Forward Email vs CounterMail
In short: CounterMail wins on privacy, they tie on price, and Forward Email wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Go for Forward Email if you'd like to pay less: $3 a month; a free plan to start on; and more room (10 GB, against 4 GB).
- Choose CounterMail if you want mail that's encrypted end to end without any setup and your mail kept in Sweden.
| Feature | Forward Email | CounterMail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 2.0 | 4.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Enhanced Protection $3 a month | Premium, 12 months $4 a month, paid yearly ($49) |
| Free plan | Yes, forwarding only | No |
| Storage | 10 GB | 4 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Unlimited | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | ✓ Built in |
| Company based in | United States | Sweden |
| Your data is kept in | United States | Sweden |
| 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 | Unknown |
| 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
- Forward Email's cheapest plan is Enhanced Protection ($3 a month); CounterMail's is Premium, 12 months ($4 a month, paid yearly ($49)).
- For free, Forward Email gives you a free plan (forwarding only), and CounterMail no free plan.
- Forward Email comes with 10 GB of storage and CounterMail with 4 GB of storage.
- Forward Email keeps your mail in the United States, while CounterMail keeps it in Sweden.
- Forward Email is based in the United States and CounterMail in Sweden, so different privacy laws apply.
- Forward Email offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage); CounterMail encrypts mail end to end.
Common questions
Which is more private, Forward Email or CounterMail?
CounterMail scores 4 out of 5 for privacy and Forward Email 2. CounterMail gives you mail that's encrypted end to end without any setup and your mail kept in Sweden.
Which is cheaper, Forward Email or CounterMail?
Forward Email is cheaper. Its Enhanced Protection plan is $3 a month, against $4 a month, paid yearly ($49) for CounterMail's Premium, 12 months. Forward Email also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do Forward Email and CounterMail work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Forward Email: Unlimited. CounterMail: Yes.
Where do Forward Email and CounterMail keep my email?
Forward Email keeps it in the United States. CounterMail keeps it in Sweden.
Recent price changes
Neither price has changed since my first check on 25 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Forward Email news · CounterMail news.
Alternatives to Forward Email and CounterMail
Forward Email vs mailbox.org · CounterMail vs mailbox.org · Forward Email vs Posteo · CounterMail vs Posteo · Forward Email vs Proton Mail · CounterMail vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Whichever you choose, the move follows the same steps. Pick your two providers for the steps.