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Head-to-head · Email Alias Services

DuckDuckGo Email Protection vs Shroud.email

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score DuckDuckGo Email Protection #3 in Email Alias Services 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit DuckDuckGo
Shroud.email #4 in Email Alias Services 8.7/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Shroud.email

DuckDuckGo Email Protection leads on 0 checks, Shroud.email on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDuckDuckGo Email Protection · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Shroud.email

DuckDuckGo Email Protection scores higher on our rubric for email alias services: 9.0 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

DuckDuckGo Email Protection is the better fit for free personal privacy protection and tracker removal. Shroud.email is the better fit for self-hosters needing full alias controls.

  • DuckDuckGo Email Protection fits best

    Free personal privacy protection and tracker removal

  • Shroud.email fits best

    Self-hosters needing full alias controls

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Side by side

Feature DuckDuckGo Email Protection 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Shroud.email 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.7
Ranking #3 in Email Alias Services #4 in Email Alias Services
Best for Free personal privacy protection and tracker removal Self-hosters needing full alias controls
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web
Support Docs Email, Live chat, Community, Docs
Built for Solo Solo, Small business
Features DuckDuckGo Email Protection 3/4 · Shroud.email 3/4
Custom domains Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Reply from alias ✓ ✓
Send from alias ✓ ✓
Browser extension ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Alias limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Mobile apps Both Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Unlimited unique private Duck Addresses
  • Removes multiple types of hidden email trackers
  • Supports replies and new messages from a personal Duck Address
  • Custom and catch-all domains with send and reply support
  • Removes tracking pixels from forwarded emails
  • Open source with Docker Compose self-hosting and API access
Cons
  • Forwards mail to an existing inbox rather than providing a standalone mailbox
  • Designed for individuals rather than broader team workflows
  • Access depends on DuckDuckGo browsers and supported extensions
  • Unlimited aliases require the Paid plan
  • Self-hosting requires Docker Compose deployment
  • Focused on alias management rather than broader email features
Our verdict

DuckDuckGo Email Protection is a free email forwarding service for individuals who want to reduce email tracking without replacing their existing inbox. It provides a personal Duck Address plus unlimited automatically generated private…

Read the review →

Shroud.email creates email aliases that forward messages to a real inbox, helping people avoid sharing their primary address when signing up for websites. Its free plan includes email aliases, tracker blocking, and spam sender blocking,…

Read the review →
  1. DuckDuckGo Email ProtectionEmail Alias Services 9.0Free plan
  2. Shroud.emailEmail Alias Services 8.7Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • DuckDuckGo Email Protection — where it wins

    • Unlimited unique private Duck Addresses
    • Removes multiple types of hidden email trackers
    • Supports replies and new messages from a personal Duck Address

    Where it doesn't

    • Forwards mail to an existing inbox rather than providing a standalone mailbox
    • Designed for individuals rather than broader team workflows
    • Access depends on DuckDuckGo browsers and supported extensions

  • Shroud.email — where it wins

    • Custom and catch-all domains with send and reply support
    • Removes tracking pixels from forwarded emails
    • Open source with Docker Compose self-hosting and API access

    Where it doesn't

    • Unlimited aliases require the Paid plan
    • Self-hosting requires Docker Compose deployment
    • Focused on alias management rather than broader email features

More comparisons

All email alias services comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update