Comparison
Jan 17, 2026
CEO and co-founder
Best Cold Email Infrastructure for Bootstrapped Agencies: Mailreef vs Budget Alternatives
The hidden cost of scaling cold email on Google Workspace
Google Workspace Business Starter charges $8.40 per user per month on the flexible plan. That per-seat model creates a straightforward problem: your infrastructure bill grows faster than your client count can support it.
Here is what the math looks like at scale:
Inbox Count | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
50 inboxes | $420 | $5,040 |
100 inboxes | $840 | $10,080 |
200 inboxes | $1,680 | $20,160 |
For an agency billing $2,500/month per client and managing 10 domains per client, those 50 inboxes support roughly 5 clients generating $12,500/month. Infrastructure at $420/month consumes 3.4% of top-line revenue. Scale to 200 inboxes across 20 clients and you are paying $1,680/month. That percentage holds but the absolute dollars hurt more when margins are already tight.
The cost issue compounds with hidden labor. Manual DMARC, DKIM, and SPF setup can take days for those who are not proficient in email authentication. Even experienced operators spend roughly 15 minutes per domain configuring DNS records in Namecheap or GoDaddy. For 50 domains, that is 12+ hours of work before your first campaign launches.
Google also was not designed for cold outreach. Their policies penalize bulk sending, and suspension risks mean one bad campaign could take down infrastructure serving multiple clients. You can learn more about healthy email metrics and spam indicators to understand what triggers these issues.
Mailreef deep dive: features, costs, and constraints
Mailreef built its platform around dedicated mail servers. According to Woodpecker's analysis, their Agency Flex plan at $249/month includes a dedicated IP address, unlimited free inboxes, and 1-click domain creation with auto-configured SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
The technical foundation is solid:
Dedicated mail server: Your sending reputation stays isolated from other users
API access: Developers can integrate directly with their systems
Zapier integration: Connect to existing workflows without custom code
50 domains and 200 mailboxes included: Reasonable caps for mid-sized agencies
For agencies running complex integrations or requiring developer-level control, those API capabilities matter. The dedicated server model also means your deliverability is not at the mercy of other senders on shared infrastructure.
The approval process bottleneck
Here is where Mailreef creates friction for bootstrapped founders. The application process requires you to describe your company and explain what products you are pitching. While screening applicants protects their IP reputation, it adds delay when you need infrastructure yesterday.
Independent analysis confirms there are no legitimate Mailreef reviews on platforms like G2, Capterra, or Trustpilot. With limited social proof, you are essentially betting $249 on your first month to validate whether the platform meets your needs.
The affiliate program application mentions 2-3 business day review windows, which may indicate similar timelines for service applications. For a founder trying to onboard a new client this week, that delay costs real money.
Two additional constraints worth noting:
Annual commitment option: The Agency plan at $240/month requires a 12-month commitment with no monthly trial option
Capacity limits: Servers cap at 50 domains and 200 mailboxes, so agencies exceeding those limits need multiple servers at $249/month each
3 best Mailreef alternatives for bootstrapped agencies
Inframail: Unlimited inboxes on dedicated IPs
We built Inframail specifically for the margin problem bootstrapped agencies face. The Unlimited Plan costs $129/month flat, regardless of whether you create 50 or 500 inboxes. That pricing model means your infrastructure bill stays constant as your client roster grows.
The technical specs match what premium providers offer:
1 dedicated US-based IP (3 IPs on the Agency Pack at $276/month)
Unlimited email inboxes with no per-seat charges
Automated SPF/DKIM/DMARC configuration eliminating manual DNS work
Microsoft cloud infrastructure with enterprise partnership announced January 2024
Setup speed is where the difference shows. Users report setting up 10 inboxes in under 10 minutes, with the entire onboarding process taking minutes rather than hours. Our platform advertises "From Domains to Inboxes in 180 seconds" and that reflects real user experience.
For a visual walkthrough of the complete setup process, watch our InfraMail Setup Tutorial for Cold Email or the quick guide on how to send 1000+ cold emails per day showing domain purchase through inbox provisioning in under 4 minutes.
