Proton Mail for Business vs Forward Email
In short: Proton Mail for Business wins on privacy, Forward Email wins on price, and they tie on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
Should you pick Proton Mail for Business or Forward Email?
- Choose Proton Mail for Business if you want end-to-end encryption built in; your mail kept in Switzerland; and more room (15 GB, against 10 GB).
- Choose Forward Email if you want the lower price ($3 a month); to try it free first; and freedom to use the mail app you already like.
| Feature | Proton Mail for Business | Forward Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 4.5 | 2.0 |
| Price | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Essentials $6.99 per user a month | Enhanced Protection $3 a month |
| Free plan | No | Yes, forwarding only |
| Storage | 15 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 3 | ✓ Unlimited |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ Built in | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | Switzerland | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Switzerland | United States |
| Founded | 2014 | 2017 |
| Free trial | 30-day refund | Free plan |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | With Proton Bridge on paid plans | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Yes | Yes |
| Open-source apps | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| 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
- On price: Proton Mail for Business Mail Essentials at $6.99 per user a month, against Forward Email Enhanced Protection at $3 a month.
- For free, Proton Mail for Business gives you no free plan, and Forward Email a free plan (forwarding only).
- Proton Mail for Business comes with 15 GB of storage and Forward Email with 10 GB of storage.
- Proton Mail for Business keeps your mail in Switzerland, while Forward Email keeps it in the United States.
- Proton Mail for Business is based in Switzerland and Forward Email in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- Proton Mail for Business encrypts mail end to end; Forward Email offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- Proton Mail for Business works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans, and Forward Email works in any mail app over IMAP.
Common questions
Which is more private, Proton Mail for Business or Forward Email?
Proton Mail for Business scores 4.5 out of 5 for privacy and Forward Email 2. Proton Mail for Business gives you end-to-end encryption built in and your mail kept in Switzerland.
Which is cheaper, Proton Mail for Business or Forward Email?
Forward Email is cheaper. Its Enhanced Protection plan is $3 a month, against $6.99 per user a month for Proton Mail for Business's Mail Essentials. Forward Email also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do Proton Mail for Business and Forward Email work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Proton Mail for Business: 3 domains on its cheapest plan that allows one. Forward Email: Unlimited.
Where do Proton Mail for Business and Forward Email keep my email?
Proton Mail for Business keeps it in Switzerland. Forward Email keeps it in the United States.
Do Proton Mail for Business and Forward Email work in other mail apps?
Proton Mail for Business works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. Forward Email works in any mail app over IMAP.
Prices and the latest news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Proton Mail for Business news · Forward Email news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Proton Mail for Business vs mailbox.org · Forward Email vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail for Business vs Posteo · Forward Email vs Posteo · Proton Mail for Business vs Proton Mail · Forward Email vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Whichever you choose, the move follows the same steps. Pick your two providers for the steps.