Paul O'Brieneverything email Subscribe

Fastmail vs Purelymail

On privacy it's Fastmail. On price it's Purelymail. On features it's Fastmail. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.

Should you pick Fastmail or Purelymail?

  • Fastmail is the better pick if you want your email to stay in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups and calendar and contacts in the same account.
  • Choose Purelymail if you want a cheaper plan, at $10 a year, any number of users and domains.
FeatureFastmailPurelymail
Overall3.02.5
Privacy2.00.5
Price3.55.0
Features5.03.5
Cheapest planIndividual
$5 a month, yearly
Simple
$10 a year, any number of users and domains
Free planNoNo
Storage50 GBNot confirmed
Your own domainβœ“ Yesβœ“ Unlimited
End-to-end encryptionNoNo
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
Founded1999Unknown
Free trial30 days freeFree trial with a small amount of credit (about a month of light use)
Funded by advertisingNoNo
Works in any mail appβœ“ IMAP and SMTPβœ“ IMAP and SMTP
Calendar and contactsβœ“ YesNo
AliasesMasked email and aliasesYes
Open-source appsNoNo
Sign up without IDNoNo
White labelNoUnknown
Reader offerOffer 10% off your first year, plus a free trial of up to 30 daysNone
Last checked22 October 202625 October 2026

Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.

The key differences

  • Cheapest plans: Fastmail Individual, $5 a month, yearly. Purelymail Simple, $10 a year, any number of users and domains.
  • Space: Fastmail gives 50 GB of storage, Purelymail storage not confirmed.
  • Data location: EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups for Fastmail, United States for Purelymail.
  • The companies sit under different laws: Fastmail in Australia, Purelymail in United States.
  • Aliases: Fastmail offers masked email and aliases, Purelymail yes.

Fastmail and Purelymail: your questions

Is Fastmail more private than Purelymail?

Fastmail scores 2 out of 5 for privacy and Purelymail 0.5. Fastmail gives you your email to stay in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups.

Is Fastmail cheaper than Purelymail?

Purelymail is cheaper. Its Simple plan is $10 a year, any number of users and domains, against $5 a month, yearly for Fastmail's Individual. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.

Can I use my own domain with Fastmail or Purelymail?

Yes, both do. Fastmail: Yes. Purelymail: Unlimited.

Where is my email stored with Fastmail and Purelymail?

Fastmail keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups. Purelymail keeps it in the United States.

Recent price changes

Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.

The latest headlines: Fastmail news Β· Purelymail news.

Also worth a look

Fastmail vs mailbox.org Β· Purelymail vs mailbox.org Β· Fastmail vs Posteo Β· Purelymail vs Posteo Β· Fastmail vs Proton Mail Β· Purelymail vs Proton Mail

Moving your email

Moving to Fastmail Β· Moving from Fastmail. Or see all my switching guides.

Get new posts and become a member

You're subscribing to Paul O'Brien - Insights, my newsletter. When I publish a new review, guide or explainer, it comes straight to your inbox. It's free, and you also become a member.

See everything members get

I'll send one email first so you can confirm it's you. Already subscribed? Sign in to manage your details