Microsoft 365 Business vs Mailfence
In short: Mailfence wins on privacy, Mailfence wins on price, and Microsoft 365 Business wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Microsoft 365 Business or Mailfence: which should you choose?
- Microsoft 365 Business suits you best if you want 50 GB of storage.
- Mailfence suits you best if you want a company that isn't funded by advertising; to pay less: €3.50 a month; and to try it free first.
| Feature | Microsoft 365 Business | Mailfence |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Privacy | 1.0 | 3.5 |
| Price | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Business Basic £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT | Entry €3.50 a month |
| Free plan | No | Yes, 500 MB–1 GB, no own domain |
| Storage | 50 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | Optional (PGP or encrypted storage) |
| Company based in | United States | Belgium |
| Your data is kept in | UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) | Belgium |
| Founded | 2011 | 2013 |
| Free trial | One month free on some plans | Free plan |
| 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 | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
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The key differences
- Cheapest plans: Microsoft 365 Business Business Basic, £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT. Mailfence Entry, €3.50 a month.
- For free, Microsoft 365 Business gives you no free plan, and Mailfence a free plan (500 MB–1 GB, no own domain).
- Microsoft 365 Business comes with 50 GB of storage and Mailfence with 10 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) with Microsoft 365 Business, and in Belgium with Mailfence.
- Microsoft 365 Business is based in the United States and Mailfence in Belgium, so different privacy laws apply.
- Microsoft 365 Business doesn't encrypt mail end to end; Mailfence offers optional encryption (PGP or encrypted storage).
- Only Microsoft 365 Business is part of an advertising business.
Common questions
Which is more private, Microsoft 365 Business or Mailfence?
Mailfence scores 3.5 out of 5 for privacy and Microsoft 365 Business 1. Mailfence gives you a company that isn't funded by advertising.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft 365 Business or Mailfence?
Mailfence is cheaper. Its Entry plan is €3.50 a month, against £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT for Microsoft 365 Business's Business Basic. Mailfence also has a free plan. Check the renewal price before you pay, as some first-year prices go up.
Do Microsoft 365 Business and Mailfence work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Microsoft 365 Business: Yes. Mailfence: Yes.
Where do Microsoft 365 Business and Mailfence keep my email?
Microsoft 365 Business keeps it in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham). Mailfence keeps it in Belgium.
Recent price changes
- 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 · Mailfence news.
Alternatives to Microsoft 365 Business and Mailfence
Microsoft 365 Business vs mailbox.org · Mailfence vs mailbox.org · Microsoft 365 Business vs Posteo · Mailfence vs Posteo · Microsoft 365 Business vs Proton Mail · Mailfence vs Proton Mail
How to switch
Ready to move? My step-by-step guides cover your mail, contacts, forwarding and your own domain: Microsoft 365 Business to Mailfence · Mailfence to Microsoft 365 Business.