Forward Email vs Hetzner
On privacy it's Hetzner. On price it's Forward Email. On features it's Forward Email. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Forward Email or Hetzner: which should you choose?
- Forward Email suits you best if you want to try it free first; a calendar and contacts alongside your mail; and open-source apps.
- Choose Hetzner if you want your email to stay in Germany.
| Feature | Forward Email | Hetzner |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | Not rated |
| Privacy | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Price | 4.0 | Not rated |
| Features | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Enhanced Protection $3 a month | Web hosting Not confirmed |
| Free plan | Yes, forwarding only | No |
| Storage | 10 GB | Not confirmed |
| Your own domain | ✓ Unlimited | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | No |
| Company based in | United States | Germany |
| Your data is kept in | United States | Germany |
| 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 | No |
| 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 | 22 October 2026 |
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Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: Forward Email Enhanced Protection, $3 a month. Hetzner Web hosting, Not confirmed.
- Forward Email has a free plan (forwarding only); Hetzner has no free plan.
- Space: Forward Email gives 10 GB of storage, Hetzner storage not confirmed.
- Data location: United States for Forward Email, Germany for Hetzner.
- The companies sit under different laws: Forward Email in United States, Hetzner in Germany.
- On encryption, Forward Email offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage), whereas Hetzner doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
Forward Email and Hetzner: your questions
Is Forward Email more private than Hetzner?
Hetzner scores 2.5 out of 5 for privacy and Forward Email 2. Hetzner gives you your email to stay in Germany.
Can I use my own domain with Forward Email or Hetzner?
Yes, both do. Forward Email: Unlimited. Hetzner: Yes.
Where is my email stored with Forward Email and Hetzner?
Forward Email keeps it in the United States. Hetzner keeps it in Germany.
Price changes and news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Forward Email news · Hetzner news.
Alternatives to Forward Email and Hetzner
Forward Email vs Posteo · Hetzner vs Posteo · Forward Email vs mailbox.org · Hetzner vs mailbox.org · Forward Email vs Proton Mail · Hetzner vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
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