mailbox.org vs Forward Email
On privacy it's mailbox.org. On price it's a tie. On features it's mailbox.org. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Should you pick mailbox.org or Forward Email?
- Choose mailbox.org if you want your mailbox stored in Germany; more space for your mail: 20 GB; and an account that doesn't need your phone number or ID.
- Forward Email suits you best if you want the lower price ($3 a month) and a free plan before you pay anything.
| Feature | mailbox.org | Forward Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 4.5 | 2.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Standard €3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026) | Enhanced Protection $3 a month |
| Free plan | No (30-day trial) | Yes, forwarding only |
| Storage | 20 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Unlimited |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | Germany | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Germany | United States |
| Founded | 2014 | 2017 |
| Free trial | 30 days free | 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 | ✓ 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.
The key differences
- mailbox.org's cheapest plan is Standard (€3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026)); Forward Email's is Enhanced Protection ($3 a month).
- mailbox.org has no free plan; Forward Email has a free plan (forwarding only).
- Space: mailbox.org gives 20 GB of storage, Forward Email 10 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in Germany with mailbox.org, and in the United States with Forward Email.
- The companies sit under different laws: mailbox.org in Germany, Forward Email in United States.
Common questions
Is mailbox.org more private than Forward Email?
mailbox.org scores 4.5 out of 5 for privacy and Forward Email 2. mailbox.org gives you your mailbox stored in Germany and an account that doesn't need your phone number or ID.
Is mailbox.org cheaper than Forward Email?
Forward Email is cheaper. Its Enhanced Protection plan is $3 a month, against €3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026) for mailbox.org's Standard. Forward Email also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Can I use my own domain with mailbox.org or Forward Email?
Yes, both do. mailbox.org: Yes. Forward Email: Unlimited.
Where is my email stored with mailbox.org and Forward Email?
mailbox.org keeps it in Germany. Forward Email keeps it in the United States.
Price changes and 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 · Forward Email news.
Also worth a look
mailbox.org vs Posteo · Forward Email vs Posteo · mailbox.org vs Proton Mail · Forward Email vs Proton Mail · mailbox.org vs Tuta · Forward Email vs Tuta
Moving your email
Moving to mailbox.org · Moving from mailbox.org. Or see all my switching guides.