Microsoft 365 Business vs Runbox
In short: Runbox wins on privacy, Runbox wins on price, and Microsoft 365 Business wins on features. The full comparison is below, last checked 22 October 2026.
Microsoft 365 Business or Runbox: which should you choose?
- Microsoft 365 Business is the better pick if you want 50 GB of storage.
- Runbox is the better pick if you want a provider with no advertising business behind it; the lower price ($34.95 a year); and extras such as PGP encryption as well as catch-all address.
| Feature | Microsoft 365 Business | Runbox |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy | 1.0 | 3.0 |
| Price | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Features | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Cheapest plan | Business Basic £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT | Mini $34.95 a year |
| Free plan | No | No (30-day trial) |
| Storage | 50 GB | 10 GB |
| Your own domain | ✓ Yes | ✓ Up to 5 |
| End-to-end encryption | No | No |
| Company based in | United States | Norway |
| Your data is kept in | UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) | Norway |
| Founded | 2011 | 2000 |
| Free trial | One month free on some plans | 30 days free, then a 60-day refund |
| 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 | 100 aliases |
| Open-source apps | No | ✓ Yes |
| Sign up without ID | No | No |
| White label | No | No |
| Reader offer | None | None |
| Last checked | 22 October 2026 | 22 October 2026 |
Want to add another? Open this in the compare tool.
Where they differ
- On price: Microsoft 365 Business Business Basic at £5.40 per user a month, yearly, ex VAT, against Runbox Mini at $34.95 a year.
- For free, Microsoft 365 Business gives you no free plan, and Runbox no free plan.
- Microsoft 365 Business comes with 50 GB of storage and Runbox with 10 GB of storage.
- Data location: UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham) for Microsoft 365 Business, Norway for Runbox.
- Microsoft 365 Business is based in the United States and Runbox in Norway, so different privacy laws apply.
- Only Microsoft 365 Business is part of an advertising business.
- For extra addresses, Microsoft 365 Business has yes and Runbox has 100 aliases.
Questions people ask
Which is more private, Microsoft 365 Business or Runbox?
Runbox scores 3 out of 5 for privacy and Microsoft 365 Business 1. Runbox gives you a provider with no advertising business behind it and open-source apps anyone can check.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft 365 Business or Runbox?
Runbox is cheaper. Its Mini plan is $34.95 a year, 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 Runbox work with my own domain?
Yes, both do. Microsoft 365 Business: Yes. Runbox: Up to 5.
Where do Microsoft 365 Business and Runbox keep my email?
Microsoft 365 Business keeps it in the UK data centres for UK tenants (London, Cardiff, Durham). Runbox keeps it in Norway.
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 · Runbox news.
Also worth a look
Microsoft 365 Business vs mailbox.org · Runbox vs mailbox.org · Microsoft 365 Business vs Posteo · Runbox vs Posteo · Microsoft 365 Business vs Proton Mail · Runbox vs Proton Mail
Moving your email
Decided? These guides take you through moving your mail, contacts and address: Microsoft 365 Business to Runbox · Runbox to Microsoft 365 Business.