GMX vs Hetzner
In short: Hetzner wins on privacy, GMX wins on price, and GMX wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
Should you pick GMX or Hetzner?
- GMX is the better pick if you want to try it free first and a calendar and contacts alongside your mail.
- Hetzner suits you best if you want a provider with no advertising business behind it and to use your own domain, like you@yourname.co.uk.
| Feature | GMX | Hetzner |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.5 | Not rated |
| Privacy | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Price | 5.0 | Not rated |
| Features | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Free Free (paid plans only for German and Austrian residents) | Web hosting Not confirmed |
| Free plan | Yes, with adverts | No |
| Storage | 65 GB | Not confirmed |
| Your own domain | No | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | Germany | Germany |
| Your data is kept in | Germany (European data centres) | Germany |
| 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 | No |
| 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 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
How GMX and Hetzner differ
- GMX's cheapest plan is Free (Free (paid plans only for German and Austrian residents)); Hetzner's is Web hosting (Not confirmed).
- For free, GMX gives you a free plan (with adverts), and Hetzner no free plan.
- GMX comes with 65 GB of storage and Hetzner with storage not confirmed.
- Data location: Germany (European data centres) for GMX, Germany for Hetzner.
- Hetzner lets you bring your own domain name; GMX doesn't.
- Only GMX is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, GMX has up to 10 addresses and Hetzner has yes.
Common questions
Which is more private, GMX or Hetzner?
Hetzner scores 2.5 out of 5 for privacy and GMX 2. Hetzner gives you a provider with no advertising business behind it.
Do GMX and Hetzner work with my own domain?
Only Hetzner does (Yes). With GMX your address stays on its own domain.
Where do GMX and Hetzner keep my email?
GMX keeps it in Germany (European data centres). Hetzner keeps it in Germany.
Prices and the latest news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: GMX news · Hetzner news.
Also worth a look
GMX vs Posteo · Hetzner vs Posteo · GMX vs mailbox.org · Hetzner vs mailbox.org · GMX vs Proton Mail · Hetzner vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Whichever you choose, the move follows the same steps. Pick your two providers for the steps.