Privacy is one of the main reasons people turn to burner email services. But here's a reality check: not all of them are built with your privacy as the top priority. Some free providers make their money by scanning and selling the data inside your emails. If you want true protection, you need to choose a service that doesn't just promise privacy — it enforces it.
In this guide, we'll look at the top burner email tools that keep their hands off your messages.
Every email you receive carries more than just the visible text. It can contain metadata about where it came from, who else received it, and sometimes even location data embedded in attachments.
If a provider scans your emails, they might:
Even if the content itself isn't sold, it can still be stored indefinitely, increasing the risk of leaks in the event of a breach.
There's no universal "no-read" certification, but there are clues to look for:
Zero-access encryption: The provider cannot decrypt your emails even if they wanted to.
Clear privacy policy: It explicitly states that messages are never scanned for advertising or analytics.
Automatic deletion: Messages expire after a set period without manual intervention.
Independent audits: Third-party security checks verify the claims.
A trustworthy provider will make these points obvious on their website. If you have to dig for them, consider it a red flag.
SimpleLogin lets you create unlimited aliases that forward to your real inbox. It doesn't store or read the content of your emails, and its source code is open for review. You can generate a new alias with a single click and delete it instantly if it starts receiving spam.
Known for its end-to-end encryption, Proton Mail also offers email aliasing through Proton Pass. It's backed by Swiss privacy laws, and its encryption means the company cannot read your messages, even for technical support.
Firefox Relay offers simple, secure alias generation. Messages are forwarded without content scanning, and it uses Mozilla's transparent privacy policies. The premium plan lets you reply to emails without revealing your real address.
AnonAddy is open-source and supports PGP encryption, ensuring that only you can read your forwarded emails. It also gives you detailed control over each alias, letting you pause or delete them at will.
For quick, anonymous sign-ups, Maildrop is a solid option. While it's less feature-rich, it automatically deletes messages after a short period and doesn't store them for advertising purposes.
A newer entrant to the privacy space, GetBurnerEmail focuses on speed, simplicity, and zero data scanning. It allows instant creation of disposable addresses without requiring a full account setup, making it ideal for quick sign-ups, trial accounts, and public Wi-Fi logins. Its streamlined design and clear privacy stance position it as a strong alternative to the established players.
Choosing the right burner email service is less about the number of features and more about whether you can trust it with your information. If privacy is the reason you're using a burner email in the first place, make sure the provider's business model aligns with your goal: keeping your inbox — and your personal data — entirely in your control.