Mailfence vs DuckDuckGo Email Protection
On privacy it's Mailfence. On price it's DuckDuckGo Email Protection. On features it's Mailfence. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Mailfence is the better pick if you want your mailbox stored in Belgium; email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts; and email at your own domain name.
- DuckDuckGo Email Protection is the better pick if you want a mailbox that costs nothing.
| Feature | Mailfence | DuckDuckGo Email Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 0.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | Not rated |
| Cheapest plan | Entry €3.50 a month | Free Free |
| Free plan | Yes, 500 MB–1 GB, no own domain | Yes, unlimited @duck.com aliases |
| Storage | 10 GB | Forwards only |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | No |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | No |
| Company based in | Belgium | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Belgium | United States |
| Founded | 2013 | 2021 |
| Free trial | Free plan | 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 | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | 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
- Cheapest plans: Mailfence Entry, €3.50 a month. DuckDuckGo Email Protection Free, Free.
- For free, Mailfence gives you a free plan (500 MB–1 GB, no own domain), and DuckDuckGo Email Protection a free plan (unlimited @duck.com aliases).
- Mailfence comes with 10 GB of storage and DuckDuckGo Email Protection with no storage, as it forwards mail on.
- Your mail is stored in Belgium with Mailfence, and in the United States with DuckDuckGo Email Protection.
- Mailfence is based in Belgium and DuckDuckGo Email Protection in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- Mailfence offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage); DuckDuckGo Email Protection doesn't encrypt mail end to end.
- Mailfence lets you bring your own domain name; DuckDuckGo Email Protection doesn't.
- Mailfence 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, Mailfence has yes and DuckDuckGo Email Protection has unlimited aliases.
Common questions
Which is more private, Mailfence or DuckDuckGo Email Protection?
Mailfence scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and DuckDuckGo Email Protection 0. Mailfence gives you your mailbox stored in Belgium and email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts.
Which is cheaper, Mailfence or DuckDuckGo Email Protection?
DuckDuckGo Email Protection costs nothing to start (Free). Mailfence's cheapest plan, Entry, is €3.50 a month. Mailfence has a free plan too: 500 MB–1 GB, no own domain.
Do Mailfence and DuckDuckGo Email Protection work with my own domain?
Only Mailfence does (Yes). With DuckDuckGo Email Protection your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Mailfence and DuckDuckGo Email Protection keep my email?
Mailfence keeps it in Belgium. DuckDuckGo Email Protection keeps it in the United States.
Do Mailfence and DuckDuckGo Email Protection work in other mail apps?
Mailfence works in any mail app over IMAP. DuckDuckGo Email Protection only works in its own apps.
Price changes and news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Mailfence news · DuckDuckGo Email Protection news.
Alternatives to Mailfence and DuckDuckGo Email Protection
Mailfence vs mailbox.org · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs mailbox.org · Mailfence vs Posteo · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Posteo · Mailfence vs Proton Mail · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving to Mailfence · Moving from Mailfence. Or see all my switching guides.