Gmail vs Runbox
On privacy it's Runbox. On price it's Gmail. On features it's Runbox. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Gmail or Runbox: which should you choose?
- Gmail is the better pick if you want a mailbox that costs nothing; a free plan to start on; and 15 GB of storage.
- Runbox suits you best if you want your email to stay in Norway; a company that isn't funded by advertising; and an address on your own domain.
| Feature | Gmail | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 3.0 |
| 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 | Mini $34.95 a year |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive | No (30-day trial) |
| Storage | 15 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Up to 5 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | Norway |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Norway |
| Founded | 2004 | 2000 |
| Free trial | Free | 30 days free, then a 60-day refund |
| 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 | 100 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 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
How Gmail and Runbox differ
- Gmail's cheapest plan is Free (Google One 100 GB for more space) (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month); Runbox's is Mini ($34.95 a year).
- For free, Gmail gives you a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive), and Runbox no free plan.
- Gmail comes with 15 GB of storage and Runbox with 10 GB of storage.
- Data location: United States and worldwide for Gmail, Norway for Runbox.
- Gmail is based in the United States and Runbox in Norway, so different privacy laws apply.
- Runbox 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 Runbox has 100 aliases.
Common questions
Which is more private, Gmail or Runbox?
Runbox scores 3 out of 5 for privacy and Gmail 0. Runbox gives you your email to stay in Norway, a company that isn't funded by advertising and open-source apps.
Which is cheaper, Gmail or Runbox?
Gmail costs nothing to start (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month). Runbox's cheapest plan, Mini, is $34.95 a year.
Do Gmail and Runbox work with my own domain?
Only Runbox does (Up to 5). With Gmail your address stays on its own domain.
Where do Gmail and Runbox keep my email?
Gmail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. Runbox keeps it in Norway.
Prices and the latest news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Gmail news · Runbox news.
Alternatives to Gmail and Runbox
Gmail vs mailbox.org · Runbox vs mailbox.org · Gmail vs Posteo · Runbox vs Posteo · Gmail vs Proton Mail · Runbox vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Ready to move? My step-by-step guides cover your mail, contacts, forwarding and your own domain: Gmail to Runbox · Runbox to Gmail.