You are setting up a website.
You’ve got your domain locked in with Cloudflare.
And now you are wondering: Can Cloudflare handle my email hosting too?
Or maybe you are frustrated, trying to piece together a professional email setup without breaking the bank.
You are not alone—tons of small business owners, freelancers, and side-hustlers hit this wall.
Spoiler: Cloudflare doesn’t do full email hosting, but they’ve got a workaround.
In this post, I’m breaking down what Cloudflare offers, what it doesn’t, and the best alternatives to get your email game tight.
Why Truehost Is Your Email Hosting MVP
But first, let’s talk about a game-changer: Truehost’s Email Hosting.
Picture this: You are a small business owner, juggling a million tasks.
You need a professional email like [email protected], but you don’t want to spend a fortune or deal with complicated setups.
Truehost swoops in with affordable, reliable email hosting that’s dead simple to use.
Starting at prices that won’t make you flinch, they offer secure, scalable plans with 24/7 support.
Whether you are sending invoices or newsletters, Truehost ties perfectly into this post because it’s one of the best Cloudflare alternatives for email hosting.
Stick around—I’ll show you why it’s a top pick later.
Does Cloudflare Offer Email Hosting?
Let’s cut to the chase: Cloudflare does not offer traditional email hosting.
No mailboxes, no storage for your emails, no full email server setup.
Instead, they provide something called Email Routing, which is more like a forwarding service.
Think of it as a middleman that passes emails to your existing inbox (like Gmail or Outlook).
It is free, private, and great for specific use cases, but it’s not a full email hosting solution.
What Is Cloudflare Email Routing?
Cloudflare Email Routing lets you create custom email addresses for your domain.
Emails sent to those addresses get forwarded to an inbox you already use. Here is the deal in plain English:
- Create custom addresses: Set up [email protected] or [email protected].
- Forward to your inbox: Emails go straight to your Gmail, Outlook, or wherever you want.
- No storage: Cloudflare doesn’t store your emails—it just routes them.
- Free and private: No cost, and Cloudflare says they don’t peek at your emails.
- DNS setup: Works if Cloudflare manages your domain’s DNS.
Example: Joan, a freelance designer, uses Cloudflare for her domain.
She sets up [email protected] to forward to her Gmail.
Clients email her professional address, but she manages everything in one inbox.
Slick, right? But it is not perfect for everyone.
Limitations of Cloudflare Email Routing
Email Routing is cool, but it’s got holes. If you are running a business or need more control, here’s what might trip you up:
- No sending capability: You can’t send emails from your custom address through Cloudflare. You’d need a third-party SMTP service like SendGrid.
- No mailbox: No place to store or manage emails on Cloudflare’s servers.
- Basic features: No calendar, contacts, or advanced filtering like you’d get with Google Workspace.
- Single-user focus: Not ideal for teams needing multiple mailboxes.
- Setup quirks: You’ll need to tweak DNS records, which can be a headache if you’re not tech-savvy.
Mike runs a small e-commerce store.
He tried Cloudflare Email Routing to save cash.
It worked for forwarding [email protected] to his Gmail, but when he wanted to send replies from that address, he hit a wall.
He had to cobble together a third-party SMTP service, which felt like duct-taping a solution.
Eventually, he switched to a proper email hosting provider.
Moral: Email Routing is a quick fix, not a long-term play.
Why You Might Need Full Email Hosting
If you are serious about your brand, a professional email address is non-negotiable.
Emails like [email protected] scream “amateur hour.” Full email hosting gives you:
- Custom mailboxes: Store, send, and receive emails under your domain.
- Team support: Multiple accounts for employees or departments.
- Advanced tools: Calendars, contacts, spam filters, and integrations.
- Reliability: No relying on free workarounds that might break.
Example: Imagine you are pitching a client.
You send an email from [email protected] with a clean signature and branded footer.
It lands in their inbox, not their spam folder.
That’s the power of proper email hosting—it builds trust.
Best Cloudflare Email Hosting Alternatives
Cloudflare’s Email Routing is free, but it’s bare-bones.
If you need a full email hosting solution, here are the top alternatives that deliver value without the hassle. I’ve vetted these for affordability, features, and ease of use.
1. Truehost Email Hosting
Truehost is a no-brainer for budget-conscious folks who want pro-level email hosting.
It’s perfect for small businesses, startups, or solopreneurs.
Why it rocks:
- Dirt-cheap plans starting at a few bucks a month.
- Unlimited email accounts on higher tiers.
- Rock-solid spam protection.
- Easy setup with 24/7 support.
