Overview

EmailOnDeck’s main strength is the range of ways to create and use temporary addresses, from a browser or phone to a Chrome or Firefox extension. The trade-off is that an inbox is not a reliable place to keep a message: free access usually lasts hours, and closing the browser or clearing cookies can end it sooner. Use it for disposable sign-ups and confirmations, not messages you may need to retrieve later.

Key features

Free users can keep one email active at a time and send only to other EmailOnDeck addresses. Pro supports 100 or more addresses at once, custom and saved addresses, exclusive domains, and anonymous sending to anyone. That makes Pro more useful for managing multiple temporary identities or sending outside the service, though outbound email is not supported through the API.

Messages can include attachments that users may view or download. The free Spy Pixel Scanner runs in the browser and says pasted email source is not uploaded or stored. EmailOnDeck uses HTTPS and TLS; it says it continuously wipes servers and logs, keeps no backups, and overwrites deleted disks before reuse. Its hosting facility is stated to be SOC 2 Type II and PCI-DSS certified.

The Pro API can create and delete addresses, list domains, count messages, view headers, and retrieve raw messages, subject to a documented limit of 25,000 calls per day. Access requires an active Pro account and a 40-character private API key. That is a broad set of inbox-management operations, but not a way to send email programmatically.

The free Chrome extension says it requests access only to emailondeck.com, rather than browsing history or all websites. Free iPhone and Android apps extend access beyond the desktop browser. EmailOnDeck directs users to contact it if messages display incorrectly or the service fails on a site.

Pricing

Free: Free, billed forever. It is ad supported, allows one email at a time, and includes private emails and securely wiped logs. This fits occasional receiving, but the short-lived inbox and EmailOnDeck-only sending restriction rule it out for users who need dependable retention or outside recipients.

PRO (Bitcoin): 0.00 BTC per once, with each payment extending access 30 days. It removes ads and adds 100 or more emails at a time, sending, custom and saved addresses, exclusive domains, and API access. PRO (Ethereum): 0.03 ETH per once, also extending access 30 days per payment, with the same listed features. Both plans suit heavier use; API access requires an active Pro account. The Bitcoin plan’s stated amount is zero, while the Ethereum plan is denominated in ETH.

Platforms

EmailOnDeck supports web, Android, iOS, browser extensions, and API access. Its Chrome and Firefox extensions and free mobile apps make it practical for people who want disposable addresses away from a desktop, while the API is reserved for Pro users.

Who it's for

EmailOnDeck is a good fit for people who want short-term inboxes for sign-ups, confirmations, or privacy, especially if they value extension and mobile access or need attachments. Choose Pro if you need multiple addresses, anonymous sending to outside recipients, or the inbox-management API. Look elsewhere if you need to keep messages beyond a few hours or use the free plan to send to ordinary external addresses.

Pros and cons

Pros: Web, extension, and free mobile access give users several ways to create disposable addresses.
Pros: Attachments can be viewed or downloaded, and the free browser-based scanner says it does not upload or store pasted source.
Pros: Pro combines higher address capacity, custom addresses, outside sending, and API access.
Cons: Inbox access usually lasts only hours and may end sooner if the browser closes or cookies are cleared.
Cons: Free sending is limited to other EmailOnDeck addresses, so it cannot serve as a general outbound mailbox.
Cons: The API cannot send email, despite supporting address and message operations.

Alternatives

For broader browsing, compare the Disposable Email Services and Temporary Email Services lists.

MailTub is free and supports Android, API, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosting, web, and Windows; choose it if those platform options or self-hosting matter more than EmailOnDeck’s stated feature set.
SecureTempMail offers a free plan and a Premium plan at 39.00 USD per year, with up to 30-day retention, private domains, attachment downloads, no ads, inbox history, and search. Prefer it if longer retention and searchable history matter more than EmailOnDeck’s short-lived inboxes.
Mailinator has free and paid options, API and web access, and a Verified Pro plan with unlimited private inboxes, one private domain, and 10MB permanent storage. Consider it if permanent storage and private inbox capacity are priorities.
Temp-Mail.org has Android, API, extension, iOS, and web access; its free plan stores messages for up to 1–2 hours and is receive-only, while Premium monthly costs 10.00 USD per month. Choose it if its platform range fits, or compare paid access if you need more than receive-only free use.
MailDrop offers API and web access, with a free tier capped at 300 requests per day and one mailbox per 24 hours; its Starter plan costs 5.00 USD per month and includes 30,000 requests per month and 10 mailboxes per 24 hours. It may suit readers who prefer explicit request and mailbox quotas.
Mohmal is web-only, with a free plan that includes three inbox records, three saved messages, and attachment viewing. Its Standard plan costs 4.99 USD per month; consider it if saved messages matter more than EmailOnDeck’s broader platform access.
Emailnator offers API and web access, no-sign-up public inboxes, up to 100 addresses at once, and message deletion after 24 hours on its free tier. Choose it if that address capacity and retention window better fit your needs.
TempMailPortal is free, has Android and web access, and messages expire within up to 24 hours. It is another option for users seeking free temporary inboxes on those platforms.

Verdict

EmailOnDeck is best for people who need disposable addresses for brief receiving tasks and want browser, extension, or mobile access. Its Pro tier adds meaningful capacity, outside sending, and inbox-management API operations. Choose another service if you need messages to remain accessible beyond hours, or if free outbound email is essential.

	EmailOnDeck	Mail.gw
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Paid from	Free	Free
Platforms	Android, api, extension, iOS, Web	api, Web
Free plan	Yes	Yes
API access	Yes	Yes
Attachments	Yes	Yes
Inbox lifetime	hours
Custom address	Yes
Attachments supported	Yes
Inbox lifespan		minutes
Inbox protection		password

EmailOnDeck vs Mail.gw

EmailOnDeck

Mail.gw