Microsoft 365 Business vs Rackspace Email
Microsoft 365 Business wins on privacy, Microsoft 365 Business wins on price and they tie on features. Every fact below was checked on or before 25 October 2026.
Which should you choose?
- Go for Microsoft 365 Business if you'd like your mailbox stored in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham); a cheaper plan, at £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT; and more room (50 GB, against 25 GB).
- Rackspace Email suits you best if you want a provider with no advertising business behind it and more years of history: it started in 1998.
| Feature | Microsoft 365 Business | Rackspace Email |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 2.0 |
| Privacy | 1.0 | 0.5 |
| Price | 2.5 | 2.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Cheapest plan | Business Basic £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT | Rackspace Email $10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026) |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Storage | 50 GB | 25 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | United States |
| Your data is kept in | UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) | United States and UK |
| Founded | 2011 | 1998 |
| Free trial | One month free on some plans | 14 days free |
| 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 | ✓ Yes |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 25 October 2026 |
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Where they differ
- On price: Microsoft 365 Business Business Basic at £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT, against Rackspace Email Rackspace Email at $10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026).
- Space: Microsoft 365 Business gives 50 GB of storage, Rackspace Email 25 GB of storage.
- Your mail is stored in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) with Microsoft 365 Business, and in the United States and UK with Rackspace Email.
- Microsoft 365 Business (or its parent company) makes money from advertising; Rackspace Email doesn't.
Questions people ask
Is Microsoft 365 Business more private than Rackspace Email?
Microsoft 365 Business scores 1 out of 5 for privacy and Rackspace Email 0.5. Microsoft 365 Business gives you your mailbox stored in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham).
Is Microsoft 365 Business cheaper than Rackspace Email?
Microsoft 365 Business is cheaper. Its Business Basic plan is £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT, against $10 per mailbox a month (from March 2026) for Rackspace Email's Rackspace Email. 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 Rackspace Email?
Yes, both do. Microsoft 365 Business: Yes. Rackspace Email: Yes.
Where is my email stored with Microsoft 365 Business and Rackspace Email?
Microsoft 365 Business keeps it in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham). Rackspace Email keeps it in the United States and UK.
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
- 1 March 2026 Rackspace Email: $10 (March 2026 rise)
- 1 January 2026 Rackspace Email: $3
The latest headlines: Microsoft 365 Business news · Rackspace Email news.
Alternatives to Microsoft 365 Business and Rackspace Email
- 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 · Rackspace Email vs mailbox.org · Microsoft 365 Business vs Proton Mail for Business · Rackspace Email vs Proton Mail for Business · Microsoft 365 Business vs Tuta Business · Rackspace Email vs Tuta Business
Switching between them
Moving to Microsoft 365 Business · Moving from Microsoft 365 Business. Or see all my switching guides.