Complete Guide to Email Privacy & Security
A comprehensive comparison of leading email alias services including pricing, features, security, and privacy policies. Compare Addy.io, SimpleLogin, DuckDuckGo Email Protection, Firefox Relay, ForwardMail, Apple Hide My Email, AdGuard Mail, 33Mail, IronVest and Erine.email.
🚀 Quick Links: Interactive Selector | Free Providers | Paid Plans | Security Analysis
- Free Plans Comparison - Compare all free options
- Paid Plans Comparison - Premium features breakdown
- Addy.io vs SimpleLogin - Head-to-head comparison
- Complete Provider Directory - All 10 providers analyzed
- Feature Glossary - Understand all terms
- Troubleshooting - Fix common issues
- FAQ - Quick answers
- Best Practices - Pro tips
Email aliasing is a fundamental privacy technique that allows you to create multiple email addresses that all forward to your real inbox. This comprehensive guide compares the leading email alias providers to help you choose the best solution for your privacy and security needs.
Email aliasing is a privacy technique that lets you create multiple email addresses that all forward to your real inbox. Think of it like having multiple front doors to your house - visitors use different entrances, but they all lead to the same place.
Simple Example:
- Your real email:
john.doe@gmail.com - Your alias for shopping:
shopping.alias@provider.com - Your alias for newsletters:
news.alias@provider.com - Both aliases forward emails to your real Gmail account
- Hide your real email address from websites and services
- Prevent companies from tracking you across different platforms
- Keep your personal email private and secure
- Create disposable aliases for one-time signups
- Easily block spam by deactivating compromised aliases
- Keep your main inbox clean and organized
- Reduce risk of your main email being exposed in data breaches
- Limit damage if one alias gets compromised
- Better control over who can contact you
- Use different aliases for different purposes (work, shopping, social media)
- Track which services share or sell your email
- Organize incoming emails by source automatically
Think of it like a P.O. Box for your email - you give out a forwarding address instead of your real one.
Real World: Your Gmail → shopping.alias@provider.com → Amazon
Email Aliasing: Amazon thinks they have shopping.alias@provider.com
But emails actually go to your Gmail inbox
Without Aliasing: john@gmail.com → everywhere (risky!)
With Aliasing: shopping@alias.com → stores
social@alias.com → social media
work@alias.com → professional
↓ (all forward to) ↓
john@gmail.com (safe!)
Ready to dive deeper? Choose your path above!
- Create an alias through your chosen provider
- Use the alias when signing up for websites or services
- Emails are forwarded from the alias to your real inbox automatically
- Reply through the alias to keep your real email hidden
- Manage aliases - deactivate, delete, or organize as needed
Built-in Aliases: Many email providers offer basic aliasing features like Gmail's + addressing (yourname+tag@gmail.com) or Outlook's alias system. These are free but have limited management options.
Dedicated Services: Third-party providers specializing in alias management with advanced features like custom domains, encryption, detailed dashboards, and comprehensive privacy controls.
Professional services with advanced features, custom domains, and enterprise-grade infrastructure. Typically subscription-based with comprehensive privacy features.
Services offering substantial free tiers or freemium models. Good for getting started or light usage.
Email aliasing features integrated into existing email providers or operating systems. Often the simplest to set up.
Answer 3 quick questions to get personalized recommendations:
- Complete Beginner: Never used email aliases → Recommended: DuckDuckGo
- Some Experience: Used Gmail+ or similar → Recommended: SimpleLogin
- Advanced User: Want full control & features → Recommended: Addy.io
- Free Only: No monthly cost → DuckDuckGo or Erine.email
- Budget Conscious: Under $2/month → Addy.io Lite ($1/mo)
- Full-Featured: Best features regardless → SimpleLogin ($4/mo)
- Basic Privacy: Hide email from marketers → DuckDuckGo
- Maximum Security: End-to-end encryption → SimpleLogin or Addy.io
- Business Use: Team features & reliability → SimpleLogin Premium
- Apple Ecosystem: Seamless integration → Apple Hide My Email
| Best for Beginners | Best Value | Most Secure |
|---|---|---|
| DuckDuckGo Email | Addy.io Lite | SimpleLogin |
| Free • Unlimited • Zero Setup | $1/month • Unlimited • Feature-Rich | $4/month • Unlimited • Enterprise |
| Pros: | Pros: | Pros: |
| • No registration needed | • Best price-to-feature ratio | • Swiss privacy laws |
| • Unlimited aliases | • Unlimited standard aliases | • Enterprise-grade reliability |
| • Built-in tracker removal | • GPG encryption | • PGP encryption |
| • Reply functionality | • API access | • Excellent support |
| • 1 custom domain | • Proton integration | |
| Cons: | Cons: | Cons: |
| • @duck.com domain only | • Single developer | • Higher cost |
| • No custom domains | • Limited support | • Less advanced features than Addy.io |
| • Basic features only | ||
| Perfect for: First-time users who want to try aliasing with zero commitment. | Perfect for: Users who want advanced features without breaking the bank. | Perfect for: Users prioritizing security and reliability over cost. |
| Get Started → | Get Started → | Get Started → |
- Install DuckDuckGo Extension: Chrome | Firefox | Safari
- Visit any signup form on the web
- Click the duck icon in email field
- Auto-generates alias like
duck_abc123@duck.com - Done! Emails forward to your real address
Pro Tip: The generated alias is permanent - write it down if you need to reference it later.
