Runbox vs Forward Email
Runbox wins on privacy, they tie on price and they tie on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
Should you pick Runbox or Forward Email?
- Choose Runbox if you want your email to stay in Norway; to pay less: $34.95 a year; and more years of history: it started in 2000.
- Forward Email suits you best if you want to try it free first.
| Feature | Runbox | Forward Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Price | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Mini $34.95 a year | Enhanced Protection $3 a month |
| Free plan | No (30-day trial) | Yes, forwarding only |
| Storage | 10 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Up to 5 | ✓ Unlimited |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | Norway | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Norway | United States |
| Founded | 2000 | 2017 |
| Free trial | 30 days free, then a 60-day refund | Free plan |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | 100 aliases | 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.
Where they differ
- Runbox's cheapest plan is Mini ($34.95 a year); Forward Email's is Enhanced Protection ($3 a month).
- Runbox has no free plan; Forward Email has a free plan (forwarding only).
- Data location: Norway for Runbox, United States for Forward Email.
- The companies sit under different laws: Runbox in Norway, Forward Email in United States.
- On encryption, Runbox doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas Forward Email offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- Aliases: Runbox offers 100 aliases, Forward Email yes.
Questions people ask
Is Runbox more private than Forward Email?
Runbox scores 3 out of 5 for privacy and Forward Email 2. Runbox gives you your email to stay in Norway.
Is Runbox cheaper than Forward Email?
Runbox is cheaper. Its Mini plan is $34.95 a year, against $3 a month for Forward Email's Enhanced Protection. 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 Runbox or Forward Email?
Yes, both do. Runbox: Up to 5. Forward Email: Unlimited.
Where is my email stored with Runbox and Forward Email?
Runbox keeps it in Norway. Forward Email keeps it in the United States.
Prices and the latest news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Runbox news · Forward Email news.
Also worth a look
Runbox vs mailbox.org · Forward Email vs mailbox.org · Runbox vs Posteo · Forward Email vs Posteo · Runbox vs Proton Mail · Forward Email vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Moving to Runbox · Moving from Runbox. Or see all my switching guides.