StartMail vs Forward Email
StartMail wins on privacy, Forward Email wins on price and StartMail wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
StartMail or Forward Email: which should you choose?
- Choose StartMail if you want your mailbox stored in the Netherlands and 20 GB of storage.
- Go for Forward Email if you'd like a cheaper plan, at $3 a month; a free plan to start on; and open-source apps.
| Feature | StartMail | Forward Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 3.5 | 2.0 |
| Price | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Personal $4.99 a month | Enhanced Protection $3 a month |
| Free plan | No (7-day trial) | Yes, forwarding only |
| Storage | 20 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ 1 | ✓ Unlimited |
| End-to-end encryption | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | Netherlands | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Netherlands | United States |
| Founded | 2014 | 2017 |
| Free trial | 7 days free | Free plan |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Unlimited throwaway addresses | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | Offer 50% off | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
The key differences
- On price: StartMail Personal at $4.99 a month, against Forward Email Enhanced Protection at $3 a month.
- For free, StartMail gives you no free plan, and Forward Email a free plan (forwarding only).
- StartMail comes with 20 GB of storage and Forward Email with 10 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in the Netherlands with StartMail, and in the United States with Forward Email.
- StartMail is based in the Netherlands and Forward Email in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- For extra addresses, StartMail has unlimited throwaway addresses and Forward Email has yes.
Common questions
Which is more private, StartMail or Forward Email?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Forward Email 2. StartMail gives you your mailbox stored in the Netherlands.
Which is cheaper, StartMail or Forward Email?
Forward Email is cheaper. Its Enhanced Protection plan is $3 a month, against $4.99 a month for StartMail's Personal. Forward Email also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do StartMail and Forward Email work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. StartMail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one. Forward Email: Unlimited.
Where do StartMail and Forward Email keep my email?
StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands. Forward Email keeps it in the United States.
Recent price changes
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: StartMail news · Forward Email news.
Not sold on either? Try these
StartMail vs mailbox.org · Forward Email vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs Posteo · Forward Email vs Posteo · StartMail vs Proton Mail · Forward Email vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Moving to StartMail · Moving from StartMail. Or see all my switching guides.