Compare custom-domain email
A free ImprovMX alternative that stores the mail
ImprovMX is a popular email forwarding service: mail to your domain is passed on to an inbox you already have. Free Domain Mail does not forward. It keeps mail for every address at your domain in a private inbox, with an API that returns codes and links, on as many domains as you own.
ImprovMX details checked on 28 October 2026 · Free, unlimited domains · Receive-only
Switching a domain takes four steps
- Pick the domain or subdomain. Its MX records will point here instead of ImprovMX, so choose one whose mail you do not need forwarded.
- Replace the MX records. Remove the ImprovMX MX records and add one MX record for mx.freedomainmail.com.
- Prove ownership. Add the TXT record at _maildock-verify shown in the app, then press Check DNS.
- Use any address. Every address at the domain receives mail in your private inbox, kept for 30 days.
Free Domain Mail vs ImprovMX
| Free Domain Mail | ImprovMX | |
|---|---|---|
| What happens to mail | Kept in your inbox for 30 days | Forwarded to an inbox you already have |
| Free plan | Unlimited domains, no monthly quota | 1 domain, 25 aliases, 500 forwarded emails a day |
| Cheapest paid plan | None — there are no paid plans | Premium: $9 a month, up to 30 domains |
| Catch-all | Yes, every address at the domain | Yes, a catch-all alias is created by default |
| API | Read codes, links and messages | Yes, including the free plan |
| Send from your domain | No, receive-only | Paid plans include SMTP sending; the free plan does not |
| Logs | Messages themselves kept 30 days | Email logs kept 7 days on the free plan |
When ImprovMX is the better choice
If you want mail to your domain to arrive in the inbox you already read every day, forwarding is the right tool, and ImprovMX's paid plans can also send mail as your domain over SMTP. Free Domain Mail cannot do either.
When Free Domain Mail is the better choice
Pick Free Domain Mail for sign-ups, trials and test accounts you want kept out of your main inbox, for automated tests that read verification codes through an API, or when you have more domains than a free forwarding plan covers.
How we compared
ImprovMX details come from its pricing page and its catch-all guide (improvmx.com/pricing and improvmx.com/guides/catchall-wildcard-aliases), read on 28 October 2026. Plans and prices change, so check their site before you decide. Free Domain Mail is not affiliated with ImprovMX; ImprovMX is a trademark of its owner.
Common questions
Can Free Domain Mail forward to my Gmail?
No. It never forwards or sends mail. Mail stays in your Free Domain Mail inbox for 30 days, on the web and through the API.
Can I keep ImprovMX on my main domain?
Yes. Point a subdomain such as signups.yourdomain.com to Free Domain Mail; the main domain's MX records are not affected.
Do I need to create aliases?
No. Every address at the domain receives mail, with nothing to create first.
Is it free?
Yes. There are no paid plans: connect as many custom domains as you own, with no monthly email quota. Anti-abuse limits, such as a daily cap on new domains, still apply.