Gmail vs Mailfence
In short: Mailfence wins on privacy, Gmail wins on price, and Mailfence wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Should you pick Gmail or Mailfence?
- Gmail suits you best if you want a mailbox that costs nothing; more room (15 GB, against 10 GB); and a provider that's been going since 2004.
- Mailfence is the better pick if you want your email to stay in Belgium; a provider with no advertising business behind it; and email at your own domain name.
| Feature | Gmail | Mailfence |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 3.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| 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 | Entry €3.50 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive | Yes, 500 MB–1 GB, no own domain |
| Storage | 15 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | United States | Belgium |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Belgium |
| Founded | 2004 | 2013 |
| Free trial | Free | Free plan |
| 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 | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- Gmail's cheapest plan is Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month); Mailfence's is Entry (€3.50 a month).
- For free, Gmail gives you a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive), and Mailfence a free plan (500 MB–1 GB, no own domain).
- Gmail comes with 15 GB of storage and Mailfence with 10 GB of storage.
- Gmail keeps your mail in the United States and worldwide, while Mailfence keeps it in Belgium.
- Gmail is based in the United States and Mailfence in Belgium, so different privacy laws apply.
- Gmail doesn't encrypt mail end to end; Mailfence offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- Mailfence 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 Mailfence has yes.
Gmail and Mailfence: your questions
Which is more private, Gmail or Mailfence?
Mailfence scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Gmail 0. Mailfence gives you your email to stay in Belgium and a provider with no advertising business behind it.
Which is cheaper, Gmail or Mailfence?
Gmail costs nothing to start (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month). Mailfence's cheapest plan, Entry, is €3.50 a month. Mailfence has a free plan too: 500 MB–1 GB, no own domain.
Do Gmail and Mailfence work with my own domain?
Only Mailfence does (Yes). With Gmail your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Gmail and Mailfence keep my email?
Gmail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Mailfence keeps it in Belgium.
Prices and the latest news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Gmail news · Mailfence news.
Also worth a look
Gmail vs mailbox.org · Mailfence vs mailbox.org · Gmail vs Posteo · Mailfence vs Posteo · Gmail vs Proton Mail · Mailfence vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Decided? These guides take you through moving your mail, contacts and address: Gmail to Mailfence · Mailfence to Gmail.