# How does pricing work?

> MailBlastr pricing is usage-based by emails sent, with a free tier for getting started.

MailBlastr pricing is **usage-based**: you pay based on the number of emails you send. There is a **free tier** for getting started and evaluating the platform, so you can verify a domain and send your first emails without committing to a paid plan.

- **Usage-based** — billing scales with emails sent.
- **Free tier** — enough to get started, build your integration, and try real sends.
- **Quotas are separate from pricing** — your [daily sending quota](https://www.mailblastr.com/docs/kb/quotas) is a deliverability safety rail, not a billing limit.

## How volume is counted

Because billing is by email, it is worth knowing what counts as one. Each recipient is counted individually: multiple `to`, `cc`, or `bcc` addresses on a single message each count as a separate email. Inbound (received) email, if you use it, also counts toward your usage.

## Transactional vs. marketing

Pricing reflects the two different ways you send:

- **Transactional / API sending** is priced on **emails sent** over a billing period.
- **Marketing / campaigns** are typically priced on the **number of contacts** you store rather than the number of messages, since one campaign goes to your whole audience.

## Overages

Paid usage can continue beyond your plan’s included volume via **pay-as-you-go overage** rather than failing outright, so an occasional spike does not stop your sending. Overages are convenient for spikes but are generally less cost-effective per email than moving to a higher tier — if you consistently exceed your included volume, the plan page will show the more economical option.

> **Note:** For current plans, included volume, overage rates, and prices, see the [pricing page](https://www.mailblastr.com/pricing) — it is the source of truth for what each tier costs and includes.