Proton Mail vs Forward Email
Proton Mail wins on privacy, they tie on price and they tie on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Proton Mail if you want end-to-end encryption built in; your mail kept in Switzerland; and 15 GB of storage.
- Forward Email is the better pick if you want a cheaper plan, at $3 a month; the choice of any mail app over IMAP; and extras such as POP3 as well as CalDAV and CardDAV sync.
| Feature | Proton Mail | Forward Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 2.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Mail Plus $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) | Enhanced Protection $3 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 GB, no own domain | Yes, forwarding only |
| Storage | 15 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ 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 | Free plan; 30-day refund on paid plans | 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 | 10 addresses | Yes |
| Open-source apps | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | ✓ Yes | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | Offer Proton's current deals | None |
| Last checked | 23 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
The key differences
- On price: Proton Mail Mail Plus at $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly), against Forward Email Enhanced Protection at $3 a month.
- Proton Mail has a free plan (1 GB, no own domain); Forward Email has a free plan (forwarding only).
- Space: Proton Mail gives 15 GB of storage, Forward Email 10 GB of storage.
- Proton Mail keeps your mail in Switzerland, while Forward Email keeps it in the United States.
- The companies sit under different laws: Proton Mail in Switzerland, Forward Email in United States.
- On encryption, Proton Mail encrypts mail end to end, whereas Forward Email offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- Mail apps: Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans; Forward Email works in any mail app over IMAP.
- Aliases: Proton Mail offers 10 addresses, Forward Email yes.
Questions people ask
Is Proton Mail more private than Forward Email?
Proton Mail scores 5 out of 5 for privacy and Forward Email 2. Proton Mail gives you end-to-end encryption built in, your mail kept in Switzerland and an account that doesn't need your phone number or ID.
Is Proton Mail cheaper than Forward Email?
Forward Email is cheaper. Its Enhanced Protection plan is $3 a month, against $3.99 a month, yearly ($4.99 monthly) for Proton Mail's Mail Plus. Forward Email and Proton Mail also have a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Can I use my own domain with Proton Mail or Forward Email?
Yes, both do. Proton Mail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Forward Email: Unlimited.
Where is my email stored with Proton Mail and Forward Email?
Proton Mail keeps it in Switzerland. Forward Email keeps it in the United States.
Can I use Proton Mail and Forward Email in Apple Mail or Outlook?
Proton Mail works in other mail apps through Proton Bridge on paid plans. Forward Email works in any mail app over IMAP.
Recent price changes
No price changes for either since 23 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Proton Mail news · Forward Email news.
Alternatives to Proton Mail and Forward Email
Proton Mail vs mailbox.org · Forward Email vs mailbox.org · Proton Mail vs Posteo · Forward Email vs Posteo · Proton Mail vs Tuta · Forward Email vs Tuta
Moving your email
Moving to Proton Mail · Moving from Proton Mail. Or see all my switching guides.