Runbox vs DuckDuckGo Email Protection
On privacy it's Runbox. On price it's DuckDuckGo Email Protection. On features it's Runbox. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Runbox or DuckDuckGo Email Protection: which should you choose?
- Runbox is the better pick if you want your email to stay in Norway; 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 and a free plan before you pay anything.
| Feature | Runbox | DuckDuckGo Email Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.5 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 3.0 | 0.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | Not rated |
| Cheapest plan | Mini $34.95 a year | Free Free |
| Free plan | No (30-day trial) | Yes, unlimited @duck.com aliases |
| Storage | 10 GB | Forwards only |
| Your own domain | ✓ Up to 5 | No |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | Norway | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Norway | United States |
| Founded | 2000 | 2021 |
| Free trial | 30 days free, then a 60-day refund | 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 | 100 aliases | Unlimited aliases |
| Open-source apps | ✓ Yes | 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.
Where they differ
- On price: Runbox Mini at $34.95 a year, against DuckDuckGo Email Protection Free at Free.
- For free, Runbox gives you no free plan, and DuckDuckGo Email Protection a free plan (unlimited @duck.com aliases).
- Runbox comes with 10 GB of storage and DuckDuckGo Email Protection with no storage, as it forwards mail on.
- Data location: Norway for Runbox, United States for DuckDuckGo Email Protection.
- Runbox is based in Norway and DuckDuckGo Email Protection in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- Runbox lets you bring your own domain name; DuckDuckGo Email Protection doesn't.
- Runbox 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, Runbox has 100 aliases and DuckDuckGo Email Protection has unlimited aliases.
Common questions
Which is more private, Runbox or DuckDuckGo Email Protection?
Runbox scores 3 out of 5 for privacy and DuckDuckGo Email Protection 0. Runbox gives you your email to stay in Norway, email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts and open-source apps anyone can check.
Which is cheaper, Runbox or DuckDuckGo Email Protection?
DuckDuckGo Email Protection costs nothing to start (Free). Runbox's cheapest plan, Mini, is $34.95 a year.
Do Runbox and DuckDuckGo Email Protection work with my own domain?
Only Runbox does (Up to 5). With DuckDuckGo Email Protection your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Runbox and DuckDuckGo Email Protection keep my email?
Runbox keeps it in Norway. DuckDuckGo Email Protection keeps it in the United States.
Do Runbox and DuckDuckGo Email Protection work in other mail apps?
Runbox works in any mail app over IMAP. DuckDuckGo Email Protection only works in its own apps.
Price changes and news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Runbox news · DuckDuckGo Email Protection news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Runbox vs mailbox.org · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs mailbox.org · Runbox vs Posteo · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Posteo · Runbox vs Proton Mail · DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving to Runbox · Moving from Runbox. Or see all my switching guides.