mailcow vs Paubox
On privacy it's Paubox. On price it's Paubox. On features it's Paubox. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
mailcow or Paubox: which should you choose?
- Go for mailcow if you'd like to try it free first; a calendar and contacts alongside your mail; and open-source apps.
| Feature | mailcow | Paubox |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | Not rated | 2.0 |
| Privacy | Not rated | 1.5 |
| Price | Not rated | 2.0 |
| Features | Not rated | 3.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Open source Free | Standard $32 a month for up to 5 users |
| Free plan | Yes, open source | No |
| Storage | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | Germany | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Your own server | United States (US data centres only) |
| Founded | Unknown | Unknown |
| Free trial | Free to download | 14 days free |
| Funded by advertising | No | No |
| Works in any mail app | ✓ IMAP and SMTP | ✓ IMAP and SMTP |
| Calendar and contacts | ✓ Yes | No |
| Aliases | Yes | Yes |
| Open-source apps | ✓ Yes | No |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | Unknown | Unknown |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 25 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
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The key differences
- On price: mailcow Open source at Free, against Paubox Standard at $32 a month for up to 5 users.
- mailcow has a free plan (open source); Paubox has no free plan.
- Data location: Your own server for mailcow, United States (US data centres only) for Paubox.
- The companies sit under different laws: mailcow in Germany, Paubox in United States.
- On encryption, mailcow doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas Paubox offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
Common questions
Can I use my own domain with mailcow or Paubox?
Yes, both do. mailcow: Yes. Paubox: Yes.
Where is my email stored with mailcow and Paubox?
mailcow keeps it in Your own server. Paubox keeps it in the United States (US data centres only).
Prices and the latest news
I haven't seen either change its price since I started checking on 25 October 2026.
The latest headlines: mailcow news · Paubox news.
Also worth a look
- mailbox.org4.5 out of 5 overall
- Tuta Business4.0 out of 5 overall
- Proton Mail for Business4.0 out of 5 overall
mailcow vs mailbox.org · Paubox vs mailbox.org · mailcow vs Tuta Business · Paubox vs Tuta Business · mailcow vs Proton Mail for Business · Paubox vs Proton Mail for Business
How to switch
Moving between any two providers works the same way. Pick your two providers for the steps.