Next.js + Resend
for indie hackers.
Next.js + Resend with React Email is the modern transactional email stack — write emails in React, send via API. For indie hackers: React Email + Resend gives professional emails on a starter budget.
This stack, applied to you.
For indie hackers, Next.js + Resend with React Email is the modern transactional email default. Free tier (3,000 emails/month) covers most pre-launch products. React Email gives type-safe email components versioned alongside your code. Server actions invoke Resend's API. Total setup time: under an hour for a typical contact form or auth email.
indie hackers-specific gotchas
- Domain verification mandatory before production sends
- React Email rendering must be tested in many email clients (Outlook still hard)
- Free tier resets monthly — plan for upgrade as you scale
- Webhooks are reliable — wire them up for delivery monitoring
- Spam testing matters — use Resend's reputation tools
An indie hacker ships a SaaS with all transactional email (welcome, password reset, contact form, invoice) using Resend's free tier. Total cost: $0/month for the first 6 months.
Common indie hackers questions.
What about lifecycle email (drip campaigns)?
Resend isn't designed for this. Pair with Loops, Customer.io, or ConvertKit for non-transactional sends.
Can we use Resend for marketing emails?
Resend has a Broadcasts feature but most teams use it primarily for transactional.
We've shipped this.
We use this on this site and most clients. If you're a indie hackers shipping on this stack, we can save you a quarter.
Brief us