Google Workspace vs StartMail
In short: StartMail wins on privacy, StartMail wins on price, and they tie on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Google Workspace or StartMail: which should you choose?
- Go for Google Workspace if you'd like 30 GB of storage and more years of history: it started in 2006.
- Choose StartMail if you want your mail kept in the Netherlands; a company that isn't funded by advertising; and to pay less: $4.99 a month.
| Feature | Google Workspace | StartMail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.0 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 0.0 | 3.5 |
| Price | 2.5 | 3.5 |
| Features | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Business Starter £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT | Personal $4.99 a month |
| Free plan | No | No (7-day trial) |
| Storage | 30 GB | 20 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ 1 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | United States | Netherlands |
| Your data is kept in | Choice of region only on Business Plus and above | Netherlands |
| Founded | 2006 | 2014 |
| Free trial | 14 days 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 | Yes | Unlimited throwaway addresses |
| Open-source apps | No | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | Offer 10% off your first year | Offer 50% off |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- On price: Google Workspace Business Starter at £5.90 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT, against StartMail Personal at $4.99 a month.
- For free, Google Workspace gives you no free plan, and StartMail no free plan.
- Google Workspace comes with 30 GB of storage and StartMail with 20 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in Choice of region only on Business Plus and above with Google Workspace, and in the Netherlands with StartMail.
- Google Workspace is based in the United States and StartMail in the Netherlands, so different privacy laws apply.
- Google Workspace doesn't encrypt mail end to end; StartMail offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- Only Google Workspace is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, Google Workspace has yes and StartMail has unlimited throwaway addresses.
Common questions
Which is more private, Google Workspace or StartMail?
StartMail scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Google Workspace 0. StartMail gives you your mail kept in the Netherlands and a company that isn't funded by advertising.
Which is cheaper, Google Workspace or StartMail?
StartMail is cheaper. Its Personal plan is $4.99 a month, 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.
Do Google Workspace and StartMail work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Google Workspace: Yes. StartMail: 1 domain on its cheapest plan that allows one.
Where do Google Workspace and StartMail keep my email?
Google Workspace keeps it in Choice of region only on Business Plus and above. StartMail keeps it in the Netherlands.
Price changes and news
Neither price has changed since my first check on 22 October 2026.
The latest headlines: Google Workspace news · StartMail news.
Alternatives to Google Workspace and StartMail
Google Workspace vs mailbox.org · StartMail vs mailbox.org · Google Workspace vs Posteo · StartMail vs Posteo · Google Workspace vs Proton Mail · StartMail vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Switching takes an evening to set up. Follow the steps for your direction: Google Workspace to StartMail · StartMail to Google Workspace.