Forward Email vs DuckDuckGo Email Protection
On privacy it's Forward Email. On price it's DuckDuckGo Email Protection. On features it's Forward Email. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Forward Email or DuckDuckGo Email Protection: which should you choose?
- Forward Email is the better pick if you want a provider with no advertising business behind it; an address on your own domain; and more room (10 GB, against none).
- Go for DuckDuckGo Email Protection if you'd like email without paying for it.
| Feature | Forward Email | DuckDuckGo Email Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 2.0 | 0.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | Not rated |
| Cheapest plan | Enhanced Protection $3 a month | Free Free |
| Free plan | Yes, forwarding only | Yes, unlimited @duck.com aliases |
| Storage | 10 GB | Forwards only |
| Your own domain | ✓ Unlimited | No |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | No |
| Company based in | United States | United States |
| Your data is kept in | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2017 | 2021 |
| Free trial | Free plan | Free |
| Funded by advertising | No | Yes, or its parent company is |
| 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 | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 25 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
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Where they differ
- On price: Forward Email Enhanced Protection at $3 a month, against DuckDuckGo Email Protection Free at Free.
- Forward Email has a free plan (forwarding only); DuckDuckGo Email Protection has a free plan (unlimited @duck.com aliases).
- Space: Forward Email gives 10 GB of storage, DuckDuckGo Email Protection no storage, as it forwards mail on.
- On encryption, Forward Email offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage), whereas DuckDuckGo Email Protection doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- You can use your own domain with Forward Email, but not with DuckDuckGo Email Protection.
- Mail apps: Forward Email works in any mail app over IMAP; DuckDuckGo Email Protection only works in its own apps.
- DuckDuckGo Email Protection (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Forward Email doesn't.
- Aliases: Forward Email offers yes, DuckDuckGo Email Protection unlimited aliases.
Questions people ask
Is Forward Email more private than DuckDuckGo Email Protection?
Forward Email scores 2 out of 5 for privacy and DuckDuckGo Email Protection 0. Forward Email gives you a provider with no advertising business behind it and apps whose code is public.
Is Forward Email cheaper than DuckDuckGo Email Protection?
DuckDuckGo Email Protection 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 Forward Email or DuckDuckGo Email Protection?
Only Forward Email does (Unlimited). With DuckDuckGo Email Protection your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with Forward Email and DuckDuckGo Email Protection?
Both keep it in the United States.
Can I use Forward Email and DuckDuckGo Email Protection in Apple Mail or Outlook?
Forward Email works in any mail app over IMAP. DuckDuckGo Email Protection only works in its own apps.
Recent price changes
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 · DuckDuckGo Email Protection news.
Alternatives to Forward Email and DuckDuckGo Email Protection
Forward Email vs mailbox.org · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs mailbox.org · Forward Email vs Posteo · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Posteo · Forward Email vs Proton Mail · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving between any two providers works the same way. Pick your two providers for the steps.