Gmail vs Fastmail for Business
On privacy it's Fastmail for Business. On price it's Gmail. On features it's Fastmail for Business. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Gmail or Fastmail for Business: which should you choose?
- Gmail is the better pick if you want a mailbox that costs nothing and a free plan before you pay anything.
- Fastmail for Business is the better pick if you want your mail kept in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups; a provider with no advertising business behind it; and email at your own domain name.
| Feature | Gmail | Fastmail for Business |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 2.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Features | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month | Standard $5 per user a month ($4.17 yearly) |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 50 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Up to 100 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | Australia |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups |
| Founded | 2004 | 1999 |
| Free trial | Free | 30 days free |
| Funded by advertising | Yes, or its parent company is | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Aliases | Plus addressing only | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | Offer 10% off your first year, plus a free trial of up to 30 days |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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How Gmail and Fastmail for Business differ
- Gmail's cheapest plan is Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month); Fastmail for Business's is Standard ($5 per user a month ($4.17 yearly)).
- For free, Gmail gives you a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive), and Fastmail for Business no free plan.
- Gmail comes with 15 GB of storage and Fastmail for Business with 50 GB of storage.
- Gmail keeps your mail in the United States and worldwide, while Fastmail for Business keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups.
- Gmail is based in the United States and Fastmail for Business in Australia, so different privacy laws apply.
- Fastmail for Business lets you bring your own domain name; Gmail doesn't.
- Only Gmail is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, Gmail has plus addressing only and Fastmail for Business has yes.
Common questions
Which is more private, Gmail or Fastmail for Business?
Fastmail for Business scores 2 out of 5 for privacy and Gmail 0. Fastmail for Business gives you your mail kept in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups and a provider with no advertising business behind it.
Which is cheaper, Gmail or Fastmail for Business?
Gmail costs nothing to start (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month). Fastmail for Business's cheapest plan, Standard, is $5 per user a month ($4.17 yearly).
Do Gmail and Fastmail for Business work with my own domain?
Only Fastmail for Business does (Up to 100). With Gmail your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Gmail and Fastmail for Business keep my email?
Gmail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Fastmail for Business keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups.
Price changes and news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Gmail news · Fastmail for Business news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Gmail vs mailbox.org · Fastmail for Business vs mailbox.org · Gmail vs Posteo · Fastmail for Business vs Posteo · Gmail vs Proton Mail · Fastmail for Business vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving to Gmail · Moving from Gmail. Or see all my switching guides.