Gmail vs Firefox Relay
Firefox Relay wins on privacy, they tie on price and Gmail wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Gmail is the better pick if you want a mailbox that costs nothing; more room (15 GB, against none); and to read your mail in any app, such as Apple Mail, Outlook or Thunderbird.
- Firefox Relay suits you best if you want email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts and open-source apps anyone can check.
| Feature | Gmail | Firefox Relay |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 1.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Features | 4.0 | Not rated |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month | Premium $0.99 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive | Yes, 5 aliases |
| Storage | 15 GB | Forwards only |
| Your own domain | No | Own subdomain only |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | United States (Mozilla) |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | United States |
| Founded | 2004 | 2020 |
| Free trial | Free | Free plan |
| Funded by advertising | Yes, or its parent company is | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | No, its own apps only |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | No |
| Aliases | Plus addressing only | Unlimited aliases |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- On price: Gmail Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) at Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month, against Firefox Relay Premium at $0.99 a month.
- For free, Gmail gives you a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive), and Firefox Relay a free plan (5 aliases).
- Gmail comes with 15 GB of storage and Firefox Relay with no storage, as it forwards mail on.
- Your mail is stored in the United States and worldwide with Gmail, and in the United States with Firefox Relay.
- Gmail is based in the United States and Firefox Relay in the United States (Mozilla), so different privacy laws apply.
- Gmail works in any mail app over IMAP, and Firefox Relay only works in its own apps.
- Only Gmail is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, Gmail has plus addressing only and Firefox Relay has unlimited aliases.
Common questions
Which is more private, Gmail or Firefox Relay?
Firefox Relay scores 1 out of 5 for privacy and Gmail 0. Firefox Relay gives you email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts and open-source apps anyone can check.
Which is cheaper, Gmail or Firefox Relay?
Gmail costs nothing to start (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month). Firefox Relay's cheapest plan, Premium, is $0.99 a month. Firefox Relay has a free plan too: 5 aliases.
Do Gmail and Firefox Relay work with my own domain?
No, neither lets you use your own domain, so your address stays on theirs.
Where do Gmail and Firefox Relay keep my email?
Gmail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Firefox Relay keeps it in the United States.
Do Gmail and Firefox Relay work in other mail apps?
Gmail works in any mail app over IMAP. Firefox Relay only works in its own apps.
Price changes and news
No price changes for either since 22 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Gmail news · Firefox Relay news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Gmail vs mailbox.org · Firefox Relay vs mailbox.org · Gmail vs Posteo · Firefox Relay vs Posteo · Gmail vs Proton Mail · Firefox Relay vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Moving to Gmail · Moving from Gmail. Or see all my switching guides.