Fastmail vs Runbox
Runbox wins on privacy, Runbox wins on price and Fastmail wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 22 October 2026.
Should you pick Fastmail or Runbox?
- Fastmail is the better pick if you want more room (50 GB, against 10 GB).
- Choose Runbox if you want a cheaper plan, at $34.95 a year and open-source apps.
| Feature | Fastmail | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.0 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| Price | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Individual $5 a month, yearly | Mini $34.95 a year |
| Free plan | No | No (30-day trial) |
| Storage | 50 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Up to 5 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | Australia | Norway |
| Your data is kept in | EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups | Norway |
| Founded | 1999 | 2000 |
| Free trial | 30 days free | 30 days free, then a 60-day refund |
| 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 | 100 aliases |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| 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 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
The key differences
- Fastmail's cheapest plan is Individual ($5 a month, yearly); Runbox's is Mini ($34.95 a year).
- Fastmail has no free plan; Runbox has no free plan.
- Space: Fastmail gives 50 GB of storage, Runbox 10 GB of storage.
- Data location: EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups for Fastmail, Norway for Runbox.
- The companies sit under different laws: Fastmail in Australia, Runbox in Norway.
- Aliases: Fastmail offers masked email and aliases, Runbox 100 aliases.
Questions people ask
Is Fastmail more private than Runbox?
Runbox scores 3 out of 5 for privacy and Fastmail 2. Runbox gives you open-source apps.
Is Fastmail cheaper than Runbox?
Runbox is cheaper. Its Mini plan is $34.95 a year, 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 Runbox?
Yes, both do. Fastmail: Yes. Runbox: Up to 5.
Where is my email stored with Fastmail and Runbox?
Fastmail keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups. Runbox keeps it in Norway.
Recent price changes
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Fastmail news · Runbox news.
Alternatives to Fastmail and Runbox
Fastmail vs mailbox.org · Runbox vs mailbox.org · Fastmail vs Posteo · Runbox vs Posteo · Fastmail vs Proton Mail · Runbox vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Decided? These guides take you through moving your mail, contacts and address: Fastmail to Runbox · Runbox to Fastmail.