Microsoft 365 Business vs CounterMail
On privacy it's CounterMail. On price it's CounterMail. On features it's Microsoft 365 Business. Here's everything side by side, last checked 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Go for Microsoft 365 Business if you'd like 50 GB of storage.
- CounterMail suits you best if you want encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail; a company that isn't funded by advertising; and the lower price ($4 a month, paid yearly ($49)).
| Feature | Microsoft 365 Business | CounterMail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 1.0 | 4.0 |
| Price | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Business Basic £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT | Premium, 12 months $4 a month, paid yearly ($49) |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Storage | 50 GB | 4 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | ✓ Built in |
| Company based in | United States | Sweden |
| Your data is kept in | UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) | Sweden |
| Founded | 2011 | Unknown |
| Free trial | One month free on some plans | Unknown |
| 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 | Unknown |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
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How Microsoft 365 Business and CounterMail differ
- Cheapest plans: Microsoft 365 Business Business Basic, £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT. CounterMail Premium, 12 months, $4 a month, paid yearly ($49).
- Space: Microsoft 365 Business gives 50 GB of storage, CounterMail 4 GB of storage.
- Data location: UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) for Microsoft 365 Business, Sweden for CounterMail.
- The companies sit under different laws: Microsoft 365 Business in United States, CounterMail in Sweden.
- On encryption, Microsoft 365 Business doesn't encrypt mail end to end, whereas CounterMail encrypts mail end to end.
- Microsoft 365 Business (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; CounterMail doesn't.
Questions people ask
Is Microsoft 365 Business more private than CounterMail?
CounterMail scores 4 out of 5 for privacy and Microsoft 365 Business 1. CounterMail gives you encryption that means even the provider can't read your mail and a company that isn't funded by advertising.
Is Microsoft 365 Business cheaper than CounterMail?
CounterMail is cheaper. Its Premium, 12 months plan is $4 a month, paid yearly ($49), against £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT for Microsoft 365 Business's Business Basic. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Can I use my own domain with Microsoft 365 Business or CounterMail?
Yes, both do. Microsoft 365 Business: Yes. CounterMail: Yes.
Where is my email stored with Microsoft 365 Business and CounterMail?
Microsoft 365 Business keeps it in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham). CounterMail keeps it in Sweden.
Price changes and news
- 27 July 2026 Microsoft 365 Business: £5.40 (UK price change from 1 July 2026)
- 1 June 2026 Microsoft 365 Business: £4.90
The latest headlines: Microsoft 365 Business news · CounterMail news.
Alternatives to Microsoft 365 Business and CounterMail
Microsoft 365 Business vs mailbox.org · CounterMail vs mailbox.org · Microsoft 365 Business vs Posteo · CounterMail vs Posteo · Microsoft 365 Business vs Proton Mail · CounterMail vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Moving to Microsoft 365 Business · Moving from Microsoft 365 Business. Or see all my switching guides.