- Sign up: Visit simplelogin.io and create account
- Verify email: Check your inbox and click verification link
- Create first alias: Click "Create alias" in dashboard
- Choose name: Pick something memorable like
shopping.alias@simplelogin.io - Test it: Send yourself an email to verify forwarding works
- Install browser extension: Get extension for easy alias creation
Pro Tip: Start with descriptive names like amazon.purchases@simplelogin.io instead of random strings.
- Create 2-3 test aliases with different names
- Send test emails to verify forwarding works
- Try replying through aliases to confirm functionality
- Check spam folder in case forwarded emails get filtered
- Use aliases for all new accounts (shopping, newsletters, trials)
- Keep notes of which alias goes with which service
- Start with low-risk sites before using on important accounts
- Create naming convention (e.g.,
servicename.category@provider.com) - Update password manager with alias information
- Set up folders in email client to organize forwarded emails
- Review and clean up any unused test aliases
- Update existing accounts starting with least critical
- Monitor old email for missed account updates
- Consider custom domain if you like the service
Wrong: abc123xyz@provider.com
Right: amazon.shopping@provider.com
Why: You'll forget what the random string was for
Wrong: Using general@provider.com for all services
Right: Different alias for each service or category
Why: Defeats the purpose of tracking and spam control
Wrong: Assuming you can reply from aliases
Right: Test sending emails FROM aliases before important use
Why: Some providers don't support replies on free plans
Wrong: Password manager still shows old email
Right: Update all entries with new aliases
Why: You'll get locked out when trying to recover accounts
Wrong: Relying on single provider with no backup
Right: Keep old email active and document all aliases
Why: If provider goes down, you could lose access to accounts
For users who want comprehensive technical analysis and advanced features
| Provider | Server Locations |
|---|---|
| SimpleLogin | Switzerland, Germany |
| Addy.io | Netherlands |
| DuckDuckGo | USA (AWS) |
| ForwardMail | USA, Europe |
┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐
│ Incoming │ -> │ Spam │ -> │ Rules │ -> │ Forward │
│ Email │ │ Filter │ │ Engine │ │ to User │
└─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └─────────────┘
│ │
v v
┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐
│ Quarantine│ │ Analytics │
│ & Logs │ │ & Metrics │
└─────────────┘ └─────────────┘
Addy.io (GPG/OpenPGP)
# Example: Setting up GPG encryption
gpg --gen-key
gpg --armor --export your-email@example.com > public-key.asc
# Upload public key to Addy.io dashboardSimpleLogin (PGP)
# Compatible with Proton Mail encryption
# Automatic encryption when sending to other Proton users
# Manual PGP key management for external recipients| Provider | Last Audit | Auditor | Critical Issues | Report Public |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addy.io | 2023 | Securitum | 0 | Yes |
| SimpleLogin | 2023 | Cure53 | 0 | Yes |
| ForwardMail | 2022 | Internal | N/A | No |
Threat: Government Surveillance
- Best: Switzerland (SimpleLogin) - No mandatory data retention
- Good: Netherlands (Addy.io) - EU privacy laws
- Concern: USA providers - FISA requests possible
Threat: Provider Compromise
- Mitigation: End-to-end encryption (Addy.io, SimpleLogin)
- Monitoring: Regular security audits and transparency reports
- Backup: Multi-provider strategy with different jurisdictions
| Feature | Addy.io | SimpleLogin | ForwardMail | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REST API | Full | Full | Full | None |
| Rate Limits | 60/min | 100/min | 30/min | N/A |
| Webhooks | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| SDK Available | No | No | Node.js | No |
| GraphQL | No | No | No | No |
| Provider | Data Location | DPO Contact | Data Export | Right to Delete | Processing Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SimpleLogin | Switzerland | Yes | Full | Yes | Legitimate Interest |
| Addy.io | Netherlands | Yes | Full | Yes | Consent |
| ForwardMail | USA/EU | Yes | Full | Yes | Consent |
- SimpleLogin: Certified (Proton AG umbrella)
- Addy.io: Not certified (indie developer)
- ForwardMail: In progress
SimpleLogin Business
- User roles: Admin, Manager, User
- Centralized billing and management
- Audit logs and usage analytics
- SSO integration (SAML, OIDC)
Addy.io Pro
- Single-user focus
- API access for integration
