addy.io

Overview

addy.io is an email alias service for sharing an address without giving out your main email. It creates aliases that forward messages to a real inbox, giving users a way to keep their primary address private when signing up for services or corresponding with others. The service is freemium, with a free plan and paid plans from $1/mo when billed annually.

Aliases can be turned off in two ways: deactivating one silently discards new messages, while deleting it causes senders to receive a bounce. That distinction is useful when an address starts attracting unwanted mail or is no longer needed. Users can also bring a domain they control, create aliases on it, and manage catch-all behavior for each domain.

For readers comparing services in this category, see our Email Alias Services list.

Key features

Alias forwarding and replies

Forwarding lets users receive messages sent to an alias without exposing their inbox address. Paid plans add the ability to reply to forwarded messages or start messages from an alias, keeping the real address out of those exchanges as well.

Aliases can be created and managed through the service, and the API can automate work with aliases, recipients, domains, additional usernames, and other account resources. Bitwarden also supports creating addy.io aliases through its generator in the desktop application, browser extensions, and web vault, according to the maker's announcement.

Encryption and account protection

Users can set a GPG/OpenPGP public key for each recipient so forwarded messages can be encrypted. The subject can also be hidden and encrypted. The maker says sensitive database data, including recipient email addresses, is encrypted using OpenSSL and AES-256-CBC, with a message authentication code to detect changes.

Account protection includes two-factor authentication with authenticator apps and hardware devices such as YubiKey. For email transport, the maker says the service uses opportunistic DANE TLS, MTA-STS on shared domains, TLS reporting, DNSSEC, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. The maker reports that Securitum conducted an independent security audit in September 2023 and found no significant vulnerabilities.

Apps and self-hosting

The maker lists free, open-source apps for iOS and Android and browser extensions for Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Chromium-based browsers such as Brave and Vivaldi. Self-hosting instructions are also available for people who want to run the service themselves.

Pricing

addy.io has a free plan and paid plans. Annual prices are listed below in USD per month; Lite is billed yearly, while Pro, Duo, and Family also list monthly billing options.

The Lite plan is the lowest-cost paid option and includes 50 active shared-domain aliases, custom-domain support, and a daily allowance for anonymous replies or sends. Pro raises several limits and includes unlimited monthly bandwidth. Duo and Family package Pro access for multiple independent members under one subscription.

Platforms

addy.io is available on the web, Android, and iOS, with browser extensions and an API. The maker also provides self-hosting instructions. The listed extension browsers include Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Chromium-based browsers such as Brave and Vivaldi.

Who it's for

addy.io suits people who want to avoid sharing their primary email address and still receive mail at a real inbox. Its alias controls help when an address needs to be retired: deactivate it to discard new mail silently or delete it to send a bounce to correspondents.

It may also fit users who want domain-based aliases, recipient-specific message encryption, or replies and outbound messages from aliases. Those considering shared use can look at Duo or Family, which provide separate accounts and optionally shared custom domains. The API and self-hosting instructions are relevant to users who want automation or to operate their own instance.

Pros and cons

Pros

• A free plan is available, and the Lite plan is listed at $1 a month when billed yearly.
• Aliases can be deactivated or deleted, with different outcomes for incoming messages.
• Custom domains, catch-all controls, recipient-specific encryption, and paid alias replies are supported.
• Mobile apps, browser extensions, an API, Bitwarden integration, and self-hosting instructions give users several ways to access or manage aliases.

Cons

• Replying to forwarded messages and sending from aliases are paid features.
• The Free plan has a 10MB monthly bandwidth limit, one recipient, and 10 active shared-domain aliases.
• The free tier does not list a custom domain; the Lite plan includes one.

Alternatives

Other services to consider include DuckDuckGo Email Protection, Firefox Relay, SimpleLogin, AliasVault, Alias Email, EmailAlias.io, and Maski.

Verdict

addy.io combines email forwarding with alias controls, custom-domain support, and options for encrypting forwarded messages. Its free plan provides a way to start with standard aliases, while paid plans add capacity, custom domains, and sending or replying from aliases. The choice depends on which controls matter: users who need alias replies, more recipients, or custom domains should compare the paid plan limits, while those who only need basic forwarding can begin with the free tier.