DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Maddy
In short: Maddy wins on privacy, DuckDuckGo Email Protection wins on price, and they tie on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Maddy suits you best if you want email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts; an address on your own domain; and freedom to use the mail app you already like.
| Feature | DuckDuckGo Email Protection | Maddy |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.0 | Not rated |
| Privacy | 0.0 | Not rated |
| Price | 5.0 | Not rated |
| Features | Not rated | Not rated |
| Cheapest plan | Free Free | Open source Free |
| Free plan | Yes, unlimited @duck.com aliases | Yes, open source |
| Storage | Forwards only | Not confirmed |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | Not confirmed |
| Your data is kept in | United States | Your own server |
| Founded | 2021 | Unknown |
| Free trial | Free | Free to download |
| Funded by advertising | Yes, or its parent company is | No |
| Works in any mail app | No, its own apps only | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | No | No |
| Aliases | Unlimited aliases | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | Unknown |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 25 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
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The key differences
- DuckDuckGo Email Protection has a free plan (unlimited @duck.com aliases); Maddy has a free plan (open source).
- Space: DuckDuckGo Email Protection gives no storage, as it forwards mail on, Maddy storage not confirmed.
- Data location: United States for DuckDuckGo Email Protection, Your own server for Maddy.
- The companies sit under different laws: DuckDuckGo Email Protection in United States, Maddy in Not confirmed.
- You can use your own domain with Maddy, but not with DuckDuckGo Email Protection.
- Mail apps: DuckDuckGo Email Protection only works in its own apps; Maddy works in any mail app over IMAP.
- DuckDuckGo Email Protection (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Maddy doesn't.
- Aliases: DuckDuckGo Email Protection offers unlimited aliases, Maddy yes.
DuckDuckGo Email Protection and Maddy: your questions
Can I use my own domain with DuckDuckGo Email Protection or Maddy?
Only Maddy does (Yes). With DuckDuckGo Email Protection your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with DuckDuckGo Email Protection and Maddy?
DuckDuckGo Email Protection keeps it in the United States. Maddy keeps it in Your own server.
Can I use DuckDuckGo Email Protection and Maddy in Apple Mail or Outlook?
DuckDuckGo Email Protection only works in its own apps. Maddy works in any mail app over IMAP.
Price changes and news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 25 October 2026.
The latest headlines: DuckDuckGo Email Protection news · Maddy news.
Not sold on either? Try these
DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Posteo · Maddy vs Posteo · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Proton Mail · Maddy vs Proton Mail · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs mailbox.org · Maddy vs mailbox.org
Switching between them
Moving between any two providers works the same way. Pick your two providers for the steps.