Introduction
Mailforge and Winnr both offer SMTP infrastructure for cold email senders — bulk mailbox creation, automated DNS authentication, and volume-ready sending. But they take meaningfully different approaches to pricing, IP architecture, API access, and domain management. Mailforge has been around for a while, but its track record has been inconsistent — users have reported reliability issues and deliverability fluctuations that raise questions about long-term dependability.
This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can decide which platform fits your needs. We'll look at pricing, shared vs. dedicated IPs, API capabilities, feature depth, and the broader ecosystem each tool belongs to.
Pricing: Winnr Is 30–54% Cheaper
Both platforms charge based on the number of mailboxes, but Winnr consistently comes in at a lower per-mailbox cost.
The numbers at 50 mailboxes
- Mailforge: Pricing ranges from $2–3 per mailbox depending on volume. At 50 mailboxes, expect to pay $100–150/mo.
- Winnr: $69/mo for 50 mailboxes on the Growth plan — $1.38 per mailbox. That's 30–54% cheaper than Mailforge.
Winnr: $1.38/mailbox (50 accounts at $69/mo) — Mailforge: $2–3/mailbox (50 accounts at $100–150/mo). Winnr saves you 30–54% at 50 mailboxes.
Domain pricing
Mailforge includes domains as part of the subscription — there's no separate domain cost, which simplifies things. Winnr charges for domains separately at $1–$10 as a one-time purchase, depending on the TLD. Over time, Winnr's approach is significantly cheaper since you only pay once for each domain rather than having the cost rolled into your recurring subscription.
Billing
Both Winnr and Mailforge offer monthly billing with no mandatory lock-in contracts. This is straightforward on both sides.
Shared IPs vs. Dedicated IPs
On a shared IP pool, your sending reputation is influenced by every other sender on the same IPs. If another user on the pool sends spam or gets flagged, your deliverability can suffer even if your own practices are perfect. Dedicated IPs give you complete isolation — your reputation is yours alone.
Mailforge uses a shared IP pool. All senders on the platform share the same pool of sending IPs. This means your deliverability is partially dependent on the behavior of other Mailforge users. If the pool reputation degrades — due to other senders' bad practices — your inbox placement will drop too, regardless of how clean your own sending is. This is a persistent concern with Mailforge: users have reported inconsistent deliverability results, with inbox placement fluctuating unpredictably. When your reputation is tied to a shared pool you can't control, these kinds of reliability issues are difficult to diagnose or fix.
Winnr offers dedicated IPs on the Enterprise plan for $20/mo. A dedicated IP means your sending reputation is completely isolated from other users. You build your own reputation, and no one else can damage it. For high-volume senders or agencies managing client campaigns, this is a critical advantage.
API Access: The Biggest Differentiator
This is the single largest feature gap between Winnr and Mailforge.
Winnr provides a full REST API that covers every aspect of infrastructure management: creating mailboxes, registering domains, configuring DNS records, pulling account status, and more. This makes it possible to automate onboarding flows, integrate with existing platforms, build internal tools, and manage infrastructure at scale without manual dashboard work.
Mailforge does not offer an API. All management must be done through their web dashboard. For individual senders managing a small number of accounts, this works fine. But for agencies, SaaS companies, or developers who need to programmatically manage email infrastructure, the lack of API access is a dealbreaker.
Agencies: Automate new client onboarding — spin up 50 mailboxes with DNS in minutes. SaaS platforms: Embed email infrastructure directly into your product. Developers: Script bulk operations, rotate domains programmatically, and build monitoring dashboards.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Winnr | Mailforge |
|---|---|---|
| DNS Setup (DKIM/SPF/DMARC) | Automatic on all accounts | Automatic on all accounts |
| REST API | Full API — accounts, domains, DNS | No API |
| Dedicated IP | Available on Enterprise ($20/mo) | Not available (shared pool only) |
| Bring Your Own Domain (BYOD) | Yes | Yes |
| Universal Mailbox (inbox) | Yes — unified inbox for all accounts | Yes — unified inbox |
| Built-in Domain Purchasing | Yes — buy domains directly in-app | No — must purchase externally |
| Bulk Actions | Yes — bulk create, pause, delete accounts | Limited |
| One-Click CSV Export | Yes — export all account credentials instantly | No |
| Deliverability Guarantee | 90%+ with full refund | No published guarantee |
| Billing | Monthly, no lock-in | Monthly, no lock-in |
| Domain Pricing | $1–$10 one-time per domain | Included in subscription |
| Ecosystem | Standalone SMTP platform | Part of Salesforge ecosystem |
The Salesforge Ecosystem
Mailforge is part of a larger product family that includes Salesforge (cold email sending platform), Infraforge (infrastructure management), and Leadsforge (lead generation). If you're already invested in the Salesforge ecosystem, Mailforge plugs into that workflow — though the value of that integration depends on how well each individual product performs.
