# Encrypted email services

Email services that support end-to-end encryption and encrypted storage, rated with public evidence and security tests.

Encrypted email keeps message contents readable only by the sender and recipients. This list includes email services with end-to-end encryption and email apps with built-in OpenPGP, so you can pair a provider with a client.

1. [Forward Email](https://privacyratings.com/email-providers/forward-email/) (our pick): A (93/100). Open-source email service with encrypted mailboxes, custom domains, and IMAP, POP3, SMTP, CalDAV and CardDAV on every paid plan.
2. [Forward Email Webmail](https://privacyratings.com/webmail/forward-email-webmail/) (our pick): C (74/100). Hosted webmail for Forward Email accounts, with mail, calendar and contacts, built-in OpenPGP and optional encryption of locally cached data. It shares one source-available codebase with the Forward Email desktop and mobile apps.
3. [Betterbird](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/betterbird/) (our pick): B (89/100). Fork of Mozilla Thunderbird that follows its Extended Support Releases and adds extra fixes and features. Available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
4. [Delta Chat](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/delta-chat/): A (92/100). Decentralized messenger that uses email servers for delivery, with automatic end-to-end encryption through Autocrypt and OpenPGP. Works with chatmail relays or existing email accounts.
5. [aerc](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/aerc/): B (89/100). Terminal email client for Linux and macOS with IMAP, JMAP, Maildir and Notmuch support and PGP encryption through GnuPG.
6. [Claws Mail](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/claws-mail/): B (89/100). Lightweight GTK email and news client for Linux and Windows, extended through plugins for OpenPGP, HTML rendering and spam filtering.
7. [Evolution](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/evolution/): B (89/100). GNOME groupware application for Linux that combines email, calendar, contacts and tasks, with support for IMAP, POP3, Exchange and OpenPGP.
8. [Horde Groupware Webmail Edition](https://privacyratings.com/webmail/horde-groupware/): B (89/100). Self-hosted, open-source groupware suite built on the Horde framework, with the IMP webmail client, mail filters, calendar, contacts, tasks and notes.
9. [KMail](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/kmail/): B (89/100). KDE email client for Linux, part of the Kontact suite, with support for IMAP, POP3, OpenPGP and S/MIME.
10. [Mutt](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/mutt/): B (89/100). Text-based terminal email client for Unix-like systems with built-in IMAP, POP3 and SMTP support, message threading and OpenPGP and S/MIME encryption.
11. [NeoMutt](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/neomutt/): B (89/100). Terminal email client for Linux and macOS based on Mutt, with built-in IMAP, POP3, SMTP and OpenPGP support.
12. [SnappyMail](https://privacyratings.com/webmail/snappymail/): B (89/100). Self-hosted, IMAP-only webmail client forked from RainLoop, with built-in OpenPGP support.
13. [Mozilla Thunderbird](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/mozilla-thunderbird/): B (86/100). Open-source desktop email client for Windows, macOS and Linux with calendar, contacts and built-in OpenPGP and S/MIME encryption.
14. [Afterlogic WebMail Lite](https://privacyratings.com/webmail/afterlogic-webmail-lite/): C (74/100). Self-hosted, open-source PHP webmail for an existing IMAP server, with contacts, OpenPGP in the browser and a module system. A paid Pro edition adds more features.
15. [Sylpheed](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/sylpheed/): C (72/100). Lightweight GTK email client for Linux, Windows and macOS with POP3, IMAP and SMTP support, junk mail filtering and GnuPG encryption.
16. [Proton Mail](https://privacyratings.com/email-providers/protonmail/): C (64/100). End-to-end encrypted email service from Switzerland, with apps for web, Android, iOS and desktop.
17. [CounterMail](https://privacyratings.com/email-providers/countermail/): C (62/100). Paid email service in Sweden that encrypts mail with OpenPGP and stores it encrypted. New registrations are closed.
18. [Tuta](https://privacyratings.com/email-providers/tuta/): C (61/100). End-to-end encrypted email and calendar service from Germany, with open-source apps for web, desktop and mobile.
19. [BlueMail](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/bluemail/): D (42/100). Closed-source email client for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux that works with IMAP, POP3 and Exchange accounts, with a unified inbox, PGP and S/MIME encryption and optional AI features.
20. [Canary Mail](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/canary-mail/): D (42/100). Email app for macOS, iOS, Android and Windows with built-in PGP encryption, tracker blocking and AI features.
21. [eM Client](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/em-client/): D (42/100). Desktop and mobile email client for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS with calendar, contacts, chat and built-in PGP and S/MIME.

## What is the difference between TLS and end-to-end encryption?

TLS protects mail between servers and apps, but the provider can still read it. End-to-end encryption means only the people holding the keys can read the message.

## Do I need a special provider for encrypted email?

No. OpenPGP works with any provider through an app that supports it, such as the email clients in this list. Some providers also build encryption into their webmail and apps.

Source: https://privacyratings.com/encrypted-email/