- Webhook support for automation
- No built-in team features
Cost per user per month (100 aliases each):
| Team Size | SimpleLogin | Addy.io | ForwardMail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 users | $20 ($4×5) | $20 ($4×5) | $15 ($3×5) |
| 25 users | $100 | $100 | $75 |
| 100 users | $300* | $400 | $300 |
*Enterprise pricing available
- Encryption: End-to-end encryption support
- Audit Logs: Comprehensive activity logging
- Access Control: Role-based permissions
- Backup & Recovery: Data resilience procedures
- Incident Response: 24/7 security monitoring
- Compliance: Industry certifications
- Data Residency: Geographic data controls
Enhanced with technical specifications and detailed feature analysis
| Provider | Country | Founded | Open Source | Free Tier | Starting Price | Reply Support | Encryption | Business Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addy.io Best Value | Netherlands | 2019 | Yes | Unlimited* | $1/mo | Paid Only | GPG/OpenPGP | Independent |
| SimpleLogin Most Secure | Switzerland | 2019 | Yes | 10 aliases | $4/mo | Free & Paid | PGP | Proton AG |
| ForwardMail Developer Choice | USA | 2017 | Yes | Unlimited** | $3/mo | Yes | TLS/Quantum | Open-source |
| DuckDuckGo Easiest Start | USA | 2021 | Partial | Unlimited | Free Only | Yes | TLS | Search Company |
| Firefox Relay Mozilla Users | USA | 2021 | Yes | 5 aliases | Waitlist | Premium Only | TLS | Mozilla |
| AdGuard Mail Ad-block Plus | Cyprus | 2023 | Partial | 10 aliases | $2.99/mo | Premium Only | TLS | Corporate |
| 33Mail Veteran (2010) | UK | 2010 | No | Unlimited | $1/mo | Premium Only | TLS | Freemium |
| IronVest Privacy Suite | USA | 2012 | No | None | $39/yr | Yes | TLS | Privacy Suite |
| Erine.email Donation-Based | France | 2022 | Yes | Unlimited | Free | Yes | TLS | Donation |
| Apple Hide My Email Apple Ecosystem | USA | 2021 | No | Unlimited*** | $0.99/mo | Yes | TLS | iCloud+ |
*Standard aliases unlimited, shared domain aliases limited
**Requires own domain setup
***Requires iCloud+ subscription
| Provider | Free Aliases | Reply Support | Custom Domains | Monthly Limits | Standout Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addy.io | Unlimited Standard + 10 Shared |
No | No | 10 MB | GPG encryption API access |
Power users testing |
| SimpleLogin | 10 aliases | Yes | No | Unlimited | PGP encryption Mobile apps |
Beginners |
| DuckDuckGo | Unlimited @duck.com | Yes | No | Unlimited | Email tracker removal Zero setup |
Quick start |
| Firefox Relay | 5 aliases | No | No | Unlimited | Email tracker removal Mozilla integration |
Mozilla users |
| AdGuard Mail | 10 aliases | No | No | 2,000 emails | Multi-platform apps Temporary aliases |
Light usage |
| 33Mail | Unlimited | No | No | 10 MB | 15+ years experience Simple interface |
Basic forwarding |
| Erine.email | Unlimited | Yes | No | Unlimited | French privacy laws Open-source |
Privacy advocates |
| ForwardMail | Unlimited* | Yes | Yes | 50 MB | Self-hosting option Enterprise-grade |
Developers |
| Apple Hide My Email | Unlimited** | Yes | Yes (iCloud+) | Unlimited | Apple ecosystem Seamless integration |
Apple users |
- *Requires own domain setup
- **Requires iCloud+ subscription ($0.99/mo minimum)
| Provider & Plan | Price | Aliases | Reply | Domains | Key Features | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addy.io Lite Best Value Pick |
$1/mo | Unlimited + 50 Shared | Yes | 1 | GPG encryption API access Webhooks |
Individual |
| Addy.io Pro | $4/mo | Unlimited + Unlimited | Yes | 20 | Advanced analytics Complex rules Bulk operations |
Power Users |
| SimpleLogin Premium Most Secure |
$4/mo | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | PGP encryption Proton integration Directory features |
Enterprise |
| AdGuard Mail Premium | $2.99/mo | 1000 | Yes | 1 | Anonymous replies Premium domains Multi-platform |
Corporate |
| 33Mail Premium | $1/mo | Unlimited | Yes (20/day) | 5 | Simple interface 15+ years experience |
Small business |
| 33Mail Pro | $5/mo | Unlimited | Yes (1000/day) | Unlimited | Professional features High volume support |
Business |
| IronVest Premium Privacy Suite |
$39/yr ($3.25/mo) |
50 Masked emails | Yes | No | Virtual cards Phone masking Biometric security |
Privacy suite |
| ForwardMail Enhanced Developer Choice |
$3/mo | Unlimited | Yes | Unlimited | 100% open-source Quantum encryption Webhooks |
Developers |
| Apple iCloud+ 50GB Ecosystem Integration |
$0.99/mo | Unlimited | Yes | Yes | Seamless Apple integration @privaterelay.appleid.com |
Apple users |
