I'm overthinking email infrastructure. What's the simple setup?

If you want the simple, low-drama email setup, aim for this:

Recommended basic setup

• Buy a domain
• Use a reputable email host: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Fastmail, or Proton Mail
• Point your MX records to that provider
• Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to improve deliverability
• Use one inbox + aliases instead of multiple mailboxes unless you truly need them

The simplest good choice

For most people and small teams:

• Fastmail if you want simple, privacy-friendly, and lightweight
• Google Workspace if you want the most familiar and broadly compatible
• Microsoft 365 if you’re already in the Microsoft ecosystem

What not to do

• Don’t self-host email unless you enjoy maintenance and deliverability headaches
• Don’t skip SPF/DKIM/DMARC
• Don’t create a complicated mail routing setup “just in case”

Minimal DNS checklist

You usually need:

• MX: receives mail
• SPF: says who can send for your domain
• DKIM: signs outgoing mail
• DMARC: tells receivers what to do if SPF/DKIM fail

A sane default

If you just want “works reliably”:

1. Register domain
2. Sign up for Fastmail or Google Workspace
3. Add MX records
4. Enable SPF, DKIM, DMARC
5. Create:
   • you@yourdomain.com
   • a few aliases like hello@, billing@, support@

If you want, I can give you the absolute simplest setup by budget:

• cheapest
• best deliverability
• most private
• best for a small business