Microsoft 365 Business vs IONOS Mail
IONOS Mail wins on privacy, IONOS Mail wins on price and Microsoft 365 Business wins on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 22 October 2026.
Should you pick Microsoft 365 Business or IONOS Mail?
- Microsoft 365 Business suits you best if you want 50 GB of storage and calendar and contacts in the same account.
- IONOS Mail suits you best if you want a company that isn't funded by advertising; a cheaper plan, at About £1–£2 a month (not confirmed); and a company with a longer track record (since 1988).
| Feature | Microsoft 365 Business | IONOS Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| Privacy | 1.0 | 2.5 |
| Price | 2.5 | 4.5 |
| Features | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Business Basic £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT | Mail Basic About £1–£2 a month (not confirmed) |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Storage | 50 GB | 2 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | Germany |
| Your data is kept in | UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) | UK data centre in Worcester; where email sits not confirmed |
| Founded | 2011 | 1988 |
| 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 | No |
| 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 | 22 October 2026 |
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How Microsoft 365 Business and IONOS Mail differ
- On price: Microsoft 365 Business Business Basic at £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT, against IONOS Mail Mail Basic at About £1–£2 a month (not confirmed).
- Microsoft 365 Business comes with 50 GB of storage and IONOS Mail with 2 GB of storage.
- Microsoft 365 Business keeps your mail in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham), while IONOS Mail keeps it in the UK data centre in Worcester; where email sits not confirmed.
- Microsoft 365 Business is based in the United States and IONOS Mail in Germany, so different privacy laws apply.
- Only Microsoft 365 Business is part of an advertising business.
Questions people ask
Which is more private, Microsoft 365 Business or IONOS Mail?
IONOS Mail scores 2.5 out of 5 for privacy and Microsoft 365 Business 1. IONOS Mail gives you a company that isn't funded by advertising.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft 365 Business or IONOS Mail?
IONOS Mail is cheaper. Its Mail Basic plan is About £1–£2 a month (not confirmed), 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.
Do Microsoft 365 Business and IONOS Mail work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Microsoft 365 Business: Yes. IONOS Mail: Yes.
Where do Microsoft 365 Business and IONOS Mail keep my email?
Microsoft 365 Business keeps it in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham). IONOS Mail keeps it in the UK data centre in Worcester; where email sits not confirmed.
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 · IONOS Mail news.
Not sold on either? Try these
- mailbox.org4.5 out of 5 overall
- Proton Mail for Business4.0 out of 5 overall
- Tuta Business4.0 out of 5 overall
Microsoft 365 Business vs mailbox.org · IONOS Mail vs mailbox.org · Microsoft 365 Business vs Proton Mail for Business · IONOS Mail vs Proton Mail for Business · Microsoft 365 Business vs Tuta Business · IONOS Mail vs Tuta Business
How to switch
Moving to Microsoft 365 Business · Moving from Microsoft 365 Business. Or see all my switching guides.