mailbox.org vs DuckDuckGo Email Protection
On privacy it's mailbox.org. On price it's DuckDuckGo Email Protection. On features it's mailbox.org. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- mailbox.org is the better pick if you want your email to stay in Germany; a provider with no advertising business behind it; and an address on your own domain.
- DuckDuckGo Email Protection is the better pick if you want a mailbox that costs nothing and to try it free first.
| Feature | mailbox.org | DuckDuckGo Email Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 4.5 | 0.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | Not rated |
| Cheapest plan | Standard €3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026) | Free Free |
| Free plan | No (30-day trial) | Yes, unlimited @duck.com aliases |
| Storage | 20 GB | Forwards only |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | No |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | No |
| Company based in | Germany | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Germany | United States |
| Founded | 2014 | 2021 |
| Free trial | 30 days free | 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 | ✓ Yes | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
How mailbox.org and DuckDuckGo Email Protection differ
- Cheapest plans: mailbox.org Standard, €3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026). DuckDuckGo Email Protection Free, Free.
- For free, mailbox.org gives you no free plan, and DuckDuckGo Email Protection a free plan (unlimited @duck.com aliases).
- mailbox.org comes with 20 GB of storage and DuckDuckGo Email Protection with no storage, as it forwards mail on.
- Data location: Germany for mailbox.org, United States for DuckDuckGo Email Protection.
- mailbox.org is based in Germany and DuckDuckGo Email Protection in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- mailbox.org offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage); DuckDuckGo Email Protection doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- mailbox.org lets you bring your own domain name; DuckDuckGo Email Protection doesn't.
- mailbox.org works in any mail app over IMAP, and DuckDuckGo Email Protection only works in its own apps.
- Only DuckDuckGo Email Protection is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, mailbox.org has yes and DuckDuckGo Email Protection has unlimited aliases.
Common questions
Which is more private, mailbox.org or DuckDuckGo Email Protection?
mailbox.org scores 4.5 out of 5 for privacy and DuckDuckGo Email Protection 0. mailbox.org gives you your email to stay in Germany, a provider with no advertising business behind it and open-source apps.
Which is cheaper, mailbox.org or DuckDuckGo Email Protection?
DuckDuckGo Email Protection costs nothing to start (Free). mailbox.org's cheapest plan, Standard, is €3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026).
Do mailbox.org and DuckDuckGo Email Protection work with my own domain?
Only mailbox.org does (Yes). With DuckDuckGo Email Protection your address stays on its own domain.
Where do mailbox.org and DuckDuckGo Email Protection keep my email?
mailbox.org keeps it in Germany. DuckDuckGo Email Protection keeps it in the United States.
Do mailbox.org and DuckDuckGo Email Protection work in other mail apps?
mailbox.org works in any mail app over IMAP. DuckDuckGo Email Protection only works in its own apps.
Prices and the latest news
- 1 September 2026 mailbox.org: €3.00 (announced 15 July 2026)
- 1 June 2026 mailbox.org: €2.50
The latest headlines: mailbox.org news · DuckDuckGo Email Protection news.
Alternatives to mailbox.org and DuckDuckGo Email Protection
mailbox.org vs Posteo · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Posteo · mailbox.org vs Proton Mail · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Proton Mail · mailbox.org vs Tuta · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Tuta
How to switch
Moving to mailbox.org · Moving from mailbox.org. Or see all my switching guides.