Overview

Forward routes custom-domain aliases to Gmail, Outlook or another verified inbox, so users can keep mail in an inbox they already use. Rules can sort messages by sender, subject or localpart, while catch-all forwarding covers every address at a domain, including typos and aliases that were never created. That flexibility is valuable for broad coverage, but teams should plan destinations and rules carefully to avoid routing unwanted mail.

Unlike a forwarding-only service, Forward also supports sending as a domain from Gmail, apps and workflows. Multiple recipients and delivery logs round out the core routing setup. It is a practical fit when branded inbound and outbound mail need to work together, rather than when the only requirement is forwarding.

Key features

Automation and integrations

The API can manage domains, aliases and forwarding logs, but access starts on Creator; Starter does not include it. A hosted MCP endpoint can inspect domains, manage aliases and connect routing to workflows. Forward also mentions CRM and Slack workflows, making it more attractive to teams that want mail routing inside broader operations than to users seeking a minimal alias tool.

Security and administration

Forward uses TLS in transit, encryption at rest for sensitive data, access controls and authentication, with DKIM, SPF and SRS controls. Message content is processed transiently rather than retained long-term; troubleshooting logs focus on delivery metadata and follow plan retention limits. Owners and admins can change workspace settings, while members have read access but cannot change domains, aliases, credentials, team membership or billing. Users can remove domains, aliases, credentials, API keys and team members, but account export requires a support request. That is a meaningful operational drawback for teams that need portable account data.

Typical support replies are under 24 hours during weekday business hours, and confirmed security issues receive a response within 48 hours. These response windows may reassure small teams, though the weekday schedule is worth considering for time-sensitive routing problems.

Pricing

Forward has a free plan and four paid tiers, all with annual billing terms on the paid plans. Free costs 0.00 USD per free and is billed Always free: it allows 1 domain, 25 aliases, 500 forwards/day, 7 days of logs and 1 team seat. This is enough to try a small setup, but the daily cap and short log history make it a limited choice for busy or operationally important domains.

Starter is 2.00 USD per month, billed yearly, with 3 domains, 200 aliases, 2,000 forwards/day, 30 days of logs, basic SMTP and 1 team seat. It is the lowest-cost paid option, but lacks the API and keeps collaboration to a single seat. Creator is 5.00 USD per month, billed yearly, and raises the limits to 20 domains, unlimited aliases, 10,000 forwards/day, 90 days of logs and 3 seats; it also includes SMTP and is the first plan with API access. For teams that need automation or more aliases, that is the more consequential step up.

Pro costs 12.00 USD per month, billed yearly, for 100 domains, unlimited aliases, 50,000 forwards/day, 180 days of logs, SMTP and 3 seats. It suits higher-volume operations, though it does not add seats over Creator. Business is 29.00 USD per month, billed yearly, and provides 300 domains, unlimited aliases, 200,000 forwards/day, 365 days of logs, SMTP and 10 seats. It is the tier for larger teams that need capacity and longer log retention. The free plan is the only one with a single seat below Starter; the higher plans raise capacity, but not collaboration headcount until Business.

Platforms

Forward is available on the web and through an API. Its routing destinations include Gmail, Outlook and other verified inboxes, rather than a separate hosted mailbox.

Who it's for

Forward is best for founders, agencies, operators and automation teams that need branded domain addresses routed into existing inboxes, with the option to send as the domain. It is less compelling for a single-purpose forwarder, a team needing API access on the lowest paid tier, or an organization that requires self-serve account export.

Pros and cons

Pros: Rules by sender, subject or localpart and catch-all routing cover both targeted routing and uncreated addresses.
Pros: Domain-based sending, API and hosted MCP options support workflows beyond inbound forwarding, with API access on Creator and above.
Pros: Higher tiers scale to 300 domains, 200,000 forwards/day and 365 days of logs.
Cons: Free is capped at 500 forwards/day, 25 aliases and 7 days of logs, which may constrain active domains.
Cons: Starter has only one seat and no API; teams needing those capabilities must move to Creator or higher.
Cons: Account export is not self-serve and must be requested from support.

Alternatives

For a broader platform range and an open-source approach, consider Forward Email, which supports mobile, desktop, web, API and self-hosted platforms and describes its software as 100% open source. Mailcast is another freemium option with a free trial; its free plan limits users to one domain and 25 aliases and excludes sending from the domain, so Forward is the better fit when outbound sending matters.

Choose Relais if self-hosting is the priority: it offers a free self-hosted plan and says its full source code is GPL-licensed. Haltman mail-forwarding-core is a free, forwarding-only API and web option with unlimited rules, users, addresses, domains and emails, for readers who value those stated limits over outbound sending and workflow features.

ImprovMX is worth comparing for its free plan, which has the same 1-domain, 25-alias, 500-email/day and 7-day log limits as Forward, plus API access and a 99% uptime guarantee. MailerZ has a free plan with only 3 aliases and no sending, SMTP or API, so Forward is the stronger fit when those capabilities are needed.

SMTP Zen Email Forwarding is a paid alternative with a free trial and a 1.20 USD per month self-managed option for readers who want a customizable mailbox and infrastructure. EForw offers a free plan with unlimited catch-all aliases and SPF, DKIM and DMARC pass, making it a relevant comparison for users focused on catch-all forwarding.

Browse the broader Email Forwarding Services category to compare more options.

Verdict

Forward is a strong choice for teams that want branded inbound and outbound routing without another mailbox, especially when rules, catch-all coverage and workflow connections matter. Its main advantage is combining routing controls with sending and automation; look elsewhere if the free or Starter caps are too tight, if API access must come cheaper, or if self-serve export is essential.

	DNSExit Email Forwarding	Forward
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	No
Paid from	$0.58/mo	$2/mo
Platforms	Web	api, Web
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Custom domain	Yes	Yes
Alias limit	5	200
Catch-all forwarding	Yes	Yes
Paid from		2 /mo
Multiple recipients		Yes
Outbound or reply mail		Yes
Delivery logs		Yes
API access		Yes

DNSExit Email Forwarding vs Forward

DNSExit Email Forwarding

Forward