Kolab Now vs Forward Email
Kolab Now wins on privacy, Forward Email wins on price and they tie on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
Should you pick Kolab Now or Forward Email?
- Choose Kolab Now if you want your mailbox stored in Switzerland.
- Choose Forward Email if you want a cheaper plan, at $3 a month; to try it free first; and more room (10 GB, against 5 GB).
| Feature | Kolab Now | Forward Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Price | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Mailbox CHF 5 a month | Enhanced Protection $3 a month |
| Free plan | No | Yes, forwarding only |
| Storage | 5 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Unlimited |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | Switzerland | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | United States |
| Founded | 2013 | 2017 |
| Free trial | Unknown | Free plan |
| 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 | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | Unknown | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 25 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
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Where they differ
- Kolab Now's cheapest plan is Mailbox (CHF 5 a month); Forward Email's is Enhanced Protection ($3 a month).
- For free, Kolab Now gives you no free plan, and Forward Email a free plan (forwarding only).
- Kolab Now comes with 5 GB of storage and Forward Email with 10 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in Switzerland with Kolab Now, and in the United States with Forward Email.
- Kolab Now is based in Switzerland and Forward Email in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- Kolab Now doesn't encrypt mail end to end; Forward Email offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
Kolab Now and Forward Email: your questions
Which is more private, Kolab Now or Forward Email?
Kolab Now scores 3 out of 5 for privacy and Forward Email 2. Kolab Now gives you your mailbox stored in Switzerland.
Which is cheaper, Kolab Now or Forward Email?
Forward Email is cheaper. Its Enhanced Protection plan is $3 a month, against CHF 5 a month for Kolab Now's Mailbox. Forward Email also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do Kolab Now and Forward Email work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Kolab Now: Yes. Forward Email: Unlimited.
Where do Kolab Now and Forward Email keep my email?
Kolab Now keeps it in Switzerland. Forward Email keeps it in the United States.
Prices and the latest news
No price changes for either since 25 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Kolab Now news · Forward Email news.
Alternatives to Kolab Now and Forward Email
Kolab Now vs mailbox.org · Forward Email vs mailbox.org · Kolab Now vs Posteo · Forward Email vs Posteo · Kolab Now vs Proton Mail · Forward Email vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Whichever you choose, the move follows the same steps. Pick your two providers for the steps.