Gmail vs StartMail
In short: StartMail wins on privacy, Gmail wins on price, and StartMail wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Go for Gmail if you'd like email without paying for it; a free plan before you pay anything; and a company with a longer track record (since 2004).
- StartMail is the better pick if you want your mailbox stored in the Netherlands; a company that isn't funded by advertising; and to use your own domain, like you@yourname.co.uk.
| Feature | Gmail | StartMail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 3.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| 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 | Personal $4.99 a month |
| Free plan | Yes, 15 GB shared with Drive | No (7-day trial) |
| Storage | 15 GB | 20 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ 1 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | United States | Netherlands |
| Your data is kept in | United States and worldwide | Netherlands |
| Founded | 2004 | 2014 |
| Free trial | Free | 7 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 | Unlimited throwaway addresses |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | Offer 50% off |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
How Gmail and StartMail differ
- Cheapest plans: Gmail Free (Google One 100 GB for more space), Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month. StartMail Personal, $4.99 a month.
- Gmail has a free plan (15 GB shared with Drive); StartMail has no free plan.
- Space: Gmail gives 15 GB of storage, StartMail 20 GB of storage.
- Data location: United States and worldwide for Gmail, Netherlands for StartMail.
- The companies sit under different laws: Gmail in United States, StartMail in Netherlands.
- On encryption, Gmail doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- You can use your own domain with StartMail, but not with Gmail.
- Gmail (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; StartMail doesn't.
- Aliases: Gmail offers plus addressing only, StartMail unlimited throwaway addresses.
Gmail and StartMail: your questions
Is Gmail more private than StartMail?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Gmail 0. StartMail gives you your mailbox stored in the Netherlands and a company that isn't funded by advertising.
Is Gmail cheaper than StartMail?
Gmail costs nothing to start (Free; 100 GB about £1.59–£1.99 a month). StartMail's cheapest plan, Personal, is $4.99 a month.
Can I use my own domain with Gmail or StartMail?
Only StartMail does (1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one). With Gmail your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with Gmail and StartMail?
Gmail keeps it in the United States and worldwide. StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands.
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 · StartMail news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Gmail vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs mailbox.org · Gmail vs Posteo · StartMail vs Posteo · Gmail vs Proton Mail · StartMail vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Switching takes an evening to set up. Follow the steps for your direction: Gmail to StartMail · StartMail to Gmail.