Forward Email vs 20i
In short: 20i wins on privacy, Forward Email wins on price, and they tie on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Forward Email if you want a free plan to start on and open-source apps anyone can check.
- Choose 20i if you want your email to stay in the United Kingdom.
| Feature | Forward Email | 20i |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | Not rated |
| Privacy | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Price | 4.0 | Not rated |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Enhanced Protection $3 a month | Email hosting Not confirmed |
| Free plan | Yes, forwarding only | No |
| Storage | 10 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Unlimited | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | No |
| Company based in | United States | United Kingdom |
| Your data is kept in | United States | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2017 | Unknown |
| Free trial | Free plan | Unknown |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Yes | Yes |
| Open-source apps | ✓ Yes | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | ✓ Yes |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 25 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- On price: Forward Email Enhanced Protection at $3 a month, against 20i Email hosting at Not confirmed.
- For free, Forward Email gives you a free plan (forwarding only), and 20i no free plan.
- Forward Email keeps your mail in the United States, while 20i keeps it in the United Kingdom.
- Forward Email is based in the United States and 20i in the United Kingdom, so different privacy laws apply.
- Forward Email offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage); 20i doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
Common questions
Which is more private, Forward Email or 20i?
20i scores 2.5 out of 5 for privacy and Forward Email 2. 20i gives you your email to stay in the United Kingdom.
Do Forward Email and 20i work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Forward Email: Unlimited. 20i: Yes.
Where do Forward Email and 20i keep my email?
Forward Email keeps it in the United States. 20i keeps it in the United Kingdom.
Price changes and news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 25 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Forward Email news · 20i news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Forward Email vs mailbox.org · 20i vs mailbox.org · Forward Email vs Posteo · 20i vs Posteo · Forward Email vs Proton Mail · 20i vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Whichever you choose, the move follows the same steps. Pick your two providers for the steps.