.

EU-BasedGDPR CompliantEU-hosted

FreemiumMigration:●●●2-4 hours

Why switch?

Mailjet is EU-hosted, ensuring compliance with GDPR regulations.
Mailjet offers real-time collaboration features for team email editing.
Mailjet has a user-friendly API with detailed documentation for integration.

Consider

Migration from SendGrid may require significant data transfer efforts.
Mailjet's automation features may lack some advanced options found in SendGrid.

View Details Compare Switch Guide

Visit Mailjet

Quick GDPR Compliance Comparison

Service	HQ Location	GDPR Native	EU Data Centers	CLOUD Act Free	Pricing
🇺🇸SendGrid	United States	No	Partial	No	-
🇫🇷Brevo	FR	Yes	Yes	Yes	freemium
🇫🇷Mailjet	FR	Yes	Yes	Yes	Freemium

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SendGrid GDPR compliant?

SendGrid is a US-based service operated by Twilio. While it may have some GDPR compliance measures, as a US company it is subject to the CLOUD Act, which allows US authorities to access data stored by US companies regardless of where the data is physically located. This creates a fundamental conflict with GDPR requirements for data protection.

What are the GDPR risks of using SendGrid?

The main GDPR risks include: (1) Data transfers to the US may lack adequate protection since the Schrems II ruling invalidated Privacy Shield, (2) US authorities can demand access under the CLOUD Act, (3) Your organization may face GDPR fines up to 4% of annual revenue for non-compliant data transfers, and (4) User consent may not be sufficient to legitimize transfers given the systematic access by US authorities.

What are the best GDPR-compliant alternatives to SendGrid?

The top GDPR-compliant alternatives to SendGrid include Brevo, Mailjet. These European services store your data in EU data centers and are fully subject to GDPR protections.

How do I migrate from SendGrid to a GDPR-compliant alternative?

Most migrations involve three steps: (1) Export your data from SendGrid using their data export tools, (2) Create an account with your chosen EU alternative, and (3) Import your data into the new service. We provide detailed migration guides for each alternative to make the switch as smooth as possible.

Can EU companies legally use SendGrid?

Since the Schrems II ruling (2020), EU organizations face significant legal risk when using US cloud services like SendGrid. While the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (2023) provides a new legal basis, its long-term stability is uncertain. Many EU data protection authorities recommend using EU-based alternatives to avoid compliance risks entirely.

Other GDPR Alternatives in SMS & Communications

GDPR Alternative to Twilio GDPR Alternative to Amazon SNS

Migration Resources

Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. This helps support our mission to promote European alternatives. Our recommendations are based on objective criteria.

Last updated: February 6, 2026