Google Workspace vs Fastmail for Business
On privacy it's Fastmail for Business. On price it's Fastmail for Business. On features it's a tie. Here's everything side by side, last checked 22 October 2026.
Should you pick Google Workspace or Fastmail for Business?
- Choose Fastmail for Business if you want your mail kept in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups; email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts; and to pay less: $5 per user a month ($4.17 yearly).
| Feature | Google Workspace | Fastmail for Business |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 2.0 |
| Price | 2.5 | 3.5 |
| Features | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Business Starter £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT | Standard $5 per user a month ($4.17 yearly) |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Storage | 30 GB | 50 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Up to 100 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | Australia |
| Your data is kept in | Choice of region only on Business Plus and above | EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups |
| Founded | 2006 | 1999 |
| Free trial | 14 days free | 30 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | Offer 10% off your first year | Offer 10% off your first year, plus a free trial of up to 30 days |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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The key differences
- Google Workspace's cheapest plan is Business Starter (£5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT); Fastmail for Business's is Standard ($5 per user a month ($4.17 yearly)).
- Space: Google Workspace gives 30 GB of storage, Fastmail for Business 50 GB of storage.
- Data location: Choice of region only on Business Plus and above for Google Workspace, EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups for Fastmail for Business.
- The companies sit under different laws: Google Workspace in United States, Fastmail for Business in Australia.
- Google Workspace (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Fastmail for Business doesn't.
Google Workspace and Fastmail for Business: your questions
Is Google Workspace more private than Fastmail for Business?
Fastmail for Business scores 2 out of 5 for privacy and Google Workspace 0. Fastmail for Business gives you your mail kept in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups and email from a company that doesn't make money from adverts.
Is Google Workspace cheaper than Fastmail for Business?
Fastmail for Business is cheaper. Its Standard plan is $5 per user a month ($4.17 yearly), against £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT for Google Workspace's Business Starter. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Can I use my own domain with Google Workspace or Fastmail for Business?
Yes, both do. Google Workspace: Yes. Fastmail for Business: Up to 100.
Where is my email stored with Google Workspace and Fastmail for Business?
Google Workspace keeps it in Choice of region only on Business Plus and above. Fastmail for Business keeps it in the EU (Amsterdam) for UK customers, with a US replica and US backups.
Price changes and news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Google Workspace news · Fastmail for Business news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Google Workspace vs mailbox.org · Fastmail for Business vs mailbox.org · Google Workspace vs Posteo · Fastmail for Business vs Posteo · Google Workspace vs Proton Mail · Fastmail for Business vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving to Google Workspace · Moving from Google Workspace. Or see all my switching guides.