Gmail vs Rackspace Email
In short: Rackspace Email wins on privacy, Gmail wins on price, and Rackspace Email wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Go for Gmail if you'd like email without paying for it and to try it free first.
- Rackspace Email is the better pick if you want a provider with no advertising business behind it; an address on your own domain; and more room (25 GB, against 15 GB).
| Feature | Gmail | Rackspace Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 0.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 2.0 |
| 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 | Rackspace Email $10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026) |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive | No |
| Storage | 15 GB | 25 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | United States |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | United States and UK |
| Founded | 2004 | 1998 |
| Free trial | Free | 14 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 | ✓ Yes |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
How Gmail and Rackspace Email differ
- Cheapest plans: Gmail Free (Google One 100 GB for more space), Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month. Rackspace Email Rackspace Email, $10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026).
- Gmail has a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive); Rackspace Email has no free plan.
- Space: Gmail gives 15 GB of storage, Rackspace Email 25 GB of storage.
- Data location: United States and worldwide for Gmail, United States and UK for Rackspace Email.
- You can use your own domain with Rackspace Email, but not with Gmail.
- Gmail (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Rackspace Email doesn't.
- Aliases: Gmail offers plus addressing only, Rackspace Email yes.
Common questions
Is Gmail more private than Rackspace Email?
Rackspace Email scores 0.5 out of 5 for privacy and Gmail 0. Rackspace Email gives you a provider with no advertising business behind it.
Is Gmail cheaper than Rackspace Email?
Gmail costs nothing to start (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month). Rackspace Email's cheapest plan, Rackspace Email, is $10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026).
Can I use my own domain with Gmail or Rackspace Email?
Only Rackspace Email does (Yes). With Gmail your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with Gmail and Rackspace Email?
Gmail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Rackspace Email keeps it in the United States and UK.
Price changes and news
- 1 March 2026 Rackspace Email: $10 (March 2026 rise)
- 1 January 2026 Rackspace Email: $3
The latest headlines: Gmail news · Rackspace Email news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Gmail vs mailbox.org · Rackspace Email vs mailbox.org · Gmail vs Posteo · Rackspace Email vs Posteo · Gmail vs Proton Mail · Rackspace Email vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Moving to Gmail · Moving from Gmail. Or see all my switching guides.