Fastmail vs Google Workspace
On privacy it's Fastmail. On price it's Fastmail. On features it's a tie. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Fastmail or Google Workspace: which should you choose?
- Choose Fastmail if you want your email to stay in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups; a company that isn't funded by advertising; and the lower price ($5 a month, yearly).
| Feature | Fastmail | Google Workspace |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 2.0 | 0.0 |
| Price | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Features | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Individual $5 a month, yearly | Business Starter £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Storage | 50 GB | 30 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| 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 | Choice of region only on Business Plus and above |
| Founded | 1999 | 2006 |
| Free trial | 30 days free | 14 days 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 | Yes |
| 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 | Offer 10% off your first year |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
How Fastmail and Google Workspace differ
- Cheapest plans: Fastmail Individual, $5 a month, yearly. Google Workspace Business Starter, £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT.
- Fastmail comes with 50 GB of storage and Google Workspace with 30 GB of storage.
- Data location: EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups for Fastmail, Choice of region only on Business Plus and above for Google Workspace.
- Fastmail is based in Australia and Google Workspace in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- Only Google Workspace is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, Fastmail has masked email and aliases and Google Workspace has yes.
Fastmail and Google Workspace: your questions
Which is more private, Fastmail or Google Workspace?
Fastmail scores 2 out of 5 for privacy and Google Workspace 0. Fastmail gives you your email to stay in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups and a company that isn't funded by advertising.
Which is cheaper, Fastmail or Google Workspace?
Fastmail is cheaper. Its Individual plan is $5 a month, yearly, against £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT for Google Workspace's Business Starter. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do Fastmail and Google Workspace work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Fastmail: Yes. Google Workspace: Yes.
Where do Fastmail and Google Workspace keep my email?
Fastmail keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups. Google Workspace keeps it in Choice of region only on Business Plus and above.
Prices and the latest 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 · Google Workspace news.
Alternatives to Fastmail and Google Workspace
Fastmail vs mailbox.org · Google Workspace vs mailbox.org · Fastmail vs Posteo · Google Workspace vs Posteo · Fastmail vs Proton Mail · Google Workspace vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Switching takes an evening to set up. Follow the steps for your direction: Fastmail to Google Workspace · Google Workspace to Fastmail.