What is the difference between an email inbox and email forwarding? What is the right option for me?
An email inbox can both receive and store emails, as well as send them, which is in most cases the desired use.
Email forwarding, on the other hand, only receives emails without storing them, but redirects them to an existing inbox. Email forwarding cannot send emails and therefore does not have a password for authentication on the SMTP server. For example, if you simply want to be reachable under an email address but want to reply via your primarily used inbox, forwards can be useful; email traffic is then collectively managed for multiple addresses within the same inbox.
In some cases, an inbox with an additional forward can also be useful, for example, to manage business correspondence via an inbox of your domain, while receiving a copy of the email on your private email address.
When a mailbox is the better choice
In the following situations, a full mailbox is usually the right option:
- You want to send emails from this address using IMAP/POP3 or webmail.
- You need to store and organise messages in folders for documentation or legal reasons.
- Multiple devices (for example, a laptop and a smartphone) should synchronise the same inbox.
- You want to use filters, rules, and spam settings directly on this account.
- The address represents a permanent role or person (for example, firstname@yourdomain.tld).
A mailbox gives you complete control over storage, synchronisation, and sending behaviour, which is ideal for primary or long-term business email addresses.
When a forwarding address is the better choice
A forwarding address is valid when you want to be reachable under different addresses, but do not want to manage multiple inboxes. Typical use cases include:
- Campaigns or projects that should all land in one central mailbox.
- Role-based addresses such as info@ or jobs@ should forward to a personal mailbox.
- Temporary addresses for events, promotions, or contact forms.
- Redirecting old or deprecated addresses to a new, actively used mailbox.
Because a forwarding address does not require a password or storage, it is lightweight and easy to maintain. It is ideal when “receive only” is enough, and replies can be sent from an existing primary mailbox.
How to change from forwarding to a mailbox (or vice versa)
If you realise that your current setup is not ideal, you can change between mailbox and forwarding in a few structured steps:
- Review how the address is currently used: Check whether you only receive emails or also need to send from this address.
- Decide on the target setup: Determine whether you want a full mailbox, a pure forwarder, or a combination (mailbox with forwarding).
- Adjust the configuration in your hosting.de panel: Create or convert the address accordingly and, if needed, set up forwarding from the new mailbox to another destination.
- Update your devices and email clients: If you switched to a mailbox, configure the new login data in your mail app or webmail.
- Inform relevant contacts if necessary: If the visible address changes, communicate this to customers, partners, or on your website.