Forward Email

Privacy-focused encrypted email for everyone. All-in-one alternative to Gmail + Mailchimp + Sendgrid.

BUSL-1.1MPL-2.0Email & newsletters

The license is not an approved open-source license. Read it before you rely on the app.

GitHub stars
1,685
License
BUSL-1.1, MPL-2.0
Latest release
v2.18.5
10 October 2026
Last commit
11 October 2026
Runs on
Node.js, Docker

Commits per month, last 12 months

1,416 commits

How to self-host Forward Email

Forward Email runs on Node.js and Docker. The project's own install guide is the place to start; most people put it on a small server with Docker and a reverse proxy for HTTPS.

  1. Get a server: a home server, a VPS, or a managed app host.
  2. Install it the way the project's docs describe, usually with Docker Compose.
  3. Put it behind HTTPS and set up backups before you add real data.
  4. Update it regularly. Watch the project's releases.

New to self-hosting? Start with the beginner's guide.

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Questions

Is Forward Email free?

Forward Email's source code is available under BUSL-1.1, MPL-2.0, which is not an approved open-source license. It may restrict commercial use or redistribution, so read the license before you depend on it.

Can I self-host Forward Email?

Yes. Forward Email runs on Node.js and Docker. Follow the install guide in the project's documentation, or use a host that installs it for you.

Is Forward Email still maintained?

The last change to Forward Email's code was on 11 October 2026, with 1416 commits in the last 12 months.

Topics

Communication - Email - Complete Solutions

App data from awesome-selfhosted (CC BY-SA 3.0), stars and activity from GitHub.