Fastmail vs Rackspace Email
Fastmail wins on privacy, Fastmail wins on price and they tie on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
Fastmail or Rackspace Email: which should you choose?
- Go for Fastmail if you'd like your mailbox stored in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups; a cheaper plan, at $5 a month, yearly; and 50 GB of storage.
| Feature | Fastmail | Rackspace Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 2.0 | 0.5 |
| Price | 3.5 | 2.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Individual $5 a month, yearly | Rackspace Email $10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026) |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Storage | 50 GB | 25 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 | United States and UK |
| Founded | 1999 | 1998 |
| Free trial | 30 days free | 14 days free |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| 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 | ✓ Yes |
| Reader offer | Offer 10% off your first year, plus a free trial of up to 30 days | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
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Where they differ
- On price: Fastmail Individual at $5 a month, yearly, against Rackspace Email Rackspace Email at $10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026).
- Fastmail comes with 50 GB of storage and Rackspace Email with 25 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 UK with Rackspace Email.
- Fastmail is based in Australia and Rackspace Email in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
- For extra addresses, Fastmail has masked email and aliases and Rackspace Email has yes.
Common questions
Which is more private, Fastmail or Rackspace Email?
Fastmail scores 2 out of 5 for privacy and Rackspace Email 0.5. Fastmail gives you your mailbox stored in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups.
Which is cheaper, Fastmail or Rackspace Email?
Fastmail is cheaper. Its Individual plan is $5 a month, yearly, against $10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026) for Rackspace Email's Rackspace Email. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do Fastmail and Rackspace Email work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Fastmail: Yes. Rackspace Email: Yes.
Where do Fastmail and Rackspace Email keep my email?
Fastmail keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups. Rackspace Email keeps it in the United States and UK.
Price changes and news
- 1 March 2026 Rackspace Email: $10 (March 2026 rise)
- 1 January 2026 Rackspace Email: $3
The latest headlines: Fastmail news · Rackspace Email news.
Alternatives to Fastmail and Rackspace Email
Fastmail vs mailbox.org · Rackspace Email vs mailbox.org · Fastmail vs Posteo · Rackspace Email vs Posteo · Fastmail vs Proton Mail · Rackspace Email vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Moving to Fastmail · Moving from Fastmail. Or see all my switching guides.