Get a public resource
Only need a download link once, and the resource isn’t sensitive? Choose a temporary email and move on when you’re done.
Choose a routeTemporary email or forwarding alias
Temporary email or forwarding alias
See whether you’ll need it later
You don’t need to decide which is more “advanced.” How long the task lasts, whether you may need account recovery, and whether you need attachments or archives will point you to the right choice.
At a glance
Two ways to receive mail for different timeframes
| Compare | Temporary email | Forwarding alias |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3 hours by default, up to 24 hours | Until you pause or delete it |
| Sign-in required | No registration required | Sign in with an email verification code |
| Best for | Verification codes, one-time downloads, low-risk trials | Orders, subscriptions, communities, ongoing contact |
| Email retention | Ends with the short-lived inbox | Compliant email archived for up to 30 days |
| Attachments | Attachments aren’t retained | Tiered limits of 50 MB or 100 MB |
Choose by use case
Work backward from what you need the address to do
If you may still need to reset a password, check an order, or receive replies after the task ends, don’t rely on an address that will expire.
Join an ongoing community
Need future notifications and account recovery? Create a dedicated forwarding alias for the community; if it’s exposed, disable only that alias.
Create an important account
For financial, medical, government, or core identity accounts, neither option is ideal. Use a long-term primary email and enable security protections.
Four-question decision guide
Ask yourself before creating an address
Will I need to receive email after 24 hours?
Yes: use a forwarding alias or long-term email. No: a temporary email is usually enough.
Would losing this address affect account recovery?
Yes: don’t use a temporary email. Link important accounts to your long-term primary email.
Do I need large attachments or a record of the messages?
Temporary email doesn’t retain attachments. Forwarding aliases handle attachments by size tier, and archives last only 30 days. Store long-term audit records separately.
Does the recipient explicitly reject disposable domains?
Follow the platform’s policy and use an approved, stable address. Don’t try to bypass it by switching addresses.
Do you already know how long the task will last?
Use a temporary email for immediate, short-term messages; for ongoing needs, forward mail to an address you control.