GMX vs CounterMail
In short: CounterMail wins on privacy, GMX wins on price, and they tie on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
Should you pick GMX or CounterMail?
- Go for GMX if you'd like email without paying for it; a free plan before you pay anything; and more room (65 GB, against 4 GB).
- CounterMail suits you best if you want mail that's encrypted end to end without any setup; email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts; and an address on your own domain.
| Feature | GMX | CounterMail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 2.0 | 4.0 |
| Price | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Features | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Free Free (paid plans only for German and Austrian residents) | Premium, 12 months $4 a month, paid yearly ($49) |
| Free plan | Yes, with adverts | No |
| Storage | 65 GB | 4 GB |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | ✓ Built in |
| Company based in | Germany | Sweden |
| Your data is kept in | Germany (European data centres) | Sweden |
| Founded | 1997 | Unknown |
| Free trial | Free | Unknown |
| 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 | Up to 10 addresses | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | Unknown |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 25 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
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The key differences
- On price: GMX Free at Free (paid plans only for German and Austrian residents), against CounterMail Premium, 12 months at $4 a month, paid yearly ($49).
- GMX has a free plan (with adverts); CounterMail has no free plan.
- Space: GMX gives 65 GB of storage, CounterMail 4 GB of storage.
- Data location: Germany (European data centres) for GMX, Sweden for CounterMail.
- The companies sit under different laws: GMX in Germany, CounterMail in Sweden.
- On encryption, GMX doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas CounterMail encrypts mail end to end.
- You can use your own domain with CounterMail, but not with GMX.
- GMX (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; CounterMail doesn't.
- Aliases: GMX offers up to 10 addresses, CounterMail yes.
Common questions
Is GMX more private than CounterMail?
CounterMail scores 4 out of 5 for privacy and GMX 2. CounterMail gives you mail that's encrypted end to end without any setup and email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts.
Is GMX cheaper than CounterMail?
GMX costs nothing to start (Free (paid plans only for German and Austrian residents)). CounterMail's cheapest plan, Premium, 12 months, is $4 a month, paid yearly ($49).
Can I use my own domain with GMX or CounterMail?
Only CounterMail does (Yes). With GMX your address stays on its own domain.
Where is my email stored with GMX and CounterMail?
GMX keeps it in Germany (European data centres). CounterMail keeps it in Sweden.
Prices and the latest news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 25 October 2026.
The latest headlines: GMX news · CounterMail news.
Not sold on either? Try these
GMX vs mailbox.org · CounterMail vs mailbox.org · GMX vs Posteo · CounterMail vs Posteo · GMX vs Proton Mail · CounterMail vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Moving between any two providers works the same way. Pick your two providers for the steps.