Gmail vs mailbox.org
On privacy it's mailbox.org. On price it's Gmail. On features it's mailbox.org. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Should you pick Gmail or mailbox.org?
- Gmail is the better pick if you want a mailbox that costs nothing; a free plan before you pay anything; and a company with a longer track record (since 2004).
- mailbox.org suits you best if you want your mail kept in Germany; email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts; and to use your own domain, like you@yourname.co.uk.
| Feature | Gmail | mailbox.org |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 4.5 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 4.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| 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 €3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026) |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive | No (30-day trial) |
| Storage | 15 GB | 20 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | United States | Germany |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Germany |
| Founded | 2004 | 2014 |
| 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 | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | ✓ Yes |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
How Gmail and mailbox.org differ
- On price: Gmail Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) at Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month, against mailbox.org Standard at €3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026).
- For free, Gmail gives you a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive), and mailbox.org no free plan.
- Gmail comes with 15 GB of storage and mailbox.org with 20 GB of storage.
- Gmail keeps your mail in the United States and worldwide, while mailbox.org keeps it in Germany.
- Gmail is based in the United States and mailbox.org in Germany, so different privacy laws apply.
- Gmail doesn't encrypt mail end to end; mailbox.org offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- mailbox.org 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 mailbox.org has yes.
Questions people ask
Which is more private, Gmail or mailbox.org?
mailbox.org scores 4.5 out of 5 for privacy and Gmail 0. mailbox.org gives you your mail kept in Germany, email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts and apps whose code is public.
Which is cheaper, Gmail or mailbox.org?
Gmail costs nothing to start (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month). mailbox.org's cheapest plan, Standard, is €3 a month, yearly (from summer 2026).
Do Gmail and mailbox.org work with my own domain?
Only mailbox.org does (Yes). With Gmail your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Gmail and mailbox.org keep my email?
Gmail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. mailbox.org keeps it in Germany.
Prices and the latest news
- 1 September 2026 mailbox.org: €3.00 (announced 15 July 2026)
- 1 June 2026 mailbox.org: €2.50
The latest headlines: Gmail news · mailbox.org news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Gmail vs Posteo · mailbox.org vs Posteo · Gmail vs Proton Mail · mailbox.org vs Proton Mail · Gmail vs Tuta · mailbox.org vs Tuta
Switching between them
Decided? These guides take you through moving your mail, contacts and address: Gmail to mailbox.org · mailbox.org to Gmail.