Month-to-month billing means you can pilot with real client campaigns before committing. No approval process, no annual contracts, no surprises. You can cancel anytime without penalties.
Cost comparison for 50 inboxes:
Mailreef: $249/month
Inframail: $129/month
Monthly savings: $120 ($1,440/year)
Maildoso: Low-cost shared infrastructure
Maildoso targets the absolute lowest price point with per-inbox pricing around $2.75. Plans start at $99 for three months including 3 domains and 12 email accounts.
The trade-off is infrastructure quality. Maildoso uses shared IP addresses where you and other users send from the same IPs. If one user does not follow best practices, it impacts everyone on that shared pool.
The "noisy neighbor" risk is real. According to IP infrastructure experts, if another resident in your shared IP "apartment building" starts sending spam or hosts malware, the entire building's address can get blacklisted or flagged. Our video on dedicated IP vs shared IP pools explains why this distinction matters for long-term deliverability.
When Maildoso makes sense:
Testing cold email with minimal upfront investment
Short-term campaigns where long-term reputation is less critical
Budget constraints that make even $129/month difficult
When to avoid Maildoso:
Building a sustainable agency with recurring clients
Running campaigns where deliverability directly impacts client retention
Any scenario where you cannot afford sudden inbox rate drops
DIY Hybrid: Google Workspace plus domain resellers
The manual approach combines Google Workspace inboxes with domains purchased through budget registrars. You might save $2-3 per domain buying through Namecheap versus premium registrars.
The math rarely works out. You still pay Google's $8.40/inbox while adding:
12+ hours monthly configuring DNS records across multiple registrar dashboards
Propagation delays of 24-48 hours per domain before campaigns can launch
Coordination overhead managing credentials across 4+ vendor platforms
For agencies where the founder's time is worth $50-100/hour, spending 12 hours on DNS configuration costs $600-1,200 in opportunity cost. That exceeds any marginal domain savings.
The Ultimate Cold Email Infrastructure Guide for 2025 covers why manual approaches create bottlenecks as you scale.
Head-to-head comparison: cost, speed, and deliverability
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis
Platform fees only tell part of the story. Real TCO includes domains, warmup tools, and sending platforms. Here is the complete picture:
50 Inbox Scenario (Monthly)
Cost Category | Google Workspace | Mailreef | Inframail |
|---|---|---|---|
Platform fee | $420 | $249 | $129 |
Domain costs (amortized) | ~$50 | ~$68.50 | ~$68.50 |
Per-email fee (40 emails/inbox) | None | $2.00 | None |
Warmup tool | $39+ | $39+ | $39+ |
Total | $509+ | $358.50+ | $236.50+ |
200 Inbox Scenario (Monthly)
Cost Category | Google Workspace | Mailreef | Inframail |
|---|---|---|---|
Platform fee | $1,680 | $996 (4 servers) | $129 |
Domain costs (amortized) | ~$200 | ~$274 | ~$274 |
Per-email fee (40 emails/inbox) | None | $8.00 | None |
Warmup tool | $39+ | $39+ | $39+ |
Total | $1,919+ | $1,317+ | $442+ |
At 200 inboxes, Inframail saves $1,477/month versus Google Workspace and $875/month versus Mailreef. Over 12 months, that is $17,724 in savings versus Google or $10,500 versus Mailreef.
For warmup tools, Smartlead starts at $39/month with unlimited warmup accounts. You can learn about warming up inboxes after migrating to Inframail and calculate your email sending capacity to choose the right warmup approach.
Setup time and DNS automation
Time costs money. Here is what each approach requires:
Manual Setup (Google Workspace/DIY)
15 minutes per domain for SPF/DKIM/DMARC configuration
24-48 hours DNS propagation wait
Testing with Mail-Tester before launch
50 domains = 12.5 hours minimum
Automated Setup (Inframail)
Platform handles all DNS record creation automatically
No registrar dashboard access required
Credentials ready for export immediately
50 domains = under 1 hour
Watch our SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup video showing 2-minute setup for 10+ inboxes. The step-by-step Inframail tutorial demonstrates the complete workflow from domain purchase to Instantly export.
