Forward Email vs addy.io
In short: addy.io wins on privacy, addy.io wins on price, and Forward Email wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
Should you pick Forward Email or addy.io?
- Forward Email is the better pick if you want 10 GB of storage; to read your mail in any app, such as Apple Mail, Outlook or Thunderbird; and calendar and contacts in the same account.
- Go for addy.io if you'd like your mail kept in the EU; to pay less: About $1 a month, yearly; and to sign up without proving who you are.
| Feature | Forward Email | addy.io |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 2.0 | 3.5 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | Not rated |
| Cheapest plan | Enhanced Protection $3 a month | Lite About $1 a month, yearly |
| Free plan | Yes, forwarding only | Yes |
| Storage | 10 GB | Forwards only |
| 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 | EU |
| Founded | 2017 | 2018 |
| Free trial | Free plan | Free plan |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | No, its own apps only |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | No |
| Aliases | Yes | Unlimited aliases |
| Open-source apps | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | ✓ Yes |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 25 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
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The key differences
- Cheapest plans: Forward Email Enhanced Protection, $3 a month. addy.io Lite, About $1 a month, yearly.
- Forward Email has a free plan (forwarding only); addy.io has a free plan ().
- Space: Forward Email gives 10 GB of storage, addy.io no storage, as it forwards mail on.
- Your mail is stored in the United States with Forward Email, and in the EU with addy.io.
- The companies sit under different laws: Forward Email in United States, addy.io in United Kingdom.
- On encryption, Forward Email offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage), whereas addy.io doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Mail apps: Forward Email works in any mail app over IMAP; addy.io only works in its own apps.
- Aliases: Forward Email offers yes, addy.io unlimited aliases.
Common questions
Is Forward Email more private than addy.io?
addy.io scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Forward Email 2. addy.io gives you your mail kept in the EU and to sign up without proving who you are.
Is Forward Email cheaper than addy.io?
addy.io is cheaper. Its Lite plan is About $1 a month, yearly, against $3 a month for Forward Email's Enhanced Protection. addy.io and Forward Email also have a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Can I use my own domain with Forward Email or addy.io?
Yes, both do. Forward Email: Unlimited. addy.io: Yes.
Where is my email stored with Forward Email and addy.io?
Forward Email keeps it in the United States. addy.io keeps it in the EU.
Can I use Forward Email and addy.io in Apple Mail or Outlook?
Forward Email works in any mail app over IMAP. addy.io only works in its own apps.
Price changes and news
No price changes for either since 25 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Forward Email news · addy.io news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Forward Email vs mailbox.org · addy.io vs mailbox.org · Forward Email vs Posteo · addy.io vs Posteo · Forward Email vs Proton Mail · addy.io vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving between any two providers works the same way. Pick your two providers for the steps.