Email alias comparison
EmailAlias.io Alternative: Cheaper, No Alias Cap
EmailAlias.io is the stronger pick if you need your own domain, a documented zero-knowledge model, or an API that can send mail. Emcognito is the cheaper, simpler alternative when you want unlimited aliases without DNS: $20 a year against $35, 35 free forwards a month, and a web composer that sends from an alias without a reverse-address trick.
Verified - we re-check quarterly.
The short comparison
9 rows, no asterisks
| On this row | Emcognito | EmailAlias.io |
|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan, yearly | Stronger option: $20 Plus | $35 Premium |
| Aliases on the free plan | Stronger option: Unlimited | 10 |
| Alias ceiling on paid | Stronger option: None | 150 soft cap |
| Custom domains | No | Stronger option: Up to 5 |
| Compose from an alias | Stronger option: Web form | Reverse alias or API |
| Reply from your own mail app | Stronger option: Any alias | Custom domains only |
| Send from your own code | No | Stronger option: POST /api/send-email |
| Zero-knowledge claim | None made | Stronger option: Claimed |
| Free trial | Stronger option: 7 days | None |
◆ marks the stronger option on that row. Source: both providers' pricing and documentation, checked 2026-10-25.
When EmailAlias.io wins
- You need custom domains: EmailAlias includes up to five, with catch-all and SPF, DKIM and DMARC, on Premium.
- You want a documented zero-knowledge model and AES-256 at rest. Emcognito is a forwarder and claims no encryption.
- You need to send from your own code: their REST API has POST /api/send-email, while Emcognito's v1 API only creates and lists aliases.
- You want an MCP server and exposure analytics inside the dashboard.
- You would rather have 10 free aliases with forwarding than unlimited aliases with a 35-forward monthly meter.
When Emcognito wins
- You want unlimited aliases on Free; EmailAlias gives 10 and soft-caps Premium at 150 with 20 new a day.
- You want to pay less: Plus is $20 a year or $2.50 a month, against $35 a year or $4 a month.
- You want to send brand-new mail from an alias in a web form, not a reverse-alias address or an API call. Compose is included with Plus and Pro.
- You want to reply from your own mail app on any alias, not only on a custom domain.
- You do not want DNS setup or a card just to start. Free is permanent and sign-in is a magic link.
EmailAlias.io to Emcognito migration checklist
- Create Emcognito aliases for the accounts that matter most, and keep EmailAlias active while you switch.
- Change the address at each account while you still have access; no service can read another provider's alias list for you.
- Keep the old aliases forwarding until password resets and security alerts have arrived on the new addresses.
- Pause the old alias rather than deleting it until you have confirmed the account still reaches you.
Frequently asked questions
Is EmailAlias.io cheaper than Emcognito?
No. EmailAlias Premium is $35 a year or $4 a month. Emcognito Plus is $20 a year or $2.50 a month, and Pro is $36 a year. EmailAlias Free includes 10 aliases; Emcognito Free includes unlimited aliases and 35 forwarded emails a month.
Does Emcognito offer custom domains?
No. EmailAlias Premium includes up to five custom domains with catch-all. Emcognito aliases live on the shared emcognito.com domain. If a domain you control is a hard requirement, EmailAlias or SimpleLogin is the better fit.
Can both services send new mail from an alias?
Yes, by different mechanisms. EmailAlias documents a send endpoint, POST /api/send-email, plus premium reverse aliases. Emcognito has a web composer for Plus and Pro with no address trick, and its public API does not expose sending.
Is Emcognito zero-knowledge like EmailAlias?
No. EmailAlias says it runs a zero-knowledge model with AES-256 at rest. Emcognito is a forwarder: mail transits Postfix and relays through SES, and it claims no application-level encryption. It hides your address from the sender; it does not hide the message from the service.
Switching from EmailAlias.io? Bring your inbox, drop the cap.
35 forwarded emails a month at no cost, no credit card, passwordless sign-in.
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