For agencies onboarding 4-5 new clients monthly, reclaiming 10+ hours per month means that time goes to sales calls and client strategy instead of DNS panels. One of our users shared how he validated a SaaS idea in one week using cold email, which would have been impossible with manual infrastructure setup.
Deliverability: Dedicated IPs vs shared pools
Your sending reputation determines whether emails land in inboxes or spam folders. The infrastructure choice directly impacts that outcome.
Dedicated IP advantages:
Complete control over sender reputation with no other company's behavior affecting deliverability
Your actions alone shape the IP's reputation
Shared IP risks:
Reputation pools across multiple senders spreading risk but exposing you to others' mistakes
No control over neighbors' sending behavior
Inframail provides dedicated IPs (1 on Unlimited Plan, 3 on Agency Pack) built on Microsoft cloud infrastructure. Our platform scores 88% inbox rate via GMass testing and 9.5/10 on Mail-Tester.
One Inframail user signed a $50,000 client using our infrastructure for cold outreach. Another books 6 calls per day consistently. These results depend on good campaign practices, but dedicated IP infrastructure removes the variable of shared pool contamination.
Choosing the right infrastructure for your runway
The decision depends on where you are in your agency journey and what constraints matter most.
Choose Mailreef if:
You have $249/month budget locked in
API access and Zapier integration are critical to your workflow
You can wait 2-3 days for application approval
You need dedicated servers and have room for premium pricing
Choose Inframail if:
Flat-rate scaling matters more than feature depth
You want dedicated IPs without the premium price tag ($129 vs $249)
Instant setup with no approval process fits your timeline
Month-to-month flexibility protects your cash position
You need infrastructure for 50+ domains and want predictable costs
Choose Google Workspace if:
You send very low volume (under 50 emails/day total)
Brand recognition matters more than cost efficiency
You need full productivity suite features beyond email
For most bootstrapped agencies managing 50-200 domains across multiple clients, Inframail offers the best balance of cost, deliverability, and setup speed. The getting started guide walks through the complete onboarding process.
Sign up for Inframail and get started today. You can also explore what email platforms work with Inframail and review our API documentation if you need programmatic access.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does cold email infrastructure cost for 50 inboxes?
Google Workspace costs $420/month (50 × $8.40). Mailreef costs $249/month with dedicated server. Inframail costs $129/month flat regardless of inbox count.
Is Mailreef better than Google Workspace for cold email?
Mailreef offers dedicated servers designed for outreach, while Google Workspace penalizes bulk sending. Mailreef is better for deliverability but costs $249/month versus Inframail's $129/month for similar dedicated IP benefits.
Do I need a dedicated IP for cold email?
Dedicated IPs isolate your sender reputation from other users. Shared IPs expose you to "noisy neighbor" risk where other senders' bad behavior impacts your deliverability.
What is the approval process for Mailreef?
Mailreef requires an application describing your company and products. Review times are similar to their affiliate program at 2-3 business days. Inframail has no approval process.
Can I cancel cold email infrastructure month-to-month?
Inframail offers month-to-month billing with no cancellation penalties. Mailreef Agency Flex is monthly at $249. Mailreef Agency requires 12-month commitment at $240/month.
Key terms glossary
Dedicated IP: An IP address used exclusively by one sender. Your sending behavior alone determines the IP's reputation with email providers.
DNS Propagation: The time required for DNS record changes (SPF/DKIM/DMARC) to update across global servers. Typically 10 minutes to 48 hours depending on registrar and record type.
TCO (Total Cost of Ownership): The complete cost of infrastructure including platform fees, domain costs, warmup tools, and per-email sending fees.
Server stacking: The practice of purchasing additional infrastructure tiers when hitting domain or mailbox caps, common in per-server pricing models.
SPF/DKIM/DMARC: Email authentication protocols that verify sender identity and protect against spoofing. SPF specifies authorized sending servers. DKIM adds cryptographic signatures. DMARC defines handling policies for failed authentication.
