Comparison
Jan 29, 2026
CEO and co-founder
Zapmail vs Mailforge: Setup speed and deliverability tested
The core difference: Automation vs per-inbox pricing
Zapmail and Mailforge both automate the technical work. The business model difference matters more.
Per-inbox pricing works like this: You pay rent on every mailbox. Zapmail charges approximately $2.50-$6 per mailbox depending on volume and plan tier according to Outreach Almanac's pricing analysis. Mailforge starts around $1.67-$3 per mailbox with a minimum commitment of 10 mailboxes based on Salesforge's platform overview. Add five clients and your infrastructure bill jumps proportionally.
Flat-rate pricing works differently: Our Unlimited Plan charges $129/month whether you create 50 or 500 inboxes. Infrastructure costs stay fixed while revenue scales. For agencies operating on 15-20% net margins, this distinction determines whether adding clients improves profitability or dilutes it.
The math becomes obvious at scale:
Inbox Count | Zapmail (est. $3.50/inbox) | Mailforge (est. $2.50/inbox) | Inframail (flat rate) |
|---|---|---|---|
50 inboxes | ~$175/month | ~$125/month | $129/month |
100 inboxes | ~$350/month | ~$250/month | $129/month |
200 inboxes | ~$700/month | ~$500/month | $129/month |
Note: These figures represent platform/mailbox fees only. Domain costs ($5-16/year each) apply similarly across all providers.
The crossover point calculation: At $3.50 per mailbox, Zapmail costs match Inframail's $129 flat rate at approximately 37 mailboxes ($129 ÷ $3.50 = 36.9). At Mailforge's $2.50 rate, crossover occurs around 52 mailboxes. Above these thresholds, every additional inbox on per-mailbox platforms adds marginal cost while Inframail's infrastructure bill stays constant.
Feature comparison: Zapmail vs Mailforge vs Inframail
This table breaks down the practical differences across DNS automation, IP infrastructure, platform compatibility, and included features:
Feature | Zapmail | Mailforge | Inframail |
|---|---|---|---|
Pricing model | Per-mailbox ($2.50-$6) | Per-mailbox ($1.67-$3) | Flat-rate ($129/month) |
IP type | Shared pool | Shared/distributed pool | Dedicated (1-3 IPs) |
Email provider | Google Workspace + Microsoft 365 | Distributed infrastructure | Microsoft cloud platform |
DNS automation | Automated SPF/DKIM/DMARC | Automated configuration | Automated SPF/DKIM/DMARC |
Warmup included | Pre-warmed accounts (add-on) | Yes (automated warmup) | No (external required, included in DFY package) |
Sender platform integrations | Instantly, Smartlead, ReachInbox, 50+ tools | Salesforge, standard SMTP | Instantly, Smartlead, ReachInbox |
Minimum commitment | 10 mailboxes (Starter) | 10 mailboxes | Unlimited from day one |
The IP type row deserves attention. Both Zapmail and Mailforge use shared IP infrastructure where your sending reputation depends partly on other users' behavior. One bad actor on your IP range can trigger blacklisting that affects your campaigns. Our dedicated IP infrastructure video explains how isolated IPs separate your reputation from other senders entirely.
Setup speed test: How long to launch 25 domains?
Setup time determines how quickly new clients generate revenue. We compared the provisioning workflow across all three platforms.
Zapmail setup process
Zapmail automates Google Workspace provisioning with pre-configured DNS records. Users report onboarding takes approximately 10 minutes from signup to configured mailboxes for small batches according to Outreach Almanac's tool review. The platform handles SPF, DKIM, and DMARC automatically.
Strengths:
Pre-warmed accounts available as an add-on for faster campaign launch
Google Workspace native integration
Bulk management features for multiple accounts
Limitations:
Shared IP infrastructure means no reputation isolation
Pre-warmed mailboxes require separate billing
No built-in tools for ongoing blacklist monitoring
Mailforge setup process
Mailforge positions itself as distributed email infrastructure. Users can set up domains and mailboxes in less than 10 minutes based on Salesforge's platform documentation.
Strengths:
Rapid bulk provisioning
Lower per-mailbox cost at entry tiers
Includes automated warmup features
Automated technical requirements
Limitations:
Runs only on shared IPs with no dedicated option
Less transparent deliverability monitoring
Inframail setup process
Our platform automates the entire workflow from domain purchase through inbox provisioning. Watch the InfraMail Setup Tutorial for a complete walkthrough, or see the 4-minute setup demo showing 5 domains and 10 inboxes configured start to finish.
The process works like this:
Domain acquisition: Purchase domains directly through the platform or transfer existing domains with instant turnaround.
Automated DNS: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records configure automatically with no manual panel work.
Inbox provisioning: Create unlimited Microsoft email inboxes under dedicated IPs.
CSV export: Download IMAP/SMTP credentials and import directly to Instantly, Smartlead, or your preferred sender.
For agencies onboarding multiple clients monthly, the speed difference compounds. One customer reported creating over 1,000 email accounts with all records added within 10 minutes in their Trustpilot review.
