Microsoft 365 Business vs iRedMail
In short: Microsoft 365 Business wins on privacy, Microsoft 365 Business wins on price, and Microsoft 365 Business wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 25 October 2026.
Should you pick Microsoft 365 Business or iRedMail?
- Choose Microsoft 365 Business if you want your mailbox stored in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham).
- iRedMail suits you best if you want a provider with no advertising business behind it; a free plan before you pay anything; and apps whose code is public.
| Feature | Microsoft 365 Business | iRedMail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | Not rated |
| Privacy | 1.0 | Not rated |
| Price | 2.5 | Not rated |
| Features | 5.0 | Not rated |
| Cheapest plan | Business Basic £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT | Open source Free |
| Free plan | No | Yes, open source |
| Storage | 50 GB | Not confirmed |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | Not confirmed |
| Your data is kept in | UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) | Your own server |
| Founded | 2011 | Unknown |
| Free trial | One month free on some plans | Free to download |
| 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 | ✓ Yes |
| 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 iRedMail differ
- Microsoft 365 Business's cheapest plan is Business Basic (£5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT); iRedMail's is Open source (Free).
- Microsoft 365 Business has no free plan; iRedMail has a free plan (open source).
- Space: Microsoft 365 Business gives 50 GB of storage, iRedMail storage not confirmed.
- Your mail is stored in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) with Microsoft 365 Business, and in Your own server with iRedMail.
- The companies sit under different laws: Microsoft 365 Business in United States, iRedMail in Not confirmed.
- Microsoft 365 Business (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; iRedMail doesn't.
Common questions
Can I use my own domain with Microsoft 365 Business or iRedMail?
Yes, both do. Microsoft 365 Business: Yes. iRedMail: Yes.
Where is my email stored with Microsoft 365 Business and iRedMail?
Microsoft 365 Business keeps it in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham). iRedMail keeps it in Your own server.
Prices and the latest 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 · iRedMail news.
Not sold on either? Try these
- mailbox.org4.5 out of 5 overall
- Tuta Business4.0 out of 5 overall
- Proton Mail for Business4.0 out of 5 overall
Microsoft 365 Business vs mailbox.org · iRedMail vs mailbox.org · Microsoft 365 Business vs Tuta Business · iRedMail vs Tuta Business · Microsoft 365 Business vs Proton Mail for Business · iRedMail vs Proton Mail for Business
How to switch
Moving to Microsoft 365 Business · Moving from Microsoft 365 Business. Or see all my switching guides.