Email comparison
SMTP relay vs business email hosting
SMTP relay helps systems send mail. Business email hosting gives people mailboxes. Some organizations need one; many eventually need both.
SMTP relay
Best when apps, devices, or existing mail servers need outbound sending.
- Handles outbound delivery.
- Useful for apps, printers, scripts, and mail servers.
- Does not create inboxes for users.
Business email hosting
Best when users need branded mailboxes they can read and send from every day.
- Provides hosted inboxes.
- Includes Webmail, IMAP, POP3, and SMTP relay.
- Built for people using domain email directly.
Quick comparison
| Need | SMTP relay | Business email hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Send app or server mail | Yes | Sometimes |
| Hosted inboxes | No | Yes |
| Webmail / IMAP / POP3 | No | Yes |
| Best fit | Outbound delivery | Daily user email |
How to choose
If the job is sending messages from systems you already run, choose SMTP relay. If the job is giving people professional mailboxes on your domain, choose business email hosting. If users need mailboxes and apps also send mail, the two services can complement each other.
Need sending, inboxes, or both?
DNSExit offers outbound relay for systems and hosted business email for people.