- Integrates with your domain, even if it’s on Cloudflare.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants affordable, reliable email hosting without overpaying for big names like Google.
Price: Starts at $1/month for basic plans.
Lisa, a yoga instructor, needed a professional email for her studio.
She used Truehost to set up [email protected] in under 10 minutes. Now she sends class schedules and newsletters without sweating the cost.
2. Google Workspace
Google Workspace is the gold standard for teams needing collaboration tools. It is pricier but packs a punch.
Why it rocks:
- Gmail’s interface with your custom domain.
- Google Drive, Docs, and Calendar included.
- Top-tier spam filtering.
- Scales for teams of any size.
Who it’s for: Businesses needing email plus productivity tools.
Price: Starts at $6/user/month.
Downside: Costs add up for larger teams.
Meet Tom.
Tom runs a marketing agency with five employees.
Google Workspace let him set up [email protected] and share Docs seamlessly. The price stings, but the workflow is worth it.
3. Zoho Mail
Zoho Mail is a budget-friendly alternative to Google Workspace. Great for small teams who want features without the price tag.
Why it rocks:
- Free plan for up to 5 users (limited storage).
- Clean, ad-free interface.
- Integrates with Zoho’s CRM and apps.
- Strong security and spam protection.
Who it’s for: Startups or freelancers on a tight budget.
Price: Free plan; paid plans start at $1/user/month.
Priya, a freelance writer, used Zoho’s free plan for [email protected]. She loved the clean interface and upgraded to a paid plan when her business grew.
Read also: Zoho Mail Forever Free Plan: Is It Worth It? (+ Best Alternatives)
4. Neo
Neo is a newer player, tailored for small businesses with a focus on simplicity.
It is a solid Cloudflare alternative for email hosting.
Why it rocks:
- Free one-page website with email plans.
- Email forwarding and multi-device support.
- Integrates with Google Workspace, Outlook, and more.
- Great for managing multiple domains.
Who it’s for: Small businesses wanting a polished, all-in-one solution.
Price: Starts at $1.99/month.
5. Forward Email
Forward Email is a privacy-focused alternative to Cloudflare Email Routing. It is not full hosting but offers advanced forwarding features.
Why it rocks:
- Free plan with unlimited domains and aliases.
- Supports SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for better deliverability.
- Encrypted and privacy-first.
- Works with Gmail’s “Send mail as” feature.
Who it’s for: Tech-savvy users who want free forwarding with more control.
Price: Free; premium plans start at $3/month for extra storage.
Alex, a developer, used Forward Email to forward [email protected] to his Gmail. He set up DKIM to avoid spam flags and calls it a “set-and-forget” solution.
How to Choose the Right Email Hosting Provider
Picking the right provider depends on your needs. Here is a quick checklist to nail your decision:
- Budget: Free options like Zoho or Forward Email work for solo users; Truehost is best for cheap, full hosting.
- Team size: Google Workspace or Neo for teams; Truehost for unlimited accounts.
- Features: Need calendars or CRM? Go with Google or Zoho.
- Ease of use: Truehost and Neo are beginner-friendly; Forward Email needs some tech know-how.
- Deliverability: Look for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC support to avoid spam folders.
Pro Tip: Start with a free trial or plan.
Test the interface and support before committing. You don’t want to be stuck with a clunky system.
Setting Up Email Hosting: Quick Tips
Once you pick a provider, here’s how to get rolling:
- Buy a domain: If you don’t have one, Cloudflare or Google Domains are solid choices.
- Choose your provider: Sign up with Truehost, Zoho, or another option above.
- Update DNS records: Add MX, SPF, and DKIM records to your domain (your provider will guide you).
- Test your setup: Send and receive a test email to confirm it’s working.
- Integrate with clients: Set up your email in Outlook, Gmail, or your phone’s mail app.
Example: When I helped a friend set up Truehost, we updated her Cloudflare DNS records in 15 minutes.
She was sending emails from her custom address by lunchtime. Most providers make this dummy-proof.
Why Truehost Wins for Most Users
Let’s be real: You want email hosting that’s cheap, reliable, and doesn’t make you pull your hair out.
Truehost checks all those boxes.
Their plans are priced for real people, not corporations.
Their support team is on call 24/7, so you’re never stuck.
Plus, they handle security and spam like pros, so your emails land where they should.
Compared to Cloudflare’s Email Routing, Truehost gives you full control—send, receive, and store emails without workarounds.
Read also:
- 11 Best Email Spam Filtering Services: Stop Junk Mail for Good
- Squarespace Email Hosting: Worth It or Waste of Cash? (+ Best Alternatives)
