Forward Email vs Rackspace Email
In short: Forward Email wins on privacy, Forward Email wins on price, and Rackspace Email wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
Should you pick Forward Email or Rackspace Email?
- Go for Forward Email if you'd like to pay less: $3 a month; to try it free first; and open-source apps.
- Choose Rackspace Email if you want more space for your mail: 25 GB and a company with a longer track record (since 1998).
| Feature | Forward Email | Rackspace Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 2.0 | 0.5 |
| Price | 4.0 | 2.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Enhanced Protection $3 a month | Rackspace Email $10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026) |
| Free plan | Yes, forwarding only | No |
| Storage | 10 GB | 25 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Unlimited | ✓ Yes |
| 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 and UK |
| Founded | 2017 | 1998 |
| Free trial | Free plan | 14 days free |
| 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.
How Forward Email and Rackspace Email differ
- Forward Email's cheapest plan is Enhanced Protection ($3 a month); Rackspace Email's is Rackspace Email ($10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026)).
- For free, Forward Email gives you a free plan (forwarding only), and Rackspace Email no free plan.
- Forward Email comes with 10 GB of storage and Rackspace Email with 25 GB of storage.
- Forward Email keeps your mail in the United States, while Rackspace Email keeps it in the United States and UK.
- Forward Email offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage); Rackspace Email doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
Forward Email and Rackspace Email: your questions
Which is more private, Forward Email or Rackspace Email?
Forward Email scores 2 out of 5 for privacy and Rackspace Email 0.5. Forward Email gives you open-source apps.
Which is cheaper, Forward Email or Rackspace Email?
Forward Email is cheaper. Its Enhanced Protection plan is $3 a month, against $10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026) for Rackspace Email's Rackspace Email. 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 Rackspace Email work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Forward Email: Unlimited. Rackspace Email: Yes.
Where do Forward Email and Rackspace Email keep my email?
Forward Email keeps it in the United States. Rackspace Email keeps it in the United States and UK.
Prices and the latest news
- 1 March 2026 Rackspace Email: $10 (March 2026 rise)
- 1 January 2026 Rackspace Email: $3
The latest headlines: Forward Email news · Rackspace Email news.
Also worth a look
Forward Email vs mailbox.org · Rackspace Email vs mailbox.org · Forward Email vs Posteo · Rackspace Email vs Posteo · Forward Email vs Proton Mail · Rackspace Email vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Whichever you choose, the move follows the same steps. Pick your two providers for the steps.