Finding a reliable temporary email service shouldn't require trial and error. We spent 6 months testing 10 popular temp mail providers, sending over 3,000 test emails from major platforms. Here's which services actually deliver.
How We Tested
Our methodology focused on real-world usage, not marketing claims:
Test Protocol:
- 300+ test emails per service from Gmail, Outlook, Amazon, social platforms
- Deliverability rate tracking over 6 months
- Speed measurement (send to inbox appearance)
- Mobile usability testing on iOS and Android
- Privacy policy and logging analysis
What We Measured:
| Metric | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Deliverability | % of emails successfully received | 35% |
| Speed | Average time to inbox | 20% |
| Uptime | Service availability | 20% |
| Privacy | Logging policies, data handling | 15% |
| UX | Interface, mobile experience | 10% |
The 10 Best Temp Mail Services Ranked
1. Temporary.Best - Best Overall
Deliverability: 98.2% Average Speed: 2.3 seconds Domains: temp.ac
Built specifically to address frustrations with existing services, Temporary.Best offers what most providers lack: reliability without complexity.
What sets it apart:
- Multiple duration options: 10-minute, 1-hour, and 24-hour emails
- No JavaScript required: Works in Tor Browser, Lynx, and privacy-focused setups
- Zero logging: Messages deleted at expiration, no metadata retention
- Clean interface: No ads, no popups, no dark patterns
Test Results: During our 6-month test, Temporary.Best achieved the highest deliverability rate. Verification emails from Google, Amazon, Discord, and Twitter arrived consistently within 3 seconds.
Verdict: The best balance of reliability, privacy, and usability. Our top recommendation.
2. Guerrilla Mail - Best for Power Users
Deliverability: 94.1% Average Speed: 4.2 seconds Domains: guerrillamail.com, grr.la, guerrillamail.net + 8 more
The veteran of temp mail services, operating since 2006. Guerrilla Mail offers features most competitors don't.
Standout Features:
- Compose emails: Actually send outgoing messages (rare for temp mail)
- Custom addresses: Choose your own username
- Attachment support: Receive files up to 150KB
- Multiple domains: 11 domain options to bypass blocks
Limitations: The interface feels dated, and we experienced occasional 10-15 second delays during peak hours. Ads are present but not intrusive.
Verdict: Best for users who need to send emails or want custom addresses. Reliability is good but not best-in-class.
3. 10MinuteMail - Best for Quick Verifications
Deliverability: 91.3% Average Speed: 3.8 seconds Domains: 10minutemail.com
The service that popularized the "10 minute email" concept. Simple, focused, and reliable.
What Works:
- Timer extension: Add 10 more minutes with one click
- Clean design: No distractions, just inbox
- Consistent uptime: 99.7% during our testing
Limitations: The main domain is blocked by many services due to its popularity. No option to choose your address.
Verdict: Great for basic verifications, but blocked by some major platforms.
4. Temp-Mail.org - Most Popular (But...)
Deliverability: 89.4% Average Speed: 5.1 seconds Domains: Multiple rotating domains
The most trafficked temp mail service globally. Popularity comes with trade-offs.
Pros:
- Domain variety: Rotating domains help bypass blocks
- Mobile apps: Native iOS and Android applications
- Browser extension: Quick access from toolbar
Concerns:
- Ad-heavy experience: Multiple ad placements, some intrusive
- Privacy questions: Unclear data retention policies
- Premium upselling: Frequent prompts to upgrade
Verdict: Works, but the ad experience and privacy ambiguity knock it down. Better alternatives exist.
5. Mailinator - Best for Developers
Deliverability: 92.8% Average Speed: 2.9 seconds Domains: mailinator.com + private domains (paid)
Designed for developers and QA teams, Mailinator takes a unique approach.
Unique Features:
- Public inboxes: Anyone can check any inbox (feature, not bug)
- API access: Programmatic email testing
- SMS testing: Receive SMS (paid plans)
- Webhook support: Integrate with CI/CD pipelines
The Catch: Free tier inboxes are public. Anyone who guesses your address can read your emails. Private domains require expensive subscriptions.
Verdict: Excellent for development and testing. Not recommended for personal privacy use due to public inbox nature.
6. ProtonMail (Disposable Aliases) - Best for Privacy Purists
Deliverability: 99.1% Average Speed: 1.8 seconds Domains: protonmail.com, proton.me
Not a traditional temp mail service, but ProtonMail's alias feature deserves mention.
How It Works:
- Create aliases that forward to your main ProtonMail inbox
- Disable or delete aliases when done
- All emails encrypted end-to-end
Limitations:
- Requires a ProtonMail account
- Free users get limited aliases
- Aliases are permanent until manually deleted
- Not anonymous (tied to your account)
Verdict: Best for users who want organized privacy rather than truly disposable addresses. Overkill for one-time signups.
