We don't do a good enough job in communicating the difference unfortunately. But it is an important one. 

Yes, the Alby account is a managed account by Alby which requires an email to sign up. We want to make the first lightning experience as easy as possible until we have a non-custodial alternative ready.

But you can use the Alby browser extension in a completely self-sovereign way with your very own lightning node. Doing so you have full privacy with the Alby extension. All data is stored locally on your device.  

 Right, people should have an easy way when first using lightning.  We can't expect people to deal with channel liquidity and what not.  I just don't think people fully understand the tradeoffs using a custodial wallet.  

Good to know that if using Alby with your own node that all data is stored locally!  However, aren't you tying your email to your node if you do this?    

 You only need an email address if you want to sign up for an Alby account. But that is not needed if you connect your own node or another wallet. Downloading the extension does not require an email address.