# Forward Email vs aerc: privacy compared

| Criterion | Forward Email | aerc |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Grade | B (81/100) | B (89/100) |
| Jurisdiction | United States (Five Eyes) | Unknown |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| No trackers or telemetry | Partial | Yes |
| No ads or data sales | Yes | Yes |
| Independent audit | Yes | No |
| OpenPGP support | Yes | Yes |
| Connects directly | Yes | Yes |
| Blocks remote content | Partial | Yes |
| Works with any provider | No | Yes |

**Forward Email.** Forward Email scores 81 out of 100 (grade B) on the email clients criteria. It meets 5 of 8 criteria: open source, no ads or data sales, independent audit, OpenPGP support and connects directly. It partly meets no trackers or telemetry and blocks remote content. It does not meet works with any provider. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.

**aerc.** aerc scores 89 out of 100 (grade B) on the email clients criteria. It meets 7 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, OpenPGP support, connects directly, blocks remote content and works with any provider. It does not meet independent audit.

Source: https://privacyratings.com/compare/email-clients/forward-email-vs-aerc/