MailTub

MailTub is a self-hosted service for creating temporary email inboxes, best suited to developers and operators who want to run disposable mail infrastructure themselves. Its live inboxes, exports, and API and CLI make it useful for repeatable workflows, while real mail reception requires server and domain configuration.

Overview

MailTub is free, open-source software under the Apache 2.0 license. It can run as a single Go binary with SQLite and an embedded React interface, or through Docker. That gives operators a choice of deployment formats, but makes it a different proposition from a hosted temporary-mail site: you are responsible for running the service and arranging delivery.

Receiving real email requires a domain with an MX record pointing to the server, port 25 access or redirection, and a matching MAILTUB_DOMAIN setting. This is a sensible fit for controlled development or testing environments, but a substantial barrier if you simply need an address for an occasional signup.

Key features

Live inboxes with bounded lifetimes

Messages arrive through WebSocket push rather than polling, so clients can react to new mail without repeatedly checking. A session can hold up to five simultaneous inboxes, each set to expire after 1 hour, 6 hours, 24 hours, or 7 days. The range covers quick tests through week-long temporary use, though the five-inbox ceiling can constrain parallel workflows.

Attachments, exports, and automation

MailTub parses MIME attachments and allows inboxes to be downloaded as an.eml ZIP or structured JSON. Default limits are 25 MiB for an SMTP message, 25 MiB per attachment, and 50 MiB total attachments per email; these caps matter when test messages include large files. A REST API and scriptable CLI support creating, listing, reading, watching, and sending mail, while SMTP receiving and WebSocket updates accommodate different integration patterns. Prometheus-compatible metrics provide an operations-facing endpoint.

Interface and operator controls

The web interface offers dark, light, and system themes and can be installed as a progressive web app on mobile and desktop. Mailbox caching can optionally use a Redis or Upstash URL. The admin panel hashes its password with bcrypt and uses HMAC-SHA256 signed session cookies with a 24-hour lifetime. The API is open by default unless an API key is configured, although the health endpoint remains public; operators should review that default before exposing an instance. Mailbox creation is limited to 20 per IP per hour, which can restrict bursts of automated address creation.

Pricing

MailTub is free and open source, with no paid plan or seat-based tier described. The trade-off is operational rather than subscription cost: deployment, domain setup, and mail delivery access are the operator's responsibility. The Apache 2.0 license identifies the project as open source; caching and deployment choices do not change the stated price.

Platforms

MailTub is listed for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, web, API, and self-hosted use. Its installable progressive web app supports mobile and desktop, while the single-binary and Docker deployment options are oriented toward operators. The platform range is broad, but receiving mail still depends on the server-side domain and network requirements.

Who it's for

Choose MailTub if you need disposable inboxes under your own operation, want event-driven updates or exports, or plan to connect temporary mail to scripts through its API and CLI. It is less suitable for readers who want a ready-to-use hosted inbox without configuring an MX record, port 25 access, and a domain setting.

Pros and cons

Pros

Useful integration surface: REST API, CLI, SMTP receiving, WebSocket updates, and Prometheus-compatible metrics support both automation and monitoring.

Practical message handling: Attachment parsing and.eml ZIP or JSON exports make inbox contents easier to retain or process elsewhere.

Flexible self-hosting: A single Go binary or Docker deployment, with optional Redis or Upstash caching, gives operators deployment choices.

Cons

Mail delivery takes infrastructure work: Real reception requires a configured domain and MX record, port 25 access or redirection, and MAILTUB_DOMAIN.

API exposure needs attention: API access is open by default unless an API key is set, so operators should address that before public exposure.

Creation and concurrency are capped: A session can hold five inboxes and each IP can create 20 mailboxes per hour, limiting high-volume parallel use.

Alternatives

For other disposable-email options, browse Disposable Email Services.

SecureTempMail is an alternative with a free plan and a Premium plan at $39 a year; choose it if its listed platforms or premium features such as private domains and inbox history better match your needs.

EmailOnDeck offers a free, ad-supported option with one email at a time and private emails; consider it if you want a free service rather than operating a server.

Mailinator has a free plan and a Verified Pro option with private inboxes, a private domain, and permanent storage; consider it if those hosted inbox features suit your workflow.

Temp-Mail.org offers a free receive-only plan with messages stored for up to 1–2 hours, alongside a paid monthly plan; choose it for a hosted, short-lived inbox rather than self-hosting.

MailDrop has a free tier capped at 300 requests per day and one mailbox per 24 hours, plus a Starter plan at $5 a month; it may suit a lower-volume hosted API workflow.

Mohmal offers a lifetime-free plan with an own domain, three inbox records, and three saved messages, as well as a Standard plan at $4.99 a month; consider it if those limits and features fit your use.

1secemail is a free temporary email service with no subscription; it is an alternative if you prefer a free web option.

Emailnator has a free tier with public inboxes, 24-hour message deletion, and up to 100 addresses at once; consider it if that hosted, high-address-count workflow is a better match.

Verdict

MailTub is a strong fit for developers and operators who want free, self-hosted temporary inboxes with live updates, automation, and export options. Its main reason to choose it is the combination of control and integration capability; look elsewhere if you need an inbox immediately, without configuring mail delivery or managing an instance.