| Apple iCloud+ 200GB | $2.99/mo | Unlimited | Yes | Yes | More storage Family sharing |
Families |
| Provider | Mobile Apps | Browser Ext | API/Webhooks | Analytics | Encryption | Jurisdiction | Team Size | Security Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addy.io | iOS/Android | All browsers | Both API & Webhooks | Advanced charts | GPG/OpenPGP | Netherlands (EU Privacy Laws) | Solo dev | ★★★★ |
| SimpleLogin | iOS/Android | All browsers | API only | Basic counts | PGP | Switzerland (Non-EU, Strong Privacy) | Team (Proton) | ★★★★★ |
| ForwardMail | No native apps | No extension | Both API & Webhooks | Basic analytics | TLS + Quantum* | USA (5-Eyes Member) | Small team | ★★★★ |
| DuckDuckGo | No dedicated app | All browsers | No API | No analytics | TLS only | USA (5-Eyes Member) | Large team | ★★★ |
| Firefox Relay | No dedicated app | Firefox primary | No API | No analytics | TLS only | USA (5-Eyes Member) | Mozilla team | ★★★ |
| AdGuard Mail | iOS/Android | All browsers | No API | Basic only | TLS only | Cyprus (EU Member) | Corporate team | ★★★ |
| 33Mail | No apps | No extension | No API | No analytics | TLS only | UK (5-Eyes Member) | Small team | ★★ |
| IronVest | iOS/Android | All browsers | No API | Basic only | TLS only | USA (5-Eyes Member) | Corporate team | ★★★ |
| Erine.email | No apps | No extension | No API | No analytics | TLS only | France (EU Privacy Laws) | Solo dev | ★★★ |
| Apple Hide My Email | Native iOS/macOS | Safari only | No API | No analytics | TLS only | USA (5-Eyes Member) | Massive team | ★★★★ |
*Quantum encryption refers to post-quantum cryptography preparation
- ★★★★★ Excellent: End-to-end encryption + Swiss/EU jurisdiction + Regular audits + Open source
- ★★★★ Good: Strong encryption OR excellent jurisdiction + Good transparency
- ★★★ Adequate: Basic encryption + Reasonable jurisdiction + Some transparency
- ★★ Limited: Basic features only + Privacy concerns
| Criteria | Addy.io | SimpleLogin | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for Beginners | Moderate setup complexity | Simple setup and interface | SimpleLogin |
| Best for Power Users | Advanced features, better value | Core features focus | Addy.io |
| Best Value | $1/mo for most features | $4/mo for all features | Addy.io |
| Most Reliable | Single developer dependency | Enterprise infrastructure | SimpleLogin |
| Best Privacy | Netherlands jurisdiction, GPG | Switzerland jurisdiction, PGP | Tie |
Addy.io: The Independent Pioneer
- Strengths: Quick updates, direct communication, lower costs, innovation
- Concerns: Single point of failure, limited capacity, no succession plan
SimpleLogin: The Enterprise Solution
- Strengths: Team redundancy, 24/7 support, financial stability, professional operations
- Concerns: Corporate bureaucracy, higher costs, less experimental
Core Features
| Feature | Addy.io | SimpleLogin |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk Operations | CSV import/export | Basic bulk |
| Search & Filter | Advanced | Basic |
| Bounce Handling | Detailed logs | Basic |
| Spam Detection | SpamAssassin | Basic |
Advanced Features
| Feature | Addy.io | SimpleLogin |
|---|---|---|
| Conditional Rules | Advanced regex | Basic patterns |
| Auto-Enable/Disable | Smart rules | Manual only |
| Usage Analytics | Detailed charts | Basic counts |
| Bandwidth Tracking | Per-alias | Not available |
| Alert System | Configurable | Basic notifications |
Security Comparison
| Feature | Addy.io | SimpleLogin |
|---|---|---|
| 2FA Support | TOTP only | TOTP + WebAuthn |
| Password Security | bcrypt | Argon2 |
| Session Management | Standard | Advanced |
| Security Audits | 2023 (Securitum) | Regular audits |
Understanding what happens when you stop paying is crucial for long-term planning:
- Custom domains deactivated
- Additional usernames deactivated
- Extra recipients deleted (keeps only 1)
- Paid-only domain aliases deactivated
- Shared domain aliases limited to 10
- Catch-all re-enabled if disabled
- No new Hide My Email addresses can be created
- Existing addresses may stop working
- Aliases may stop working after grace period
- All aliases/domains/directories/mailboxes continue working
- All settings preserved
- Cannot create new aliases if over 10 limit
- Downgrades to free forwarding-only plan
- Basic functionality maintained
- Keeps basic forwarding
- Loses custom domain features
- Keeps basic service (always has free tier)
- Back to 5 aliases
- Premium features lost
Always test the free tier first and understand the downgrade policy before committing to any paid plan.
