Google Workspace vs Mailfence
In short: Mailfence wins on privacy, Mailfence wins on price, and Google Workspace wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Should you pick Google Workspace or Mailfence?
- Google Workspace is the better pick if you want more room (30 GB, against 10 GB) and a provider that's been going since 2006.
- Choose Mailfence if you want your email to stay in Belgium; a provider with no advertising business behind it; and to pay less: €3.50 a month.
| Feature | Google Workspace | Mailfence |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.0 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 3.5 |
| Price | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Business Starter £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT | Entry €3.50 a month |
| Free plan | No | Yes, 500 MB–1 GB, no own domain |
| Storage | 30 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | United States | Belgium |
| Your data is kept in | Choice of region only on Business Plus and above | Belgium |
| Founded | 2006 | 2013 |
| Free trial | 14 days free | Free plan |
| 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 | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
The key differences
- Cheapest plans: Google Workspace Business Starter, £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT. Mailfence Entry, €3.50 a month.
- Google Workspace has no free plan; Mailfence has a free plan (500 MB–1 GB, no own domain).
- Space: Google Workspace gives 30 GB of storage, Mailfence 10 GB of storage.
- Data location: Choice of region only on Business Plus and above for Google Workspace, Belgium for Mailfence.
- The companies sit under different laws: Google Workspace in United States, Mailfence in Belgium.
- On encryption, Google Workspace doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas Mailfence offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- Google Workspace (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Mailfence doesn't.
Google Workspace and Mailfence: your questions
Is Google Workspace more private than Mailfence?
Mailfence scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Google Workspace 0. Mailfence gives you your email to stay in Belgium and a provider with no advertising business behind it.
Is Google Workspace cheaper than Mailfence?
Mailfence is cheaper. Its Entry plan is €3.50 a month, against £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT for Google Workspace's Business Starter. Mailfence also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Can I use my own domain with Google Workspace or Mailfence?
Yes, both do. Google Workspace: Yes. Mailfence: Yes.
Where is my email stored with Google Workspace and Mailfence?
Google Workspace keeps it in Choice of region only on Business Plus and above. Mailfence keeps it in Belgium.
Recent price changes
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Google Workspace news · Mailfence news.
Not sold on either? Try these
Google Workspace vs mailbox.org · Mailfence vs mailbox.org · Google Workspace vs Posteo · Mailfence vs Posteo · Google Workspace vs Proton Mail · Mailfence vs Proton Mail
Switching between them
Decided? These guides take you through moving your mail, contacts and address: Google Workspace to Mailfence · Mailfence to Google Workspace.