Deliverability benchmarks and inbox placement
Setup speed means nothing if emails land in spam. The IP infrastructure choice directly impacts where your messages arrive.
The shared IP risk
Both Zapmail and Mailforge use shared IP pools. This model distributes your mailbox accounts among millions of businesses, similar to how Gmail and Outlook operate at consumer scale.
The problem: your sending reputation becomes partially dependent on other users' behavior. If someone on your shared IP range sends spam or gets flagged, ESPs may penalize the entire IP range. The Woodpecker analysis of Zapmail notes that Zapmail's system "relies on shared IPs and has no built-in tools for monitoring blacklist status, testing message placement, or generating warm-up performance graphs."
For agencies managing multiple client campaigns, this creates an uncontrollable variable. You can optimize copy, targeting, and sending patterns, but you can't control what other users on your IP do.
Dedicated IP advantage
We provide 1 dedicated US-based IP on the Unlimited Plan and 3 dedicated IPs on the Agency Pack. Your sending behavior alone determines your ESP reputation.
Our infrastructure runs on Microsoft's cloud platform with a publicly announced enterprise partnership. This Microsoft foundation provides enterprise-grade reliability and compliance frameworks while maintaining the deliverability performance agencies require. The dedicated vs shared IP comparison video explains the technical differences in detail.
Measured deliverability results
Our testing shows Mail-Tester scores of 9.5/10 and 88% inbox rate via GMass testing. User testimonials confirm these benchmarks hold in production:
"All of my campaigns on Inframail are on a >10% reply rate, which is really good." - Verified user review of Inframail (Inframail now has [38 5-star reviews on Trustpilot](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/inframail.io).)
"Pretty solid deliverability compared to other platforms I've used in the past." - Verified user review of Inframail
For agencies where deliverability drops directly cause client churn, reputation isolation provides insurance that shared pools cannot match.
Pricing breakdown: Platform costs at scale
Here's the infrastructure cost comparison across volume tiers (platform/mailbox fees plus estimated domain costs):
Inbox Count | Zapmail | Mailforge | Inframail |
|---|---|---|---|
50 inboxes | ~$175 + $68.50 domains = ~$243.50/month | ~$125 + $68.50 domains = ~$193.50/month | $129 + $68.50 domains = ~$197.50/month |
100 inboxes | ~$350 + $137 domains = ~$487/month | ~$250 + $137 domains = ~$387/month | $129 + $137 domains = ~$266/month |
200 inboxes | ~$700 + $274 domains = ~$974/month | ~$500 + $274 domains = ~$774/month | $129 + $274 domains = ~$403/month |
Domain cost assumptions: Domains at ~$10/year amortized monthly across your inbox count.
Key insight: At 100 inboxes, Inframail saves $121-$221/month on infrastructure. At 200 inboxes, savings reach $371-$571/month, or $4,824-$7,224 annually.
Warmup cost note: External warmup tools add costs regardless of platform. Zapmail offers pre-warmed accounts as an add-on. Mailforge includes automated warmup features. Inframail requires external warmup services, though our DFY Email Campaign Setup package includes free warmup.
The cold email infrastructure ROI calculator provides interactive modeling for your specific inbox count.
Why agencies switch to Inframail for scale
Three factors drive agencies to switch from per-inbox platforms to flat-rate infrastructure:
Margin protection at any client count: Per-inbox pricing penalizes growth. Every new client increases infrastructure costs proportionally. Flat-rate pricing breaks that link.
Reputation control via dedicated IPs: Shared IP pools introduce an uncontrollable deliverability variable. Dedicated IPs let your sending behavior alone determine ESP trust.
Support quality for operations teams: Cold email infrastructure breaks at inconvenient times. Support response speed determines how quickly campaigns resume.
Evidence from agency operators
"Inframail has been absolute gold in terms of delivering a great customer experience, and allowing me to spin up cold email infrastructure at scale for my clients as easily and fast as possible." - Verified user review of Inframail
For agencies targeting 25-30% net margins, keeping infrastructure costs fixed while revenue scales makes the difference between sustainable growth and margin compression.
One user switched back to Inframail after trying a competitor according to their Trustpilot review: "We chose the competitor. A month later, we switched back to Inframail. Zero issues since. Rock-solid infrastructure, sharp support, genuinely dependable."
Support responsiveness
"One of the best mailbox infra vendors I have ever used super easy and quick setup and support is practically 24/7 with at max a 2min wait to get a question answered." - Verified user review of Inframail
"Their customer support is excellent. They exhibit both politeness and thoroughness, consistently following up until they resolve my concerns completely." - Verified user review of Inframail
The Help Center covers common scenarios, and priority support is available 16 hours daily.
What the testing reveals
Our side-by-side analysis confirms that automation alone doesn't solve the agency scaling problem. Zapmail and Mailforge eliminate manual DNS work but replace it with a new constraint: infrastructure costs that scale linearly with client count. For agencies managing 50+ inboxes, this trade-off shifts the bottleneck from time lost to margin lost.