Recommended: DuckDuckGo Email Protection or SimpleLogin
DuckDuckGo Email Protection
- Zero setup required
- Unlimited free aliases
- Reply functionality included
- Automatic tracker removal
- Perfect for getting started
SimpleLogin (Free)
- 10 aliases with reply support
- PGP encryption available
- Professional interface
- Good learning platform
Recommended: Addy.io or SimpleLogin
Key Considerations:
- Jurisdiction (Netherlands vs Switzerland)
- Encryption (GPG vs PGP)
- Open-source transparency
- No-logs policies
Recommended: Addy.io Lite ($1/month)
Features for $1/month:
- Unlimited standard aliases
- 50 shared domain aliases
- Reply/send functionality
- 1 custom domain
- GPG encryption
- 100MB bandwidth
Recommended: Addy.io Pro ($4/month)
Advanced Features:
- Advanced rules and automation
- Detailed analytics and monitoring
- 20 custom domains
- Unlimited shared aliases
- API access and webhook support
- Regex-based filtering
Recommended: SimpleLogin Premium ($4/month)
Enterprise Benefits:
- Professional support
- Proton ecosystem integration
- Team collaboration features
- Enterprise-grade reliability
- Comprehensive documentation
Recommended: Apple Hide My Email
Integration Benefits:
- Seamless iOS/macOS integration
- Works with Sign in with Apple
- Custom domains with iCloud+
- Automatic setup in Safari
- Affordable at $0.99/month
Recommended: ForwardMail
Developer Features:
- 100% open-source
- Self-hosting option
- Comprehensive API
- Webhook support
- Enterprise-grade infrastructure
Basic Questions:
- How many aliases do you expect to need?
- Do you need reply functionality?
- Is a custom domain important?
- What's your monthly budget?
- How technical are you?
Privacy Level Required:
- Basic: Hide email from marketers
- Advanced: Protect from data breaches
- Maximum: Anonymous communication
Decision Matrix:
| Need | Recommended Provider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Just getting started | DuckDuckGo | Zero setup, unlimited free |
| Basic privacy on budget | Addy.io Lite | $1/mo, most features |
| Maximum privacy | SimpleLogin | Swiss jurisdiction, PGP |
| Apple user | Hide My Email | Seamless integration |
| Developer | ForwardMail | Open-source, self-hostable |
| Business use | SimpleLogin Premium | Enterprise features |
-
Create Account
- Sign up with chosen provider
- Verify your real email address
- Complete profile setup
-
Create First Alias
- Choose descriptive name
- Test forwarding functionality
- Verify reply capability (if needed)
-
Configure Settings
- Set up encryption (if available)
- Configure notification preferences
- Set bandwidth limits (if applicable)
Alias Naming Conventions:
service-purpose@provider.com(e.g.,amazon-shopping@provider.com)category-date@provider.com(e.g.,newsletter-2025@provider.com)- Avoid random strings that are hard to remember
Organization Strategies:
- By Category: shopping, social, work, newsletter
- By Trust Level: trusted, testing, disposable
- By Time Period: monthly, yearly rotation
Security Practices:
- Regular cleanup of unused aliases
- Monitor alias activity for suspicious emails
- Use different aliases for different security levels
- Keep records of which alias is used where
Gradual Migration:
- Start with new signups using aliases
- Gradually update existing accounts
- Prioritize critical services first
- Monitor for missed emails
Scaling Up:
- Upgrade plans as needed
- Add custom domains for branding
- Implement advanced rules and automation
- Consider multiple providers for redundancy
Beginner Questions
A: No, recipients see your alias as your email address. They won't know it's forwarded unless you tell them.
A: Most paid services support replies. Free services vary - DuckDuckGo and SimpleLogin free do, but others don't.
A: This is why you should:
- Keep your original email active
- Document all aliases and where they're used
- Consider providers with data export features
- Have a migration plan
A: Yes, but start with less critical accounts first. Make sure the provider is reliable and offers good customer support.
A: Most people use 10-50 aliases. Start with categories: shopping, social, newsletters, work, and temporary signups.
Technical Questions
A: The alias provider handles authentication. Your replies will have their SPF/DKIM records, not yours, which is normal and won't cause delivery issues.
A: Most providers support subdomains on custom domains (e.g., user@mail.company.com), but check provider-specific documentation.
