Microsoft 365 Business vs Forward Email
In short: Forward Email wins on privacy, Forward Email wins on price, and Microsoft 365 Business wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
Microsoft 365 Business or Forward Email: which should you choose?
- Go for Microsoft 365 Business if you'd like your email to stay in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham); 50 GB of storage; and more years of history: it started in 2011.
- Forward Email suits you best if you want a provider with no advertising business behind it; the lower price ($3 a month); and to try it free first.
| Feature | Microsoft 365 Business | Forward Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 1.0 | 2.0 |
| Price | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Business Basic £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT | Enhanced Protection $3 a month |
| Free plan | No | Yes, forwarding only |
| Storage | 50 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Unlimited |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | United States | United States |
| Your data is kept in | UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) | United States |
| Founded | 2011 | 2017 |
| Free trial | One month free on some plans | Free plan |
| Funded by advertising | Yes, or its parent company is | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Yes | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
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Where they differ
- Microsoft 365 Business's cheapest plan is Business Basic (£5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT); Forward Email's is Enhanced Protection ($3 a month).
- Microsoft 365 Business has no free plan; Forward Email has a free plan (forwarding only).
- Space: Microsoft 365 Business gives 50 GB of storage, Forward Email 10 GB of storage.
- Data location: UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) for Microsoft 365 Business, United States for Forward Email.
- On encryption, Microsoft 365 Business doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas Forward Email offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- Microsoft 365 Business (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Forward Email doesn't.
Common questions
Is Microsoft 365 Business more private than Forward Email?
Forward Email scores 2 out of 5 for privacy and Microsoft 365 Business 1. Forward Email gives you a provider with no advertising business behind it and apps whose code is public.
Is Microsoft 365 Business cheaper than Forward Email?
Forward Email is cheaper. Its Enhanced Protection plan is $3 a month, against £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT for Microsoft 365 Business's Business Basic. 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 Microsoft 365 Business or Forward Email?
Yes, both do. Microsoft 365 Business: Yes. Forward Email: Unlimited.
Where is my email stored with Microsoft 365 Business and Forward Email?
Microsoft 365 Business keeps it in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham). Forward Email keeps it in the United States.
Price changes and news
- 27 July 2026 Microsoft 365 Business: £5.40 (UK price change from 1 July 2026)
- 1 June 2026 Microsoft 365 Business: £4.90
The latest headlines: Microsoft 365 Business news · Forward Email news.
Also worth a look
Microsoft 365 Business vs mailbox.org · Forward Email vs mailbox.org · Microsoft 365 Business vs Posteo · Forward Email vs Posteo · Microsoft 365 Business vs Proton Mail · Forward Email vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving to Microsoft 365 Business · Moving from Microsoft 365 Business. Or see all my switching guides.