Flat-rate pricing combined with dedicated IP infrastructure solves both problems. You get the automation speed (sub-10-minute setup for bulk domains) without the margin compression. At 100 inboxes, you save $136-$236/month on infrastructure alone. At 200 inboxes, savings reach $371-$571/month, or $4,824-$7,224 annually.
The Microsoft partnership adds enterprise-grade infrastructure credibility that shared-pool competitors cannot match. Combined with dedicated IP isolation, this creates a defensible deliverability advantage for agencies where inbox placement rates directly impact client retention.
Final verdict: Which platform fits your agency?
The decision comes down to your scale trajectory and margin targets. Per-inbox platforms work when you're testing cold email or running small operations below 40 inboxes. Flat-rate infrastructure becomes essential when client growth would otherwise compress margins below your 15-20% target.
Choose Zapmail when:
Google Workspace required: Some recipients filter Microsoft-origin emails, making Google infrastructure necessary
Small volume operations: You're running fewer than 30 inboxes with no immediate growth plans
Pre-warmed priority: You value pre-warmed accounts for faster campaign launch
Margin flexibility: Per-inbox costs don't yet impact your margin structure
Best fit: Solo operators or small teams testing cold email with limited volume.
Choose Mailforge when:
Lowest per-mailbox cost: Entry pricing drives your decision
Integrated warmup: You want warmup features included in the platform
Shared IP comfort: You're comfortable with shared IP infrastructure risks
Budget sensitivity: You're running 20-50 inboxes and prioritize entry cost over scale economics
Best fit: Budget-conscious operators prioritizing entry cost over scale economics.
Choose Inframail when:
Scale trajectory: You're managing 50+ inboxes or planning to scale there within 6 months
Margin protection: Infrastructure costs as % of billings matters to your profitability
Dedicated IP isolation: You want reputation control separate from other users
Microsoft infrastructure: You need enterprise-grade infrastructure with Microsoft partnership backing
Support quality: Response speed affects your operations
Best fit: Lead generation agencies managing multiple clients who need predictable costs and deliverability at scale. Agencies managing 100+ inboxes across 10+ clients should consider the Agency Pack at $327/month with 3 dedicated IPs for additional reputation isolation.
Sign up to Inframail and get started today. Our Unlimited Plan at $129/month includes unlimited inboxes, 1 dedicated US-based IP, automated DNS configuration, and Microsoft cloud infrastructure with enterprise partnership backing.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main differences between Zapmail and Mailforge?
Zapmail offers Google Workspace accounts at $2.50-$6 per mailbox with pre-warmed account add-ons. Mailforge runs cheaper per-mailbox rates ($1.67-$3) on distributed shared infrastructure with integrated warmup features. Both use shared IPs.
How does Zapmail pricing compare to Inframail?
Zapmail charges per mailbox starting around $2.50, scaling to $6+ depending on plan and volume. Inframail charges $129/month flat for unlimited inboxes. At $3.50/mailbox average, the crossover point sits at approximately 37 mailboxes ($129 ÷ $3.50 = 36.9). Above that threshold, Inframail costs less.
Do these platforms include email warmup?
Zapmail offers pre-warmed accounts as a separate add-on service. Mailforge includes automated warmup features in its platform. Inframail requires external warmup services, though the DFY Email Campaign Setup package includes free warmup.
What sender platforms integrate with these tools?
Zapmail integrates with 50+ tools including Instantly, Smartlead, and ReachInbox. Mailforge works with Salesforge and standard SMTP connections. Inframail integrates with Instantly, Smartlead, and ReachInbox. See our platform compatibility guide.
Which platform has better deliverability?
Deliverability depends heavily on IP type. Zapmail and Mailforge use shared IP pools where reputation depends partly on other users. Inframail provides dedicated IPs (1-3 depending on plan) where your behavior alone determines reputation. Our testing shows 9.5/10 Mail-Tester scores and 88% inbox rates.
Can I switch platforms without losing domains?
Yes. Domains can be transferred between providers. Inframail supports domain migration with instant turnaround. Check our getting started guide for migration steps.
Key terminology for cold email infrastructure
Cold email infrastructure: The technical stack for sending outbound emails at scale. Includes domains, mailboxes, DNS records, and IP addresses.
Deliverability: The percentage of sent emails reaching the recipient's inbox rather than spam folder or bounce.
SPF (Sender Policy Framework): A DNS record specifying which mail servers can send email on behalf of your domain.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): An authentication method adding a digital signature to outgoing emails, verifying they haven't been altered.
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication): A policy telling receiving servers what to do with emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks.
Inbox placement rate: The percentage of delivered emails landing in primary inbox versus spam, promotions, or other folders.
TCO (Total Cost of Ownership): Complete cost of operating infrastructure including platform fees, domain costs, warmup tools, and sending platforms.
Mail-Tester score: A 1-10 rating from mail-tester.com evaluating email authentication, content, and server configuration.
Warmup: Gradually increasing sending volume on new inboxes to establish positive reputation with ESPs. Skipping warmup causes immediate spam folder placement.
Dedicated IP: An IP address used exclusively by one sender, isolating reputation from other users.
Shared IP pool: Infrastructure where multiple users send from the same IP addresses, sharing reputation impact.
