Forward Email

Forward Email provides a self‑hostable, open‑source email service that supports custom‑domain forwarding, unlimited aliases, and encrypted mailbox storage. Users can send and receive mail through standard IMAP, POP3, and SMTP protocols, with each mailbox encrypted at rest using AES‑256 and protected in transit by TLS. The platform includes tools for automated setup via Ansible, domain‑connect integration, and real‑time storage mirroring, allowing deployment on macOS, Ubuntu, or bare‑metal servers.

The service targets individuals and organizations that need privacy‑focused email without subscription fees, offering a free tier with 10 GB of storage and optional paid extensions. Its design keeps mailboxes accessible only to the owner, with no shared database and the ability to download, export, or delete data at any time. Documentation covers consumer onboarding, developer requirements, and detailed configuration steps.

Distinctive aspects include full open‑source licensing (BUSL‑1.1), a focus on encrypted storage that is never readable by the provider, and a comprehensive feature set that combines forwarding, storage, and API access in a single package, positioning it as an alternative to traditional email, marketing platforms.