What’s the difference between on-premise and cloud MTAs?
On-premise MTAs run on your own servers. You control hardware, network, IP addresses, and all configuration. Benefits: maximum control, data residency guarantees, and no external dependencies. Drawbacks: capital expense, maintenance burden, and **IP reputation** building from scratch.
Cloud MTAs run in provider infrastructure (**AWS**, **Azure**, etc.) or as managed services. Benefits: scalability, lower upfront cost, geographic distribution, and reduced maintenance. Drawbacks: less control, **shared IP** challenges, and provider dependency.
Most organizations choose cloud or managed services. On-premise remains relevant for: strict data residency requirements, very high volume where infrastructure investment pays off, and organizations with existing mail expertise and infrastructure.
Was this answer helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!