Firefox Relay vs Shroud.email
Firefox Relay
relay.firefox.com
Shroud.email
shroud.emailSide by side
| Figure | Firefox Relay | Shroud.email |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $2.92/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 4 |
| Spec score · Email Alias Services | 8.7 (#4) | 8.7 (#5) |
| API authentication | The API documentation lists Mozilla-account token authentication and cookie authentication for protected operations. | API requests use bearer tokens created through the token endpoint, with optional TOTP when two-factor authentication is enabled. |
| Maker | Mozilla says the Mozilla Project is a global community that has worked together since 1998; the opened About page does not state a headquarters. | Tao identifies himself as Shroud.email’s founder and developer. |
| Self-hosting | The public repository explains how to run the Relay site locally and lists Python, PostgreSQL, Node/npm tooling, and Amazon SES requirements. | A Docker Compose deployment is provided for running Shroud.email on a user-controlled server. |
| Support | Relay provides a support site and a contact support option for users who need help. | Users can ask general questions in GitHub Discussions, report technical issues through GitHub, or contact the maker by email or the site chat. |
| What it does | Firefox Relay creates masked email addresses and phone numbers that forward messages, calls, and texts while concealing the user's real contact details. | Shroud.email creates aliases that forward messages to a real inbox while hiding the user’s primary address. |
Plans
Firefox Relay
- Limited email protectionFree
- Limited email protectionFree
- Add VPN protectionPriced on request
- Email & phone protectionPriced on request
- Email protectionPriced on request
In their own words
Firefox Relay
Firefox Relay has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Shroud.email
Shroud.email creates email aliases that forward incoming messages to your real inbox, keeping the real address private. It removes tracking pixels from forwarded mail and proxies email images through its servers. You can delete or disable aliases and block individual senders, and the service says it works with all email providers, including Gmail and Proton Mail. Paid users can attach custom domains, configure catch-all aliases, and recreate those addresses elsewhere if they leave. The API manages aliases and discovers custom domains with bearer-token authorization. The project is open source under AGPL v3 and includes a Docker Compose deployment for self-hosting. Self-hosting requires a public server with ports 25, 80, and 443 open, plus keys for S3-compatible storage. Detected spam remains viewable in the web portal for seven days. The hosted service is EU-hosted on renewable energy. The Free plan costs nothing and includes five aliases and tracker blocking; the paid plan has no listed price and renews annually.