Mail-in-a-Box vs Paubox
Paubox wins on privacy, Paubox wins on price and Paubox wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Mail-in-a-Box if you want a free plan to start on; your diary and address book in one place with your email; and open-source apps.
| Feature | Mail-in-a-Box | 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 | United States | United States |
| Your data is kept in | Your own server | United States (US data centres only) |
| Founded | 2013 | 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 | No | Unknown |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 25 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
How Mail-in-a-Box and Paubox differ
- Mail-in-a-Box's cheapest plan is Open source (Free); Paubox's is Standard ($32 a month for up to 5 users).
- Mail-in-a-Box has a free plan (open source); Paubox has no free plan.
- Mail-in-a-Box keeps your mail in Your own server, while Paubox keeps it in the United States (US data centres only).
- On encryption, Mail-in-a-Box 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 Mail-in-a-Box or Paubox?
Yes, both do. Mail-in-a-Box: Yes. Paubox: Yes.
Where is my email stored with Mail-in-a-Box and Paubox?
Mail-in-a-Box keeps it in Your own server. Paubox keeps it in the United States (US data centres only).
Price changes and news
No price changes for either since 25 October 2026. I check regularly and add any change here with its date.
The latest headlines: Mail-in-a-Box news · Paubox news.
Also worth a look
- mailbox.org4.5 out of 5 overall
- Proton Mail for Business4.0 out of 5 overall
- Tuta Business4.0 out of 5 overall
Mail-in-a-Box vs mailbox.org · Paubox vs mailbox.org · Mail-in-a-Box vs Proton Mail for Business · Paubox vs Proton Mail for Business · Mail-in-a-Box vs Tuta Business · Paubox vs Tuta Business
Moving your email
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