A:
- Catch-all: Any email to your domain forwards to you (
anything@yourdomain.com) - Individual aliases: Only specific addresses you create work
- Security: Individual aliases are more secure but require more management
A: Use provider-specific naming conventions:
- Addy.io:
service.addy@yourdomain.com - SimpleLogin:
service.sl@yourdomain.com
A: Yes! Most email clients can filter by "To" field:
Gmail: Create filter → To: shopping@alias.com → Apply label: Shopping
Outlook: Rules → If sent to → shopping@alias.com → Move to Shopping folder
Security & Privacy Questions
A: Most providers only temporarily store emails during forwarding (seconds to minutes). Check individual privacy policies for specifics.
A: Generally: Switzerland > Netherlands > Germany > Other EU > USA. But provider practices matter more than location alone.
A: Pros: Quick updates, direct communication. Cons: Single point of failure, limited capacity. Consider having backup providers.
A:
- Set up PGP/GPG keys in provider dashboard
- Send test email to yourself
- Check that forwarded email shows encrypted content
- Verify you can decrypt with your private key
Alias: An email address that forwards to your real inbox
- Example:
shopping@provider.com→you@gmail.com
Catch-All: Automatically forwards ALL emails to a domain
- Example: Any email to
anything@yourdomain.comreaches you
Reply Support: Ability to send emails FROM your alias
- Without: Recipients see your real email when you reply
- With: Recipients only see your alias
Custom Domain: Using your own domain for aliases
- Example:
alias@yourcompany.cominstead ofalias@provider.com
Directory/Subdomain: Create aliases on-the-fly using patterns
- Example: Enable
username+anything@provider.comformat
Rules Engine: Automatic actions based on email content
- Example: Auto-delete emails containing "unsubscribe"
Bandwidth Limiting: Restrict data transfer per alias
- Purpose: Prevent abuse and control costs
Webhook Support: Real-time notifications to your applications
- Use case: Trigger actions when emails are received
GPG/PGP: End-to-end encryption standards
- GPG: GNU Privacy Guard (Addy.io)
- PGP: Pretty Good Privacy (SimpleLogin)
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Extra login security
- TOTP: Time-based codes (Google Authenticator)
- WebAuthn: Hardware keys (YubiKey)
Zero-Knowledge: Provider can't read your data
- Example: Even if hacked, your emails stay private
Bootstrapped: Self-funded company (Addy.io)
- Pros: Independent, user-focused
- Cons: Limited resources, single point of failure
Enterprise-Backed: Part of larger company (SimpleLogin → Proton)
- Pros: More resources, professional support
- Cons: Potential feature restrictions, higher costs
Open Source: Code is publicly available for review
- Pros: Transparency, community contributions
- Cons: Potential security through obscurity loss
Emails Not Being Forwarded
Possible Causes & Solutions:
-
Check Spam Folder
- Forwarded emails often land in spam initially
- Add alias provider to safe senders list
- Check email client's spam settings
-
Verify Alias Configuration
# Test with command line (replace with your details) echo "Test message" | mail -s "Test Subject" your-alias@provider.com
-
DNS Propagation (Custom Domains)
- Wait 24-48 hours after DNS changes
- Check DNS records:
dig MX yourdomain.com - Verify with provider's DNS checker
-
Email Client Filters
- Check if your email client is filtering forwarded emails
- Look for rules that might be redirecting messages
Quick Test:
1. Send email from another account to your alias
2. Check main inbox, spam, and all folders
3. Wait 5-10 minutes for processing
4. Contact provider support if still not working
Can't Reply From Alias
Solutions by Provider:
Free Plans (Often No Reply Support):
- Upgrade to paid plan
- Use provider's web interface instead
- Set up manual forwarding rules
Paid Plans (Should Work):
-
Check Reply-To Settings
- Ensure alias is set as default sender
- Verify SMTP configuration if using desktop client
-
Email Client Configuration
Gmail: Settings → Accounts → Add another email address Outlook: File → Account Settings → Email → New -
Provider-Specific Setup
- Addy.io: Enable "Reply from alias" in settings
- SimpleLogin: Set up "Reverse alias" for replies
High Bounce Rate
Common Causes:
-
Reputation Issues
- New custom domain not yet trusted
- Too many emails sent too quickly
- Recipients marking as spam
-
DNS Configuration
# Check your domain's email reputation dig TXT yourdomain.com # Should show SPF, DKIM records
-
Content Filtering
- Avoid spam trigger words
- Don't send identical emails to many recipients
- Include proper unsubscribe links
Solutions:
- Warm up new domains gradually
- Monitor email analytics in provider dashboard
- Consider using provider's shared domains initially
Slow Email Delivery
Normal Delays:
- Most providers: 5-30 seconds
- Peak times: Up to 2-5 minutes
- International: Up to 10 minutes
Troubleshooting:
-
Check Provider Status
- Visit provider's status page
- Check Twitter/social media for outages
-
Network Issues
- Test with different internet connection
- Try from different email provider
-
Recipient Server Issues
- Gmail, Outlook sometimes have delays
- Corporate email servers may be slower
When to Worry:
- Delays over 30 minutes consistently
- Complete delivery failures
- Error messages in provider dashboard
Suspicious Email Activity
Warning Signs:
- Unexpected password reset emails
- Login notifications for unknown services
- Spam to aliases you've never used
Immediate Actions:
-
Check Alias Usage
- Review which services use each alias
- Look for patterns in suspicious emails
-
Secure Your Accounts
