Mailgun and ImprovMX both support email for custom domains, but they serve different purposes. ImprovMX focuses on simple forwarding and lightweight SMTP sending, while Mailgun is a developer platform for large-scale email delivery, tracking, and analytics.
Mailgun is designed for developers who need to send and track thousands of messages, while ImprovMX is meant for simple forwarding of personal or team addresses.
- Mailgun provides analytics, validation, and deliverability tools for heavy use. - ImprovMX emphasizes simplicity, low cost, and privacy, making it ideal for small domains or community projects. - Mailgun’s setup requires API integration, domain verification, and more DNS records. - ImprovMX only needs MX and SPF records and can be configured in minutes.
# Recommendation for `hitchhikers.earth` For the `hitchhikers.earth` domain, ImprovMX is the better match. It allows you to create professional addresses for members that forward to their existing inboxes, supports automation via API, and keeps ongoing costs minimal. Mailgun would only be necessary if you later need to send automated messages or newsletters from the domain to many recipients.
# References
- improvmx.com 
- improvmx.com/pricing
- mailgun.com
- mailgun.com/pricing