Purelymail vs Migadu: Cheapest Serious Email Hosting Compared

Purelymail and Migadu are the two hosts that come up when someone asks for the cheapest way to run email on several domains without per-user pricing. Both offer unlimited users and domains, both are run by small teams, and both expect you to be comfortable with DNS. The differences are in where they are based, how they meter usage and how polished the experience is.

Quick answer

Purelymail is cheaper and simpler: one account, unlimited domains and users, priced on storage and message volume, with Roundcube webmail. Migadu costs more, is Swiss, has clearer tiers with defined daily limits and slightly more finish. Both are excellent value. If you would rather pay nothing and get guided DNS and an API, OquMail is the free third option for up to 15 mailboxes.

Feature comparison

• Mailboxes: unlimited users and domains on both, metered by storage and traffic
• Free plan: neither; both offer trials, and Purelymail's base price is very low
• API: neither offers a transactional send API; both are IMAP and SMTP hosts
• DNS guidance: both list MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records to add and show whether they resolve; Migadu also requires ownership verification
• IMAP/SMTP: included on both for every user
• Storage: Purelymail bills by storage used; Migadu plans include pooled storage with the option to buy more

Where Purelymail wins

• Lowest total cost for many users with modest storage
• No per-tier daily send caps in the same style as Migadu's smallest plan
• Simple single-page admin that takes minutes to learn
• Pay-as-you-go option for people who dislike subscriptions

Where Migadu wins

• Swiss jurisdiction and published policies on privacy and abuse
• Longer track record and larger user base
• Clearer tiered plans that are easier to explain to a boss or client
• More polished onboarding and documentation

Total cost at 5 and 15 users

For 5 or 15 users with normal storage, Purelymail is typically the cheaper of the two by a clear margin, and both are far below any per-user provider. Migadu's mid tier is the realistic choice for 15 active users because of send limits on its smallest plan. In both cases you are trading hand-holding for price: expect to read docs and manage DNS yourself.

The free third option: OquMail

OquMail is the option for a team that wants the low-cost philosophy without the DNS homework. Records are shown with a live checker, mailboxes work in any IMAP client, and a send API is included, all free for 15 mailboxes on 3 domains. Purelymail or Migadu remain better if you need dozens of domains or hundreds of aliases.

• Free plan: up to 15 mailboxes, 3 domains, 5 GB per mailbox, no credit card
• Webmail included; IMAP/SMTP for Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird and phones
• IMAP mail.oqumail.com port 993 (SSL/TLS); SMTP mail.oqumail.com port 587 (STARTTLS)
• Guided SPF, DKIM and DMARC with live DNS verification; MX is mail.oqumail.com priority 10
• Transactional send API at https://api.oqumail.com/api/v1/emails with Bearer API keys (from, to, subject, html)
• Per-message delivery logs so you can see the exact response a receiving server gave

Verdict by scenario

• Developer with ten side-project domains: Purelymail
• Consultancy that wants a Swiss host and clear plans: Migadu
• Team of up to 15 that wants zero cost, guided DNS and an API: OquMail
• Large family or community with many low-traffic addresses: Purelymail

Common questions

Is Purelymail reliable enough for business?

It is run by a small team and has a loyal user base. Many businesses use it happily; if you need a larger company behind your email, Migadu or a bigger host is a safer story for clients.

Do either include a calendar?

Purelymail's Roundcube webmail includes basic calendar plugins; Migadu is email only. Use a separate calendar service if this matters.

Which is better for sending notifications from an app?

Neither is designed for it, and both have sending limits. Use a dedicated sender, or the send API included with OquMail for modest volume.

How hard is DNS setup on Purelymail and Migadu?

Both expect you to add MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records yourself and both show whether the records resolve. Migadu additionally asks for an ownership verification record. Neither is difficult, but there is no wizard; if you have never edited DNS, budget an hour and read each provider's documentation page first.