The short answer
Choose based on the workflow, not the headline price.
Zoho Mail Free fits webmail-first use
Zoho currently lists a permanently free plan for one custom domain, up to five users, and 5 GB per user. It also states that IMAP, POP, and ActiveSync are not included and that the free plan is available only in selected data centers.
That can be an excellent value when people will work mainly in Zoho's web or mobile app and no external process needs mailbox readback.
Namecheap fits monitored automation
Namecheap's current Launch plan includes one 5 GB mailbox, ten aliases, forwarding, IMAP, SMTP, and POP3. Its published price is $14.88 per year after a 30-day trial.
Those features allowed our workflow to send through an authenticated branded mailbox, confirm the server copy by IMAP, and forward inbound messages into an existing monitored inbox.
Current plan comparison
What matters for one small automation project.
Provider features and prices can change. This table reflects the official plan pages checked on August 11, 2026.
| Requirement | Zoho Mail Free | Namecheap Launch |
|---|---|---|
| Custom domain | One domain | Included |
| Mailbox storage | 5 GB per user | 5 GB |
| Users or mailboxes | Up to 5 users | 1 mailbox |
| IMAP / POP | Not included | Included |
| Authenticated SMTP | Not established by the free-plan table | Included |
| Forwarding | Check the selected data center and account | Included |
| Aliases | Check the selected data center and account | 10 per mailbox |
| Current base price | $0 | $14.88 per year after trial |
The tested decision
Why we paid $1.24 per month instead of adding another provider.
01
SendAuthenticated SMTP accepted mail from the branded address.
02
Read backIMAP verified that a server copy remained in the mailbox.
03
ForwardInbound mail reached the existing monitored inbox.
04
AuthenticateSPF, DKIM, and DMARC passed after DNS propagation.
Namecheap Launch, without a parallel Zoho organization.
The annual cost was smaller than the operational cost of splitting DNS, mailbox administration, monitoring, and credentials across another provider. This is a fit decision, not a claim that Namecheap is universally better.
Before changing MX records
Three practical questions.
Is Zoho Mail Free really free?
Yes, where the plan is available. Zoho currently says it is permanently free for one domain and up to five users, with no credit card required. Availability is limited to selected data centers.
Why is IMAP important for an automation?
IMAP allows a separate monitored process to inspect server-side mailbox state. That makes it possible to confirm retained sent copies, classify inbound replies, and avoid treating a local send action as delivery or revenue evidence.
Should I move an existing working mailbox?
Not just to save a small annual fee. First list the exact send, receive, forwarding, alias, retention, and monitoring requirements. Change providers only when the new boundary is simpler and testable end to end.