AOL Mail vs Forward Email
On privacy it's Forward Email. On price it's AOL Mail. On features it's Forward Email. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Go for AOL Mail if you'd like email without paying for it and a company with a longer track record (since 1993).
- Forward Email suits you best if you want email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts; email at your own domain name; and open-source apps anyone can check.
| Feature | AOL Mail | Forward Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 2.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Free Free | Enhanced Protection $3 a month |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes, forwarding only |
| Storage | Not confirmed | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Unlimited |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | United States | United States |
| Your data is kept in | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1993 | 2017 |
| Free trial | Free | Free plan |
| Funded by advertising | Yes, or its parent company is | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Yes | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
The key differences
- On price: AOL Mail Free at Free, against Forward Email Enhanced Protection at $3 a month.
- AOL Mail has a free plan (); Forward Email has a free plan (forwarding only).
- Space: AOL Mail gives storage not confirmed, Forward Email 10 GB of storage.
- On encryption, AOL Mail doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas Forward Email offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- You can use your own domain with Forward Email, but not with AOL Mail.
- AOL Mail (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Forward Email doesn't.
Common questions
Is AOL Mail more private than Forward Email?
Forward Email scores 2 out of 5 for privacy and AOL Mail 0. Forward Email gives you email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts and open-source apps anyone can check.
Is AOL Mail cheaper than Forward Email?
AOL Mail costs nothing to start (Free). Forward Email's cheapest plan, Enhanced Protection, is $3 a month. Forward Email has a free plan too: forwarding only.
Can I use my own domain with AOL Mail or Forward Email?
Only Forward Email does (Unlimited). With AOL Mail your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with AOL Mail and Forward Email?
Both keep it in the United States.
Prices and the latest news
No price changes for either since 22 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: AOL Mail news · Forward Email news.
Alternatives to AOL Mail and Forward Email
AOL Mail vs mailbox.org · Forward Email vs mailbox.org · AOL Mail vs Posteo · Forward Email vs Posteo · AOL Mail vs Proton Mail · Forward Email vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving between any two providers works the same way. Pick your two providers for the steps.