Fastmail vs Gmail
In short: Fastmail wins on privacy, Gmail wins on price, and Fastmail wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Fastmail suits you best if you want your mailbox stored in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups; a provider with no advertising business behind it; and to use your own domain, like you@yourname.co.uk.
- Go for Gmail if you'd like email without paying for it and a free plan to start on.
| Feature | Fastmail | Gmail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 2.5 |
| Privacy | 2.0 | 0.0 |
| Price | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Individual $5 a month, yearly | Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month |
| Free plan | No | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive |
| Storage | 50 GB | 15 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | No |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | Australia | United States |
| Your data is kept in | EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups | United States and worldwide |
| Founded | 1999 | 2004 |
| Free trial | 30 days free | Free |
| Funded by advertising | No | Yes, or its parent company is |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Masked email and aliases | Plus addressing only |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | Offer 10% off your first year, plus a free trial of up to 30 days | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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The key differences
- On price: Fastmail Individual at $5 a month, yearly, against Gmail Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) at Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month.
- Fastmail has no free plan; Gmail has a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive).
- Space: Fastmail gives 50 GB of storage, Gmail 15 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups with Fastmail, and in the United States and worldwide with Gmail.
- The companies sit under different laws: Fastmail in Australia, Gmail in United States.
- You can use your own domain with Fastmail, but not with Gmail.
- Gmail (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Fastmail doesn't.
- Aliases: Fastmail offers masked email and aliases, Gmail plus addressing only.
Common questions
Is Fastmail more private than Gmail?
Fastmail scores 2 out of 5 for privacy and Gmail 0. Fastmail gives you your mailbox stored in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups and a provider with no advertising business behind it.
Is Fastmail cheaper than Gmail?
Gmail costs nothing to start (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month). Fastmail's cheapest plan, Individual, is $5 a month, yearly.
Can I use my own domain with Fastmail or Gmail?
Only Fastmail does (Yes). With Gmail your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with Fastmail and Gmail?
Fastmail keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups. Gmail keeps it in the United States and worldwide.
Price changes and news
No price changes for either since 22 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Fastmail news · Gmail news.
Also worth a look
Fastmail vs mailbox.org · Gmail vs mailbox.org · Fastmail vs Posteo · Gmail vs Posteo · Fastmail vs Proton Mail · Gmail vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Switching takes an evening to set up. Follow the steps for your direction: Fastmail to Gmail · Gmail to Fastmail.