7. EmailOnDeck - Best Free Alternative
Deliverability: 88.7% Average Speed: 4.5 seconds Domains: emailondeck.com
A no-frills service that does the basics well.
What Works:
- Ad-free: Clean interface without monetization clutter
- Fast generation: New address in under 2 seconds
- Sufficient duration: 45-minute default lifespan
Limitations: The single domain gets blocked by savvy platforms. Mobile experience is just responsive web, not optimized.
Verdict: Solid free option when primary services are blocked.
8. ThrowAwayMail - Best for Simplicity
Deliverability: 84.2% Average Speed: 5.8 seconds Domains: throwawaymail.com
The minimalist option. One page, one purpose.
Simplicity Benefits:
- Instant load: Sub-second page load
- No JavaScript required: Works everywhere
- No decisions: Auto-generated address, just use it
Trade-offs: Lower deliverability than competitors. No duration options, no custom addresses, no bells or whistles.
Verdict: When you need something that just works without thinking. Accept lower reliability for maximum simplicity.
9. Fake Mail Generator - Most Domains
Deliverability: 86.1% Average Speed: 6.2 seconds Domains: 15+ including armyspy.com, cuvox.de, dayrep.com
When one domain gets blocked, having 15 alternatives helps.
Domain Strategy:
- Use obscure domains (armyspy.com, rhyta.com) for better acceptance
- Rotate domains if one gets blocked
- Custom usernames available on all domains
Issues: Speed is inconsistent. Some domains perform better than others. Interface is cluttered with ads.
Verdict: Good backup when your primary temp mail is blocked. Not recommended as first choice.
10. Yopmail - Most Established
Deliverability: 79.8% Average Speed: 4.9 seconds Domains: yopmail.com + variants
One of the oldest services, but age isn't always an advantage.
The Problem: Yopmail's longevity means it's on every blocklist. Most major platforms reject yopmail.com addresses outright. Like Mailinator, inboxes are public.
When to Use: Legacy systems that don't maintain updated blocklists. Otherwise, newer alternatives perform better.
Verdict: Historical significance aside, better options exist for modern use.
Comparison Table
<!-- comparison -->| Service | Deliverability | Speed | Privacy | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary.Best | 98.2% | 2.3s | Excellent | Free | 9.4 |
| Guerrilla Mail | 94.1% | 4.2s | Good | Free | 8.8 |
| 10MinuteMail | 91.3% | 3.8s | Good | Free | 8.5 |
| Mailinator | 92.8% | 2.9s | Poor* | Free/Paid | 8.2 |
| ProtonMail | 99.1% | 1.8s | Excellent | Free/Paid | 8.0 |
| EmailOnDeck | 88.7% | 4.5s | Good | Free | 7.9 |
| Temp-Mail.org | 89.4% | 5.1s | Unclear | Free/Paid | 7.8 |
| ThrowAwayMail | 84.2% | 5.8s | Good | Free | 7.5 |
| Fake Mail Gen | 86.1% | 6.2s | Fair | Free | 7.3 |
| Yopmail | 79.8% | 4.9s | Poor* | Free | 7.0 |
*Public inboxes = anyone can read your emails
Which Service Should You Choose?
For everyday privacy: Temporary.Best or Guerrilla Mail
- Highest deliverability, best privacy practices
For developers: Mailinator
- API access and testing features worth the public inbox trade-off
For maximum privacy: ProtonMail aliases
- If you already use ProtonMail, aliases integrate seamlessly
For bypassing blocks: Fake Mail Generator or Guerrilla Mail
- Multiple domains increase chances of acceptance
For quick one-time use: 10MinuteMail or ThrowAwayMail
- Simple, fast, no decisions required
Services We Don't Recommend
During testing, we encountered services with concerning practices:
- Services requiring signup: Defeats the purpose of disposable email
- Services with unclear logging: If privacy policy is vague, assume the worst
- Services with excessive ads: Often indicates data monetization
- Services with premium-only features: Basic temp mail should be free
The Bottom Line
After 6 months and 3,000+ test emails, Temporary.Best emerged as our top recommendation for most users. The combination of 98%+ deliverability, multiple duration options, and genuine privacy commitment sets it apart.
For specific use cases—developer testing, maximum domain variety, or integrated email systems—alternatives like Mailinator, Guerrilla Mail, or ProtonMail may be better fits.
The best temp mail service is the one that:
- Actually delivers your verification emails
- Respects your privacy
- Gets out of your way
Choose accordingly.