Paul O'Brieneverything email Subscribe

Kolab Now vs Cloudflare Email Routing

On privacy it's Kolab Now. On price it's Cloudflare Email Routing. On features it's Kolab Now. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.

Kolab Now or Cloudflare Email Routing: which should you choose?

  • Choose Kolab Now if you want your email to stay in Switzerland; 5 GB of storage; and freedom to use the mail app you already like.
  • Choose Cloudflare Email Routing if you want a mailbox that costs nothing and a free plan to start on.
FeatureKolab NowCloudflare Email Routing
Overall3.52.0
Privacy3.00.5
Price3.05.0
Features4.5Not rated
Cheapest planMailbox
CHF 5 a month
Free
Free
Free planNoYes
Storage5 GBForwards only
Your own domain✓ Yes✓ Yes
End-to-end encryptionNoNo
Company based in Switzerland United States
Your data is kept in SwitzerlandWorldwide network
Founded2013Unknown
Free trialUnknownFree
Funded by advertisingNoNo
Works in any mail app✓ IMAP and SMTPNo, its own apps only
Calendar and contacts✓ YesNo
AliasesYesCustom addresses and catch-all
Open-source apps✓ YesNo
Sign up without IDNoNo
White labelUnknownUnknown
Reader offerNoneNone
Last checked25 October 202625 October 2026

Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.

The key differences

  • Kolab Now's cheapest plan is Mailbox (CHF 5 a month); Cloudflare Email Routing's is Free (Free).
  • For free, Kolab Now gives you no free plan, and Cloudflare Email Routing a free plan ().
  • Kolab Now comes with 5 GB of storage and Cloudflare Email Routing with no storage, as it forwards mail on.
  • Data location: Switzerland for Kolab Now, Worldwide network for Cloudflare Email Routing.
  • Kolab Now is based in Switzerland and Cloudflare Email Routing in the United States, so different privacy laws apply.
  • Kolab Now works in any mail app over IMAP, and Cloudflare Email Routing only works in its own apps.
  • For extra addresses, Kolab Now has yes and Cloudflare Email Routing has custom addresses and catch-all.

Common questions

Which is more private, Kolab Now or Cloudflare Email Routing?

Kolab Now scores 3 out of 5 for privacy and Cloudflare Email Routing 0.5. Kolab Now gives you your email to stay in Switzerland and open-source apps.

Which is cheaper, Kolab Now or Cloudflare Email Routing?

Cloudflare Email Routing costs nothing to start (Free). Kolab Now's cheapest plan, Mailbox, is CHF 5 a month.

Do Kolab Now and Cloudflare Email Routing work with my own domain?

Yes, both do. Kolab Now: Yes. Cloudflare Email Routing: Yes.

Where do Kolab Now and Cloudflare Email Routing keep my email?

Kolab Now keeps it in Switzerland. Cloudflare Email Routing keeps it in Worldwide network.

Do Kolab Now and Cloudflare Email Routing work in other mail apps?

Kolab Now works in any mail app over IMAP. Cloudflare Email Routing only works in its own apps.

Prices and the latest news

No price changes for either since 25 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.

The latest headlines: Kolab Now news · Cloudflare Email Routing news.

Also worth a look

Kolab Now vs mailbox.org · Cloudflare Email Routing vs mailbox.org · Kolab Now vs Posteo · Cloudflare Email Routing vs Posteo · Kolab Now vs Proton Mail · Cloudflare Email Routing vs Proton Mail

Moving your email

Whichever you choose, the move follows the same steps. Pick your two providers for the steps.

Get new posts and become a member

You're subscribing to Paul O'Brien - Insights, my newsletter. When I publish a new review, guide or explainer, it comes straight to your inbox. It's free, and you also become a member.

See everything members get

I'll send one email first so you can confirm it's you. Already subscribed? Sign in to manage your details