Gmail vs Kolab Now
Kolab Now wins on privacy, Gmail wins on price and Kolab Now wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
Should you pick Gmail or Kolab Now?
- Choose Gmail if you want email without paying for it; to try it free first; and more space for your mail: 15 GB.
- Kolab Now is the better pick if you want your mailbox stored in Switzerland; a provider with no advertising business behind it; and email at your own domain name.
| Feature | Gmail | Kolab Now |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 3.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Features | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month | Mailbox CHF 5 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 5 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | Switzerland |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Switzerland |
| Founded | 2004 | 2013 |
| Free trial | Free | Unknown |
| 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 | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | Unknown |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
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Where they differ
- Cheapest plans: Gmail Free (Google One 100 GB for more space), Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month. Kolab Now Mailbox, CHF 5 a month.
- Gmail has a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive); Kolab Now has no free plan.
- Space: Gmail gives 15 GB of storage, Kolab Now 5 GB of storage.
- Data location: United States and worldwide for Gmail, Switzerland for Kolab Now.
- The companies sit under different laws: Gmail in United States, Kolab Now in Switzerland.
- You can use your own domain with Kolab Now, but not with Gmail.
- Gmail (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Kolab Now doesn't.
- Aliases: Gmail offers plus addressing only, Kolab Now yes.
Questions people ask
Is Gmail more private than Kolab Now?
Kolab Now scores 3 out of 5 for privacy and Gmail 0. Kolab Now gives you your mailbox stored in Switzerland, a provider with no advertising business behind it and open-source apps.
Is Gmail cheaper than Kolab Now?
Gmail costs nothing to start (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month). Kolab Now's cheapest plan, Mailbox, is CHF 5 a month.
Can I use my own domain with Gmail or Kolab Now?
Only Kolab Now does (Yes). With Gmail your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with Gmail and Kolab Now?
Gmail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Kolab Now keeps it in Switzerland.
Recent price changes
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Gmail news · Kolab Now news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Gmail vs mailbox.org · Kolab Now vs mailbox.org · Gmail vs Posteo · Kolab Now vs Posteo · Gmail vs Proton Mail · Kolab Now vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving to Gmail · Moving from Gmail. Or see all my switching guides.