- Change passwords for mentioned services
- Enable 2FA where possible
- Check account activity logs
-
Update Alias Strategy
- Disable compromised aliases
- Create new aliases for affected services
- Consider more granular alias usage
Prevention:
- Use unique aliases for each service
- Regularly review and clean up unused aliases
- Monitor alias activity through provider dashboards
| Provider | Jurisdiction | GDPR Compliance | Data Retention | Govt Requests | Transparency Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SimpleLogin | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | ✅ Full compliance | Account deletion: immediate Logs: 30 days max |
Court order required Limited scope |
✅ Annual report |
| Addy.io | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | ✅ Full compliance | Account deletion: immediate Logs: minimal |
EU legal process Limited data available |
❌ Not published |
| DuckDuckGo | 🇺🇸 United States | ✅ GDPR compliant | Minimal data collection No email content stored |
Subject to US law FISA requests possible |
❌ Limited transparency |
| ForwardMail | 🇺🇸 United States | ✅ GDPR compliant | Configurable retention Open-source logging |
Subject to US law Can be self-hosted |
✅ GitHub issues |
Post-Schrems II Compliance:
EU-US Data Transfer Mechanisms:
- Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs): Most providers
- Adequacy Decisions: Switzerland (SimpleLogin advantage)
- Binding Corporate Rules: Not applicable for these providers
Data Localization Options:
SimpleLogin:
- Primary: Switzerland 🇨🇭
- No US processing
- EU data centers available
Addy.io:
- Primary: Netherlands 🇳🇱
- EU-only processing
- No third-country transfers
ForwardMail:
- Configurable regions
- Self-hosting option
- Customer controls locationSimpleLogin (2023):
- Requests received: 0
- Requests complied with: 0
- User notifications: N/A
DuckDuckGo (2023):
- Requests received: ~1,000 (search + email)
- Email-specific: Not disclosed
- Compliance rate: <1%
Others: No public transparency reports available
SimpleLogin (Switzerland):
- Court order required (no administrative requests)
- Legal review by Swiss counsel
- User notification unless prohibited
- Minimal data available (no email content)
- Appeal process available
US-Based Providers:
- Subpoenas, warrants, court orders accepted
- National Security Letters possible (with gag orders)
- User notification when legally permitted
- Broader data collection possible
SimpleLogin:
personal_data:
- Email address (encrypted)
- Payment information (via Stripe)
- Usage statistics (anonymized)
logs:
- Connection IPs (30 days max)
- Error logs (debugging only)
sharing: None (zero third parties)
Addy.io:
personal_data:
- Email address
- Payment information (via Paddle)
- API usage logs
logs:
- Minimal connection logs
- No email content
sharing: Payment processor only
DuckDuckGo:
personal_data:
- None (no account required)
- No email content stored
logs:
- Anonymized usage statistics
sharing: NoneAvailable Rights:
- ✅ Right to Access: All providers support data export
- ✅ Right to Rectification: Account settings modification
- ✅ Right to Erasure: Account deletion available
- ✅ Right to Portability: CSV/API export available
- ✅ Right to Object: Opt-out of analytics (where applicable)
Exercise Timeline:
- SimpleLogin: 30 days maximum response
- Addy.io: Best effort (no formal SLA)
- Others: Varies by provider
Choose DuckDuckGo if:
- ✅ You're completely new to email aliasing
- ✅ You want zero setup and commitment
- ✅ Free forever is important
- ✅ Basic privacy is sufficient
Choose Addy.io if:
- ✅ You want the best value for money ($1/month)
- ✅ Advanced features matter (rules, analytics, API)
- ✅ You don't mind supporting an independent developer
- ✅ GPG encryption is preferred
Choose SimpleLogin if:
- ✅ Maximum privacy and security are priorities
- ✅ You want enterprise-grade reliability
- ✅ Swiss jurisdiction is important
- ✅ Budget allows for $4/month
Choose ForwardMail if:
- ✅ You're a developer who wants self-hosting
- ✅ Open-source transparency is critical
- ✅ You need enterprise features
- ✅ Custom infrastructure is required
Choose Apple Hide My Email if:
- ✅ You're deep in the Apple ecosystem
- ✅ Seamless integration is valued over features
- ✅ You already pay for iCloud+
- ✅ Simplicity over advanced controls
- Day 1-2: Choose provider and create account
- Day 3-4: Set up first 3-5 aliases for different categories
- Day 5-7: Test forwarding and reply functionality thoroughly
- Week 2: Start using aliases for all new signups
- Week 3: Begin migrating existing accounts (start with low-risk)
- Week 4: Set up organization system and naming conventions
- Month 2: Add custom domain if desired
- Month 2: Set up advanced rules and automation
- Month 3: Review and clean up unused aliases
- Monthly: Review alias activity and clean up unused ones
- Quarterly: Assess provider satisfaction and features
- Annually: Review security practices and consider provider updates
- Reddit: r/privacy - General privacy discussions
- Matrix/Discord: Most providers have community channels
- GitHub: Open-source providers offer issue tracking
- SimpleLogin: Ticket-based support (24-48h response)
- Addy.io: Email support (best effort)
- Enterprise: Dedicated support channels available
Keep these handy in case of provider issues:
SimpleLogin: support@simplelogin.io
Addy.io: support@addy.io
ForwardMail: support@forwardemail.net
Backup Plan: Always maintain access to your original email
🎉 Congratulations! You're now equipped with comprehensive knowledge about email aliasing. Choose your provider, implement gradually, and enjoy enhanced email privacy and security.
