kitio.aiMails.ai vs Shiplight AI
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Mails.ai has the lower starting price: about $20 a month, against $60 for Shiplight AI.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Inbox per agent through one API call
- TypeScript and Python SDKs
- MCP server
- Injection scan on inbound mail
- Send from your own domain
- Agent-authored E2E tests
- Browser MCP server
- Self-healing tests
- YAML tests in your repo
- Hosted CI runners
| Feature | Mails.ai | Shiplight AI |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Email API that gives AI agents their own inboxes | End-to-end tests written and maintained by your coding agent |
| Category | Coding | Coding |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $20/mo | $60/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Mails.ai | Shiplight AI |
| Based in | – | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Mails.ai has the lower starting price: about $20 a month, against $60 for Shiplight AI.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Free
Free
- 3,000 emails per month
- 3,000 inbound replies per month
- 1 agent
Pro
$20/mo
- 50K emails per month
- 5 agents
- Send from your own domain
- Signed webhooks
Scale
$99/mo
- 250K emails per month
- Unlimited agents
- Per-agent allowlists and send limits
3 plans
Free
Free
- $10 signup credit
- Up to 5 members
- 30-day artifact retention
Pro
$60/mo
- $60 monthly credit
- Pay as you go beyond credit
- Up to 25 members
- 90-day retention
Enterprise
Contact sales
- Volume pricing
- SSO and SOC 2
- Dedicated CSM
Prices in USD, checked Oct 29, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Mails.ai
- Free tier with no card
- Controls on who an agent can email
- Works with major coding agents
- Free plan allows just 1 agent
- Custom domains need Pro
- Dedicated IP is on request only
Shiplight AI
- Works with Claude Code, Cursor and Codex
- Readable tests reviewed in PRs
- All features on the free plan
- Usage beyond credit is metered
- Free plan keeps artifacts only 30 days
- Best suited to teams already using coding agents
Which one should you choose?
Choose Mails.ai if you want:
- Free tier with no card
- Controls on who an agent can email
- Works with major coding agents
Watch out: free plan allows just 1 agent.
Choose Shiplight AI if you want:
- Works with Claude Code, Cursor and Codex
- Readable tests reviewed in PRs
- All features on the free plan
Watch out: usage beyond credit is metered.
Mails.ai vs Shiplight AI FAQ
What is the difference between Mails.ai and Shiplight AI?
Mails.ai: Email API that gives AI agents their own inboxes. Shiplight AI: End-to-end tests written and maintained by your coding agent. Both are coding tools.
Is Mails.ai or Shiplight AI cheaper?
Mails.ai has the lower starting price: about $20 a month, against $60 for Shiplight AI.
Do Mails.ai and Shiplight AI have free plans?
Mails.ai: Yes. Shiplight AI: Yes.
Who makes Mails.ai?
Mails.ai is made by Mails.ai.
Who makes Shiplight AI?
Shiplight AI is made by Shiplight AI.
Which should I choose, Mails.ai or Shiplight AI?
Choose Mails.ai if you value free tier with no card and controls on who an agent can email. Choose Shiplight AI if you value works with claude code, cursor and codex and readable tests reviewed in prs.