In practice, this ecosystem is a significant source of confusion and frustration. Mailforge, Infraforge, and Salesforge have overlapping features, unclear boundaries, and it's often not obvious which product you actually need. Users have reported being upsold across the ecosystem without clear benefit. Winnr takes a fundamentally simpler approach: one platform for SMTP infrastructure, with a clean API for integrating into whatever tools you already use — no ecosystem lock-in, no product confusion.
Pros & Cons at a Glance
Winnr Pros
- 30–54% cheaper per mailbox
- Full REST API for automation
- Dedicated IPs available ($20/mo)
- 90%+ deliverability guarantee with refund
- Built-in domain purchasing ($1–$10 one-time)
- Bulk actions — create, pause, delete at scale
- Universal mailbox with one-click CSV export
- BYOD — bring any domain you own
- Simple, standalone platform — no ecosystem lock-in
Mailforge Cons
- Higher per-mailbox pricing ($2–3 vs $1.38)
- History of deliverability inconsistency — users report fluctuating inbox placement
- No API — dashboard-only management
- Shared IP pool only — no dedicated IPs
- No published deliverability guarantee
- Missing key features: no built-in domain purchasing, limited bulk actions, no one-click export
- Part of confusing multi-product ecosystem with overlapping tools
- Other senders' behavior can impact your reputation on shared IPs
Who Should Choose Mailforge?
Mailforge may be worth considering if you're already deeply invested in the Salesforge ecosystem and want to keep everything under one roof. Their included domain pricing simplifies initial setup. However, you should go in with realistic expectations: Mailforge has a history of deliverability inconsistency, charges more per mailbox than Winnr, and lacks features like API access, dedicated IPs, built-in domain purchasing, bulk actions, and one-click export. If reliability and cost-efficiency are priorities, Mailforge may not be the strongest choice.
Who Should Choose Winnr?
Winnr is the stronger choice if you need:
- Lower costs: 30–54% savings per mailbox, with one-time domain pricing that's cheaper long-term.
- Reliable deliverability: 90%+ inbox placement backed by a refund — not the inconsistent results users report with Mailforge.
- API access: The only option if you need programmatic control over your infrastructure.
- Dedicated IPs: Full reputation isolation for high-volume senders and agencies.
- Feature depth: Built-in domain purchasing, bulk actions, universal mailbox, and one-click CSV export — features Mailforge doesn't offer.
- Simplicity: One platform, one purpose — no confusion about which product does what, no ecosystem lock-in.
The Verdict
Mailforge has been around for a while, but longevity alone doesn't equal quality. While it handles the basics — automated DNS, mailbox creation, monthly billing — its track record is spotty. Users have consistently reported deliverability inconsistency, and the shared IP pool means your reputation is always at the mercy of other senders on the platform. On top of that, Mailforge costs more per mailbox, lacks an API, offers no dedicated IPs, and is missing practical features like built-in domain purchasing, bulk actions, and one-click credential export.
Winnr pulls ahead in every area that matters for scaling: 30–54% lower pricing, a full REST API, dedicated IPs, a 90%+ deliverability guarantee with refund, and a feature set built for efficiency at scale. For most cold email senders — and especially for agencies and developers — Winnr delivers significantly more capability at a lower price point. For a broader comparison with other infrastructure providers, see our full competitor comparison guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Winnr cheaper than Mailforge?
Yes — significantly. Winnr costs $1.38 per mailbox at 50 accounts ($69/mo), compared to Mailforge's $2–3 per mailbox ($100–150/mo). That's a 30–54% savings with Winnr. Domains are a one-time $1–$10 purchase with Winnr, while Mailforge bundles domain costs into the recurring subscription — meaning you keep paying for them month after month. Mailforge charges more and delivers fewer features for the price.
Does Mailforge have an API?
No. Mailforge does not offer API access. All account and domain management must be done through their web dashboard. Winnr provides a full REST API for programmatic infrastructure management.
Can I get dedicated IPs with Mailforge?
No. Mailforge uses a shared IP pool for all users, which is a major contributor to the deliverability inconsistency their users have reported. When you're on a shared pool, other senders' bad behavior directly impacts your inbox placement. Winnr offers dedicated IPs on the Enterprise plan for $20/mo, giving you full control over your sending reputation.
Which is better for developers?
Winnr is significantly better for developers. The full REST API lets you automate mailbox creation, domain registration, DNS configuration, and account management programmatically. Winnr also offers bulk actions, built-in domain purchasing, and one-click CSV export — features Mailforge simply doesn't have. Mailforge has no API and limited tooling, so all operations require manual dashboard interaction.
Does Mailforge include domains in the price?
Yes, but it's not necessarily the deal it appears to be. Mailforge bundles domain costs into the recurring subscription, so you're paying for those domains every month as long as you're subscribed. Winnr charges $1–$10 per domain as a one-time fee and lets you purchase domains directly in the platform — no external registrar needed. Over time, Winnr's approach is significantly cheaper and gives you more control over your domains.