- Addy.io Help Center - Comprehensive guides and API docs
- SimpleLogin Documentation - User guides and developer resources
- ForwardMail Documentation - Technical documentation and setup guides
- DuckDuckGo Email Help - Quick start guides
- Firefox Relay Support - Mozilla support resources
- Privacy Guides - Email Aliasing - Independent privacy analysis
- The New Oil - Email Aliasing Guide - Practical privacy education
- Proton - What is Email Alias - Technical explanation from Proton
- Video Tutorials: Search YouTube for "email aliasing setup [provider name]"
- Community Forums:
- r/privacy - General privacy discussions
- r/selfhosted - Self-hosting email solutions
- Provider-specific Discord/Matrix channels
- GPG Tools: GPG4Win (Windows), GPG Suite (Mac)
- Email Clients: Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Outlook (with PGP plugins)
- DNS Lookup Tools: MXToolbox, Dig Web Interface
Found an error, outdated information, or want to add a provider? Your contributions make this guide better for everyone!
Found a mistake?
- Open an Issue with details
- Use template:
[ERROR] Provider Name - Brief Description
Price/Feature Update?
- Check the provider's official website first
- Include screenshot or link as proof
- Note the date of change
Want to suggest a new provider?
- Must have: Active service, public pricing, reasonable user base
- Should have: Some unique features or competitive advantage
- Include: Basic feature comparison data
- Accuracy First: Verify all information from official sources
- Neutral Tone: Avoid promotional language, maintain objectivity
- Current Information: Include dates for pricing/feature claims
- Consistent Formatting: Follow existing table and section structures
- Helpful Context: Explain technical terms and implications
Method 1: GitHub (Recommended)
- Fork this repository
- Create a descriptive branch name (
fix/addy-pricing-update) - Make your changes with clear, specific commits
- Submit a pull request with detailed description
- Respond to review feedback promptly
Method 2: Issue Report
- Open a new issue
- Use appropriate labels (bug, enhancement, question)
- Provide specific details and sources
- Include screenshots when helpful
Required Information:
Basic Info:
- Company name and website
- Country/jurisdiction
- Founded year
- Business model (subscription, freemium, etc.)
Features:
- Free tier limitations
- Paid plan pricing and features
- Reply support (free/paid)
- Custom domain support
- API availability
- Mobile apps
- Browser extensions
Security:
- Encryption methods
- Open source status
- Recent security audits
- Privacy policy link
Comparison Data:
- How it compares to existing providers
- Unique selling points
- Target audience
- Pricing competitivenessHigh Priority:
- Pricing updates (providers change frequently)
- New provider additions (if significant)
- Broken links or outdated information
- Mobile app feature updates
Medium Priority:
- Enhanced comparison tables
- Use case examples and scenarios
- Technical setup guides
- Tips and best practices
Low Priority:
- Formatting improvements
- Grammar/spelling fixes
- Additional resource links
Questions about contributing?
- Open a Discussion
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
- ✅ Use freely for personal or commercial purposes
- ✅ Modify and distribute with attribution
- ✅ Fork and create derivatives
- ❌ No warranty - information provided as-is
- ❌ No liability for decisions based on this guide
When using substantial portions of this guide:
Source: Email Aliasing Comparison Guide
Author: github.com/fynks/email-aliasing-comparison
License: MIT
Made with ❤️ for digital privacy
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Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes. Always verify current pricing and features from official provider websites before making decisions. The authors are not affiliated with any email aliasing providers.